When you're shopping for hoses tubing fittings, the line you pick has to match the job. For compressed air and general transfer, a flexible blue hose is often the go-to; for refrigeration work, a rigid metal tube can be the more reliable choice. Here we're looking at two very different pneumatic lines: the Pneumatic Tubing Pipe 8Mm or 5/16" OD 5Mm ID Blue Air Compressor PU Line Hose and the Robertshaw 11-193 Pneumatic Tubing For Refrigeration, Aluminum, 50 Ft L, 1/4 In. Both are new and both are meant for pneumatic plumbing, but they serve different corners of the same category.
Quick Verdict
If you want a flexible line for pneumatic tools, instruments, or general industrial water and gardening use, the blue hose is the easy pick. It costs $20.95, which is about $10.74 less than the Robertshaw's $31.69 price tag. If you need a rigid tube built for refrigeration runs, the Robertshaw 11-193 is the more specialized choice. The material difference matters more than the price gap: one line is meant to bend, the other is meant to stay put.
Comparison at a Glance
| Attribute | Pneumatic Tubing Pipe 5/16" OD PU | Robertshaw 11-193 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20.95 | $31.69 |
| Material | Polyurethane (PU) | Aluminum |
| Length | 39 feet | 50 feet |
| Outside Diameter | 5/16 in | 1/4 in |
| Best For | Flexible air/water lines, pneumatic tools | Refrigeration lines, rigid runs |
Where Each Line Wins
- The blue tubing wins when you need to route a line around tight corners or equipment. Its flexible construction is meant to stay resilient and resist creasing, which makes it a natural fit for portable or bench setups.
- The Robertshaw wins when you need a straight, rigid refrigeration run. The stable metal construction is better suited to a fixed installation, where you don't want the line to shift.
- If you need to uncoil and reroute often, the blue hose is easier to manage; if you're making one permanent connection, the Robertshaw gives you a solid, straight run.
Product Notes
Pneumatic Tubing Pipe 8Mm or 5/16" OD 5Mm ID Blue Air Compressor PU Line Hose
If flexible routing is your priority, this 39-foot blue line is the one to reach for. It's sized with a 5/16-inch outside diameter and a 3/16-inch inner diameter, and the construction is described as clear, crack-resistant, and resilient. The list of intended uses covers pneumatic tools, instruments, mechanical gas piping, laboratory automation, general industrial water and gardening, and even wine brewing. That versatility makes it a solid general-purpose line in a hoses tubing fittings setup. One limitation: because this is a flexible hose, it won't hold a rigid shape on its own the way a metal tube can. For a stationary line that has to stay exactly where you put it, you'd probably want something with more structural rigidity.
Robertshaw 11-193 Pneumatic Tubing For Refrigeration, Aluminum, 50 Ft L, 1/4 In
If you're putting together a refrigeration line, this Robertshaw tube is the more purpose-built option. It's a 50-foot roll with a 1/4-inch outside diameter and a 90 psi working pressure. The rigid construction gives you the stability that a straight mechanical run needs, and it carries the Robertshaw brand. The trade-off is flexibility: this tube doesn't bend around tight spaces the way the blue line can. For a refrigeration rack or a fixed mechanical line, that rigidity is usually what you want; for a portable air tool setup, it can make routing more difficult.
Final Choice by Use Case
For a general-purpose air or water line that's flexible, choose the Pneumatic Tubing Pipe. For a rigid refrigeration line, choose the Robertshaw 11-193.
