Power Cables Price Comparison
Compare 1,525 power cables from Microconnect, Lindy, Cablenet and more — find the best price across UK retailers, from 7 £ to 50 £.
Power cables are one of those purchases that looks deceptively simple — until you order the wrong connector type and end up with a cable that won't fit your device. With 1,525 products in this catalogue, ranging from basic UK 3-pin to IEC C13 kettle leads all the way up to specialist locking C13-to-C14 kits for data centre use, the market here is far broader than most people expect. Prices start at 7 £ for no-frills connektgear and kenable leads, but the average sits closer to 25 £, pulled upward by professional-grade APC and Cisco products that serve a very different audience.
Microconnect dominates the catalogue with over 200 references, closely followed by Cablenet and Lindy — all three hovering around the same price point, which makes them genuinely competitive with one another. Kenable stands out as the budget option, averaging just a few pounds per cable, and for straightforward domestic replacements (a lost laptop lead, a spare kettle lead for a monitor), that's often all you need. Where things get more interesting is at the professional end: APC's average sits nearly ten times higher, reflecting locking connectors, higher current ratings, and the kind of build quality that matters in a server room rather than a home office.
The connector pairing is the single most important thing to get right before anything else. UK buyers need to be particularly careful here — the BS 1363 three-pin plug is standard domestically, but plenty of products in this range ship with Euro CEE 7/4 two-pin plugs, which are useless without an adaptor. IEC C13 (the classic "kettle lead") remains the most common termination for desktop PCs, monitors, and networking kit, while C5 (cloverleaf) and C7 (figure-8) are the go-to for laptops and smaller devices. If you're wiring up a rack or UPS, C14-to-C13 patch leads and locking variants become relevant — and that's where brands like APC and HPE earn their premium. You can explore related networking cables and wire connectors if you're building out a full cabling solution.
One thing our data makes clear: the spread between 7 £ and 34 £ covers the vast majority of real-world use cases. Anything above 34 £ is almost exclusively professional or specialist kit — multi-cable locking kits, high-current industrial leads, or automotive battery cables from CTEK. For home and office use, there's genuinely no reason to spend more than the median. What matters far more than price is getting the right length (too short creates strain on connectors; too long introduces unnecessary voltage drop on high-current runs) and confirming the cable carries the correct current rating for your device. A 3A lead on a 10A device is a fire risk, not a bargain. Check the cable splitters and combiners section if you need to power multiple devices from a single socket.
How to Choose the Right Power Cable
Most people only go looking for a power cable when one has failed or gone missing — which means they're in a hurry and prone to grabbing the wrong thing. The connector type alone rules out the majority of options, so getting that right first saves a wasted return. After that, length and current rating are the two specs that actually matter for safety and performance.
Connector pairing: get this right before anything else
The IEC 60320 standard defines the connectors you'll encounter most often. C13/C14 (the kettle lead) is the workhorse for desktop PCs, monitors, printers, and most networking gear. C5/C6 (cloverleaf) is standard for laptops and compact devices. C7/C8 (figure-8) appears on smaller electronics — radios, some TVs, certain laptop PSUs. On the mains side, UK buyers need a BS 1363 three-pin plug; be wary of products listing a Euro CEE 7/4 two-pin — they won't work without an adaptor and are easy to miss in product listings. For rack and UPS environments, locking C13-to-C14 patch leads prevent accidental disconnection and are worth the extra cost.
Length vs. voltage drop — there's a real trade-off
The instinct is to buy long and coil the excess, but that's not always harmless. For low-current devices (laptops, monitors), a 2m or 3m lead is fine with negligible voltage drop. For high-current applications — server PSUs, UPS units, anything drawing 10A or more — longer cables with undersized conductors cause measurable voltage drop and heat build-up. As a rule: use the shortest length that allows comfortable routing without tension on the connectors. If you genuinely need a long run at high current, check the conductor cross-section (1.5mm² handles 16A comfortably over short distances; go to 2.5mm² for longer runs or higher loads).
Current rating: the spec that determines safety
This is non-negotiable. The cable's amperage rating must exceed your device's maximum draw — not just its typical draw. A standard UK domestic socket is rated 13A, and most C13 kettle leads are rated to match. But cheaper cables, particularly unbranded ones, sometimes use undersized conductors that can't sustain 13A continuously without overheating. If you're powering a high-draw device (laser printer, UPS, server), look for cables explicitly rated at 13A or 16A with 1.5mm² conductors minimum. LSZH (low-smoke zero-halogen) insulation is worth specifying in enclosed or commercial environments — it's a standard requirement in many UK commercial installations.
Build quality: where budget cables cut corners
The failure point on cheap cables is almost always the connector junction, not the cable itself. Poor strain relief means the internal conductors flex and eventually break right where the cable meets the plug — often causing intermittent connections before full failure. Moulded connectors with reinforced strain relief (visible as a rigid boot at the cable entry point) last significantly longer. Brands like Lindy and Cablenet are consistent here; the very cheapest unbranded options often aren't. For a cable that gets plugged and unplugged regularly, spend a little more on build quality. For a cable that stays permanently connected behind a desk, budget options are perfectly adequate.
Certifications: CE marking is the minimum, not the ceiling
Any power cable sold in the UK should carry CE marking and comply with IEC 60227 or IEC 60320 as appropriate. RoHS compliance is standard across reputable brands. For professional or commercial use, look for cables that explicitly state their compliance — Lindy, Microconnect, and C2G all publish this clearly. Avoid cables with no certification information at all; the risk isn't worth the saving. In data centre or rack environments, check whether locking connectors are required by your site's cabling standards.
- Budget basics (From 7 £ to 12 £) : Simple replacement leads from kenable and connektgear — UK 3-pin to C13, C5, or C7 in standard lengths. Perfectly adequate for home use where the cable stays plugged in. Build quality is functional rather than impressive; not recommended for high-cycle plug/unplug use.
- The sweet spot (From 12 £ to 17 £) : Where Lindy, Cablenet, and C2G sit. Better strain relief, consistent current ratings, and proper certification. This is the right range for office equipment, home servers, and anything you care about. Most buyers should stop here.
- Professional grade (From 17 £ to 34 £) : Microconnect, ProXtend, and LogiLink feature here, alongside longer or higher-current variants from Lindy. Locking connectors, LSZH insulation, and multi-cable packs start appearing. Suited to IT professionals and small business rack deployments.
- Specialist and enterprise (Over 34 £) : APC locking kit bundles, HPE server-grade leads, Cisco-compatible cables, and CTEK automotive battery cables. The price reflects quantity packs, proprietary locking mechanisms, or very high current ratings. Overkill for home use — but if you're managing a rack, the locking C13/C14 kits from APC are genuinely worth it.
Top products
- connektgear 2m UK Mains Power Cable UK Plug to C7 (Figure 8) Socket (connektgear) : The best-value figure-8 lead in the catalogue — at just over 7 £, it's a no-brainer replacement for lost TV or radio leads. Don't expect premium build quality, but for a cable that stays permanently plugged in, it does the job.
- Lindy 1m UK 3 Pin to C5 Mains Cable, lead free (Lindy) : Lindy's build quality is noticeably better than budget alternatives — proper strain relief, RoHS-compliant, and lead-free as stated. The 1m length suits most laptop setups neatly. Our pick for a cloverleaf replacement if you want something that lasts.
- Lindy 0.2m UK 3 Pin Plug To IEC C13 Mains Power Cable, Black (Lindy) : A 0.2m stub lead — useful for plugging directly into a PDU or power strip with minimal slack. Niche use case, but if you need it, Lindy's version is the one to get. Pointless if you need any reach at all.
- connektgear 2.5m UK Mains Power Splitter Cable UK Plug to 2 x C13 Sockets (connektgear) : Powers two C13 devices from a single UK socket — handy for tight rack spaces or desks with limited sockets. Just be mindful of the combined current draw; don't use this for two high-draw devices simultaneously.
- APC Power Cord Kit (6 ea), Locking, C13 to C14, 1.8m (APC) : Expensive by the standards of this category, but this is a six-cable locking kit aimed squarely at rack deployments. The locking mechanism genuinely prevents accidental disconnection. Complete overkill for home use — exactly right for a populated server rack.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a C13 and a C15 power cable?
The C15 has a small notch cut into the connector body that the C13 lacks — this allows it to mate with C16 inlets rated for higher operating temperatures (up to 120°C vs. 70°C for C13/C14). C15 leads are used for devices that run hot, such as kettles (hence 'kettle lead'), some laser printers, and certain networking switches. A C13 will not fit a C16 inlet, but a C15 will fit a C14 inlet — so C15 cables are backwards compatible in that direction. Lindy's C15 leads are a reliable choice if you need this type.
Can I use a European two-pin power cable in the UK?
No — not without an adaptor. Euro CEE 7/4 two-pin plugs are not compatible with UK BS 1363 three-pin sockets. Several products in this catalogue ship with Euro plugs, which is easy to miss if you're buying quickly. Always check the plug type listed in the product specification before purchasing. If you've already bought one, a travel adaptor works as a temporary fix, but a proper UK-terminated replacement cable is the safer long-term solution.
How do I know if a power cable is rated for enough current?
Check the amperage rating printed on the cable or listed in its specification — it must be equal to or higher than your device's maximum current draw. For most UK domestic devices, a 13A-rated cable with 1.5mm² conductors is sufficient. The current draw of your device is usually printed on its rating label (in watts — divide by 230V to get amps). A 2,300W device draws 10A; a 690W device draws 3A. If in doubt, go for a 13A-rated cable rather than a cheaper 3A or 5A option — the safety margin matters more than the price difference.
Are locking C13-to-C14 cables worth the extra cost for a home server?
For a single home server, probably not — the standard C13 connector holds firmly enough in normal use. Locking cables (like APC's C13/C14 kit) are designed for rack environments where vibration, cable weight, or accidental contact could pull a lead free, causing an unplanned shutdown. If you're running a small home lab with one or two machines, a quality standard C13 lead from Lindy or Cablenet is all you need. If you're managing a populated rack with multiple PDUs, the locking variants pay for themselves the first time they prevent an outage.
What does LSZH insulation mean, and do I need it?
LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen — it means the cable jacket produces minimal toxic smoke and no halogen gases if it catches fire. For home use, standard PVC insulation is fine. LSZH becomes important in enclosed commercial spaces (offices, data centres, public buildings) where UK building regulations or your employer's cabling policy may require it. If you're installing cables in a ceiling void, raised floor, or any space with limited ventilation, LSZH is the responsible choice and is increasingly specified as standard in UK commercial fit-outs.
Is it safe to buy a very cheap unbranded power cable?
It's a risk we'd advise against for anything drawing significant current. The danger with unbranded cables isn't that they fail immediately — it's that they may use undersized conductors that overheat under sustained load, or connectors with inadequate strain relief that develop intermittent faults over time. For a cable powering a phone charger or a low-draw device, the risk is low. For a desktop PC, laser printer, or any device drawing over 5A continuously, stick to a recognised brand with CE marking and a stated current rating. The price difference between a kenable lead and a no-name cable is minimal; the safety difference can be significant.
What length of power cable should I buy for a desktop PC setup?
A 1.8m to 2m C13 lead is the standard choice and fits the vast majority of desktop setups — long enough to reach a floor-level socket or power strip without excess slack. If your PC sits on a desk with the socket directly behind it, 1m is often sufficient and keeps things tidier. Avoid going longer than necessary: a 5m cable coiled behind a desk is an untidy trip hazard and, at high currents, introduces unnecessary resistance. For a monitor, a separate 1m or 1.5m lead to the same power strip is the neatest solution.