Independent comparisons. We may earn from shop links. Our editors compare products independently. Some links go to shops, and we may earn a commission. More info
Top pick: Brennenstuhl Primera-Line, 2 m, black – Highest score in the set: about £18.62, 4.7 from 875 reviews, and H05VV-F 3G1.25 named. No joule figure, and the plug cells disagree. Best value: Masterplug BEN210-MP, 2 m, white – About £11.99 with 4.7 from 112 reviews, shuttered sockets, and 3,120 W at 240 V stated. One plug cell says No Plug. Updated October 2026.
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You buy it to clear a shortage of outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power. Treat the bar as a 13 A product: most leads of this kind are rated at 13 A, and you must not plug one lead into another.
A suitable listing shows a Type G plug with a 13 A fuse, shuttered sockets, and a cable that matches the gap to the wall. If the table says Type B or Type C, check the live photograph. Bulky UK adaptors often block the next outlet, so spacing matters. Surge joules and USB ports are optional. They do not raise the fuse rating, and a few amps at 5 V will not charge a laptop.
Those checks, in order, are on the [8-way extension lead buying guide](/hub/sockets-and-extension-leads/extension-lead-8-way/sub/extension-lead-8-way-buying-guide). Eight sockets still share one rating. Kettles, fan heaters, irons, and slow electric-vehicle charging do not belong on the bar.
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You buy it to clear a shortage of outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power.
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You buy it to clear a shortage of outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power. Treat the bar as a 13 A product: most leads of this kind are rated at 13 A, and you must not plug one lead into another.
A suitable listing shows a Type G plug with a 13 A fuse, shuttered sockets, and a cable that matches the gap to the wall. If the table says Type B or Type C, check the live photograph. Bulky UK adaptors often block the next outlet, so spacing matters. Surge joules and USB ports are optional. They do not raise the fuse rating, and a few amps at 5 V will not charge a laptop.
Those checks, in order, are on the [8-way extension lead buying guide](/hub/sockets-and-extension-leads/extension-lead-8-way/sub/extension-lead-8-way-buying-guide). Eight sockets still share one rating. Kettles, fan heaters, irons, and slow electric-vehicle charging do not belong on the bar.
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You buy it to clear a shortage of outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power. Treat the bar as a 13 A product: most leads of this kind are rated at 13 A, and you must not plug one lead into another. A suitable listing shows a Type G plug with a 13 A fuse, shuttered sockets, and a cable that matches the gap to the wall. If the table says Type B or Type C, check the live photograph. Bulky UK adaptors often block the next outlet, so spacing matters.
The Brennenstuhl Primera-Line is a black 2 m bar at £18.62 on amazon.co.uk, rated 4.7 from 875 reviews, with one illuminated switch for the whole strip. The listing names the cable as H05VV-F 3G1.25, says the lead can leave either end, and claims wall-mounting points plus a cable clip. In the first 50 UK reviews in this file, buyers often describe a firmer housing than cheap strips and enough cable for a television or a desk. Several also say fat plugs and brick adaptors block a neighbour, so one socket stays empty. One reviewer who wanted a long single row found a 2-by-4 block instead. A dimensions cell prints 6 cm by 8 cm, which is too small for an eight-way housing, and the Power Plug Type cell says North American Type B while Plug Type says Type G, so check the live plug photo. There is no joule figure in the bullets, even though some reviews mention surge protection, which is why this is the top pick for a plain 2 m television run and a poor match if you need USB or a switch on every socket.
Pros
4.7 from 875 reviews, with the first 50 texts in the file from UK buyers
Cable stated as H05VV-F 3G1.25 on a 2 m lead
One illuminated switch, wall mounting, and a clip so the cable can exit either side
Reviewers describe a firmer housing than cheaper strips
Cons
Plug Type says Type G and Power Plug Type says Type B
The dimensions cell prints 6 cm by 8 cm, which cannot be the housing
Fat adaptors can leave a socket unused on the 2-by-4 layout
No joule rating in the bullets, despite some review comments about surge
Best for: A television or desk within 2 m when you want one switched bar and a named 1.25 mm² cable.
Less suitable: You need a switch on every socket, USB charging, a printed joule rating, or about 5 m of cable.
Masterplug’s BEN210-MP is the white 2 m bar at £11.99, with 4.7 from 112 reviews, shuttered sockets, a power light, and a 13 A fuse the bullets rate at 3,120 W at 240 V. The page claims manufacture to BS 1363-2 and wall fixing, and it does not claim surge protection or USB. Reviewers in the file mostly say it does the job, and at least one buyer chose it because the sockets sit in a 2-by-4 block rather than a long strip. One buyer says adaptors do not fit, and another is disappointed the cable looks like 1 mm copper rather than 1.25 mm or 1.5 mm, which is a review comment rather than a specification line. A review written in Ireland says the unit stops working if more than one charger is plugged in, a single report you should not treat as a measured limit. The surge cell repeats 13 A, which is the fuse and not a joule rating, and Power Plug Type says No Plug while Plug Type says Type G. It is the best value plain bar in this set on price and an independent review file, and it is the wrong bar if you need per-socket switches or a printed surge figure.
Pros
£11.99 with 4.7 from 112 reviews on this listing
Shuttered sockets and a BS 1363-2 claim in the bullets
13 A fuse and 3,120 W at 240 V stated, plus a power light
Wall fixing claimed, and buyers picked the compact 2-by-4 shape
Cons
No surge joules and no switch on each socket
Plug Type says Type G and Power Plug Type says No Plug
One reviewer expected thicker copper than the 1 mm they think they received
One review says adaptors do not fit
Best for: A short indoor run for a television or a router when you want eight shuttered sockets at a low shelf price.
Less suitable: You need per-socket switches, a joule rating, USB ports, or a cable longer than 2 m.
The black HANYCONY is £19.99, with eight AC sockets, two USB-A and two USB-C ports sharing 3.1 A, two zone switches, and 1,800 J claimed on a 1.8 m braided lead. The bullets state 13 A and 3,250 W, Type G, child-proof doors, and two keyholes, and they say the USB-C ports do not support 14–22 V MacBook charging. The star line is 4.6 from 2,042 reviews, yet those opening texts and that count also appear on the white HANYCONY listing, and several titles describe a 3 m lead or a different USB mix. Buyers who are pleased use it for a television, a PC, or games consoles and switch one side off at night. One review says the unit felt cheap and arrived with one USB-C and three USB-A, which does not match the photos. Another says you only learn whether the surge parts work after a real spike. Wide spacing is claimed for large adaptors, but the shared review pool is too mixed to treat that as settled for this black 1.8 m listing alone.
Pros
Type G stated, with 13 A and 3,250 W in the bullets
Two zone switches, 1,800 J claimed, and two keyhole slots
Four USB ports at a stated 3.1 A total, with a clear non-laptop voltage note
Buyers use the zone switch to turn one side off
Cons
The 2,042 reviews are shared with the white listing and mention other lengths
One buyer received one USB-C and three USB-A, not the photographed mix
USB-C is stated as unsuitable for 14–22 V laptop charging
Surge protection cannot be judged until a spike actually occurs
Best for: A desk or television where you want zone switches, a printed joule figure, and phone charging off the AC sockets.
Less suitable: You need laptop USB Power Delivery, a review file for this black 1.8 m unit alone, or the lowest plain-bar price.
The black HANYCONY bullets say the USB-C ports are for small devices and do not support 14–22 V charging. The USB total is 3.1 A. A laptop uses an AC socket and its own adaptor, inside the 13 A total.
How do the switches work?
The listing describes a double switch on the top that controls power zones separately, plus an 1,800 J surge claim and a surge indicator.
Are the 2,042 reviews only for this black lead?
The stored listing shows 4.6 from 2,042 reviews, and the same count and the same opening reviews appear on the white HANYCONY listing. Some of those reviews describe a 3 m cable.
The white HANYCONY, model HN6090, is also £19.99 and also shows 4.6 from 2,042 reviews, with eight AC outlets, four USB ports at a 3.1 A total, a double switch, and 1,800 J on a 1.8 m lead. The housing is listed at about 33 cm by 11 cm, with two keyholes and safety doors, and a bullet says each USB output can reach 2.4 A while USB-C is listed up to 3 A inside that shared total. Plug Type says Type C while Power Plug Type says Type G, so the UK plug is not clean on the table the way it is on the black listing. The first 50 reviews match the black listing, including titles about a 3 m cable this page does not sell. One buyer reported a cheap feel and a USB mix of one USB-C and three USB-A. The warranty cell says six months, against a one-year line on the black sibling, and the watt figure is not printed here even though the bullet states 13 A.
Pros
Eight AC sockets plus four USB ports and a double switch
1,800 J claimed, with a surge indicator in the listing
1.8 m braided lead and two keyholes, housing about 33 cm by 11 cm
USB total of 3.1 A is stated, with per-port maxima inside that share
Cons
Plug Type says Type C and Power Plug Type says Type G
Review count and opening texts are shared with the black listing
Six-month warranty cell, shorter than the black sibling’s one-year line
No watt figure printed, and one review did not match the USB photos
Best for: A white desk bar when you accept the plug-cell conflict and will check the live photograph.
Less suitable: You want a single clean Type G pair on the table, or reviews that only describe this white 1.8 m unit.
Can this white HANYCONY USB-C port charge a laptop?
The bullets say the USB-C port does not support MacBook charging at 14–22 V. Total USB output is 3.1 A, with USB-C listed at 3 A max.
What does the double switch do?
The listing says a switch on each side controls power separately, and that the switch cuts power if a strong current occurs. Surge protection is listed at 1,800 J.
Which plug type is printed in the table?
Power Plug Type says Type G and Plug Type says Type C. The outlet cell says 12 while the bullets say eight AC sockets plus four USB ports.
The white Pro Elec PELB1929 is the 5 m bar at £16.99, with an individual switch on each of eight outlets, 125 J surge protection, a stated 4.5 kA peak surge current, and an LED indicator. Both plug fields say Type G, the bullets claim BS 1363/A and BS 5733/A, and keyhole slots are listed, at a continuous rating of 13 A and 250 V. The star line is 4.6 from 1,202 reviews, but the same count and the same opening texts also sit on the 1 m listing, so this is not a separate test of the 5 m cable. Reviewers like switching one low-power device off without unplugging, and one buyer who opened a unit reported seeing surge parts. Others call the plastic cheap at first glance, find the green indicator annoying, and cannot tell which switch belongs to which socket. Large plugs and top-exit adaptors block the facing socket. One older review describes cutting off the moulded plug to wire the lead into a fused connection unit, which is a modification, not a feature you should copy.
Pros
5 m cable when the wall socket is across the room
A switch on each of the eight outlets
125 J and 4.5 kA peak stated, with an LED surge indicator
Both plug fields say Type G, and the bullets name BS 1363/A and BS 5733/A
Cons
The 1,202 reviews are shared with the 1 m listing
Switches sit between sockets and are easy to mix up
Bulky adaptors block the facing socket
Some buyers call the housing plasticky and the green lamp annoying
Best for: A home office or television run that needs about 5 m and a way to switch one low-power device off.
Less suitable: You want a short cabinet lead, USB charging, or a review file that describes only this 5 m version.
The white Pro Elec 2818NS(1N) is the 1 m individually switched bar at £15.22, with 125 J and a 4.5 kA peak surge current in the bullets. The title repeats “1 m” twice, the short bullets do not repeat the switches or any keyhole slots, and wall mounting is a buyer question rather than a stated feature. Power Plug Type says No Plug and Plug Type says Type B, so this page does not show the clean Type G pair printed on the 5 m sibling. The current cells say 4,000 A and 4.5 kA, which belong with the surge peak, not with a continuous 13 A rating the file never states for this listing. Stars are 4.6 from 1,202, identical to the 5 m listing, and at least one “cable length is good” comment may belong to the longer lead. Reviewers still talk about cheap-feeling plastic, an annoying green lamp, and switches that are hard to pair with sockets. Buy the 1 m row only if you have measured a very short run and you have checked the live plug, not because the shared stars prove this length.
Pros
1 m cable for a socket you can almost reach
Title says individually switched, and bullets state 125 J and 4.5 kA peak
Lighter on the table than the 5 m sibling, at 530 g
Same switch-and-surge idea as the longer Pro Elec if the live plug checks out
Cons
Power Plug Type says No Plug and Plug Type says Type B
4,000 A and 4.5 kA are not a continuous 13 A rating
The 1,202 reviews are shared with the 5 m listing
Keyholes and the per-socket switches are not repeated in the short bullets
Best for: A very short run beside the wall socket, after you have confirmed a UK 13 A plug on the live page.
Less suitable: A lead across the room, or any buy that relies on this table’s plug cells and current cells as written.
The title and the bullet both say 1 m. Model number 2818NS(1N) 1M. The 5 m version is a different listing.
Does the 1 m listing state a UK plug?
The plug cells say No Plug and Type B. The title is a white 8-way individually switched lead. BS 1363/A is not written on this listing.
Are the 1,202 reviews only for the 1 m lead?
The stored listing shows 4.6 from 1,202 reviews, and the same count and the same review text appear on the 5 m listing. Treat them as one shared block.
The black TOPREK is the dearest bar in the set at £28.99, with a switch and LED on each of eight sockets, 2,100 J claimed, 13 A, 250 V, and 3,250 W on a lead the title calls 2 m. Both plug fields say Type G, the housing is listed at about 46.7 cm by 8.1 cm, and the bullets claim about 5 cm between sockets plus two rear hooks. The star line is 4.6 from 176 reviews, and the same opening texts and the same count appear on the white TOPREK, so the file is not a separate test of the black colour. Reviewers praise a firm plug fit and use the switches on a PC desk. One buyer measured the cable at 1.8 m, another found the wall hooks hard to match to a screw, and one could not fit a round Teckin smart plug. A review also calls the push-button switches cheap. There is no USB, and the listing does not say the switches lock.
Pros
A switch and LED on each socket
2,100 J claimed, with 13 A, 250 V, and 3,250 W stated
Both plug fields say Type G
About 5 cm spacing claimed, and some buyers fit standard UK plugs side by side
Cons
£28.99 is the highest price here, with reviews shared with the white listing
One buyer measured 1.8 m against the 2 m title
Rear hooks can be awkward to match to a screw head
A round smart plug did not fit, and one review calls the switches cheap
Best for: A PC desk where you want the highest joule claim in this set and a switch for each low-power device.
Less suitable: You want USB ports, a cable you have already proved is 2 m, or a bar under £20.
Does every socket on this black TOPREK lead have a switch?
Yes. The bullets say each of the eight outlets has its own switch with an LED, and they claim about 5 cm between sockets.
Is the cable definitely 2 m?
The title and the bullets say 2 m. One review in the shared review block says the cable measured 1.8 m. The same 176 reviews appear on the white TOPREK listing.
What surge rating is claimed?
2,100 J, with a 13 A, 250 V, 3,250 W label and two rear hooks for wall mounting.
The white TOPREK uses the same title and the same £28.99 price, with individual LED switches, a 2,100 J claim, 13 A, and 3,250 W. The width cell is 8.7 cm rather than the 8.1 cm on the black listing, both at 46.7 cm long, and Power Plug Type says Type G while a second plug field is simply absent. Stars are 4.6 from 176, copied from the same review block as the black listing, including the buyer who measured 1.8 m against a 2 m title. Standard UK plugs and power supplies fit side by side for some of those reviewers, which matches the roughly 5 cm spacing claim better than the tighter 2-by-4 blocks. The switches are not described as lockable, despite a buyer question, and one review says they feel cheap. At this price you are paying for the long layout and the joule line, with a review sample that does not isolate the white unit.
Pros
Individual switches with LEDs on a long eight-socket layout
2,100 J, 13 A, and 3,250 W stated
Power Plug Type says Type G
About 5 cm spacing claimed, at about 46.7 cm by 8.7 cm
Cons
£28.99, with the 176 reviews shared with the black listing
A second plug-type field is missing from the table
Shared reviews include a 1.8 m measurement against a 2 m title
Switches are not stated as lockable, and one review calls them cheap
Best for: A white PC or studio bar when you want per-socket switches and the 2,100 J line, and you can check the length on arrival.
Less suitable: You need USB, a review file for the white unit alone, or a lower price for a plain 2 m block.
How does the white TOPREK lead differ in the table from the black one?
This listing is colour white and 46.7 by 8.7 cm. The black listing is 46.7 by 8.1 cm. Both show £28.99, 4.6 from 176 reviews, and the same review text.
Can the individual switches be locked?
A buyer question asks that. The bullets do not say the switches lock. They do say each outlet has its own switch with an LED.
What load does the listing state?
13 A, 250 V, and 3,250 W, with 2,100 J surge protection claimed and a 2 m cable in the title.
Invero’s black 2 m bar is £11.99, the same shelf price as the Masterplug, with a stated 13 A maximum, a Type G plug, and bullets that claim UKCA, CE, and BS 1363/A. It has two keyhole slots, it is sold for interior use, and the listing says there is no power indicator and does not mention a switch or surge protection. The star line is 4.6 from nine reviews, and the stored reviews contain a single written review that says "It's great," which is too little text to judge spacing, heat, or plug fit. The bullets tell you to keep portable heaters, fridges, washing machines, and dishwashers on their own wall socket, which is the right limit for any 13 A lead and not a special feature of this one. At 420 g it is the lightest bar in the table. Nine ratings and one sentence of feedback are why it stays behind the Masterplug at the same price.
Pros
£11.99, with 13 A and a Type G plug claimed
Bullets name UKCA, CE, and BS 1363/A
Two keyhole slots, indoor use stated, no power indicator to misread
Lightest listing in the table at 420 g
Cons
Only nine ratings and one written review, which says "It's great"
No switch and no surge figure stated
Shutters are not stated
No review text on spacing, cable quality, or heat
Best for: A spare indoor 2 m bar only if you accept a nine-review file and you do not need a light or a switch.
Less suitable: Anyone choosing on review volume, surge protection, USB, or a stated shutter standard.
The listing says this lead has no power indicator. It is an indoor 8-way bar with a 2 m cable and a 13 A maximum.
Can you fix the Invero lead to a wall?
The bullets say two keyhole slots on the rear, for a wall or a desk. Outdoor use is not stated. The same note says to keep heaters, fridges, washing machines, and dishwashers on their own wall socket.
What plug does the listing claim?
The plug field is Type G, and the bullets name UKCA, CE, and BS 1363/A. This listing has nine reviews and only one written review, which does not add a measurement.
SE UKASE’s white bar is £16.99, rated 4.5 from 373 reviews in a file whose first 50 texts are UK reviews of this listing, not a shared colour twin. You get eight AC sockets, two USB-C and two USB-A ports, and a USB line of 5 V at 3.6 A, also written as 17 W, plus a 1,200 J surge claim and safety shutters. The load is printed as 2,990 W, while the current fields disagree at 13 A and 12.65 A. Plug Type says Type B on a page sold as a UK extension lead, and the warranty cell says two years while a bullet says one year. Reviewers like the USB ports for chargers that would otherwise take a mains socket, and they notice the surge claim, but several say plugs need a firm push and that oversized plugs and timers do not sit well. Wall mounting is not in the bullets, and the reviews conflict: some units had fixing points and at least one did not. A laptop in the title still needs its own mains adaptor, because 5 V at 3.6 A shared is not USB Power Delivery.
Pros
4.5 from 373 reviews that are not copied from a colour twin
2 USB-C and 2 USB-A at a stated 5 V / 3.6 A total (17 W)
1,200 J surge claim, safety shutters, and 2,990 W printed
Buyers use the USB ports so chargers do not occupy AC sockets
Cons
Plug Type says Type B on a UK extension-lead title
13 A and 12.65 A appear in the same specification block
Wall mounting is absent from the bullets and inconsistent in reviews
Warranty cell says two years and a bullet says one year
Best for: A television or PC desk when you want four USB ports and a joule claim, after you have checked the plug in the live photos.
Less suitable: You need the specification table to say Type G, wall keyholes you can rely on, or laptop charging from the USB-C ports.
POWSAF’s black bar is £22.87, with 4.4 from 2,655 reviews, eight AC sockets, and four USB ports made up of one USB-C and three USB-A sharing 3.4 A. The title says surge protector, but the bullets give no joule number, and the current fields both say 3.4 A, which matches the USB share rather than a 13 A mains rating. Both plug cells say Type C on a listing aimed at UK desks. The first 50 reviews in the file are UK texts: buyers mount it under a desk, like the socket count, and use a red light as a reminder to switch off, although that switch is not described in the bullets. The lead’s own plug is long enough to block a neighbouring wall socket, and one reviewer found the USB ports of limited use. One review after about a year describes a smell, a pop, and the lead stopping with only a lamp and a laptop lead connected. That report, plus the missing 13 A figure, is why this is not a bar to load with anything that heats.
Pros
4.4 from 2,655 reviews, with the first 50 texts from the UK
Eight AC sockets plus one USB-C and three USB-A at 3.4 A shared
Child-protective doors claimed, and buyers report under-desk mounting
A visible power light that some owners use as a switch-off reminder
Cons
No 13 A mains figure; the current cells say 3.4 A
Both plug cells say Type C, and surge is claimed with no joules
The lead’s own plug can block the next wall socket
One review describes a smell, a pop, and the lead stopping
Best for: Only if you have checked a live UK plug photo and you will keep the load to phone chargers and a lamp.
Less suitable: Any heater, kettle, or other high load, or a buyer who needs a stated 13 A rating and a joule number.
Maximum Current and Amperage both say 3.4 A, which matches the shared USB output. The title is an 8-way mains lead. A 13 A mains figure is not in the table.
Does the listing give a surge energy rating?
The title calls it a surge protector and the bullets mention over-current, short-circuit, and overheating protection, plus UKCA. They do not give joules.
How are the USB ports split?
One USB-C listed at 3 A max and three USB-A ports listed at 2.4 A max each, sharing 3.4 A. Child safety doors are claimed. The plug cells say Type C.
How we compared
Eleven amazon.co.uk listings were scored for this page. Weights sum to 100. Shelf date 19 October 2026. Stars, review counts, plug cells, and load lines come from those listings. The score ranks how clearly a listing shows a UK 13 A extension lead, and how far the written reviews belong to that listing. It is not a lab test, and a higher score is not a claim that the bar is the safest in the UK. USB totals are described in the assessments and do not add points. A shared review pool takes 12 points off the stars block. A current field that is surge amps or a USB share, with no continuous 13 A line, takes 6 points off. A housing size that cannot be an eight-way bar takes 3 points off. A review that describes a smell, a pop, and the lead stopping takes 10 points off.
1
Amazon stars and volume
40%
Stars divided by 5, then multiplied by 40, then a volume factor: 1–9 reviews times 0.35, 50–199 times 0.85, and 200 or more times 1. Minus 12 if the opening reviews and the count are shared with a sibling listing.
2
Listing clarity
25%
Plug: both fields Type G scores 10; one Type G field with a conflict or a missing second field scores 5; Type B, Type C, or No Plug scores 2. Current: 13 A plus a watt line scores 10; 13 A with no watts scores 8; a conflicting amp field scores 6; surge amps or USB amps written as the mains current scores 3; no 13 A scores 0. Length: one consistent figure scores 5; a repeated or contradicted figure scores 3.
3
Stated features
20%
Individual switches score 7; one master or zone switch scores 5; a power light only scores 3. Surge with a joule number scores 6; surge claimed with no joules scores 2. Shutters claimed score 3. Wall mounting in the bullets scores 4. The block is capped at 20. USB totals are not extra points.
4
Price against evidence
15%
Under £13 with at least 50 independent reviews and a stated 13 A watt figure scores 15. Under £13 with fewer than 10 reviews scores 7. A mid-price bar with a large independent UK file scores 13. A 5 m bar with shared reviews but a clean Type G pair scores 10. The dearest switched bars with a shared file under 200 reviews score 6. A bar with no stated 13 A mains rating scores 5.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
8-way extension lead buying guide
The checks run in this order: plug and shutters, total load, cable length, spacing and switches, then surge or USB only if you need them. The table is the eleven stored amazon.co.uk listings from 19 October 2026. None of these bars was tested in a lab for this page.
What is an 8-way extension lead?
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You buy it to clear a shortage of outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power. UK shoppers should treat the bar as a 13 A product. Electrical Safety First says most extension leads are rated at 13 A and that you must not plug one lead into another. Kent Fire and Rescue states the ceiling as 13 A or 3,000 W. Eight sockets do not mean 13 A each.
Best for
A television, router, or desk of low-power kit within the cable length
A renter who needs reach without plugging one lead into another
Not ideal for
Kettles, fan heaters, irons, or electric-vehicle charging
Anyone reading eight sockets as eight times 13 A
Mistakes to avoid
1
Counting sockets as extra power
Eight outlets share one rating, usually 13 A. A printed 3,250 W is that fuse at 250 V, not a higher limit. USB ports are not extra mains sockets. Add the appliance watts, and leave kettles, fan heaters, irons, and EV charging off the bar.
2
Trusting surge with no joules
Joules are the energy the surge parts can absorb. A title that only says surge, with no number, is not a rating you can compare. Joules do not stop lightning damage and do not raise the 13 A fuse. These listings do not claim an RCD.
3
Daisy-chaining a short cable
Electrical Safety First says you must not plug one lead into another. If the cable does not reach, buy a lead of the right length or fit more wall sockets. Hot smell, crackling, or melted plastic means unplug and stop, then call a registered electrician if the wall socket is scorched.
What to weigh up
Plug, shutters and load
High
The lead needs a UK 13 A Type G plug to BS 1363 and shuttered sockets. BEAMA’s checklist points to BS 1363-2 on the portable socket, marked BS 1363/A, 13 A and a voltage, and to BS 5733 for extension-lead performance. The fuse is to BS 1362. In this table a clean Type G pair is not universal. Some cells say Type B, Type C, or No Plug beside a UK title. That is a stop-and-check, not a minor typo.
Eight sockets share one rating, usually 13 A.
Length, switches, surge and USB
High
Match the cable to the gap. This set is mostly 1.8 m or 2 m, with a 1 m bar and a 5 m bar. BEAMA’s note is at least 1 mm² up to 2 m, and 1.25 mm² or 1.5 mm² above 2 m. One listing names H05VV-F 3G1.25 on a 2 m lead. A review that measures 1.8 m against a 2 m title is a reason to check the cable on arrival. Do not plug a second lead into the first to invent a longer reach.
Large UK adaptors often block a neighbour. A switch on each socket cuts one low-power device.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
📺
Television or desk within 2 m
You want eight outlets for low-power kit and a named cable. The Brennenstuhl Primera-Line is the top pick at about £18.62, with 4.7 from 875 reviews, one illuminated switch, and H05VV-F 3G1.25 stated. There is no joule figure, and the plug cells disagree.
You cannot add a wall socket and the run is about 5 m. The Pro Elec 5 m bar has an individual switch on each socket, 125 J stated, and both plug fields Type G, at about £16.99. The 1,202 reviews are shared with the 1 m listing. Do not plug a second lead into the first.
You want a printed surge figure and a switch for each low-power device. The black TOPREK claims 2,100 J, 13 A, and 3,250 W, with Type G in both plug fields, at about £28.99. The 176 reviews are shared with the white listing, and one buyer measured 1.8 m. Keep heaters off the bar.
An 8-way extension lead is a portable block of eight UK sockets on one fused flex. You use it to add outlets behind a television, a desk, or a router. It does not create more power. The sockets share one rating, usually 13 A, about 2,990 W at 230 V. Electrical Safety First says you must not plug one lead into another. Kettles, fan heaters, irons, and electric-vehicle charging do not belong on the bar.
Which 8-way extension lead is the top pick?
The top pick is the Brennenstuhl Primera-Line, a black 2 m bar at about £18.62. The amazon.co.uk line in this file is 4.7 from 875 reviews. The listing names an H05VV-F 3G1.25 cable, one illuminated switch, and wall fixing. It has no joule figure. The plug cells disagree, Type G and Type B, and a dimensions cell of 6 cm by 8 cm is not a usable housing size. It suits a television within 2 m. Skip it if you need USB or a switch on every socket.
Which 8-way extension lead is the best value?
The best value is the Masterplug BEN210-MP at about £11.99, with 4.7 from 112 reviews. The bullets claim shuttered sockets, manufacture to BS 1363-2, a power light, wall fixing, and 3,120 W at 240 V from a 13 A fuse. It does not take the top pick because the review file is smaller, there is no joule line, and one plug cell says No Plug. The Invero is the same price with only nine ratings, so it is not the value bar.
What should you check before you buy an 8-way extension lead?
Check five things in this order. A UK 13 A Type G plug to BS 1363, and shuttered sockets. The total load, usually 13 A, not eight times 13 A. A cable length that matches the gap, without a second lead plugged into the first. Socket spacing, because bulky UK adaptors often block a neighbour. Then switches, a joule figure, or USB only if you need them. A table that says Type B or Type C is a stop-and-check. Confirm the live photograph.
Can you plug one extension lead into another?
No. Electrical Safety First says most extension leads are rated at 13 A and that you must not plug one lead into another. Eight sockets share that one rating. Kent Fire and Rescue states the ceiling as 13 A or 3,000 W. A printed 3,120 W or 3,250 W is the same 13 A fuse at 240 V or 250 V, not a higher limit. If the lead is in daily use, fit more wall sockets rather than daisy-chaining.
Do surge joules let you run a higher load?
No. Joules are energy the surge parts can absorb. They are not a lightning guarantee and they do not raise the 13 A fuse. In this set, stated figures run from 125 J on the Pro Elec bars to 2,100 J on the TOPREK bars. A title that says surge with no joule number is not a measured rating. These listings do not claim an RCD. For joules against the fuse, see the extension lead with surge protector comparison.
Will the USB-C ports charge a laptop?
Not on these listings. USB totals here are about 3.1 A to 3.6 A at 5 V. The black HANYCONY bullets say the USB-C ports do not support 14–22 V laptop charging. A laptop still uses one of the eight AC sockets and its own adaptor, inside the 13 A total. Counting USB ports as extra mains sockets is a mistake. Phone and headset chargers are the job those ports are stated for.
When do you want a switch on every socket?
A switch on each socket cuts one low-power device without unplugging it. In this set that layout is on the Pro Elec bars and both TOPREK bars. One illuminated switch, as on the Brennenstuhl, or two zone switches, as on the HANYCONY, cuts a group instead. Switches do not raise the 13 A rating. The wider individually switched category is the extension lead individually switched comparison. Call a registered electrician for extra wall sockets, a breaker that keeps opening, or a scorched socket.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Brennenstuhl Primera-Line at about £18.62, with 4.7 from 875 reviews and a cable named as H05VV-F 3G1.25. It has one illuminated switch and no joule figure. The plug cells disagree, and the dimensions cell is not a usable housing size. The best value is the Masterplug BEN210-MP at about £11.99, with 4.7 from 112 reviews, shuttered sockets, and 3,120 W at 240 V stated. It does not take the top pick because the review file is smaller and one plug cell says No Plug. The black HANYCONY also scores 77, at about £19.99, and its 2,042 reviews are shared with the white listing, so it is not the value bar. The Invero is the same £11.99 with only nine ratings.
Best overall
Brennenstuhl Primera-Line, 2 m, black
Highest score in the set: about £18.62, 4.7 from 875 reviews, and H05VV-F 3G1.25 named. No joule figure, and the plug cells disagree.
DIY & toolsSockets and extension leadsamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to 8-way extension leads
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts come from stored amazon.co.uk listings. We did not run a lab test.