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Device Boxes in Canada 2025 - Top 5 Code-Ready Picks with Expert Insights: Which Enclosure Fits Your Project?

Published on Sunday, August 24, 2025

Device boxes are specialized enclosures designed to house electrical devices such as switches, outlets, and junctions, ensuring secure installation and protection from environmental factors. They come in various designs to accommodate different device types and mounting configurations, facilitating safe and organized electrical connections. In Canada, consumer preferences center on code compliance, durability for varied climates, ease of installation, and compatibility with common wiring and smart-home devices. Contractors and DIYers often favor steel boxes for commercial robustness, PVC or polycarbonate for corrosion resistance in damp or outdoor settings, and retrofit or "old-work" boxes for renovation projects where minimizing wall repair is a priority. Value-conscious buyers look for features such as adjustable depth, multiple knockouts, integrated mounting ears, and pre-scored locations for cable clamps—features that reduce install time and meet provincial and municipal electrical rules.

Top Picks Summary

1. Best Single-Gang Steel Box

2. Best 4-Inch Steel 4-Square

3. Best Old-Work PVC Retrofit

4. Best PVC Junction Box

5. Best Fan & Fixture Support Box

Top Picks Summary

  1. Iberville 2104-LLE Single Gang Device Box
  2. Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square Box
  3. Carlon B114R-UPC Old Work Box
  4. IPEX Scepter JB111 Junction Box
  5. Arlington F101 Fan & Fixture Box
1
BEST SINGLE-GANG STEEL BOX

Iberville 2104-LLE Single Gang Device Box

Iberville
🏠 Local Product

The Iberville 2104-LLE Single Gang Device Box is a compact, easy-to-install solution that excels in tight residential and light-commercial retrofit applications; its slim profile and reliable mounting features make it a cost-effective choice compared with heavier metal boxes. Compared to metal 4-square or fan boxes on this list, it offers lower material cost and faster installation time while still meeting common electrical codes for single-gang device installs.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Slim single-gang pocket-hero

  • Snaps in place

  • Slim single-gang pocket-hero

  • Snaps in place

Review Summary

87%

"Reviewers generally find the Iberville 2104-LLE solid and well-built, easy to wire and install for single-gang applications, though a few note the finish and knockout fit could be improved."

  • Corrosion-resistant finish

  • Durable single-gang metal construction suited for switches and outlets.

  • Corrosion-resistant finish

  • Durable single-gang metal construction suited for switches and outlets.

Optimized Work Efficiency

Increased Safety & Security

The Iberville 2104-LLE Single Gang Device Box is a compact, easy-to-install solution that excels in tight residential and light-commercial retrofit applications; its slim profile and reliable mounting features make it a cost-effective choice compared with heavier metal boxes. Compared to metal 4-square or fan boxes on this list, it offers lower material cost and faster installation time while still meeting common electrical codes for single-gang device installs.

  • Slim single-gang pocket-hero

  • Snaps in place

  • Corrosion-resistant finish

  • Durable single-gang metal construction suited for switches and outlets.

  • Multiple pre-punched knockouts for straightforward cable entry.

  • Slim single-gang pocket-hero

  • Snaps in place

  • Corrosion-resistant finish

  • Durable single-gang metal construction suited for switches and outlets.

  • Multiple pre-punched knockouts for straightforward cable entry.

Order Now

$3-6 CAD

2
BEST 4-INCH STEEL 4-SQUARE

Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square Box

STEEL CITY

The Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square Box is the market-leading metal option, prized for its rugged construction, fire resistance, and compatibility with a wide range of conduit and device fittings, making it ideal for commercial and heavy-duty residential jobs. It typically carries a higher upfront cost than plastic alternatives like Carlon or Iberville but delivers superior mechanical strength and longevity, which reduces lifecycle replacement costs on demanding installations.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Tank-like steel body

  • Roomy wiring bay

  • Tank-like steel body

  • Roomy wiring bay

Review Summary

91%

"Users praise the Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square for its heavy-duty steel construction, variety of knockout options and durability; some mention it’s heavier and requires proper grounding."

  • Flush-mount friendly

  • Galvanized 4-square design ideal for multi-device fixtures and junctions.

  • Flush-mount friendly

  • Galvanized 4-square design ideal for multi-device fixtures and junctions.

Increased Safety & Security

Optimized Work Efficiency

Tech-Savvy Living

The Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square Box is the market-leading metal option, prized for its rugged construction, fire resistance, and compatibility with a wide range of conduit and device fittings, making it ideal for commercial and heavy-duty residential jobs. It typically carries a higher upfront cost than plastic alternatives like Carlon or Iberville but delivers superior mechanical strength and longevity, which reduces lifecycle replacement costs on demanding installations.

  • Tank-like steel body

  • Roomy wiring bay

  • Flush-mount friendly

  • Galvanized 4-square design ideal for multi-device fixtures and junctions.

  • Multiple knockouts and ground provision to simplify wiring in device box applications.

  • Tank-like steel body

  • Roomy wiring bay

  • Flush-mount friendly

  • Galvanized 4-square design ideal for multi-device fixtures and junctions.

  • Multiple knockouts and ground provision to simplify wiring in device box applications.

Order Now
From 9.16$
3
BEST OLD-WORK PVC RETROFIT

Carlon B114R-UPC Old Work Box

Carlon

The Carlon B114R-UPC Old Work Box is a best-in-class non-metallic remodel box that offers corrosion resistance and simple, tool-friendly old-work installation with secure wing or clamp mounting. It undercuts metal boxes on price and weight, making it the economical choice for damp or corrosive environments and for contractors seeking fast installs, though it sacrifices some mechanical strength versus Steel City or Arlington fan boxes.

4.2
★★★★☆
  • Retrofit-friendly wizard

  • Tool-free clamps

  • Retrofit-friendly wizard

  • Tool-free clamps

Review Summary

84%

"Installers like the Carlon B114R-UPC for easy old-work retrofits and reliable plastic construction, but a minority report brittle mounting tabs or sensitivity to over-tightening."

  • Non-conductive PVC

  • Non-metallic PVC body resists corrosion for retrofit device box installs.

  • Non-conductive PVC

  • Non-metallic PVC body resists corrosion for retrofit device box installs.

Time-Saving Convenience

Optimized Work Efficiency

Increased Safety & Security

The Carlon B114R-UPC Old Work Box is a best-in-class non-metallic remodel box that offers corrosion resistance and simple, tool-friendly old-work installation with secure wing or clamp mounting. It undercuts metal boxes on price and weight, making it the economical choice for damp or corrosive environments and for contractors seeking fast installs, though it sacrifices some mechanical strength versus Steel City or Arlington fan boxes.

  • Retrofit-friendly wizard

  • Tool-free clamps

  • Non-conductive PVC

  • Non-metallic PVC body resists corrosion for retrofit device box installs.

  • Tool-free clamp/anchor design secures the box to drywall without additional framing.

  • Retrofit-friendly wizard

  • Tool-free clamps

  • Non-conductive PVC

  • Non-metallic PVC body resists corrosion for retrofit device box installs.

  • Tool-free clamp/anchor design secures the box to drywall without additional framing.

Order Now
From 15.12$
4
BEST PVC JUNCTION BOX

IPEX Scepter JB111 Junction Box

IPEX
🏠 Local Product

The IPEX Scepter JB111 Junction Box is a durable PVC junction box engineered for chemical resistance and long service life; its solvent-weld-ready design and robust wall thickness make it a strong choice where environmental exposure or longevity matter. Priced slightly above commodity plastic boxes, it offers superior resistance to degradation and a lower total cost of ownership compared with cheaper non-branded PVC boxes, while remaining lighter and less expensive than comparable metal junction solutions.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Weather-warrior seal

  • Multiple knockout ports

  • Weather-warrior seal

  • Multiple knockout ports

Review Summary

86%

"Customers find the IPEX Scepter JB111 a dependable PVC junction box with good gasketed protection and straightforward access, while some note interior space can be limited with many conductors."

  • UV-stable plastic

  • Durable PVC junction box for dry and damp location splice and device use.

  • UV-stable plastic

  • Durable PVC junction box for dry and damp location splice and device use.

Increased Safety & Security

Tech-Savvy Living

Time-Saving Convenience

The IPEX Scepter JB111 Junction Box is a durable PVC junction box engineered for chemical resistance and long service life; its solvent-weld-ready design and robust wall thickness make it a strong choice where environmental exposure or longevity matter. Priced slightly above commodity plastic boxes, it offers superior resistance to degradation and a lower total cost of ownership compared with cheaper non-branded PVC boxes, while remaining lighter and less expensive than comparable metal junction solutions.

  • Weather-warrior seal

  • Multiple knockout ports

  • UV-stable plastic

  • Durable PVC junction box for dry and damp location splice and device use.

  • Multiple entry points to accommodate conduit and cable routing.

  • Weather-warrior seal

  • Multiple knockout ports

  • UV-stable plastic

  • Durable PVC junction box for dry and damp location splice and device use.

  • Multiple entry points to accommodate conduit and cable routing.

Order Now
From 124.95$
5
BEST FAN & FIXTURE SUPPORT BOX

Arlington F101 Fan & Fixture Box

Arlington

The Arlington F101 Fan & Fixture Box is a purpose-built fan and fixture support box that combines reinforced metal mounting and smart mounting hardware to support heavy fixtures safely and meet code requirements. It is positioned between generic device boxes and heavy 4-square assemblies by offering specialized load-bearing features and easier installation for ceiling fans and fixtures, often saving labor costs and avoiding the need for additional bracing.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Fan-rated support

  • Hang-with-confidence

  • Fan-rated support

  • Hang-with-confidence

Review Summary

92%

"The Arlington F101 is widely regarded as sturdy and well-designed for mounting fans and fixtures, offering secure mounting options and straightforward installation though it’s slightly more expensive than basic boxes."

  • Vibration-resistant design

  • Designed to support ceiling fans and heavier light fixtures in ceiling installations.

  • Vibration-resistant design

  • Designed to support ceiling fans and heavier light fixtures in ceiling installations.

Increased Safety & Security

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

The Arlington F101 Fan & Fixture Box is a purpose-built fan and fixture support box that combines reinforced metal mounting and smart mounting hardware to support heavy fixtures safely and meet code requirements. It is positioned between generic device boxes and heavy 4-square assemblies by offering specialized load-bearing features and easier installation for ceiling fans and fixtures, often saving labor costs and avoiding the need for additional bracing.

  • Fan-rated support

  • Hang-with-confidence

  • Vibration-resistant design

  • Designed to support ceiling fans and heavier light fixtures in ceiling installations.

  • Reinforced mounting points and screw bosses for secure fixture attachment.

  • Fan-rated support

  • Hang-with-confidence

  • Vibration-resistant design

  • Designed to support ceiling fans and heavier light fixtures in ceiling installations.

  • Reinforced mounting points and screw bosses for secure fixture attachment.

Order Now
From 27.62$

What Research Says About Device Boxes and Electrical Safety

Independent testing and standards organizations, along with industry engineering studies, establish the performance expectations for device boxes. Research and certification processes focus on electrical safety, fire containment, material durability under temperature and moisture stress, and mechanical strength. The consensus from standards bodies and safety research is that selecting an appropriately rated, properly installed enclosure reduces risk by improving grounding, containing arcing or loose connections, and preventing moisture ingress that can accelerate corrosion or short circuits.

Standards and certification: Organizations such as CSA Group, UL, and local electrical code authorities test and certify boxes for fire, mechanical, and electrical performance. Choosing certified boxes supports code compliance and documented safety performance.

Fire and arcing containment: Engineering analyses and safety advisories show that properly selected and installed boxes help contain arcing faults and limit the spread of heat, lowering the likelihood of ignition in surrounding building materials.

Material performance: Laboratory testing demonstrates that metal boxes conduct heat and aid grounding, while plastic boxes resist corrosion and provide non-conductive installation in wet or corrosive environments—each material choice has trade-offs depending on application.

Retrofit benefits: Studies of renovation-related failures note that purpose-built old-work boxes reduce drywall damage and encourage correct conductor support and clamp usage, lowering installation error rates in retrofit jobs.

Installation quality matters: Safety reviews by electrical authorities repeatedly find that the majority of preventable electrical incidents are tied to poor connections, loose devices, or incorrect box fill—using the right box size and following fill rules mitigates these risks.

In the Canadian market for 2025, the right device box balances code compliance, material choice, and the practical needs of the jobsite. The Iberville 2104-LLE Single Gang Device Box is a solid pick for residential switch and outlet installs, while the Thomas & Betts Steel City 4-Square Box offers commercial-grade versatility and is the best overall choice on this page for mixed commercial and heavy-duty residential projects. For renovations where minimal wall repair is important, the Carlon B114R-UPC Old Work Box provides a tidy retrofit solution. The IPEX Scepter JB111 Junction Box performs well for general-purpose wiring and outdoor conduit runs, and the Arlington F101 Fan & Fixture Box is tailored to secure lighting and fan installations. I hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the site search to compare sizes, materials, and certifications or to filter by application such as outdoor, retrofit, or code-specific approvals.

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