Best Spark Plug Wires (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

Fire up every cylinder of your car smoothly with these high-performance spark plug wires

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Many car owners routinely swap out their vehicle's spark plugs for maintenance. However, changing the spark plug wires is another project you should consider adding to your list when making sure your vehicle is in working order. The wires are responsible for providing the spark that ignites each spark plug, and they need just as much care and attention as the plug itself. Check out the top spark plug wires you should consider.

NGK Spark Plug Wire Set

Denso Spark Plug Wire Set

ACDelco Professional Spark Plug Wire Set

These wires are made up of fiberglass-impregnated carbon core wires and are the most common of all wire sets found in today's vehicles. It is the carbon that gives the wires a higher resistance to RFI noise.

Magnetic resistance spark plug wires, or inductance wires, are more popular in Japanese style vehicles such as Acuras, Toyotas, and Hondas. They are designed from spiral cores wound with a nickel alloy or copper wires. The material is less resistant to the flow of electricity, which means it requires less current to generate a spark.

Fixed resistor spark plug wires are more prominently featured in European-style cars. They feature steel and copper wire and have resistors in the spark plug boots.

Since 1936, NGK Spark Plugs has designed world-class quality spark plugs, oxygen sensors, and other automotive products. It was founded in 1966, with its main office headquartered in Irvine, Calif. One of its top products is the NGK Spark Plug Wire Set.

Since 1906, ACDelco has been creating parts for vehicles, planes, and spacecraft. William Durant helped launch the company in Grand Blanc, Mich., and worked with General Motors to design spark plugs, shocks, and more. It makes the ACDelco Professional Spark Plug Wire Set.

Founded in 1949, Denso develops and designs a large number of automobile parts and equipment. From alternators, air filters, oil filters, and spark plugs, Denso covers basically all parts of the vehicle. A spark plug wire it is known for is the Denso Spark Plug Wire Set.

Choosing new spark plug wires really comes down to the type of vehicle you drive. If you use your car as an everyday driver, distributed resistance wires are your best choice. They are designed specifically with a reduced amount of RFI and will not hinder your onboard computer, sensors, or gauges. If your vehicle is American-made, go for distributed resistance wires. A Japanese car will need magnetic resistant wires, and European vehicles will operate more efficiently with fixed resistor wires.

It's also important to know how many sparks plugs your vehicle has. Some spark plug wires split into multiple wires to fit onto multiple spark plugs, while others can be purchased separately. The more plugs your car has, the more wires you will need.

Best Overall

NGK's brand of spark plug wires come with variable pitch winding and an ultra-low resistance level. They provide a powerful spark to the spark plugs for an instant and powerful start. The wires are also fitted with positive locking and are corrosion resistant. Their stainless steel terminal ends fit tightly and securely to the spark plugs to ensure a quick and vibration-free ignition.

One feature we found useful is each wire is numbered for an easy-to-see and use identification system for each spark plug. Each one is also color-coded so you can tell which wire is connected to a certain spark plug. The wiring is made up of a high-temperature silicone jacket that resists moisture, oil, gas, and cracking in the extreme heat of up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit.

While these ignition plug wires make for a great replacement for OEM wires, we did find the plug boots may not cover the sleeves of the engine head properly. This could lead to dirt and water entering the plug sleeves. Another downside is they are on the more expensive side.

Best Value

Denso's premium spark plug wire sets are identical to the OEM style fashioned to most vehicles. That makes them familiar and easy to install after you remove the old ones. The major difference is the materials, such as the conductor wire, that make up these replacement wires. These are much more durable than the standard wires that come with your car.

The wires are designed with a fiberglass braid that quickly and efficiently sends a spark to your spark plugs. The housing for the copper wiring and cabling is sturdy and thick to help prevent against punctures and extreme heat or cold. Another bonus is the wires are a bit cheaper than the exact matching set found in your vehicle.

A drawback to the Denso spark plug wire is it can be a little too short to reach the OEM routing clips. However, you should be able to stretch them so they fit properly. You may also find it difficult to latch onto the gasket on the engine side.

Premium Pick

ACDelco's professional spark plug wire set fits properly to the spark plug and ignition, providing your car with the maximum voltage needed to start running and continue running throughout your drive. The specifically designed distributor boot shape and materials provide a secure fit, easy installation, and watertight seal.

The corrosion resistance feature helps prevent any kind of acidic buildup while the terminal design improves spark plug retention and assists you with installing each wire correctly. Plus, the insulation acts as a high dielectric solution, keeping the copper in excellent shape with each mile. Also, the coil retainer prevents fretting and micro-arcing in the material.

A word of caution to anyone removing them yourself: the wires may end up pushing so tightly to the end of the spark plugs that they are nearly impossible to remove without separating the metal connector from inside the wire boot. You may need to have them professionally removed when you replace the wires. Another issue you may find is the wires can be a bit too short in some cars.

Best for Jeeps

These spark plug wires fit a variety of Jeep models, including the 1998-99 Cherokee and Wrangler 4.0L, 1997-99 TJ 2.5L 4.0L, 1995-99 Wrangler 2.5L, 1991-99 Cherokee 2.5L 4.0L, 1995 Grand Cherokee, and 1991-92 Comanche 2.5L 4.0L. The package includes wires encased in insulation, connectors, and insulating boots.

These high-quality replacement wires are a premium aftermarket solution and a direct fit. They follow the factory wire routing, and the 7mm diameter fits the wire looms. They are shipped with a small packet of dielectric grease and some that are already packed into the end fittings. Overall, they're very reliable, and the red cable is a nice touch when it comes to aesthetics.

However, there have been some complaints that the wires are a little too short for some applications. Some users have also received fewer wires than advertised. In addition, you should try to install one at a time so you don't get confused about the correct placement.

Honorable Mention

The Thundercore ultra wire sets are designed to meet or exceed OE specifications in fit, form, and function. The wire-wound, insulated cable is SAEJ2031 Class E rated, and the coil on the plug boots is resistant to high temperatures. The spark plug wires also include snap lock terminals that resist corrosion and easily click into place during installation.

The wires resemble the factory wires except that they are not numbered. They are well-made and strong, yet soft and flexible. The boots are firm and emit a satisfying snapping sound when you install them. When combined with a good-quality spark plug, the wires may improve engine starting, acceleration, and fuel economy. They fit vehicles such as Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

There are few downsides with this product. There have been some complaints that the wires start to fail after a short period of use or that one may be too short for the application.

Honorable Mention

You get four 7mm wires in this set, and they are numbered and color coded for simple installation. They provide a powerful spark and excellent noise suppression. The terminal ends are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel to minimize vibration and separation. The high-temperature-resistant outer jack repels moisture and minimizes cracking.

These wires are an excellent replacement for OEM cables. They fit vehicles such as a Hyundai Elantra nearly perfectly. They have a nice click when they are successfully connected to the spark plug. Also, the wires produce a slight increase in performance when accelerating and a slightly smoother idle. They are also very secure and hold up well over time. Overall, they are solidly constructed, perform as they should, the lengths are correct, and the boots fit the head and coils without issue.

However, the blue cable may look out of place in the engine department, depending on your taste. Some users have had to make some modifications to get them to fit tightly, and they do not fit all makes and models.

Honorable Mention

These red 8.2mm silicone spark plug wires are designed for eight-cylinder engines and fit most OE wire looms. They have 50 ohms of resistance per foot and provide extra torque and a smoother idle because of their two-layer jacket and ferrite spiral-wound core. They have heat protection up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit and are also available in black and blue.

These wires are very well made and fit perfectly in certain vehicles, such as a 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500 with a 5.3L V8. Users love that these wires are made in colors that match the paint of their trucks. They are designed for ultra-high performance, to increase fuel mileage, and to produce a superior spark. They're also an American-made product.

One downside is that these one-size-fits-most wires can be too long for some vehicles. In addition, the wires may not have 50 ohms per foot as advertised.

Honorable Mention

The Motorcraft spark plug wire set is recommended by Ford Motor Co. for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The set features a wire set boot and connector and is designed to deliver as much voltage as possible to the spark plug. It meets OE specs for durability and reliability, even under the most extreme conditions.

The spark plug wires increase an engine's lifespan, reduce misfires, and are excellent quality. They are a perfect fit for most Ford vehicles and work exactly as they're supposed to. The connections at both ends are the same as the stock wires. They also cost much less than what you would pay at the dealership.

The biggest complaint about these wires is that they don't have the cylinder numbers on them, so you have to match each wire one at a time, which creates a little more work. Only wires on new vehicles from the Ford factory are numbered. Also, one or two may be approximately an inch off from the original wires.

A: We recommend changing your spark plug wires every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. However, this also depends on the kind of driving you to do. But if you race cars or take your vehicle off-road, you may want to consider changing out the wires sooner. You will want to inspect the spark plug wires often to make sure they are in good shape.

A: There are several signs that your spark plug wires need to be swapped out for a new pair, including hesitation or backfiring during acceleration, decreased acceleration, a rough idle, charring on the end of the wire that connects into the plugs, a significant drop in fuel economy, or difficulty starting your engine.

A: You will need to correctly route the wires to the appropriate spark plug to ensure your engine starts properly. Misrouting the wire could create a misfire in the engine, which is both annoying, loud, and startling. To help guide you on the correct order, the wires will be labeled or color-coded.

For anyone who needs a good-quality set of spark plug wires, consider the NGK Spark Plug Wire Set. They provide a powerful spark to the plugs for an instant and powerful start.

For those who want to save a bit of cash and still get a top-rated wiring kit, check out the Denso Spark Plug Wire Set.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.