Why compare at 2.5 sq mm?
2.5 sq mm is the workhorse size — every socket circuit in the house uses it — so it's where brand price differences hit your budget hardest. All three coils here are 90 m, ISI-marked, electrolytic-grade copper, FR insulation; none is a "cheap" wire.
Price per coil
- OCI 2.5 sq mm — 90 m: ~₹3,974
- Polycab 2.5 sq mm — 90 m: ~₹3,978
- Havells 2.5 sq mm — 90 m: ~₹7,617
OCI and Polycab sit within a few rupees of each other; Havells commands a clear premium.
What the premium buys
- Polycab is India's largest wire maker — enormous batch consistency, easy availability of matching sizes mid-project, strong insulation quality. The default choice for full-house wiring.
- Havells adds tighter QC and premium insulation compounds; its finish strips and dresses beautifully, which concealed-conduit electricians appreciate. If the wiring is going behind ₹-lakhs of interiors, the premium is cheap insurance.
- OCI matches the spec sheet at the friendliest price — a smart pick for rentals, outhouses and budget-driven projects. It's also available loose, per metre (6.0 sq mm loose) for top-up runs.
Verdict
- Full-house rewiring, balanced budget: Polycab.
- Premium build / concealed work you never want to touch again: Havells.
- Budget project or partial runs: OCI.
Whichever brand you pick, size the wire to the circuit first — see the house wiring size guide. The full spec table is below; browse everything in Cables & Wires.
