Every house, garage, and yard needs a reliable extension cord.
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If you regularly use power tools, electric landscaping equipment, or need to power an appliance from a faraway outlet, an extension cord or two comes in handy. These useful accessories extend the range of your appliances and tools, eliminating frustrating power cord length and electrical outlet limitations.
Aesthetic-friendly, light-duty models are great for permanent indoor use, since they come in a range of colors and patterns to seamlessly match your home’s existing decor. In addition to heavy-duty tasks like afternoon circular saw projects in the backyard, extension cords are essential for those who prefer to use corded outdoor power equipment, like leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and chainsaws. Some even have built-in surge protectors that include multiple power and USB outlets, which are perfect for a bedroom or home office.
I’ve utilized countless extension cords in my career as a residential and commercial carpenter, and used that experience to help guide the decision making process for this list. I also sourced and personally tested several models that we felt would benefit from additional, hands-on review, noting how easy they were to use, any durability issues, and versatility benefits.
We also did our best to include a good variety of options, from light-duty models to use in your bedroom or living room, to ultra-heavy-duty options for your garage or workshop. In the interest of safety, We also made sure to only include cords that have been listed with a nationally recognized testing laboratory, whether that be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratory). You should always look for the UL or ETL mark.
Read on for reviews of the best extension cords, followed by things to consider as you determine which is right for you and your space.
This extension cord has sturdy feel and soft touch right out of the package. Its 12-gauge size and 50-foot length deliver a nice balance of power and mobility, and the lighted end lets you know it's ready for a connection. During testing, we also found this illuminated end to be convenient for use in dark and poorly lit workspaces.
Storing in our zero-degree freezer for 48 hours had no effect on the cord’s performance, and only resulted in minimal flexibility loss when stretched out to full length. In fact, the packaging claims that it can be used in temperatures as low as -94 F and as high as 221 F.
The cord’s pink and blue jacket is easy to spot in the back of the garage, or on a cluttered shelf, and helps prevent accidental trips when it’s uncoiled on the ground. It’s also abrasion- and oil-resistant, so you won’t have to worry too much about wear and tear in the garage or at the worksite.
Another valuable benefit of this cord is the lifetime warranty, which should help to offset the somewhat high price tag.
This reasonably priced, heavy-duty extension cord powers larger tools like table saws and grinders. It’s durable enough to withstand the abuse of a busy garage or workshop, and unlike lower-quality options, won’t mark up floors or walls as you work. (Going through the trouble to leave a clean and spot-free workspace, only to have your extension cord scuff or mar the drywall, is always a bummer). We love the bright yellow color too, which makes it much less likely to be a tripping hazard.
The light-up power indicator is another useful perk, letting you know that power is flowing through the cord, and whatever you have plugged into it is ready to operate.
The 50-foot length does contribute to its 6.87-pound weight, though, so it may not be practical if you want a less bulky model. If any quality control issues do come up, the five-year warranty has you covered.
If you don’t feel like looking at bulky, heavy-duty cords in your bedroom or office, this Anker model is a compact and aesthetically pleasing choice.
Although it’s technically more of a power strip than an extension cord, we feel that the five-foot cord length and three, three-prong outlets are more useful for those who just need to extend computer monitor and lamp cords a few extra feet. The two USB-A and single USB-C ports are also handy for charging mobile devices and tablets.
We also found this cord's flat plug shape to be much more convenient than traditional extension cords for placing behind bedside tables and desks. It’s also available in three different colorways too—including this “wooden gray” option—so you can easily match it to your existing workspace.
This retractable reel model is definitely pricier than regular extension cords, but you can't beat its convenience and organizational benefits.
It’s designed to lock the 40-foot cord at whatever length you prefer, and retract it back whenever you’re finished with your task. The reel mount features a 180-degree swivel bracket that can be attached to the wall or ceiling, adding a lots of mobility and cord placement options while you work.
The cord itself is also well-suited for outdoor use, like open or covered garages, and operates in temperatures as high as 221 F and as low as -58 F. A light-up LCD illuminates the three-prong female end so you’re never left guessing whether your tools are powered up or not.
If you’re just looking for a reliable, light-duty extension cord for a reasonable price, I recommend this affordable option. At 20 feet long, it handles the majority of basic extension applications, and at less than $20, the price is tough to beat.
While testing this cord, we were really impressed with its overall flexibility, and never found it to be too rigid or stiff, even right out of the box.
Most importantly, all of its relevant information is printed on the cord itself, not just the AWG number. So even if you forget or lose the packaging, the voltage, temperature limit and even UL number is always available for easy reference. The strain relief collars are thick and sturdy too, which adds to the overall durability of this cord.
With only one female outlet, it might not be ideal for those who have multiple machines to plug in and don’t have a surge protector on hand. That said, this minimal design is the reason it weighs just 1.6 pounds, so keep that in mind.
The dark green color of this cord blends into your lawn or landscaping, whether that’s seasonal holiday decorations or patio string lights. Plus, since it has three female sockets, this model is still functional for day-to-day use, even if one socket is used for a permanent lighting function.
The cord is available in a variety of lengths, from 3 to 100 feet, and remains effective in temperatures from -40 to 140 F. At this price, this 16-gauge cord is a great value, and also well-suited for those who use corded outdoor equipment, like hedge trimmers or electric space heaters on the patio.
Indoor extension cords are thinner and more lightweight, and lack the durability that outdoor cords provide. This makes them more comfortable to handle and easier to store, but limits their functionality.
Outdoor cords have extra insulation to withstand wear and tear, and some are designed to be used in extreme temperatures without compromising performance. Outdoor cords also tend to carry more power, and are available in longer lengths than indoor cords.
These 16-gauge cords have either two or three prongs, and are best suited for items that don’t require a ton of power. Two-pronged versions tend to be shorter, making them convenient to use with appliances that are located close to power outlets, like blenders or lamps.
Three-pronged 16-gauge cords are available in longer lengths, and their extra prong makes them compatible with larger tools like space heaters and jig saws. This third prong also diverts, or “grounds” the electric current if anything goes wrong, instead of sending it through your body. A 25-foot 16-gauge cord delivers 13 amps, and decreases the longer you go.
Fourteen-gauge cords are usually the most common, and are compatible with a wide range of equipment, including larger tools like router and belt sanders, as well as outdoor power equipment like lawn mowers. A 25-foot cord delivers 15 amps, going down to about 10 amps at 100 feet.
Twelve-gauge cords are considered “heavy-duty,” and provide the power necessary for high-power items like table saws, chainsaws, and air compressors, even at longer lengths. You still get a solid 15 amps with a 100-foot cord.
Ten-gauge extension cords deliver 20 amps, even at 100 feet. These are essential for generators and high-capacity compressors.
When choosing an extension cord, make sure it’s able to deliver sufficient power–measured in “amps”-to the item being used. If your cord's amperage is rated lower than that required by the equipment being powered, the overworked cord can overheat and possibly result in a fire. This amperage rating is clearly stated on the cord’s packaging, on the cord, or on an attached tag. If it’s not, choose a different product.
The gauge of the extension cord is another factor to think about. Lower-gauge cords are thicker and are able to carry more power, while higher gauges are thinner and carry less.
Using the correct gauge is especially important when dealing with larger, heavy-duty items, since a higher gauge cord may not be able to deliver the amps required, and could result in the cord overheating or damage to the device it’s plugged into. This gauge number—denoted as “AWG (American Wire Gauge)”—is typically printed on the cord itself.
The length of your extension cord not only indicates how far it can reach, but also how much resistance is placed on the current flowing through it.
The longer the cord, the more electrical resistance, and the less power it’s ultimately able to deliver. If you don’t factor in the amount of voltage loss that occurs (commonly referred to as "voltage drop") when selecting an extension cord, your tool or appliance won’t receive the proper amperage, and unnecessary stress is placed on the motor.
Like we’ve said before, an under-powered cord is more likely to overheat and melt. To minimize the effect of this voltage drop, choose a cord that’s as short as possible, especially when working with high-powered tools.
The “jacket” of an extension cord refers to the outside covering that protects the wire inside. The strength, thickness, and material of the jacket can vary, so choose one that best suits the environment in which the extension cord is being used. Take into account specific chemicals it may come in contact with or extreme temperatures. Luckily, all this information is printed on the jacket itself with a series of numbers and letters, and can be decoded with this helpful glossary.
Some extension cords use a transparent connector and LED that lights up when connected to power. I’ve always appreciated these when using extra long cords, and prevents me from having to track it all the way back to the wall outlet to double-check if it’s plugged in.
High-visibility cords increase safety by making themselves easier to see and less likely to trip over. They’re also easy to find in your garage or truck bed, and less likely for someone to accidentally—or purposefully—take yours on a busy jobsite. Cords used for more permanent tasks, like in a home office, or outside in your landscaping, can also be purchased in more subtle colors that blend into their environment.
These built-in switches lock both connected ends in place during use, so they won’t get accidentally pulled apart. While these locks can be convenient, this is also easily accomplished by simply tying the ends together. You could also purchase a separate cord lock for use with any type of extension cord.
Extension cords are primarily designed to connect single electrical devices to a power source, while a power strip’s main job is to provide you with multiple outlets in one area. If the cord is long enough, a power strip can technically function as an extension cord, like the Anker 521 Power Strip listed below.
While the gauge and amperage specs on the packaging provide basic information, more can be found on the numerals and letters printed on the cord itself. These codes indicate the specific use it's designated for, as well information on the wire and jacket construction, and any specific material or chemical resistance. Carnegie Mellon provides a helpful glossary of these codes here.
When not in use, keep your extension cord away from moisture and out of direct sunlight, which weakens the jacket over time. Coiling your cord and hanging from a wall hook in your garage or workshop is a great way to keep it protected, while also convenient to grab when you need it. There are several ways to coil an extension cord, but we recommend using the over-under method.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
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