Integrated inductor is one of the popular inductor series in recent times. Integrated inductors have good magnetic shielding and can withstand high currents, making them suitable for many applications. Compared to general chip inductors, the price of integrated inductors is also much higher. So why is the price of integrated inductors more expensive than ordinary SMD inductors?

Integrated inductors are generally more expensive than other SMD inductors

At present, HMS0630, HMS00503, and HMS1206 are the most popular integrated inductor packaging sizes. In chip inductors with approximate packaging dimensions, the price of integrated inductors is usually 25% to 50% more expensive. This situation is not an exception, and among other inductor manufacturers, the price of integrated inductors is also significantly higher than that of general chip inductors.

Although integrated inductors appeared relatively late, after so many years of development, the technology of integrated inductors has matured and the cost has decreased compared to before. Why is the price still so expensive?

Why are integrated inductors expensive?

The high price of integrated inductor mainly depends on two aspects: production cost and market demand.

Let's first talk about the cost factors that determine the price of integrated inductors.

From the perspective of technical cost, although the technology of integrated inductors is mature and can be understood as a reduction in technical costs, it cannot be ignored that the production equipment cost required for integrated inductors is higher than that of general chip inductors. It is not something that ordinary inductance manufacturers can afford, so although there are many domestic manufacturers of SMD inductors, there are only a few manufacturers with strength in integrated forming inductors. This is one aspect of the more expensive price of integrated inductors.

From the perspective of material cost, in addition to the magnetic core and winding, the integrated inductor requires a higher price alloy powder die-casting molding, which is more expensive than ordinary SMD inductor materials.

In terms of time cost, due to the complex production process and longer production cycles, it is easy to understand that the price of integrated inductors is more expensive than that of ordinary chip inductors.