Aerofil 120 Assortment Box vs Smart Box: Which to Buy?
By GE Quilt Designs | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Aerofil 120 Assortment Box and Smart Box on spool size, color count, and price per yard to decide which thread set fits your quilting and sewing needs.
Quick answer
Choose the Aerofil 120 Assortment Box if you want a low-cost way to try eight solid colors on smaller projects or hand stitching. Choose the Smart Box if you already know you will use a lot of thread and want 18 colors in larger 1,100-yard spools for fewer refills.
Spool size and color count: the real trade-off
The Assortment Box gives you 8 solid colors on 440-yard (400m) spools, while the Smart Box gives you 18 colors on 1,100-yard (1,000m) spools. That means the Smart Box offers more than twice the color range and about 2.5 times the thread per spool. If you quilt regularly, those larger spools reduce how often you reorder a favorite color. If you mostly make small projects or want to sample colors before committing, the smaller spools in the Assortment Box are less wasteful.
Cost per yard and upfront price
At the catalog prices of $23.43 for the Assortment Box and $75.48 for the Smart Box, the Smart Box costs more upfront but delivers far more thread. The Assortment Box contains 8 × 440 = 3,520 yards total, while the Smart Box contains 18 × 1,100 = 19,800 yards total. That works out to roughly $0.0067 per yard for the Assortment Box and $0.0038 per yard for the Smart Box—about 43% less per yard. If budget is tight now but you will need thread again soon, the Assortment Box is the lower-risk entry point. If you can invest more today, the Smart Box is the better long-term value.
When the smaller Assortment Box wins
The Assortment Box is not just a starter set. Its 440-yard spools are easier to store and less costly to replace if you only need one or two colors. For hand stitching, smaller spools are lighter to handle. And if you are still discovering which colors you reach for most, buying eight colors at a low price is a smarter test than committing to 18 large spools. The trade-off is more frequent reordering once you settle on favorites.
Key trade-offs to weigh
- Upfront cost vs. long-term value: The Assortment Box costs $23.43 and gives you 3,520 yards total; the Smart Box costs $75.48 and gives you 19,800 yards total. The Smart Box is about 43% cheaper per yard, but you pay more today. If you will use the thread within a few months, the Smart Box’s lower cost per yard usually wins.
- Color variety vs. storage space: The Smart Box offers 18 colors, while the Assortment Box offers 8. More colors mean more creative options, but also more spools to store and track. If shelf space is limited, the Assortment Box’s smaller footprint may be the practical choice.
- Spool size vs. project scale: The Assortment Box’s 440-yard spools suit small projects, hand stitching, and color sampling. The Smart Box’s 1,100-yard spools suit large quilts or frequent sewing where running out mid-project is a real risk. Match spool size to your typical project size to avoid either waste or mid-project refills.
Product facts
- Aerofil 120 - Assortment Box, 440-yard (400m) spools, 8 Solid Colors: Includes 8 solid-color 440-yard (400m) spools of 40-weight Madeira Aerofil polyester thread. A compact, lower-cost set that lets you test colors and keep a few reliable shades on hand without a large upfront spend.
Aerofil 120 - Assortment Box, 440-yard (400m) spools, 8 Solid Colors - Aerofil 120 – Smart Box, 1100-yard (1000m) Spools, 18 Colors: Includes 18 spools of 40-weight Madeira Aerofil polyester thread, each with 1,100 yards (1,000m). The larger spools and wider color range mean fewer refills and more design flexibility for ongoing projects.
Aerofil 120 – Smart Box, 1100-yard (1000m) Spools, 18 Colors
Which set fits you?
Best for
- Sewists who want to try multiple colors at a low upfront cost
- Quilters who mostly make small projects or do hand stitching
- Anyone unsure which colors they will use most and wants to sample first
Not for
- High-volume quilters who will need to reorder the smaller spools quickly
- Sewists who already know they want a wide color range and long spools
- Makers with very limited storage space for 18 large spools
