Best extension leads 2023: Keep the electricity flowing, both indoors and outdoors

You always need one more plug socket than you have. Whether that's to charge up your smartphone in the bedroom or to plug in your TV, speakers and games consoles elsewhere, there's nothing more irritating than having to unplug devices to make room. The best extension leads provide safe, easy access to mains sockets whenever and wherever you need them.

It's not always just about extra sockets. Extension leads also do exactly what they say on the tin, extending the reach of your mains sockets to the zones of your house, garden or balcony that weren't previously within reach. Using power tools or jet washers outside wouldn't be too practical without an extension lead, after all.

So, whether you’re looking to replace an old, worn extension lead or need a new one, we’ve got a selection of safe and secure extension leads that are built to last and suitable for either indoor or outdoor use.

By all means, fill up the available spaces in your new extension lead – but ensure that the peak power consumption of the connected devices remains within a lead's rated capacity. The capacity of an individual extension lead must be stated on the lead itself so you won't need to guess, but in general, that comes to around 3,500W (watts).

Electrical Safety First has devised a calculator so you can estimate the power consumption of the appliances, devices or tools that you’re planning to connect to your extension lead. For general household use, you probably won't need to worry too much as items like lamps or laptop or mobile phone chargers are very low in wattage, less than 100W in general, and even TVs and Hi-Fi components tend to draw hundreds rather than thousands of watts. That said, it pays to be vigilant: seemingly innocuous small household items such as hairdryers, irons and kettles can consume the best part of 3KW each – and if you’re thinking about electric lawnmowers and power tools, these too can demand kilowatts of power.

A further word of warning: the maximum power handling of longer extension cables, such as cable reels designed for indoor or outdoor use, depends on the cable being completely unwound. If you’re planning on using high powered electric garden tools, then the cable must be unwound to prevent excessive heat build up in the cable reel. Where a wound cable reel might only handle 1,000 watts (1KW), the same reel may be rated at around 3,300 watts (3.3KW) when the cable is unwound to its full length. And similarly, don't be tempted to tightly wind up a standard extension cable in the name of neatness if you’re going to be using it with power hungry appliances – items with a high power draw can cause the cable to heat up dramatically and create a fire hazard.

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No, we wouldn't recommend it. Connecting two or more extension leads together, sometimes referred to as ‘daisy chaining’, is benign on its own but the problem lies in the likelihood that you will be plugging in too many devices that use too much power all at once. This overloading, as described above, increases the electrical resistance in the chain and is often the root cause of fires.

The solution: buy an extension lead with a cable that's long enough in the first place, and which has enough sockets and power handling capacity for the devices you wish to connect.

It's good practice to check your extension leads for the above issues at least once a year. That way, you can avoid any serious consequences before they occur. Purchasing an extension lead from a trusted supplier, perhaps one with a guarantee period included, can add to that peace of mind and let you use your extension leads without any worries.

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The number of sockets is crucial. Make sure the lead has enough sockets for your current needs, and ideally buy one with a couple spare so that you have options to connect other devices in the future.

Next, consider the length you need. Longer lengths range between two and as much as 15 metres, but it's not recommended you exceed this upper limit for an indoor lead. You will also want to think about a smart extension lead that will let you turn on your sockets via Wi-Fi. This is a very convenient way to switch on lights or reboot your Sky box without having to reach for switches or remove cables.

For those wanting to use extension cables outside, it's essential to use ruggedised and waterproofed cables that are IP rated for outdoor use. It's also a good idea to purchase outdoor cables on a sturdy cable reel or with a drum-wind system, as this makes it easier to pack the lead away when it's not being used, and tends to give you the option to span far greater distances.

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Price: £9.99 | Buy now from Amazon

It has the fundamentals you need in an extension lead: four plug sockets connected to a decent 5m length. Its slim appearance will let it hide away under any table or beside any sofa, while the total length is short enough that you won't have spare cable length to worry about.

Key specs – Length: 5m; Sockets: 4; USB ports: None

Price: From £33 (25m) to £56 (50m) | Buy now from Amazon

The grooved rubber handle makes the whole thing easy to hold and transport while the drum-wind handle lets you pack away the 50m cable with ease.

Safety wise, this extension lead is up to the task too. It will not overheat because of power overloads since it has a thermal cut-out to prevent fire risk – simply press the red button to reset and use again. The cable itself is also reassuringly thick.

Key specs – Length: 50m; Sockets: 4; USB ports: None

Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs – Length: 2m; Sockets: 12; USB ports: 5

Price: £27 | Buy now from John Lewis

It also has two always-on USB ports should you need them, plus all these sockets have surge protection should you accidentally overload your lead. To live a smarter way, this is certainly a top pick that may save you some household energy too.

Key specs – Length: 1m; Sockets: 3; USB ports: 2

Buy now from John Lewis

Price: £41 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs – Length: 10m; Sockets: 2; USB ports: None

Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon

It has four sockets, all with their own individual on/off switches, as well as two USB ports that also have an on/off switch. To save on space, the backside features mounting holes to get the lead off your floor or desk and out of the way. It has safety credentials too, avoiding overcharging or over circuiting your devices while being highly flame retardant. For a balance of features and price point, this one is right up there.

Key specs – Length: 2m; Sockets: 4; USB ports: 2