Need to plumb compressed air or refrigeration? In hoses tubing fittings, the toughest decision isn't which fitting to grab-it's which tube to run. The Robertshaw 11-193 Pneumatic Tubing for Refrigeration and the Zaplyte Pneumatic Tubing are both new options, but they are not interchangeable. One is built for a refrigerator line, the other for general pneumatic control, and the difference shows up in material, length, and price.
Quick verdict
Pick the Robertshaw 11-193 if you need a longer, rigid line rated at 90 psi for refrigeration or fixed pneumatic runs. Pick the Zaplyte if you want a flexible line for general air-control duty and prefer the lower price.
At a glance
| Product | Price | Length | Outside Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robertshaw 11-193 | $31.69 | 50 ft | 1/4 in |
| Zaplyte PU Air Line | $12.83 | 33 ft | 5/32 in |
Where each product wins
- Robertshaw 11-193 wins for refrigeration and long, straight runs. The aluminum line is the rigid option here, which suits a fixed installation.
- Zaplyte wins for tighter routing and lighter air-control jobs. The polyurethane line is the flexible option and costs less.
Product notes
Robertshaw 11-193 Aluminum Pneumatic Tubing
If the job is refrigeration or a line that needs to hold its shape, the Robertshaw 11-193 is the more rigid option in this comparison. It gives you 50 feet of 1/4-in outside-diameter aluminum tubing with a 90 psi working pressure, and the country of origin is listed as the US. The limitation is the price: at $31.69, it's the higher-cost choice here, and aluminum is not as forgiving as polyurethane when you need to bend around tight spots. Choose it when you need the extra length and a firm, permanent-feeling line rather than a flexible snake-through-tight-areas tube.
Zaplyte Pneumatic Tubing 5/32 in OD 33 ft PU Air Line
If you're routing air to actuators, valves, or other pneumatic devices and need a lighter, bendable tube, the Zaplyte PU line is the flexible counterpart. The 33-ft coil has a 5/32-in outside diameter and a 2.5-mm inside diameter, and the polyurethane material is described as abrasion- and corrosion-resistant. At $12.83, it sits well below the Robertshaw on price. The trade-off is that it's shorter and thinner, so it isn't a drop-in replacement for a 50-ft, 1/4-in aluminum refrigeration line. Use it for general air-line runs where flexibility and lower cost matter more than maximum length and rigidity.
Final choice by use case
- Refrigeration or long fixed runs: Robertshaw 11-193.
- Flexible compressed-air lines to actuators or valves: Zaplyte Pneumatic Tubing.
