Power Extensions Price Comparison 2026
Compare 770 power extensions from Brennenstuhl, connektgear & more. Find the best UK price from 4 £ — updated daily across dozens of retailers.
Power extensions are one of those purchases that most people get wrong — not because they're complicated, but because they buy on price alone and ignore the details that actually matter. With 770 products in our catalogue, ranging from 4 £ for a basic 4-gang strip to 92 £ for professional-grade reel units, the gap between a sensible buy and a fire hazard is wider than you'd think.
Brennenstuhl dominates this category with 184 products and a strong reputation for build quality — their extensions are a fixture in offices, workshops, and server rooms across the UK. That said, dominance doesn't always mean best value. Brands like kenable and connektgear punch well above their weight at the budget end, offering BS 1363-compliant UK sockets at prices that undercut the German giants considerably. For most home users, the sweet spot sits comfortably around 15 £, where you get a decent cable length, surge protection, and proper socket spacing.
One thing our data makes clear: cable length is the most overlooked spec. A 2-metre lead sounds fine until you're rearranging a home office or setting up AV equipment. The jump from 2m to 5m often costs very little — yet it saves enormous frustration. Similarly, socket spacing matters far more than socket count; a 6-gang strip where every other socket is blocked by a chunky transformer is effectively a 3-gang strip. Look for models with staggered or wide-spaced outlets if you're running a mix of standard plugs and bulky adapters.
For outdoor or workshop use, the IP rating becomes non-negotiable. An IP44-rated extension like the Brennenstuhl outdoor models handles light rain and splashes; anything less in a damp environment is a genuine safety risk. If you're buying for a garage, garden, or building site, don't compromise — the price difference between an indoor and a proper outdoor-rated unit is modest, but the consequences of getting it wrong are not. You'll also want to check for socket-outlets and outlet boxes if you're planning a more permanent installation rather than a portable solution.
Smart extensions are quietly becoming mainstream. The TP-Link Tapo P304M — one of the most-listed products in this category — brings individual socket control and energy monitoring to a standard 4-gang strip. It's not for everyone, but if you're already in the Tapo ecosystem or want to track standby consumption, it's a genuinely useful upgrade over a dumb strip. For everything else, a quality surge-protected extension from a reputable brand, bought at the right price, remains the most practical choice. Compare across retailers before buying — prices on identical models can vary by 30% or more between Currys, Amazon, and specialist electrical suppliers. That's exactly what we're here for. You might also want to browse power plug adapters if you need to connect foreign devices alongside your UK appliances.
How to Choose a Power Extension: What Actually Matters
Most extension leads look identical on the shelf, but the differences in cable quality, socket spacing, and safety ratings can be significant. Our analysis of 770 products shows that the cheapest options cluster around 4 £, while genuinely well-built, surge-protected strips with useful cable lengths start closer to 7 £. Here's what to focus on.
Cable length for your actual layout
This is the spec most buyers underestimate. A 2m cable is fine for a bedside table; it's useless behind a TV unit or in a home office where the wall socket is across the room. Our recommendation: measure the distance before you buy, then add at least 1 metre of slack. The 3m and 5m options cover the vast majority of home and office scenarios without becoming unwieldy. For workshops or outdoor use, 10m or 25m drum-style extensions (like the SMJ CTH2513) are a different product category entirely — heavier, designed to be fully unrolled before use to prevent heat build-up.
Socket count and — crucially — socket spacing
A 6-gang strip sounds generous until half the sockets are blocked by wide-bodied plugs or transformer bricks. Look for models with staggered sockets or wider spacing between outlets. If you're powering a mix of standard UK plugs and bulky wall-wart adapters, prioritise spacing over raw socket count. For a typical home office setup (monitor, laptop charger, desk lamp, phone charger), a well-spaced 4-gang is more practical than a cramped 6-gang.
Surge protection: essential for electronics, optional for lamps
Surge protection absorbs voltage spikes that can damage sensitive electronics — computers, TVs, audio equipment, NAS drives. It's not a gimmick, but it's also not necessary for every socket. If you're powering a kettle and a floor lamp, a basic strip without surge protection is fine. If you're connecting anything with a processor or storage, pay the small premium for a surge-protected model. The connektgear 6-way surge-protected block is a solid, affordable example. Note: surge protection degrades over time — a strip that's taken several spikes may no longer protect effectively.
IP rating for outdoor and workshop use
Indoor extensions (IP20) are not rated for moisture exposure — full stop. For garages, gardens, or any damp environment, you need at minimum IP44 (splash-proof) and ideally IP65 (dust-tight and jet-proof) for genuinely outdoor use. Brennenstuhl's outdoor range is the benchmark here. Using an indoor extension outside voids any warranty and, more importantly, creates a real fire and electrocution risk. Don't cut corners on this one.
Current rating: 10A vs 13A vs 16A
Most UK domestic extensions are rated at 13A — matching the standard BS 1363 fused plug. This is fine for typical home use. Where it gets important is when you're running high-draw appliances: electric heaters, power tools, catering equipment. Always check the total load across all connected devices doesn't exceed the strip's rated amperage. Industrial and workshop extensions often go to 16A with a different plug format. If in doubt, add up the wattages of everything you plan to connect and divide by 230 — that gives you the amperage draw.
Smart features: worth it or not?
Smart extensions like the TP-Link Tapo P304M add individual socket switching and energy monitoring via an app. They're genuinely useful if you want to cut standby power, schedule devices, or monitor consumption — but they add cost and a dependency on Wi-Fi and a working app. For a straightforward desk or entertainment setup, a quality dumb strip is more reliable and cheaper to replace. Smart extensions make most sense for tech-savvy users who are already invested in a smart home ecosystem.
- Budget basics (From 4 £ to 7 £) : Simple 4-gang and 6-gang strips from brands like kenable, connektgear, SMJ, and Target. Adequate for low-risk, low-draw applications — lamps, phone chargers, basic peripherals. Build quality is functional rather than impressive; cable lengths tend to be short (2–3m). Fine for a spare room or occasional use, but we wouldn't trust these with expensive electronics.
- The sweet spot (From 7 £ to 15 £) : Where most buyers should be shopping. Brennenstuhl's popular 6- and 8-gang indoor strips, connektgear's surge-protected blocks, and the TP-Link Tapo smart extension all sit here. You get proper surge protection, better cable quality, and more useful lengths. This range covers the vast majority of home office and entertainment centre needs.
- Professional and specialist (From 15 £ to 25 £) : Outdoor-rated Brennenstuhl extensions, longer cable drum units, and Bachmann's design-led strips. Also where you'll find 10m+ leads with rubber-jacketed cables for workshop use. Lindy and Activejet feature here too, often targeting AV and IT rack installations. Worth the investment if you have specific environmental or load requirements.
- Industrial and rack-mount (Over 25 £) : Rittal PDUs, professional cable reels, and rack-mount power distribution units for server rooms and industrial environments. Brands like Rittal (average price around £142) and Brilliant Tools operate in this space. Not relevant for home use — but if you're specifying power distribution for a data cabinet or workshop, this is where the properly engineered kit lives.
Top products
- connektgear 2m 6 Way Surge Protected Power Extension Block - UK Plug to 6 x UK Sockets - White (connektgear) : The best-value surge-protected option in the catalogue. Six sockets, surge protection, and a price that undercuts most branded alternatives — solid for a home office or entertainment unit. The 2m cable is the only real limitation.
- Brennenstuhl 1951583100 power extension 3 m 8 AC outlet(s) Indoor Black, Grey (Brennenstuhl) : Eight sockets and a 3m cable from the most trusted name in this category. Well-built, properly certified, and a sensible choice for a desk or AV rack. Not the cheapest, but Brennenstuhl's build quality justifies the premium over no-name alternatives.
- TP-Link Tapo P304M power extension 1.5 m 4 AC outlet(s) Indoor White (TP-Link) : The standout smart option — individual socket control, energy monitoring, and Tapo app integration in a compact 4-gang form. The 1.5m cable is genuinely short, so placement near a wall socket is essential. Only buy this if you'll actually use the smart features.
- SMJ CTH2513 power extension 25 m 4 AC outlet(s) Grey (SMJ) : The go-to for workshop and outdoor reach — 25 metres is serious cable. Four sockets, grey finish, and a price that's hard to argue with for the length. Always unroll fully before use under load. Not a glamorous buy, but a genuinely useful one.
- Brennenstuhl 4007123005796 power extension 10 m 1 AC outlet(s) Outdoor Black, Red (Brennenstuhl) : A proper outdoor extension — IP-rated, rubber-jacketed cable, and 10m of reach. The single socket limits versatility, but for powering a single outdoor tool or garden appliance, this is the right product. Don't substitute an indoor lead here — the safety difference is real.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum load I can put on a UK extension lead?
A standard UK extension lead rated at 13A can handle a maximum of 3,000 watts (13A × 230V). To check you're within limits, add up the wattage of every device you plan to connect simultaneously — not just what's plugged in, but what's actually switched on at the same time. High-draw appliances like electric heaters (2,000–3,000W), kettles (2,200–3,000W), and hair dryers (1,500–2,400W) can max out a strip on their own. Never daisy-chain two extension leads together — it's a fire risk and voids any safety certification.
Is surge protection actually worth paying for on a power extension?
Yes, for electronics — no, for basic appliances. Surge protection is genuinely valuable for computers, TVs, NAS drives, and audio equipment, where a voltage spike can cause permanent damage. For a lamp, a fan, or a phone charger, it adds cost without meaningful benefit. One important caveat: surge protection degrades after absorbing spikes. A strip that's been in use for several years in a lightning-prone area may no longer offer effective protection, even if it still works as a basic extension.
Can I use an indoor extension lead in my garage or garden?
No — and this is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes buyers make. Indoor extensions (IP20) have no moisture resistance whatsoever. Even in a garage, condensation and damp can cause shorts and fires. For outdoor or garage use, you need at minimum an IP44-rated extension (splash-proof); for genuinely exposed outdoor use, IP65 is the right spec. Brennenstuhl's outdoor range is the most widely available option in the UK and is well worth the modest price premium over an indoor strip.
What should I look for to make sure a power extension is safe to use in the UK?
Look for BS 1363-compliant UK sockets, a UKCA or CE mark, and ideally a BSI Kitemark. These certifications confirm the product meets British and European electrical safety standards. Avoid unbranded extensions from unknown sellers, particularly on marketplace platforms — counterfeit or non-compliant strips are a known issue. A fused plug (13A fuse) is standard on all legitimate UK extensions; if the plug has no fuse, don't use it.
How long an extension lead do I actually need?
Measure the distance from your wall socket to where you need power, then add at least 1 metre of slack for routing around furniture. For most home office or living room setups, 3m covers the majority of scenarios. For workshop or outdoor use, 10m is a common practical minimum. One important note for cable drum extensions: always fully unroll the cable before use — a coiled extension lead generates heat that can melt the insulation and cause a fire, especially under load.
Are smart power extensions like the TP-Link Tapo worth it over a standard strip?
They're worth it if you have a specific use case — monitoring standby consumption, scheduling devices, or integrating with a smart home setup. For general use, a quality standard strip is more reliable and significantly cheaper to replace. Smart extensions require a stable Wi-Fi connection and a working app; if either fails, you lose remote control functionality. The TP-Link Tapo P304M is one of the better-value options in this space, but it's a considered purchase rather than a default upgrade.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a power extension?
Three mistakes come up repeatedly. First, buying on socket count alone without checking socket spacing — a cramped 8-gang strip is often less useful than a well-spaced 4-gang. Second, using an indoor extension outdoors or in damp conditions — always check the IP rating. Third, daisy-chaining extensions to reach further — this is both a fire hazard and a violation of UK electrical safety guidance. If your cable isn't long enough, buy a longer one; don't chain two together.