Best Outdoor Extension Cords: A Staple For All Your Devices
Do you mostly work outside of your house? If so, then you need the best outdoor extension cords in 2021 to use appliances or tools away from the power source. Whether you are working outside of your home or hanging fairy lights to decorate the lawn, maybe you want a power source for your electric grill for a party, or power other appliances, it’s essential to use an extension cord especially designed for these purposes.
Cheap and thin extension cords can carry energy from the outlet where your electronics need power, but they may not work that well to carry a lot of power. So, to help you find the best extension cord for your home, we have presented our top picks below.
Best Outdoor Extension Cord For This Year
Amazon Basics Outdoor Extension Cord
– Best Overall
Are you looking for a flexible extension cord that doesn’t break? Amazon’s Basic Heavy-Duty Extension Cord is the most flexible cord of all. You can easily power your fairy lights, tools, or yard accessories because this cord is available in 100 to 200-foot lengths. This extension cord’s electrical rating is 10 Amps, 1250 Watts, 125 VAC. It’s durable and ideal for lawn care, seasonal decoration, equipment, and snow removal that requires power. Amazon Basic gives their customers the option of purchasing a pack of 4 cords of 50 feet cords.
- Available in orange and green color
- Resists abrasion, sunlight, and moisture
- Made with copper to be weather resistant
- Features a 3-prong plug for safety
- Flexible and durable with heavy-duty vinyl
- Gets too hot during use if you have connected heavy-duty devices
UltraPro Outdoor Extension Cord
– Runner Up
Its length is perfect if you want it for your garage or workshop. It has a 15-amp cord that ends with 3 grounded outlets. You can plug your power tools and devices at the same time with this cord as it has multiple sockets. UltraPro’s cord is double insulated, so its lifespan is longer. This cord has an electrical rating of 125V, 13a, and 1625W and is also UL listed.
- Available in four colors- black, green, hot pink, and orange
- Made of high-quality material, which makes it extra durable
- Double insulated and have a long life span
- This UL listed cord have grounded outlets
- Limited warranty of 90 days
Go Green Power Inc. Outdoor Extension Cord
– Honorable Mention
Do you want a perfect heavy-duty extension cord to use heavy equipment outdoors? GoGreen Power extension can carry loads of heavy equipment like Vaccum cleaner, Dj equipment, power grill, etc. This versatile cord can be used both indoors and outdoors. It features a 3-prong grounded plug. Its electrical rating is 13 amps, 125 V, and maximum watts are 1625. It can work efficiently in any situation. Plus, Gogreen offers free recycling of the product after being used. This amazing product has universal compatibility and is perfect for getting your job done!
- This cord is kink-free
- Can be used indoor and outdoor
- The most sturdy and durable cord to accommodate your heavy-duty devices
- This brand offers free-cycling
- It’s not weatherproof, so using it outdoors needs special care
Iron Forge Outdoor Extension Cord
– Also Consider
This multi-functional cord is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The 10-gauge cord accommodates heavy-duty devices and all types of home appliances. It has a 3-prongs grounded plug. This heavy-duty extension cord’s electrical rate is 1875 watts and 15 amps. It has an indicator too that tells you whether it’s powered on or off. This thick extension cord provides consistent power even with huge power tools and is perfect for landscaping, powering, and gardening. Some extension cables become a fire risk, but this cord will stand up to the heat and will save your appliances or tools from damage!
- Weather-resistant and has a power light indicator
- Has a slip-resistant design
- Offers lifetime warranty
- Flexible and has a highly visible color
- The ends of the cord are a little loose
This lime green, lightweight, flexible, and water-resistant extension cord is ideal for gardeners and outdoor workers. The thickness of this wire is 16-gauge. It has 2-prongs, and its electrical rating is 125V, and its input current is 10 amps. It’s the best to use when you want to plug in your bush trimmer, leaf blower, shop vac, or any other landscaping tools in your outdoor area. Not only this, but you can also use it to power an electric grill or decorate fairy lights.
- Doesn’t tangle while operating
- Made of the vinyl jacket, this cord is weather resistance
- Offers 1-year warranty
- The length of this cord is 120-feet
- Has substandard vinyl insulation that does not perform well during winter months
The best thing about this black 50 ft size extension cord is that it is oil-resistant and thick, which protects it from chemicals, moisture, abrasion, dirt, dust, and sun exposure, making it ideal for using outdoors. You can power heavy-duty ranch and farm tools such as compressors or saws with this extension cord. Wood’s Agricultural heavy-duty cord has a 10A rating at 125V, 16/2 gauge.
It has reinforced blades that save it from accidental breaking or bending. It is flexible to use in all types of weather. This product is UL listed. The Woods is a registered trademark brand of Coleman Cable Inc.
- This cord is made of a thick vinyl jacket and is oil resistant
- Stays flexible and durable in all weather conditions
- Made with reinforced blades
- Doesn’t have any warranty
Are you looking for a long cord that can reach even the farthest area of your lawn to power your tools or fairy light? This orange-colored heavy-duty extension cord is the best cord for this job. This extension cord features a three-pronged plug. Its color will make it easier for you to trip over it or find it because it is highly visible. This durable extension cord is ideal for connecting outdoor appliances that require high power input, although it can be used indoors as well.
- Made with 100% pure copper
- The color of this cord is highly visible
- Water, ozone, and weather-resistant cord
- Has a grounded plug for safety
- The extension cord is ETL listed
- The extension cord may be too heavy to handle when doing lighter chores
Buying Guide for the Best Outdoor Extension Cords
As there are a plethora of options available in the market, choosing the best one from them can feel like a tiring task. We understand that not everyone is well-aware of the things to consider or features to look for in the best outdoor extension cords. For this reason, we have curated this buyer’s guide.
Which Type Of Extension Cord Should You Buy?
When you are looking for an extension cord, look at its ends. It will have either three or two prongs. And outdoor cords usually come with a three-prong plug.
These are the types of extension cords:
Three-Pronged Extension Cord
A three-prong cord is made to transfer electricity to your electronic devices safely. These 3-prongs ground the voltage to protect any appliance from the electric shock and is only used with an outlet with a ground slot. But yes, connecting the 3-prong plug cord with a 2-prong plug extension can be risky.
Two-Pronged Extension Cord
A two-prong plug can be used mostly indoors because it is not safe to use outside. It does not provide safety! This two-prong plug can be used with small appliances but not with a two-prong cord.
Contractor
Contractor-grade extension cables are designed for heavy-duty use on the job site. They can withstand high heat and cold, and they have exceptional abrasion resistance and elasticity. Contractor extension cords include high-visibility jackets and are more resistant to oil and chemicals. These extension cords are ideal for use in both the shop and the garage.
What Are Some Important Features To Consider When Buying An Extension Cord?
You should consider various factors when selecting the best extension cord like power ratings, gauge, safety, length, plug, or some additional features like lighted plug ends, etc. Here are some important features:
Cord Length
The length of the extension cord depends on the size you need. These cords come in different sizes; however, longer cords can be used outdoors so that you can move freely with gardening equipment. But always avoid going for excessive cord lengths because they become tangled, and then there is a risk of fall hazards or trips. Never fit multiple extension cords together to extend the length.
Cord Durability
Do you want a cord for the outdoors? For this, the cord needs to be sturdy and rough! So, buy a cord made up of thick material and a hard coating to protect it from sharp stones and gravel. In this case, you should search for a durable one, and it’s a very good idea to buy a cord with reinforced blades. Extension cords with reinforced blades are resistant to wear and tear and last longer.
Light or Heavy Duty
You must be confused about what does light and heavy-duty means? When you see heavy-duty or light-duty written as part of the features of an extension cord on its packaging, light-duty is used for small electronics, and heavy-duty is used for heavy equipment. The number of prongs also matters because two-prong cords are made for light-duty use.
Heavy-duty cords are grounded and are covered with multiple coatings to insulate the wiring of the cord. Heavy-duty extension cords are mostly used outdoors, and light-duty cords are used indoors.
Maximum Load
Every extension cord has an amperage rating that tells you how much load it can handle. The higher the amperage rating of the cord is, the more powerful cord it will be. Some cords have an electrical rate of 13 amps, and some can handle up to 15 amps.
The thicker the extension wire, the more electricity it will carry. A 12 gauge will be perfect for heavy-duty operations. However, the electrical rating is very important to check when buying an extension cord. If the extension cord is overloaded, it can get hot, plus it won’t be safe for heavy-duty use because it can catch fire.
Weatherproof
The best outdoor cord will be water-resistant and can also resist sunlight and cope with the changes in different weather conditions. An indoor cord may not be weatherproof and would be unsafe to use outside.
What Are Some Terms To Know Before Shopping For The Best Outdoor Extension Cords?
What Are watts? (Wattage)
Watts measures the resulting energy, which is indicated by volts and multiplied by amps.
What Are Volts? (Voltage)
Volts measure the resistance or pressure of the electricity flow.
What Are Amps? (Amperes)
Amps measure the amount of electricity flowing through the cable inside the extension cord.
What Are The Prices Of Outdoor Extension Cords?
If you want an extension cord for indoor use, the prices of these cords are under $20. You can easily choose the gauge and length in this price range to use at home.
You can get a heavy-duty extension cord in the range of $20 to $40. These are available in different colors with various lengths. However, if you want to invest in the best product from high-end brands, expect to pay a price of up to $100.
Outdoor Extension Cord FAQ
A: If you want to power a fridge that is too far from the outlet, then a heavy-duty extension will work best for this purpose. To save your house from fire or hazards, make sure that you purchase a cord with an electrical amp rating that is equal to your fridge’s amperage.
A: Outdoor extension cords are mostly weatherproof. So, if you see weatherproof written on the extension cord, it means that it’s for outdoor use. Outdoor extension cords can be used indoors.
A: You can check the packaging of the extension cord. If it’s approved or listed from ETL, CSA, or UL, it ensures you that the international and federal safety standards are met during its manufacturing. So, you don’t have to worry about the quality. It will be suitable for you if you read the rating, wire gauge, and wattage for outdoor and indoor environments according to your need.
