What are your go to PCB connectors?

I use 2.54 mm pin headers unless there are specific requirements (like size). In work, we use mostly JST connectors and terminal blocks.

For low current applications, I like to use JST-GH for low wire count, or JST-SHD for high wire count connectors.

I prefer JST XA/PA over XH/PH, they have a latch, so cables cannot come loose on their own. For higher currents, just connect a few pins together.

For high currents, I usually use an XT-30/60/90 connector.

Molex PicoBlade connectors are good for wire to board applications.

1.25mm pitch and available in SM or TH board packages.

A decent crimp tool is a silly price (> £300)  but I've never found a cheap one that's any use.

I buy ready made leads and cut them in half - much cheaper than buying just the wires with terminals pre-crimped (unless you can find them on Amazon.

These work out at 0.26p per crimped end and you get 2 receptacles - that's about 1/2  the price of buying the wires.

A new experiment for me is to buy packs of 20 plug/socket pairs from Amazon - very, very cheap.

MK

I also use 0.1" headers unless some peripheral already has some other connector. I use TE Connectivity MTA series of insulation displacement connectors whenever there is a choice because:

• they make more reliable contact than other connectors
• they are keyed
• they have retention features
• they are way faster to assemble than any other connector (I have the tool)
• they are low cost

My personal preference is JST connectors. They come in different pitch sizes. If size is a constrain then I would go with FFC/FPC Connectors ( 1mm pitch or 0.5mm pitch)

Hi!

Regarding "since they're easily acquirable and should be okay for crimping", it gets fiddly (and time-consuming) the smaller the connector gets : ) and as you mention, requires expensive crimp tools, so it may be worth just using connectors where you can find ready-made cables easily. 

For larger wire connections, e.g. power connections, I sometimes just end up using screw terminals if it's just 2-3 connections, and also Mini-Fit Jr mainly because they are ultra-cheap (but the crimp tool is expensive : ( 

AMP FASTIN-FASTON, AMP Superseal, AMP MCP, AMP MATE-N-LOK, AMP MTA-156, Molex 3191, Molex MLX, Molex Mini-Fit JR, Molex Picoflex, Symtec Tiger Eye TCSD, various TE FPC and various Mill-Max. Also Switchcraft, Mueller, Phoenix, Weidmüller, BlockMaster, Thomas & Betts, Pomona and Ironwood. 

I've come to rely on two terminal block style connectors. The component on the left is for small wire and on the right is for larger gauged wire. 2.54 spacing is what I stick to. I was using different spaces and found it caused problems because they may look the same but won't fit the PCB if you get the size wrong.

The blocks on the left do require a fairly small common blade screw driver to adjust.

I love these and was able to crimp 1.5 mm pitch connectors (not sure about 1.25) www.engineertools-jp.com/pa092021