When you need to ramp a motor up smoothly, the first choice is soft starter versus adjustable-speed drive. But the next choice is which specific unit you can actually put into your control panel: one that matches your line voltage, one that covers your motor's full-load amperage, and one that fits the condition and price you're willing to work with.
Here are four listed motor control options spanning $94.99 to $999.99, from a 9 A soft starter on the low end to a 147 A starter with a 120 V coil on the high end.
Quick take
- SR22-09 Stellar Soft Starter - Lowest listed price in this group at $94.99 and a 480 V AC soft starter rated for 9 FLA motors.
- Leeson Adjustable Speed AC Motor Control - Open-box AC speed control with 120 V input, rated for 1/2 HP, listed at $229.99.
- Tiuan US425-02D-SM - Used digital speed control pack at a mid-list price of $375.00.
- Sprecher Schuh PCXXE, PCE-147-600V-120V - Highest amperage unit here at 147 A, with a 120 V coil and an Allen Bradley 100-E80KD00 contactor included.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| SR22-09 Stellar Soft Starter 9 FLA 480VAC | $94.99 | |
| Leeson Adjustable Speed AC Motor Control 174264.00 | $229.99 | |
| Tiuan US425-02D-SM Digital Speed Control Pack | $375.00 | |
| Sprecher Schuh PCXXE PCE-147-600V-120V | $999.99 |
Decision matrix
If your motor is 480 V and around 9 FLA and you want a soft starter, the Stellar SR22-09 is the clear listed-price match. If you need a compact AC speed control for a 1/2 HP motor and can work with open-box condition, the Leeson 174264.00 fits. If you're controlling a three-phase, 147 A motor and need a soft starter with a 120 V coil, the Sprecher Schuh PCE-147-600V is the heavyweight choice. The Tiuan US425-02D-SM sits in the middle as a digital speed control pack, but its listing is light on electrical specifications, so it's best when you already know your system requirements.
Product notes
SR22-09 Stellar Soft Starter 9 FLA 480VAC 50/60Hz Motor Control Industrial PLC
At $94.99, this used Stellar soft starter is the lowest listed price in the group and gives you a 480 V AC unit rated for a 9 A full-load motor. If you're standardizing on 50/60 Hz industrial control and want reduced-voltage starting without paying for more amperage than you need, this is a strong starting point. The trade-off is the used condition; for a 9 FLA application, it could be a practical fit, but if your motor drawing more current you'd need a higher-rated unit. The listing focuses on the soft starter itself, so plan for any panel components your setup already requires.
Leeson Adjustable Speed AC Motor Control 174264.00 Industrial VFD
This new open-box Leeson control is the closest thing here to a drop-in adjustable-speed package for a small motor. The description lists 120 V input with 0-230 V output, 9.2 A input, and 2.4 A output, along with a 1/2 HP rated load. At $229.99, it sits in the middle of this group and makes sense for low-horsepower speed adjustment rather than high-current starting. The limitation is that modest output: at 1/2 HP, it won't drive the larger loads that the Sprecher Schuh unit can handle. Open-box condition means you're getting a unit that was not sold as factory-sealed, but it is still described as new open-box.
Tiuan US425-02D-SM Digital Speed Control Pack Industrial Motor Controller
Priced at $375.00, the Tiuan US425-02D-SM is the only digital speed control pack in this set. It provides speed-control capability in a single packaged unit, which can simplify wiring when you're adding variable-speed control to a small machine. Because it's listed as used, the physical and electrical condition is the main variable you'll want to inspect before installation. The listing doesn't give voltage, amperage, or horsepower ratings, so this is a product for someone who already knows the motor it will be paired with, not for someone trying to identify an unknown motor from scratch.
Sprecher Schuh PCXXE, PCE-147-600V-120V Motor Soft Starter 147A 3Phase 120V Coil
This is the highest-priced and highest-current option at $999.99. The Sprecher Schuh PCXXE is a three-phase soft starter rated at 147 A with a 120 V coil, and the listing includes an Allen Bradley 100-E80KD00 contactor. That inclusion matters because it removes one of the common parts you'd otherwise need to source separately. The trade-offs are the listed price and used condition. If your application really needs 147 A starting capacity, the price can be justified by the amperage headroom alone. If your motor only needs a few amps, you'd be paying for capacity you'll never use.
Final recommendation
- Choose the SR22-09 Stellar when you want the lowest listed price in this group and have a 480 V, 9 A motor to start.
- Choose the Leeson 174264.00 when you need adjustable AC speed control at 1/2 HP with 120 V input.
- Choose the Tiuan US425-02D-SM when a digital speed control pack at $375.00 is the right form factor and you already know your electrical requirements.
- Choose the Sprecher Schuh PCE-147-600V when you have a 147 A three-phase motor and want the included Allen Bradley contactor plus a 120 V coil.
Start with the motor's voltage and full-load amperage. Once you know those two numbers, the listed prices and conditions in this group will sort themselves out.
