Best Extension Cord? Flexzilla, US Wire, Yellow Jacket, Southwire, Husky, Woods, Bergen Industries

15 extension cords: Project Source, Vanguard, Woods, Yellow Jacket, Southwire, Husky, Utilitech, Snow joe, Flexzilla Pro, Bergen Industries, GoGreeen, US Wire, and US Wire Extreme. Extension cords tested for voltage drop, cold temperature flexibility, extension cord end performance, cord tensile strength, extension cord end separation strength, jacket abrasion resistance, and jacket puncture resistance. The comparison is for 14 gauge extension cords. A 10, 12 and 16 gauge cord is also used to demonstrate the impact wire gauge has on extension cord performance. Please let me know if you'd like a 12 gauge extension cord comparison. I purchased all of the extension cords and supplies used to test the cords. So, thank you for supporting the channel.

➡ Thank you for supporting the channel through memberships:
➡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Bergen Industries: Available at Lowes
GoGreen: Available at Lowes
US Wire: Available at Home Depot
Utilitech: Available at Lowes
Vanguard: Available at Harbor Freight

Videography Equipment:

This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC

[rickybobbyracing]

Pro tip, if you ever want to prevent your good extension cords from growing legs and walking off when you take them somewhere like camping, wrap electrical tape around the cord in a couple spots, it'll make people think it's a bad cord and they'll leave it alone

[ghostsmoke]

I can only imagine what kind of impact you've made on not only consumers choosing the best product for their budget, but also encouraging manufacturers to up their game compared to their competitors. Excellent work!

[michaelcrennan]

It never ceases to amaze me just how well these videos are put together. This man is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs!

[Jafrmi]

I love how even when he spends hours coming up with and doing these tests, not to mention the money, he also does more tests off camera and just gives us the data. That's just going the extra mile for the viewer, the puncture test was a nice addition which definitely wasn't necessary, but extremely appreciated

[uhsul]

Now more then ever consumers truly need the kind of high quality and unbiased tests PF performs, especially because the majority of tests are viewer suggested increasing their relevance to us. Keep up the great work, cause they just keep getting better & better!

[joesagar]

When it comes to tools and thing that guys actually use PF is the absolute best at letting us know what's out there. I've made a bunch of purchases from the recommendation from PF videos and I couldn't be happier ☺️

[jamescoker]

I use the US Wire Extreme to plug my truck in over the winters here in Fairbanks, AK and was not surprised to see how well it did on the -40 test. It's the only cord I have found that stays flexible when the temperatures drop and its interesting to see how it stayed as the only cord to receive a "1" rating.

[terrygoyan]

As a contractor that has bought scores of cords, my most important criteria are wire gauge (Skil-saws draw up to 15 amps.) and coil ability (as at the end of the day they need to be put away). We use twist lock cords to prevent disconnection or tie a knot where the tool and cord meet.
I love these tests and often use them to direct my tool purchases! Thank you so much Project Farm for all the hard work and inventive testing protocols!

[ohger]

I step on my extension cords too often, and I've found that the ones that feature stronger plug blades also tend to snap when straightened back out. The folded blade type are easier to bend, yes, but they always straighten back out without ruining the plug.

[Leron...]

When I pitched this idea, I never imagined there were so many ways to test it! Thanks so much Todd, your dedication to your work is inspiring.

[chrisgriffith]

I bought a 75 dollar 12 gauge extension last year, and have never regretted it. I know this isn't what most people look for, but here in the south, how cords take the heat is more important than how they do in cold temperatures. I have had a plug melt on me when running under my carport, in the shade.

[AmazingChinaToday]

I've been happy with my 100 foot long, 12 gauge Yellow Jacket cable. The lighted end indicating current is a wonderful feature, and the 12 gauge delivers power well for the 100 foot length. Used mostly for an electric lawnmower, the cable lays flat on the lawn and has some weight so it's not easily sucked into the mower blade (this was tested on more than one occasion 😄).

[braxtonnelson]

With Project Farm, I can always click on the "Like" button before the video even starts... I am confident that the testing will be consistent, fair, and well engineered. It doesn't hurt matters any that Todd is pleasant, well-spoken, and has a sense of humor to boot! This channel is a boon to YouTube!

[oystersnag]

I really appreciate the final breakdown where you explain different scenarios where a particular cord might excel over the others. I find that most helpful when I'm actually going to buy an item and just need a quick reference. Your videos are greatly appreciated.

[scottbarnwell]

When I lived in Alaska, I had a US Wire Extreme to plug in my engine block heater. When not in use, I kept it in a bucket in my extended cab and none of my orange covered ones would go in the bucket after use. Like you found, it was very easy to work with in the cold and had no problem getting it to coil up into the bucket.

[johnnieguitar]

I'm amazed at your creativity for inventing those tests after you decided what characteristics to test. These tests are just getting better and better! Thank you so much!

[WordupG]

Two ideas spurred from this test:

1) Replacement ends for damaged extension cords. Would love to know which ones are worth buying.

2) Retractible cord reels. So many garbage ones out there.

Thanks!

[houseoquinnizyodaddy]

As a construction worker that uses extension cords daily, the softer cords are usually preferred. The harder jackets are stuff and a huge pain to roll up. When winter rolls around the hard jacket cords retain the shape of however they were rolled and are hard to work with. I feel like that's why the more expensive cords are the softer polymer jacketed ones.

[TitaniumZX]

You tested the cords more thoroughly than anyone I know, including myself. Kudos for the great review. Much appreciate the hard work and not accepting sponsorship. 👍

Some ideas for future videos: coolants, caulking, electrical tape, LED headlights, leather cleaner/conditioner, stain remover, etc

[twentyfiveyears]

Looking at the extension cords in my garage (average homeowner), the problems I see are abrasions or tears in the outside jacket and the ends pulling away, so abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, and end failure are most important. The Husky comes out on top for my criteria. Great review as always.