Best Outdoor Extension Cords

Southwire 2549SWUSA1 is a contractor-grade extension cord that is probably the best overall product in this lineup. The model doesn't necessarily do anything differently, just that the overall quality here is better in more or less every aspect.

The all-purpose cord works just as well indoors and outdoors. It is perfectly suitable for different jobsites, workshops, warehouses, and similar industrial, commercial, and residential environments.

As far as we're concerned, this isn't the product's biggest selling point but we really like the unique red, white, and blue striped design that is highly visible and will be able to add a pop of patriotism to your work.

More importantly, the water-resistant flexible vinyl jacket will work wonders protecting the cord against moisture, abrasion, low temperatures and sunlight. It is perfect for outdoor use.

On the other end, the model's waterproof connectors come equipped with reinforced blades. These blades add extra durability, protecting the prongs from bending and/or breaking.

Last but not least, there's the lighted receptor end that indicates that the power is on and the extension cord is very much ready for use.

Long story short, Southwire 2549SWUSA1 is the best offer on the list. The model's as reliable and durable as the next cord. You'll be able to use it in more or less any environment. The weather will not be able to make any difference. This thing is practically indestructible.

Watt's Wire WW-12T015Y is an excellent multi-outlet ground extension cord that was designed for professional contractors but is just as suitable for hobbyists and small-time DIY enthusiasts.

The heavy-duty cord incorporates SJTW thermoplastic, making it very well-equipped to handle any temperature from -40°F to 130°F. The cord is double-jacketed, meaning, among other things, that it will never mar walls or floors but will very well be able to stand up to the concrete.

As it is usually the case with high-quality/high-end outdoor extension cords, the model features 12-gauge soft-drawn copper that gives 120V 15-amps with practically no voltage drop, giving you all the power necessary for the task at hand. The multi-tap pig-tail power splitter is as versatile as it is reliable.

The aforementioned heavy-duty part also stems from the poly strands added to the cord to make it strong enough to handle heavy daily use. These strands are able to support up to 150lbs without any damage. You'll be able to use this weatherproof cord outside under any conditions.

For our taste, the only issue with this product is that the backlight in the power indicator is very dim and barely noticeable.

Other than that, Watt's Wire WW-12T015Y is versatile and very much dependable. The drop cord doesn't kink and/or uncoil flat every time. The angled 3-way outlet allows for 3 larger tools to be plugged in at once. These multiple outlets are polarized and grounded perfectly for just about any plug you throw at it.

AmazonBasics KT101 is the most maneuvrable power source. The extension cord comes equipped with a plug on one end and a power socket on the other end. This way, the long, flexible cable is able to translate these little components into additional length, accommodating the power you require to get the job done.

The cord will allow you to plug in your impact driver, electric drill, sander, circular saw, or just about any other power tool and move around the workplace with effortless ease.

A nice little detail that separates this otherwise relatively basic extension cord is its bright orange color. Making the model highly visible, the color enables you to quickly and easily find it in the garage or any workroom as well as adding safety during use.

Since the bright orange keeps the cord in plain sight, it is able to reduce the chance of you tripping over the cord, running over it with the lawnmower, or any other hazard like that that will often come with a more muted-color cord.

When finished, the cord coils up particularly easily. Its lightweight design allows for effortless transportation from one location to another.

In other words, AmazonBasics KT101 outdoor extension cord keeps things basic but not too basic. The vinyl cover does an excellent job protecting the product against moisture, abrasion, direct sunlight and low temperatures. The model is practical and very much affordable.

Coleman Cable Woods 02309 is robust, reliable, and very much durable. The only weak link here, as far as we're concerned, is its relatively limited 10 A / 1250 W maximum load. It's not bad and there's very little chance you'll have any issues with just about any tool in that regard. Nevertheless, that's an area that could use some improvement.

Other than that, this extension cord is great for landscaping in general and powering different appliances in particular, including but not limited to shop vacs, bush trimmers, leaf blowers, weed whackers, and electric lawn mowers.

The bright orange color is always the right choice with these extension cords. It is highly visible and will likely prevent you from tripping over the cord.

The model's molded plugs and heavy-duty strain relief work very well together, protecting electrical connections and extending the cord's service life.

Apart from that, this is more or less the usual outdoor extension cord, including reinforced blades that excel at preventing the prongs from accidentally breaking or bending and a vinyl jacket that shields the model against moisture, abrasion, and sunlight.

To put it all a little differently, Coleman Cable Woods 02309 isn't necessarily the best extension cord prospect on the market right now but it doesn't really trail behind either. It is a really good product that you'll be able to rely on.

Southwire 2588SW0002 is better than your average outdoor extension cord available on the market today but overall a little worse than every other model on this list. Well, not necessarily worse, just that the cord doesn't have anything particularly outstanding going for it. It is a good product but that's more or less it.

The thing we like most about this cord is the built-in LED indicator in the female plug that will let you immediately figure out the voltage presence. Plus, it is very bright, so you'll be able to recognize it even under direct sunlight.

Speaking of which, the model comes equipped with a flexible vinyl jacket that protects the cord from moisture, abrasion, and the aforementioned sunlight exposure.

What's more, the bright yellow jacket increases safety and awareness as well as helps to prevent loss on the job sight. Aside from its highly visible color, the jacket's great in that it doesn't mark floors and walls.

Finally, the model's connectors feature reinforced blades, adding durability to protect the prongs from breaking and bending.

Again, Southwire 2588SW0002 isn't the best product on the list but the cord is pretty good. Its 15 A / 1875 W will allow you to work with virtually any power tool out there. The strain relief is a little small but the temperature range under which the cord is able to work is fairly impressive.