Best Extension Cords in 2022

Last update: December 16, 2022

Can a 10 gauge extension cord handle 30 amps?

Yes, a 10 gauge extension cord can handle 30 amps. This is because the gauge number is a measure of the wire's cross-sectional area, and a 10 gauge wire has a cross-sectional area of 5.26 mm². This is more than enough to handle 30 amps, which has a maximum current of 7.2 A.

Can a TV be plugged into an extension cord?

Yes, a TV can be plugged into an extension cord. However, it is important to choose the right extension cord for the TV. The extension cord should be able to handle the TV's power requirements.

Can you plug a 3 prong into a 2 prong extension cord?

Yes, you can plug a 3 prong into a 2 prong extension cord. However, doing so may create a safety hazard because the grounding prong on the 3 prong plug will not have a place to go. This could cause the electrical current to take an unexpected path and potentially cause an electrical shock.

Do I need 12 or 14 gauge extension cord?

If you're using a tool that requires 15 amps of power or less, a 14-gauge extension cord is fine. If you're using a tool that requires more than 15 amps, you must use a 12-gauge extension cord.


Coleman Cable 6991 Power Strip Liberator, 8-Inch Extension Cord, 3-Pack Review:


You should use a surge protector if you use a computer. It should go without saying that a transient voltage spike, which can be brought on by anything from lightning to a motor starting or stopping, can harm your computer and completely destroy its hard drive.The issue is that the majority of surge protectors and power strips prevent you from using all of the sockets with power adapters for external hard drives or other peripherals. How are all the outlets to be used without having "wall warts" obstruct them? You require something, like, a tiny extension cord.The remedy is Coleman Cable's 6991 Power Strip Liberator, 3-Pack, 8-Inch Extension Cord. It consists of three short (8"/200mm) extension cords with one plug and socket each, allowing you to extend your adapters away from the power strip by a few inches. Since the only issue is getting the "juice boxes" off the surface of your surge protector, this is all you truly need. The Coleman cables are practical and flawless, and each socket end has a bright neon lamp so you can quickly determine whether the power is on or locate the connector under a dark desk.I purchased two packages for less than $8 each, which included three mini-extensions, and brought some to work. It's a low-cost solution to an inconvenient issue. It's merely a straightforward fix for a small pain.



Woods 982452 50-Foot SJTOW Agricultural Outdoor Heavy Duty All- Weather Extension Cord, Oil Resistant Vinyl Jacket, Versatile Use, Powerful 15 Amps, 125 Volts, 1,875 Watt Extension Cord, Black Review:


For Halloween, I had a lot of trouble obtaining a BLACK extension chord at my neighborhood Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, K-Mart, Ace, Target, and City Mill (a local hardware store). Black extension cords were nonexistent. Bright yellow, green, or orange extension cords appear to be in style. I was informed that people trip over or mow over extension cords, which is why they are no longer black. However, we are not using the extension cord in a field or anywhere that people walk. The rope had to be black in order to mix in with our scary cemetery, period.The cable was strong and did its job outdoors for Halloween and Christmas in addition to being the ideal shade (we live in tropical Hawaii humid weather with no snow). In spite of the high humidity and fog that covered our neighborhood, I left it outside for three months in a shaded location, and it is still immaculate. I heartily endorse this item.



GE 25 Ft Outdoor/Indoor Extension Cord, 3 Prong Grounded Plug, 3 Outlet, For Lighting, Power Tools, Holiday Decoration, 3 Wire, 16 Gauge, Double Insulated, One-Piece Molded Plug, Black, 36825 Review:


This is what you need if you need to plug in to receive some electricity but can't because your chord is too short to reach the socket. By doing this, you can mysteriously extend one of your outlets up to 15 feet away. That's how easy it is.FACTS:UL listed for your assuranceCord extends the distance over which electricity is transferred by up to 15 feet, feeling sturdy but flexible.For peace of mind, I always choose recognized brands that are UL registered when working with electricity.Don't waste your time attempting to save a few dollars at the expense of risking fire or electric shock.SHORT VERDICT:5 stars out of 5. It operates just as promised. Nothing more or less is appropriate.



GE 12 Ft Extension Cord, 3 Outlet Power Strip, 2 Prong, 16 Gauge, Twist-to-Close Safety Outlet Covers, Indoor Rated, Perfect for Home, Office or Kitchen, UL Listed, White, 51954 Review:


To the dismay of everyone I have encountered, I got a fish and gave it the name Voldebo, but this time I would not let the youngster perish. This time I went all out at Petco and bought the lovely guy a device to keep his attractive tropical fish feathers fluttering around the fish tank. Oh dear, oh my god, his tank was so far from a plug for his IMPORTANT source of heat and his poor little fishy tushy could have turned into a big ol' crackly ice crust if it weren't for this 12-foot extension cord with 3 outlets 2 prongs 16 gauge twist-to-close safety outlet covers. Chicago is cold, and I didn't want my new small child to turn into a frozen fish filet. Jesus Christ, who is exactly the right length and width and who gave this tiny guy a second chance at life, now sits on a shelf like a goddamn king, and we can all admire his glory—or at least I can. I cherish him. I'm happy he's still with us. You're welcome, extension cord. I never believed I could be happier as I am because of you.



Woods 982554 50-Feet 12/3 SJTW High Visibility Extension Cord, Yellow Review:


I've been connecting a 10-amp lawnmower to this Woods 992555 wire for the power source. It has now been used three times on 1500 square foot yards and is proven to be a dependable coworker for my mower. Even when the mower is driven vigorously (such as when cutting down 3' blackberry bushes), there are no overheating issues.One thing, though: It's not lightweight. Without copper, a cable that can transport this much amperage is just not possible, and the cost of copper per 100 feet quickly mounts up. All the qualities you seek in a robust cable are present in the bright hi-vis yellow and the sturdy connections. To ensure that the line is hot, it is a desirable feature to have a female socket that is lit.It is highly advised that you purchase a reel because this is a challenging product to manage alone.You should acquire something similar for electric lawn mowers in the 10-amp range in order to prolong the life of the mower motor because underpowered mowers heat up and wear out prematurely, and inexpensive cables will not hold up. This is showing to be a wise purchase.



Woods 984413 25-Foot Extension Cord with 3-Outlet Block, Weatherproof Flexible Jacket,13 AMP, 125 Volt, 1625 watts, Ideal for Use with Landscaping Appliances and Powering Outdoor Lighting, ft Review:


When I added a new outlet outside, I required one of these. My old three-way adapter would not fit since I had installed an in-use cover over the outlet, so I needed one that would extend outside the cover and allow me to connect in my pergola lights, a fountain pump, and anything else I might need to power. The 3 foot variants available at the neighborhood home improvement stores were designed for heavy current loads and were priced appropriately. Fortunately, I was able to get this one from Amazon for less than $7, which is not entirely outrageous.To complement the wood on my deck, I would have chosen a brown hue, but the green is not too bad. The chord appears to be reasonably sturdy and functions otherwise. To mount it to a board or wall, I would have preferred if it had a screw hole.My advice is to keep an eye out for sales and order it if you find a decent deal.



Yellow Jacket 2882 12/3 Heavy Duty 15-Amp, 125 Volts 1875 Watts, Premium SJTW Contractor Grade 3 Outlet Extension Cord with Lighted End, 2-Feet, Yellow, UL Listed, 2 Foot, Review:


Any Yellow Jacket 12/3 15-Amp Contractor Extension Cord will go perfectly with this. Anywhere I use contractor extension cords, I keep them close by.With this 2-foot splitter, you can typically purchase any length 12/3 15-Amp cord you require for less money than you would pay for a cord made with a splitter end.The bold product description is true, and it is tough.Regardless matter how carefully I have planned a job, I will require additional power for an unfathomable reason that probably dates back to the origin of man. In my situation, the requirement for a third tool at the task site is obvious up to the point at which the project is finished and cleanup begins. Additionally, adding a tool means I'll need extra power and a different plug.This luxury is inexpensively available with this 2-foot LED power block.Knowing your required amps, voltage, and the amount of power lost through the cord up front is a smart idea.Always budget for more than you believe you will need when doing any work, regardless of whether it involves resources like money, time, supplies, tools, or power. You won't regret it.100 feet of medium-duty extension cord with #14 gauge wire rated at 15A will lose 9.1V, or 7.6% of your power.In a heavy-duty extension cord with a 15A rating, such as this Yellow Jacket, you will only lose 5.7V or 4.8% of your power across 100 feet.Voltage drop is directly proportional to cord length for any cord gauge size and amps. The voltage drop of a 100-foot cord is twice that of a 50-foot cord. The voltage drop of a 50-foot cord is double that of a 25-foot cord. The voltage loss increases with the length of the cord.More power to you as usual.



Woods 2434 16/3 Outdoor Cold-Flexible SJTW Extension Cord, Blue with Lighted End, 25-Foot Review:


I pulled this cable directly out of the package, wrapped it loosely, and then laid it in the sun for a time. In 60 °F weather, I took it outside and utilized it for the afternoon. In order to hang it on a hook in the garage with a similar yellow cord I've had for six years and to take advantage of the cooler nighttime temps, I twisted it loosely. Still a bit rigid. Thoughtful blue nonetheless!



Woods General Purpose Outdoor/Indoor Extension Cord (8 Ft, Black) Review:


These extension cords are more than capable of serving a variety of purposes at home or in a workshop. They are well-built and perform flawlessly.I got two, one to use with a vacuum cleaner to avoid switching outlets and the other to replace a cheap extension cord that would occasionally not connect well with a trip surge protector.They measure 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length and 5/16 inches on the outside. They are covered in non-marking, smooth black vinyl.The connectors are strong and include substantial strain absorbers for a long life as well as ridges for a secure grip. A tab on the female connector serves to prevent improper insertion of a grounded three-wire male plug.Gauge 16/3 is used. They have an SJTW rating for outside and harsh service use and can support up to 13 amps, 125 volts, and 1625 watts. They are OSHA compliant and UL certified.Since 2007, Coleman Cable has controlled the Woods nameplate, and in 2014, Coleman joined Southwire. Indonesian manufacturers created these extension cords.



Woods 2801 Extension Cord Reel With Four 3-Prong Power Outlets, Heavy Duty Retractable Cord, User Friendly, Made of Flame Resistant Materials, 10 AMP Circuit Breaker, 25 Foot, Yellow Review:


This product is excellent for the amount I paid for it.I bring it along with my huge portable wheeled toolbox so I can power drills, work lights, saws, etc. that are light- to medium-duty.I was able to locate functional outlets with the help of the orange status light because it is clear.Over a dozen uses, the winding mechanism has always performed properly.The cable itself hasn't twisted or kinked in any way. It is pliable and flexible without being overly delicate.The wire carries the current without any issues, and neither the plug ends nor the wire itself have heated up.The handle is easy and cozy.Warning: Since this AWG wire is obviously not heavy duty, avoid using it with powerful machinery.


Does leaving an extension cord plugged in use electricity?

Leaving an extension cord plugged in does not use electricity. The only time electricity is used with an extension cord is when something is plugged into it and turned on.

How do I know what rating my extension cord is?

How long can I run an extension cord?

An extension cord can be used for many different purposes. It can be used to extend the length of an electrical outlet, or to provide power to a small appliance. The length of time an extension cord can be used will depend on the wattage of the appliance and the length of the cord. For example, a 100-watt appliance will require a shorter extension cord than a 1000-watt appliance.

How many amps can a 12 gauge extension cord handle?

A 12 gauge extension cord can handle up to 15 amps.

How often should you replace extension cords?

Extension cords are one of those things that you never really think about until you need one. But when you do need one, you need to make sure it’s in good working condition. So, how often should you replace extension cords? Ideally, you should replace extension cords every three to five years. But, if you use them frequently or if they’re exposed to the elements, you may need to replace them more often. To extend the life of your extension cords, try to avoid using them in wet or damp conditions and keep them out

Is it OK to plug a fridge into an extension cord?

It's not ideal, but it's not the end of the world if you do it occasionally. Just be sure not to do it for too long, as it could overheat the extension cord and cause a fire.