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Professional Guide

Best Surge Protected Extension Leads for Home Safety: 2025 Expert Review

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Oli at OR Electrics

18th Edition Electrician & Owner

Published 18 December 2025

If you live in one of the many Victorian properties around Leeds, you probably know the struggle: one single socket in the alcove and about ten devices that need plugging in. It's a common frustration, but how you solve it matters enormously for your safety.

Extension leads are often bought as an afterthought, grabbed from a bargain bin. As an electrician, this worries me. Use the wrong lead, or overload a cheap one, and you're inviting overheating or potential fire risks. Surge protection adds a vital layer of defence for your expensive electronics (TVs, computers) against voltage spikes.

In this review, I've selected three surge-protected extension leads that balance safety, durability, and practicality. Whether you need a simple solution behind the TV or a tower for a home office, these are the options that meet my safety standards.

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Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "Surge Protection Warranty"

The Theory

"Brands often promise thousands of pounds in 'Connected Equipment Warranty' if the surge protection fails."

The Reality

Claiming on these warranties can be incredibly difficult, often requiring you to ship the melted device and the lead to them for inspection at your own cost. Treat the warranty as a bonus, not an insurance policy.

The Spec: "3250W / 13A Max Load"

The Theory

"The lead can handle 3250 Watts of power flowing through it."

The Reality

Technically yes, but in older houses with varying voltage, running a heater, a kettle, and an iron off one extension lead is dangerous. The plug top can overheat. Never use high-draw appliances on extension leads if you can avoid it.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

Masterplug Four Socket Extension Lead, 2 Metre Cable, Surge Protection

Budget Pick
Masterplug Four Socket Extension Lead, 2 Metre Cable, Surge Protection

Masterplug

Masterplug is a staple brand in our trade. This isn't flashy, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a solid, BS 1363 certified 4-gang lead that's perfect for hiding behind a TV cabinet or sofa where you don't need constant access to switches.

Price£9.75 (at the time of writing)
Cable Length2 Metres
Sockets4 Gang (Unswitched)
ProtectionSurge protected with LED indicators
The Good
  • Excellent price for a reputable brand
  • Two-point wall mounting holes on the rear
  • Connected Equipment Warranty included
The Bad
  • Unswitched (you can't turn off individual sockets)
  • White plastic can yellow over time in direct sunlight

Installer Tip:

This lead is unswitched, meaning to turn off one device, you have to turn off the whole block at the wall or pull the plug. It's best used for devices that stay on or in standby, like your router and TV box.

Priced at £9.75 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

PARTH Surge Protected Extension Lead 3m Cable - 6 Way with Individual Switches

Quality Choice
PARTH Surge Protected Extension Lead 3m Cable - 6 Way with Individual Switches

PARTH

If you are setting up a home office or a heavy gaming rig, this is the one I'd recommend. The individual switches are the main selling point—they allow you to isolate power to your printer or monitor without killing the power to your PC tower. The 3-metre cable is also a godsend in larger rooms found in Leeds' student rentals.

Price£22.96 (at the time of writing)
Cable Length3 Metres
Sockets6 Gang (Individually switched)
Max Load3250W
The Good
  • Individual switches for energy saving
  • 6 sockets accommodate substantial setups
  • Longer 3m cable reaches across larger rooms
The Bad
  • The unit is physically quite large/bulky
  • Individual neon indicator lights can be annoying in a dark bedroom

Installer Tip:

With 6 sockets, it's very easy to overload the lead if you aren't careful. Remember, the total load must not exceed 13 Amps. Fine for computers and screens, but don't plug a heater and a hair dryer into the same block.

Priced at £22.96 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Tower Extension Lead, [13A 3250W] Surge Protector with 8 AC Outlets & 4 USB Ports

Problem-Solving Pick
Tower Extension Lead, [13A 3250W] Surge Protector with 8 AC Outlets & 4 USB Ports

Kemelo

The 'tower' design effectively solves the spaghetti cable mess on desks. By going vertical, it keeps plugs organised and accessible without taking up massive amounts of floor space. The inclusion of USB-A and USB-C ports means you can free up the 3-pin sockets for actual appliances.

Price£24.99 (at the time of writing)
FormatVertical Tower
Capacity8 AC Sockets + 4 USB Ports
MaterialFire-resistant PC material
The Good
  • Vertical design saves significant desk/floor space
  • High socket count (8) plus USB charging
  • Copper internals for better conductivity
The Bad
  • Can become top-heavy if heavy power bricks are plugged in high up
  • Generic brand requires careful inspection of CE/UKCA marks upon arrival

Installer Tip:

Use the bottom sockets for your heaviest/thickest cables to keep the tower stable. This unit is brilliant for student desks in small rooms where floor space is at a premium.

Priced at £24.99 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a standard extension lead and a surge protected one?
A standard lead just extends the power. A surge protected lead contains a component (usually a varistor) that diverts excess voltage away from your devices during a 'spike' in the electricity supply. It's cheap insurance for sensitive electronics like PCs and TVs, though it won't stop the house wiring from tripping if there's a fault.
Can I plug an extension lead into another extension lead?
Absolutely not. This is called 'daisy-chaining' and it is a major fire risk. It increases the resistance in the circuit and can easily lead to overheating. If you need more sockets in a specific location, the safest solution is to have us install additional wall sockets.
How long do surge protectors last?
Surge protection components degrade over time. If the 'Surge Protected' light on your Masterplug or similar device goes out, the extension lead will still provide power, but it no longer offers protection. We generally recommend replacing them every 3-5 years, or immediately after a known major power event.
Is it worth paying more for individually switched sockets?
Yes, I believe so. It allows you to isolate appliances that have 'vampire' power draw (like standby lights) without crawling under the desk to unplug them. It also reduces the spark arc when plugging/unplugging devices, which is better for the socket contacts in the long run.
My extension lead feels warm, is that normal?
Slight warmth might occur under heavy load, but it should never be hot to the touch. If an extension lead feels hot, smells of fish (a sign of melting plastic), or shows scorch marks, unplug it immediately and discard it. Do not attempt to repair it.

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