Socket-Outlets Price Comparison 2026
Compare 522 socket-outlets from Hager, Legrand, MENNEKES and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from 3 £ to 52 £.
Socket-outlets are one of those categories where the price range tells a story. At 3 £, you're looking at basic keystone wallplates; push past 18 £ and you're into industrial-grade or multi-function units from the likes of Hager and MENNEKES. With 522 products listed across dozens of merchants, the spread is genuinely wide — and the differences between a £2 Digitus faceplate and a Hager multi-gang enclosure aren't just cosmetic.
Hager dominates this catalogue by volume, with 78 products and an average price well above the category median. Their range skews heavily towards professional and commercial installations — think DIN-rail compatible enclosures, multi-gang surface-mount boxes, and IP-rated outdoor units. Legrand and BTR NETCOM sit in the mid-range, offering solid network and data socket solutions that work well in both office fit-outs and home networking setups. If you're wiring a structured cabling system, these two brands are worth shortlisting first.
At the more accessible end, Digitus and LogiLink punch above their weight. Digitus in particular offers CAT 6 and CAT 6A flush-mount network sockets at prices that undercut most of the competition — useful if you're running a home office or upgrading a small business network on a budget. Their wallplates for keystone modules are among the most competitively priced in the category. For keystone modules to pair with them, we track a separate category with over 200 products.
MENNEKES stands apart entirely. Their average price of £381 reflects a focus on industrial and EV charging-grade connectors — robust, IP-rated, and built for environments where a standard domestic socket simply wouldn't cut it. If you're sourcing for a commercial premises or an outdoor installation, their products are worth the premium. For everything else, the sweet spot sits between 10 £ and 18 £, where you'll find the most competitive offers from Berker, Vivolink, and METZ CONNECT.
One thing worth noting: this category covers both electrical power sockets and data/network outlets, which means the buying criteria differ significantly depending on your use case. A flush-mount RJ45 socket and a 13A mains outlet are both "socket-outlets" in catalogue terms, but they require completely different evaluation. We've structured the buying guide below to reflect that. If you're also looking at outlet boxes or wall plates and switch covers, those categories are closely related and worth browsing alongside this one.
How to Choose the Right Socket-Outlet
This category mixes mains power sockets, network data outlets, and multi-function units — so the first question isn't "which brand?" but "what type do I actually need?" Get that wrong and you're either rewiring or returning. Here's what actually matters when comparing socket-outlets.
Mains vs. data: know your socket type first
The single biggest source of confusion in this category is that "socket-outlet" covers both electrical power sockets (Type G 13A for the UK) and data/network outlets (RJ45, RJ11, TAE). Before comparing specs, confirm which you need. For mains sockets in the UK, Type G with 13A rating is the standard — anything else requires an adaptor or is intended for export. For network sockets, the CAT rating (5e, 6, 6A) determines your maximum bandwidth. Don't buy a CAT 5e socket if your router and switches support Gigabit or 2.5G — you'll bottleneck the whole run.
IP rating for the installation environment
An IP20-rated socket is fine for a dry indoor room. Put it in a kitchen, bathroom, garage, or outdoors and you're creating a genuine safety hazard. The IP rating's first digit covers dust ingress (6 = fully dust-tight), the second covers water (4 = splash-proof, 7 = temporary immersion). For outdoor use, IP65 is the practical minimum. MENNEKES products in this catalogue are typically rated IP44 or above — that's why they cost what they do. Don't cut corners here; it's a safety issue, not a preference.
Amperage and load capacity
UK domestic sockets are rated at 13A. That's sufficient for most household appliances. But in commercial or industrial settings — or for EV charging infrastructure — you may need 16A, 32A, or higher. Never connect a load that exceeds the socket's rated amperage; it causes overheating and is a fire risk. Hager's higher-priced units in this catalogue are often 16A or above, designed for professional installations. If you're sourcing for a workshop or commercial kitchen, check the amperage spec before the price.
Flush-mount vs. surface-mount vs. DIN rail
Mounting type determines whether the socket fits your existing back box or requires new installation work. Flush-mount (encastré) sockets sit inside the wall and need a back box — they're the standard for finished residential and office spaces. Surface-mount units are quicker to install but more visible. DIN rail mounting is for distribution boards and industrial enclosures — not a domestic option. Digitus wallplates in this catalogue specify frame dimensions (50×50mm, 80×80mm) — measure your existing back box before ordering.
USB integration: useful feature or false economy?
Several products here — including the Berker 926202509 and the Digitus safety socket — combine mains or data connectivity with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. This is genuinely useful in bedrooms, home offices, and meeting rooms. However, check the USB charging wattage: some integrated USB ports deliver only 5W, which is too slow for modern smartphones and useless for tablets. Look for at least 18W (USB-C PD) if fast charging matters. Also note that USB-integrated sockets are harder to replace if the USB circuitry fails.
Shielding for network sockets in electrically noisy environments
If you're installing network sockets near power cables, industrial equipment, or in a building with significant electrical interference, shielded (STP/FTP) sockets are worth the extra cost. Digitus's CAT 6A shielded flush-mount socket is a good example — it's designed to maintain signal integrity in environments where unshielded sockets would introduce packet loss or speed drops. For a standard home or small office with clean cable runs, unshielded (UTP) is fine and noticeably cheaper.
- Entry-level components (From 3 £ to 10 £) : Mostly wallplates, keystone faceplates, and basic CAT 6 network sockets. Digitus and LogiLink dominate here. Fine for straightforward data installations where you're supplying your own keystone modules. Don't expect robust build quality or IP ratings — these are indoor, low-traffic use cases only.
- The practical sweet spot (From 10 £ to 18 £) : Where most buyers will land. Covers decent CAT 6/6A network sockets, USB-integrated mains outlets, and entry-level Hager and Legrand units. Brands like Vivolink, METZ CONNECT, and Berker appear here. Good balance of build quality and price for home office or light commercial use.
- Professional-grade installations (From 18 £ to 28 £) : Multi-gang enclosures, IP-rated outdoor sockets, and higher-amperage units. Hager and Berker are the main players. Suitable for commercial fit-outs, outdoor installations, and environments where durability and certification matter. Worth the step up if the installation will see heavy daily use.
- Industrial and specialist (Over 28 £) : MENNEKES industrial connectors, Hager multi-circuit enclosures, and specialist AV/data faceplates. These are not general-purpose products — they're for EV charging infrastructure, industrial premises, or complex AV installations. If you're in this price bracket without a specific professional requirement, you're almost certainly over-specifying.
Top products
- Lindy Multi AV Faceplate (Lindy) : The most-compared product in the category and easy to see why — a versatile AV faceplate that covers multiple connection types in a single flush-mount unit. Solid choice for home cinema or meeting room installations, though the lack of ratings means you're buying on spec alone.
- Digitus CAT 6A class EA network socket, design-compatible, shielded, flush-mounted (Digitus) : Excellent value for a shielded CAT 6A socket — this is the one to buy if you're future-proofing a home or office network. The shielding makes it suitable for electrically noisy environments. Not the prettiest faceplate, but performance-wise it's hard to fault at this price point.
- Berker 926202509 socket-outlet USB A + USB C White (Berker) : A premium-feel integrated USB socket from one of Germany's most respected wiring device brands. The combined USB-A and USB-C ports are a genuine convenience feature. Worth the price for a bedroom or home office — but check the USB-C wattage spec before assuming it'll fast-charge your laptop.
- MENNEKES 13112 socket-outlet Black, Grey, Red (MENNEKES) : MENNEKES is the benchmark for industrial socket-outlets and this unit lives up to the reputation — robust, IP-rated, and built for environments where a standard socket would fail within months. Overkill for domestic use, but if you need it, nothing else in this catalogue comes close.
- Digitus CAT 6 wall outlet, flush mount (Digitus) : The budget-conscious pick for network socket installations. CAT 6 covers Gigabit Ethernet without issue and the flush-mount design suits standard back boxes. If you don't need shielding or CAT 6A speeds, this saves money without meaningful compromise — a sensible choice for multi-room home networking projects.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Type G socket and a Type F socket?
Type G is the UK standard (three rectangular pins, 13A), while Type F (Schuko) is used across most of continental Europe (two round pins, 16A). They are physically incompatible — a Type F plug will not fit a Type G socket without an adaptor. If you're sourcing sockets for a UK installation, you need Type G. Products in this catalogue from European brands like Hager, Legrand, and Berker may default to Type F or E/F — always check the product spec before purchasing.
Can I install a socket-outlet myself, or do I need a qualified electrician?
In the UK, replacing a like-for-like socket in an existing position is generally considered a minor electrical work and can be done by a competent DIYer, but adding a new circuit or moving a socket requires a Part P-registered electrician. Any work in a bathroom or kitchen is notifiable under Building Regulations regardless of scope. For data/network sockets (RJ45, etc.), there are no such restrictions — these are low-voltage and can be self-installed freely.
What CAT rating do I need for a home network socket in 2026?
CAT 6 is the minimum worth installing for a new home network in 2026 — it supports Gigabit Ethernet comfortably and costs very little more than CAT 5e. If you're future-proofing or your ISP delivers multi-gigabit speeds, CAT 6A is the sensible choice: it supports 10 Gigabit over 100 metres and is available from Digitus and others in this catalogue at reasonable prices. CAT 5e is only worth considering if you're replacing a single failed socket in an existing CAT 5e installation.
Are cheap socket-outlets from unknown brands safe to use?
Not always — and this is one category where cutting corners on price genuinely carries safety risks. Mains socket-outlets should carry CE marking as a minimum, and ideally BSI Kitemark or VDE certification for UK use. Products without visible certification markings may have substandard contact materials or inadequate insulation. The Digitus and LogiLink products in this catalogue are established brands with proper CE certification — they're fine. Random unbranded sockets from marketplace sellers with no certification are a different matter entirely.
What does IP65 mean on a socket-outlet, and do I need it outdoors?
IP65 means the socket is fully dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction — it's the practical minimum for outdoor UK use. The first digit (6) indicates complete dust protection; the second (5) covers low-pressure water jets. For a covered patio or carport, IP44 (splash-proof) may suffice. For exposed outdoor locations or anywhere subject to rain, IP65 or higher is strongly recommended. Never use an indoor-rated socket (IP20) in an outdoor or wet environment.
Do USB-integrated socket-outlets charge as fast as a dedicated USB charger?
It depends entirely on the wattage — many integrated USB sockets deliver only 5W per port, which is significantly slower than a modern 20W or 65W USB-C charger. Before buying a socket with built-in USB (like the Berker 926202509 or the Digitus safety socket), check the spec sheet for USB output wattage. For overnight charging, 5W is acceptable. For daytime top-ups or tablets, look for USB-C Power Delivery (PD) support at 18W minimum.
What's the risk of buying a socket-outlet rated for a higher amperage than my circuit?
Fitting a higher-amperage socket than your circuit is rated for is not inherently dangerous — the circuit breaker still protects the wiring — but it creates a false sense of security. The real danger runs the other way: fitting a 13A socket on a circuit that regularly draws 16A or more. Always match or exceed the circuit's rated current with your socket choice. If you're unsure of your circuit rating, check the consumer unit or consult a qualified electrician before purchasing industrial-grade sockets like those from MENNEKES.