Power Distribution Units (PDUs) Price Comparison 2026
Compare 465 Power Distribution Units from APC, Eaton, HPE and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from basic rack strips to intelligent switched PDUs.
Power Distribution Units occupy a peculiar corner of the IT hardware market: unglamorous, rarely discussed, yet absolutely critical the moment something goes wrong. A poorly chosen PDU can become the single point of failure for an entire server rack — and with prices ranging from 24 £ for a basic strip to 1,589 £ for a fully managed enterprise unit, the gap between "good enough" and "right for the job" is enormous.
Our catalogue of 465 products reveals a market split into two very distinct worlds. At one end, brands like Cablenet, Lindy, and Digitus serve the SMB and home lab crowd with straightforward rackmount strips — reliable, no-frills, and priced well under 44 £. At the other end, APC dominates with 110 references at an average price of over £1,000, followed closely by HPE whose catalogue averages nearly £1,850 per unit. These aren't just power strips with a rack-mount bracket; they're intelligent infrastructure components with SNMP management, per-outlet switching, and real-time current monitoring.
The most important distinction to grasp before buying is the difference between basic, metered, and switched PDUs. A basic unit simply distributes power — useful for a small office rack where you just need sockets. A metered PDU adds current and power consumption monitoring, invaluable for capacity planning. A switched PDU goes further still, letting you remotely cycle individual outlets — a genuine lifesaver when a hung server needs a hard reboot at 3am. For data centre environments, the APC NetShelter and AP7000 series are the benchmark, though Eaton's managed range offers a credible alternative worth comparing on price.
One thing worth flagging for UK buyers: connector compatibility matters more than it might seem. Many PDUs in this catalogue use IEC C14 or C20 inlets rather than standard UK BS 1363 plugs, which is correct for rack environments where power comes from a UPS or dedicated circuit — but it's worth double-checking your infrastructure before ordering. If you're also evaluating Uninterruptible Power Supplies or UPS Accessories, a matched APC or Eaton ecosystem often simplifies both installation and ongoing management considerably.
The sweet spot for most small-to-medium deployments sits around 90 £ — enough to get a metered or entry-level switched unit from a reputable brand. Beyond 600 £, you're firmly in managed PDU territory with full remote access, outlet-level monitoring, and the kind of build quality that belongs in a colocation facility. Compare prices carefully across retailers like Scan, Insight, and Amazon Business before committing; we regularly see 15–20% variance on the same APC or Eaton model between merchants. For related infrastructure, also consider browsing Device Management Cabinets if you're building out a complete rack solution.
How to Choose the Right PDU for Your Rack
Most buying mistakes with PDUs come down to one of three things: not enough outlets, the wrong inlet connector, or buying a basic strip when the job calls for a switched unit. Our data shows the median price sits at 90 £ — but spending a little more for the right feature set will save you far more in downtime costs. Here's what actually matters.
Basic, Metered, or Switched — pick the right tier first
This is the single most important decision. A basic PDU is just a power strip in a rack form factor — fine for a small office server or a home lab. A metered PDU adds current and power consumption monitoring, which is essential for capacity planning in any serious deployment. A switched PDU (like the APC AP7921B or Intellinet's intelligent range) lets you remotely power-cycle individual outlets — critical in unmanned or remote locations. If you're managing more than 4–5 servers, we'd strongly recommend budgeting for at least a metered unit. Switched PDUs typically start around 90 £ and climb steeply from there.
Outlet count and type: C13, C19, or UK sockets
Count your devices, then add 20% headroom. Standard 1U PDUs typically offer 8 C13 outlets (10A each), which suits most 1U/2U servers and network gear. If you're running high-draw equipment — blade servers, large UPS units, high-end switches — look for C19 outlets (16A) or a mix of C13/C19. For UK office environments where standard IEC equipment isn't universal, Lindy's range of PDUs with UK BS 1363 sockets is worth considering. Avoid units where the sockets are spaced so tightly that a bulky IEC connector blocks the adjacent port.
Input connector and rated power: match your infrastructure
This is where many buyers trip up. Most rack PDUs use an IEC C14 (10A) or IEC C20 (16A) inlet, designed to connect to a UPS or dedicated PDU circuit — not a standard UK wall socket. Check what your rack's power source provides before ordering. For power rating, a 1U PDU with 8 C13 outlets at 230V/10A delivers around 2.3 kW total — adequate for a small rack. Larger deployments need 16A (3.7 kW) or three-phase 32A/63A units. Overloading a PDU is a fire risk; always leave at least 20% headroom on the rated capacity.
0U vs 1U mounting: it's not just about rack space
A 1U horizontal PDU mounts like any other rack unit and is easy to cable-manage, but costs you a rack unit of space. A 0U vertical PDU mounts in the side channel of the rack, preserving all your rack units for actual equipment — the preferred choice for dense deployments. APC's AP8853 (42 outlets, 0U) is a prime example of this format. If your rack is already tight on space, 0U is almost always the right call, even if it costs slightly more.
Intelligent management: SNMP, API, and remote access
For any deployment where physical access isn't always possible — a colocation facility, a remote branch office, or a large data centre — remote management is non-negotiable. Look for PDUs with SNMP support, a web interface, and ideally a REST API for integration with monitoring platforms. APC's switched range and Eaton's managed PDUs both offer solid remote management. The Intellinet intelligent PDU in our catalogue adds temperature and humidity monitoring on top of power management, which is genuinely useful in environments without dedicated environmental sensors. Expect to pay well above 90 £ for these capabilities.
Surge protection and overcurrent safety
Not all PDUs include surge protection — and in a rack environment, this matters. Basic units from Digitus and similar brands often include a pre-fuse or overvoltage protection, which is better than nothing but not a substitute for a proper UPS upstream. For critical equipment, look for per-outlet fusing or a thermal circuit breaker. CE certification is the minimum bar for UK use; for enterprise deployments, IEC 60950-1 compliance is the standard to look for.
- Entry-level strips (From 24 £ to 44 £) : Basic rackmount power strips from Digitus, Cablenet, Equip, and Lindy. No monitoring, no switching — just sockets in a rack-friendly format. Perfectly adequate for a home lab, a small NAS setup, or a single-server office rack. Don't expect surge protection or any management features at this price.
- The practical middle ground (From 44 £ to 90 £) : Where most SMB deployments should be looking. You'll find metered PDUs, units with basic overcurrent protection, and entry-level intelligent strips from Intellinet and Digitus. Lindy's UK-socket PDUs also sit in this range. Good value, though you won't get remote switching at this price point.
- Managed and switched PDUs (From 90 £ to 600 £) : The APC NetShelter range, Eaton managed units, and Intellinet's intelligent PDUs live here. Expect SNMP management, per-outlet monitoring, and in many cases remote switching. This is the right tier for any deployment with more than a handful of servers or where remote access matters. APC's brand premium is real — compare with Eaton before committing.
- Enterprise and high-density (Over 600 £) : APC AP7000-series, HPE, and high-capacity Eaton units. Three-phase inputs, 20+ outlets, full API management, and the build quality expected in a colocation or enterprise data centre. HPE averages nearly £1,850 in our catalogue. Only justifiable for large-scale or mission-critical environments — but if you need this tier, you'll know it.
Top products
- Digitus aluminum outlet strip with pre-fuse, 8 safety outlets, 2 m supply IEC C14 plug (Digitus) : The best-value entry point in the catalogue — aluminium build and a pre-fuse set it apart from truly bargain-basement strips. Ideal for a home lab or small office rack where management features aren't needed. Don't expect it to scale beyond a handful of low-draw devices.
- APC AP7821B power distribution unit (PDU) 8 AC outlet(s) 0U/1U Black (APC) : A solid switched PDU from APC's proven AP7000 series — remote outlet control and reliable firmware make it a genuine workhorse for small-to-medium deployments. The price is steep compared to basic strips, but justified if remote management matters to you.
- Intellinet 19" Intelligent 8-Port PDU, 19" Rackmountable C13 Intelligent Power Distribution Unit; Monitors Power, Temperature and Humidity (Intellinet) : The standout value pick for intelligent PDUs — temperature and humidity monitoring on top of power management is a genuine differentiator at this price point. A credible alternative to APC for budget-conscious SMBs. Less ecosystem depth than APC, but the feature set punches above its weight.
- APC NetShelter Basic Rack PDU, 1U, 1PH, 3.7kW 230V 16A or 3.3kW 208V 16A, x12 C13 outlets, C20 cord (APC) : Twelve outlets at 16A/3.7kW makes this the most practical basic PDU in the APC range for a moderately loaded rack. No management features, but the NetShelter build quality is reassuring. Good choice if you already have monitoring handled upstream by a UPS.
- APC AP8853 power distribution unit (PDU) 42 AC outlet(s) 0U Black (APC) : Forty-two outlets in a 0U vertical format — this is unambiguously an enterprise product for dense racks in colocation or large data centre environments. Overkill for anything smaller, but if you're filling a 42U cabinet, the side-mount design preserves every rack unit for actual equipment.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a basic PDU and a switched PDU?
A basic PDU simply distributes mains power to multiple outlets with no monitoring or control — it's essentially a rackmount power strip. A switched PDU lets you remotely power individual outlets on and off via a network interface, which means you can hard-reboot a hung server without being physically present. For any unmanned or remote deployment, the switched capability is worth the extra cost. Metered PDUs sit in between, offering power consumption monitoring without outlet-level control.
Do I need a PDU with UK sockets, or are IEC C13 outlets fine?
For a standard server rack, IEC C13 outlets are the correct choice — virtually all rack-mount servers, switches, and storage units use IEC C13 or C19 power leads. UK BS 1363 sockets on a PDU are only useful if you're powering consumer or office equipment (monitors, desktop PCs, etc.) directly from the rack. Lindy offers a good range of UK-socket PDUs for mixed environments. If in doubt, IEC C13 is the professional standard.
How many outlets do I actually need on a PDU?
A good rule of thumb is to count your current devices, then multiply by 1.5 to allow for growth. Most 1U servers and switches use a single C13 connection, though some high-availability setups use dual PSUs — meaning two outlets per device. An 8-outlet PDU comfortably handles a small rack of 4–6 devices with headroom. For denser racks, 12- or 16-outlet units (or a 0U vertical PDU with 20+ outlets) are more appropriate.
Can I plug a PDU directly into a standard UK wall socket?
Only if the PDU has a UK BS 1363 plug or a compatible inlet — and many rack PDUs do not. Most professional PDUs use an IEC C14 or C20 inlet, designed to connect to a UPS output or a dedicated PDU circuit, not a standard 13A wall socket. Attempting to use an adapter is not recommended for permanent installations and may void warranties or breach electrical safety regulations. Always check the inlet type before purchasing.
Is APC always worth the premium over cheaper brands?
For switched and managed PDUs, yes — APC's ecosystem integration, firmware support, and long-term parts availability justify the cost in professional environments. For basic rackmount strips, the premium is harder to defend. Digitus, Lindy, and Cablenet all offer solid basic PDUs at a fraction of the APC price, and for a home lab or small office rack, the difference in reliability is negligible. Our advice: buy APC or Eaton for anything with management features, and shop on price for purely passive distribution.
What does 0U mean on a PDU, and is it better than 1U?
0U refers to a vertical PDU that mounts in the side channel of a rack cabinet, consuming zero rack units of usable space. A 1U PDU mounts horizontally like a standard rack unit, taking up one slot. For dense racks where every rack unit counts, 0U is almost always preferable. The trade-off is that 0U PDUs are typically longer and may not fit all rack depths. APC's AP8853 (42 outlets, 0U) is a good example of how much capacity you can pack into a side-mount format.
What pitfalls should I avoid when buying a cheap PDU?
The biggest risk with budget PDUs is inadequate overcurrent protection — some very cheap units have no fusing whatsoever, meaning a fault in one connected device can damage everything else on the strip. Always check for CE certification as a minimum, and look for a pre-fuse or thermal circuit breaker. A second common mistake is buying a PDU with too-tight socket spacing: if the outlets are crammed together, a standard IEC connector with a locking collar or a slightly oversized plug body will block adjacent ports. Check the outlet spacing spec before buying, especially on compact 10-inch units.