A soft starter has to match the motor and electrical setup before its price can matter. In vfds soft starters motor controls, the key split here is clear: two 16-32A kits target residential 4-7 ton AC equipment, one unit is labeled for single-phase 220V use, and one is a 40HP three-phase control. Start with that divide rather than trying to compare them as direct substitutes.
Quick take
For a 4-7 ton residential AC unit, the two 16-32A install-kit listings are the closest match. The AC Soft Starter w/ Reverse Motor Protection 16-32A For 4-7 Ton AC Install Kit carries the lowest listed price at USD 112.99, while the similarly specified 16-32A AC Soft Starter w/ Reverse Motor Protection For 4-7 Ton AC Install Kit is USD 120.89. The Single Phase SSR-200WA-R1(8KW) 220V Motor Soft Starter Soft Stop Function fits a different single-phase, 220V brief. For a stated 40HP, 60A, three-phase application, the Kimatek ASAC-0/030/5/1 is the purpose-built choice at the top of the range.
Listed-price comparison
| Soft starter | Listed price | Relative price bar |
|---|---|---|
| AC 16-32A kit | USD 112.99 | |
| 16-32A AC kit | USD 120.89 | |
| Single-phase 220V soft-stop unit | USD 126.89 | |
| Kimatek 40HP three-phase starter | USD 575.00 |
The listed range runs from USD 112.99 to USD 575.00. That spread reflects substantially different stated electrical applications, so the lowest price is most meaningful only when the 16-32A, 4-7 ton AC scope is the right fit.
Decision matrix
- Residential 4-7 ton AC compressor: Focus on either 16-32A AC install kit. Both are presented for most residential AC units in that tonnage range and include reverse motor protection in their titles.
- Single-phase 220V motor with a soft-stop requirement: Choose the Single Phase SSR-200WA-R1(8KW) 220V Motor Soft Starter Soft Stop Function.
- 40HP three-phase motor: The Kimatek ASAC-0/030/5/1 is explicitly rated for 40HP, 60A, and 200-575V input.
- Generator-related AC use: The two AC kits are identified for HVAC systems and generators; the 16-32A AC kit also states generator-focused inrush-current reduction.
Product notes
16-32A AC Soft Starter w/ Reverse Motor Protection For 4-7 Ton AC Install Kit
This is a focused pick for a residential AC application that falls within the stated 4-7 ton and 16-32A range. The included AC soft starter install kit gives it a clear place among the compressor-oriented choices, while the gradual voltage ramp and reverse motor protection speak directly to controlled startup use. Its description also calls out HVAC systems, generators, EV chargers, and solar power. The tradeoff is its tightly defined application range: select it for the stated 4-7 ton residential AC scope rather than treating it as a general 40HP motor controller.
AC Soft Starter w/ Reverse Motor Protection 16-32A For 4-7 Ton AC Install Kit
At the lowest listed price in this comparison, this 16-32A kit makes sense when the goal is a 4-7 ton AC compressor application with an included install kit. It shares the HVAC, generator, EV charger, and solar-power compatibility language of the other AC-focused kit, and its description gives an operating temperature range of -4°F to 140°F. Reverse motor protection is included in the title. The boundary remains specific: it is presented for most residential AC units between 4 and 7 tons, not as the three-phase 40HP solution.
Single Phase SSR-200WA-R1(8KW) 220V Motor Soft Starter Soft Stop Function
Choose this unit when single-phase 220V operation and a soft-stop function are the defining requirements. Its stated voltage use includes 220V, 230V, and 240V operation at 50Hz or 60Hz, which makes the electrical format more central than AC tonnage or a three-phase horsepower class. This is the middle-listed-price choice among the compact entries. Its practical limitation is equally clear from the title: it is a single-phase 220V motor soft starter, so it belongs in a single-phase motor decision rather than the residential 4-7 ton AC-kit comparison.
3ph 40HP Motor Soft Starter 60A 200-575V 45-66Hz w/ aux contact ASAC-0/030/5/1
The Kimatek ASAC-0/030/5/1 is the clear match for a stated 40HP three-phase motor requirement. It combines a 60A rating, 200-575V input range, 45-66Hz specification, and an auxiliary contact, making its intended electrical class much broader than the 16-32A AC kits. The description also identifies DIN-rail or chassis mounting and cULus Listed, CE, and IEC 60947-4 markings. Its limitation is the same specialization that makes it compelling: this is a 40HP, three-phase control rather than a compact single-phase or residential AC soft starter.
Final recommendation by use case
Pick the lower-priced 16-32A AC kit for a stated 4-7 ton residential AC setup. Choose the other 16-32A kit when its generator-oriented startup language is especially relevant. The single-phase 220V soft-stop unit is the targeted selection for that electrical format. For a 40HP, 60A, three-phase motor, select the Kimatek ASAC-0/030/5/1.
