While thin and cheap extension cords can carry power from the wall outlet to electronics needing power, they don’t do as good of a job carrying that power. It’s not as consistent as a thicker cable, thus impacting the performance and lifespan of the cord and even your electronics. You’re also at a much bigger risk of overheating with a thin cord carrying a lot of juice, putting more than your electronics at risk.
You'll find extension cords list their gauges (their thickness), and in many cases, indicate how many volts and amps, or simply how many watts, they can handle. Once you know the power requirements of your devices on the receiving end, you can figure out which cable works for your setup. We've selected a wide variety of options below that can handle everything from long, 100-foot runs to short connections that just need a little extra wiggle room.
TL;DR — These are the Best Extension Cords:
- US Wire and Cable 74050
- Cable Matters 16 AWG Heavy Duty Extension Cord
- Maximm Cable Rotating Extension Cord
- Voltec 05-00364 12/3 SJTW Outdoor Extension Cord
- Iron Forge Cable 25-ft Lighted Extension Cord
- meross Smart Power Strip
- Masterplug 60' Cord Reel
- Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector
- Eshldty Outdoor Power Strip Surge Protector
- Anker 615 USB Power Strip
US Wire and Cable 74050
Best Extension Cord
Coming in a 25, 50, and 100-foot variety, the US Wire and Cable 74050 extension cord lets you go the distance. This thick 12-gauge wire is ready to carry a ton of power, up to 1,875 watts, to be exact. That means you can run power to your tools in the backyard shed or drag your gaming PC setup onto the lawn to game there for some extra vitamin D.
The US Wire and Cable 74050 is very well suited for those stretches that involve a bit of the outdoors, as the cable is wrapped in a durable, weather-resistant vinyl sleeve that can hold up in -35 Fahrenheit weather. It’s also bright yellow, making the wire highly visible to prevent tripping or other incidents. And if you’re doing a long run with the cable, an indicator light on the female connector shows if it’s carrying power, both for your safety and so you don’t have to constantly run back to ensure the other end is plugged in.
Cable Matters 16 AWG Heavy Duty Extension Cord
Best Budget Extension Cord
Cable Matters’ 16 AWG Heavy Duty Extension Cord keeps things simple and affordable. It can help you go a skosh further with its one-foot length for outlets just out of reach or up to 50 feet when you need to run power across the garage or basement floor. You can even put a good amount of juice through it thanks to the 16 AWG gauge copper wires that support up to 13 amps to power a 1,625-watt device.
Adding extra value to this cord is that Cable Matters sells them as a pair, and with these prices, you’re really getting two for the cost of one. It doesn’t stop there, as each cable comes wrapped in serious insulation and a vinyl jacket, though it’s only rated for indoor use. These extension cords also include a grounded plug, furthering safety and reliability.
Maximm Cable Rotating Extension Cord
Best Indoor Extension Cord
The Maximm Cable Rotating Extension Cord is ideal for indoor use. It’s a crisp, clean white letting it blend well with baseboards and walls in many spaces but bright enough for people to notice when it’s running across the middle of a room during a renovation project. However, the cord’s most convenient feature is its flat, rotating plug, making it easier to slot in behind furniture, regaining access to power outlets you might have otherwise lost.
Like Cable Matters’ extension cord, Maximm’s offers the same 16 AWG gauge and can support 13 amps to use with your high-power electronics. It’s also grounded and has a PVC insulator to improve safety and durability. You’re not limited when it comes to length either, as you can grab one-foot to 50-foot varieties.
Voltec 05-00364 12/3 SJTW Outdoor Extension Cord
Best Outdoor Extension Cord
Getting ready for an outdoor party? Look no further than the Voltec 05-00364 12/3 SJTW Outdoor Extension cord. It’s ruggedized for outdoor use with a flexible jacket that makes it easy to handle but resistant to water, sunlight, and rough use. And you’ll be good to keep it outside year-round, as the extension cord can withstand temperatures from -40 to 140F degrees.
Not only is it outfitted with features for outdoor use, but the 05-00364 offers a heavy 12 gauge wire to power high-draw devices and appliances. It’s also a perfect 25-foot length and bright yellow for high visibility, so you won’t run it over with a lawn mower or trip. If you need to ensure it’s still carrying power, there’s even a light built into a receptacle at the end of the cable.
Iron Forge Cable Illuminated Extension Cord
Best Heavy Duty Extension Cord
For a heavy-duty, ready-for-anything extension cord, you can’t go wrong with the Iron Forge Cable. Its thick ten-gauge wire lets this cord offer consistent power, even throughout big projects with seriously beefy power tools. Which it can handle, thanks to its 15 amps and 1,875 watts rating.
Where other cables fail and become a fire risk, the Iron Forge Cable will stand up to the heat—and cold. Literally. It has thermoplastic insulation ready to handle temperatures from -40 to 140F degrees, along with moisture and abrasion. The prongs of the extension cord are even reinforced to prevent bending or breaking.
meross Smart Power Strip
Best Smart Extension Cord
Smart home devices can make your life much easier, and the meross Smart Power Strip brings those smarts to a power strip with a six-foot extension cord. You can connect it to your home Wi-Fi, while the meross app lets you control the four AC outlets individually and the four USB-A ports as a group. You can set timers and even control them when you're away from home. Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa voice control are also all supported.
It doesn’t stop there, as the meross Smart Power Strip offers surge protection, so you're keeping your electronics safer than you would with a standard extension cord. The strip’s four AC outlets have a bit of space between them, letting you easily connect a handful of your devices. And as we mentioned, you even get four USB-A ports to power or charge smaller electronics up to 5V/4A total or 5V/2.4A for a single gadget.
Masterplug 60' Cord Reel
Best Extended Length Extension Cord
Do you have a few big projects around your house and yard? If so, you'll need a lengthy extension cord for all those power tools, and the Masterplug 60-foot Cord Reel offers you 60 feet to work with. To make life easier, this cord wraps around a durable spool for rolling and unrolling the cable, helping avoid a mess of wire when not in use. There’s even a handle for easy carrying and a cord guide to reduce tangles.
You’ll find 14-gauge wires inside a bright green sleeve ready to carry up to 1,560 watts at 120 volts and 13 amps. The Masterplug reel makes it easier to take advantage of that power load, too, as it includes four three-prong outlets in the reel housing. Since you’re likely to end up far from the power source with a 60-foot spool, there’s a built-in on/off switch, an LED power indicator, and a built-in thermal breaker, as the cable can’t safely carry its maximum load if it’s coiled up.
Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector
Best Extension Power Strip
Looking for the best of both worlds? Belkin has you covered with their 12-Outlet Surge Protector, featuring a 10-foot cord with a right angle prong, making it ideal for reaching outlets in tight spaces. The power strip sports six vertically-aligned outlets in the center and three on either side for bulkier plugs. Not only does it provide a length and outlet amount worthy of most living spaces, but it’s also a surge protector perfect for safeguarding your expensive electronics.
This hybrid surge protector/extension cord/ power strip ensures your gaming PC survives dangerous storms and power outages. It absorbs an impressive 4,156 joules and 6,000 volts of spike voltage. An indicator light even tells if the strip is grounded and protected, but just remember, surge protectors eventually wear out and lose their protection, so plan on replacing it every 3-5 years.
Eshldty Outdoor Power Strip Surge Protector
Best Waterproof Extension Cord
Most extension cords have some form of surge protection to guard your connected devices, but the Eshldty Outdoor Power Strip Surge Protector takes its safety features a lot further. Beyond protecting your devices against power surges up to 1,500 joules, it can withstand being splashed with liquids thanks to an IPX6 rating. In other words, it'll even work in the rain—though it should not be submerged.
The power strip’s safety features don’t stop there, as it includes plugs that require more force to insert or remove power cords (a child-safety feature), shock-proofing to prevent power from running through various metallic objects inserted into the plugs, and flame retardance up to 1,382 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, it’s on our best extension cord guide, so you’ll appreciate the 6, 9, and 15-foot options available depending on your needs. You also get three AC outlets to plug in multiple devices.
Anker 615 USB Power Strip
Best Portable Extension Cord
Sometimes you need a little extra cord length when you’re on the go. Maybe you’re on vacation and want to get a little work done on the hotel balcony, or you’re sitting at the airport, and an outlet is just slightly out of reach. That’s where the Anker 615 USB Power Strip comes in handy, giving you an extra three feet of length to play around with in a super compact form factor that’ll easily fit into a carry-on.
There’s a lot more to the Anker 615 USB Power Strip with five ports for charging up and plugging in, including two AC outlets, along with two fast-charging USB-C ports offering a 65W output and a USB-A. There’s even a system that monitors temperatures and prevents over-voltage. And when you’re done powering up, the cord will tightly wrap around the mini power strip while a silicone cover keeps everything in place.
What To Look for in an Extension Cord
Shopping for an extension cord isn’t the most complex task, but there are still a few things to keep in mind. If you want to be sure to find the cable that matches your needs, here’s what you need to look for.
One thing to take note of is the wire size the extension cord uses, referred to as its “gauge” or “AWG.” A wire’s gauge is its diameter, and the lower the gauge, the higher its diameter. A lower gauge extension cord is a good fit for heavy duty devices that draw a lot of power. Whereas high gauge extension cords are a better fit for smaller household devices.
Hand in hand with gauge, pay close attention to the level of current an extension cord is rated to carry, which is usually listed in amperage and wattage. Before choosing an extension cord, be sure to check the electricity needs of the device you intend to power. Never try to overpower your extension cord. If it’s rated for 10 amps, stick to that. Over taxing an extension cord can cause the cord to fail or even catch fire. It’s always a good idea to get a little more than what you need than cutting it too close.
Likewise, think of every place you may need to use this extension cord and choose the type that matches your needs. Many are rated for both indoor and outdoor use, which usually means they offer water resistance but don’t count on that. Read the descriptions and don’t push any electrical cord beyond its intended purpose.
Finally, no matter what you intend to use it for, remember that extension cords are temporary solutions. A well-made cord will last many years but is no replacement for a dedicated outlet. If you plan on keeping the device you’re powering in its position, it’s often a wiser idea to pay a professional to place an outlet in a convenient position, both for aesthetics and long-term safety.
Chris Coke is a tech critic that cares way too much about mechanical keyboards. Check him out at IGN, MMORPG.com, or PC Perspective. Follow him on Twitter @gamebynight.
