10 Best Extension Leads UK 2024 | ExtraStar, Beva and More

You'd be amazed at the difference a little extra length and a little less depth make when looking for the best all-around extension lead. Being only 2.5 cm thick and having a cable length of 5 metres makes this a clear winner. 

The case is fire and impact-resistant too, making for an incredibly durable product if you're working in an environment where it may take a few knocks. The black design also helps this extension cable melt into the background when placed in a room. 

With the number of electronic devices you find in a modern living room, you need plenty of sockets to accommodate them all. Enter this offering from Pibeex, which allows you to turn each one on and off individually rather than having them waste power on standby.

The two USB ports are a nice touch to help charge phones and video game controllers, too. Don't let the lack of surge protection worry you, as this lead conforms to all safety standards as well as utilising two fuses to protect your devices. 

If you're looking for an extra-long extension lead to use outside in a shed or garage or you need one to keep on top of the gardening, then the ExtraStar Extension Cable Reel is the choice for you.

We've listed the 10-metre option here, but it's available in different lengths from 5 to 50 metres so you can pick the right one to match the size of your property. Other appealing features are the winding handle that makes it easy to carry around and store and its reassuring 2-year warranty. 

Narrowly missing out on the top 3 is this incredibly sleek offering from Pibeex. We never thought we'd be looking at aesthetics when it came to extension cables, but when you think how often they end up in plain sight, it makes a lot of sense.

As well as its designer looks, this extension lead has surge protection and 4 additional USB ports for all your devices. Plus, while it doesn't have individual switches, it does have an on/off switch for the whole strip to increase its safety and, hopefully, decrease those energy bills. 

Masterplug are a much-trusted brand in the world of extension leads and electrical products, and although this classic 4-socket power strip may not look as stylish as many others on our list, it's a quality lead where it matters.

The included surge protection and thermal cut-out indicator, make this one of the safest options available and the 5-metre cable means it will reach the furthest corners of most rooms. It's not the most exciting, but that's not the worst thing when dealing with extension cables.

If you're looking for a cute and compact cable to take with you as you travel or work remotely, then this offering from Beva is a must-have. There are enough plug sockets and USB ports for laptops, phones, printers and any other gadgets you may need on the go.

While it is a beautifully designed product, it's only really suitable for desktop work or when you're already near a plug socket because of the length of the cable. 1.5 metres is still long enough, but it probably the shortest you'll want to go.

The Auopro tower is, for our money, the better of the two as it's cheaper than the Small RT and all you miss out on is a single USB port. We even prefer the design as, while the switches on the top don't isolate as many sockets, they're in a better position for accessibility.

In addition, this tower will be ideal if your gadgets and devices have larger plugs, as there is extra space between each socket. This does make it a little bulkier than the Small RT, but its usefulness more than makes up for it, in our opinion. 

Our next two options are very similar, so deciding between the two comes down to the subtle design differences as well as the price difference. This is the slightly more expensive option, but arguably the more aesthetically pleasing. 

Featuring 8 sockets with on/off switches for the pairs on each side and 5 USB ports, this tower has plenty of outlets for all your devices. This is a great choice to keep a desk or workstation tidy while powering everything you need.

As well as an impressively long reach of 20 metres, the main draw of this lead is the fact that it's completely weatherproof, meaning you'll be able to work outside safely in even the worst conditions.

However, when you consider when you'd actually use a lead like this in a regular home setting, it loses some value as you're unlikely to be working in your garden, or on your car, out in the rain. For some people, it's a necessity, but the average person may be better off going for a cheaper option.

We imagine this is what comes to mind when you think of an extension cable. With 4 sockets and the classic white plastic casing, this option is a cheap and easy way to give you some extra plug points in a bedroom or living room.

At 2 metres in length, it's not the longest, but it's still more than enough to lay behind a desk or TV stand. Apart from that, there's nothing much to write home about, but it does what it sets out to do perfectly well.