Every workshop, from the professional garage to the dedicated DIY space, runs on reliable power. Having the right extension cord is not just about convenience; it’s about safety, efficiency, and ensuring your tools perform at their peak. A subpar cord can lead to voltage drops, overheating, and potential hazards, turning a productive session into a frustrating and dangerous ordeal.
This roundup focuses on 20-foot cords, a versatile length that offers excellent mobility without excessive clutter. We’ve curated a list of the top options for 2025, considering factors like gauge for power delivery, durability for tough environments, and specialized features like multiple outlets or USB ports to keep your entire workstation energized and organized.
The Best 20-Foot Extension Cords for Your Workshop
- HUANCHAIN Indoor Outdoor White Extension Cord 20 ft
- Sun Joe PJEXT20-163-BLK Vinyl Landscape Outdoor Extension Cord
- Flat Extension Cord 20ft, Olcorife Flat Plug Power Strip
- 16/3 Black 20 FT (2Pack) Extension Cord, Indoor Extension Cord
- Surge Protector Power Strip – 20 Ft Flat Plug Extension Cord
- Surge Protector Power Strip – 20 Ft Flat Plug Extension Cord, White
- Southwire Outdoor Extension Cord, 50 Ft, 12 gauge 3 prong
- POWGRN 25 ft 12/3 Outdoor Extension Cord Waterproof Heavy Duty
- HONDERSON Indoor Outdoor Extension Cord Weatherproof with Lighted End
- US Wire and Cable 20-Foot 12/3 SJTW Heavy-Duty Extension Cord
HUANCHAIN Indoor Outdoor White Extension Cord 20 ft
This heavy-duty cord from HUANCHAIN is built for year-round reliability, both inside your workshop and out. It features a robust 16/3 SJTW construction rated for 13 amps and 1625 watts, making it compatible with a wide array of power tools and workshop appliances. The ETL/cETL listing confirms its safety standards, giving you confidence during demanding tasks.
Beyond its power rating, this cord excels in durability. It is engineered to be waterproof, weather-resistant, and remarkably cold-resistant, remaining flexible even at temperatures as low as -50°C. The high-flexibility vinyl jacket resists cracking from repeated bending and pulling, while the included velcro strap makes for tidy and convenient storage after use.
Sun Joe PJEXT20-163-BLK Vinyl Landscape Outdoor Extension Cord
The Sun Joe extension cord is a straightforward, no-nonsense solution for powering your outdoor workshop equipment. Its black vinyl jacket is designed for landscape use, blending in while providing protection from the elements. The cord is UL/CUL listed, ensuring it meets critical safety benchmarks for electrical components.
Featuring a standard 13-amp, 1625-watt capacity, this grounded cord is suitable for many common workshop tools. Integrated weather guards on the plug and receptacle offer an extra layer of defense against moisture and debris when the cord is not connected, helping to prolong its lifespan and maintain safety in a garage or outdoor setting.
Flat Extension Cord 20ft, Olcorife Flat Plug Power Strip
For a workshop that requires power for multiple devices, the Olcorife flat plug power strip is an excellent space-saving option. Its ultra-thin flat cord is designed to be routed through tight spaces or even under a mat, reducing tripping hazards and keeping your workspace tidy. The flat plug sits nearly flush against the wall, allowing furniture or shelving to be placed closer.
This unit functions as a central charging hub, offering six widely spaced AC outlets and three USB ports, including a modern USB-C port. This allows you to power tools while simultaneously charging your phone, tablet, or other USB-powered workshop gadgets, all from a single wall outlet.
16/3 Black 20 FT (2Pack) Extension Cord
This two-pack of indoor extension cords offers fantastic value for organizing multiple workstations within your shop. Each cord provides a stable 13-amp, 1625-watt power delivery through a pure copper conductor, ensuring efficient performance for laptops, bench lights, and smaller power tools.
Safety and durability are key focuses here. The cords feature a strain relief design to prevent damage at the plug connections and have been tested to withstand over 2000 bends. The plug’s rounded corners help disperse impact if dropped, making these cords a reliable and flexible choice for daily use in a dynamic workshop environment.
Surge Protector Power Strip – 20 Ft Flat Plug Extension Cord, Black
This power strip is a powerhouse for the modern workshop, combining extensive outlet access with the convenience of a long, flat cord. It features eight widely spaced AC outlets and four USB ports (including a USB-C), allowing you to power up to twelve devices at once. This is ideal for a workbench with multiple battery chargers, tools, and task lighting.
The three-sided design ensures that even large power adapters won’t block adjacent outlets. For organization, it includes reusable cable ties to manage the 20-foot cord and mounting holes on the back for secure placement on a wall or under a bench, keeping your work area safe and uncluttered.
Surge Protector Power Strip – 20 Ft Flat Plug Extension Cord, White
This is the white version of the feature-rich power strip, offering the same excellent functionality for those who prefer a lighter color to match their workshop decor or for better visibility in dimly lit areas. It provides the same eight AC outlets and four USB ports, delivering versatile power for a comprehensive setup.
Like its black counterpart, it boasts the practical three-side layout with wide spacing between outlets, a 20-foot flat plug cord for easy routing, and cable management ties. The ETL listing provides assurance of its safety and performance standards, making it a reliable central power source for your valuable equipment.
Southwire Outdoor Extension Cord, 50 Ft, 12 gauge 3 prong
While this Southwire cord is 50 feet long, its inclusion is due to its reputation as a benchmark for heavy-duty outdoor power. The 12-gauge wire is thicker than 16-gauge, meaning it can deliver more power over longer distances with less voltage drop, which is critical for high-amperage tools like table saws or air compressors.
The bright yellow SJTW jacket is highly visible to prevent trips and falls, and its robust construction is built to withstand tough job site conditions. For workshops that require extended reach without sacrificing power, this cord is a trusted and professional-grade choice.
POWGRN 25 ft 12/3 Outdoor Extension Cord Waterproof Heavy Duty
For workshops that use high-demand equipment, the POWGRN 12-gauge cord offers a higher 15-amp, 1875-watt capacity. This makes it suitable for circular saws, miter saws, and other heavy-duty tools that require consistent, robust power. The bright orange jacket ensures high visibility in a cluttered workspace.
This cord is built for resilience with an IP65 waterproof rating, making it impervious to dust and water jets from any direction. It also features a lighted end to confirm when it’s live and is designed to remain flexible in extreme cold, providing reliable performance in unheated garages or outdoor winter projects.
HONDERSON Indoor Outdoor Extension Cord Weatherproof with Lighted End
The HONDERSON cord stands out with its 14-gauge wiring, offering a solid middle ground between standard and heavy-duty cords, capable of handling up to 15 amps and 1875 watts. Its UL certification underscores a commitment to safety, which is paramount when operating powerful workshop tools in various conditions.
It includes a practical lighted end that serves as a clear power indicator. Constructed with a thick, flame-retardant vinyl sheath, this cord is built to resist moisture, wear, and abrasion. Its flexibility across a wide temperature range makes it a dependable choice for year-round use in any workshop scenario.
US Wire and Cable 20-Foot 12/3 SJTW Heavy-Duty Extension Cord
This heavy-duty cord from US Wire and Cable is engineered for demanding workshop applications. The 12/3 gauge wiring is ideal for high-amperage tools, ensuring minimal power loss over the 20-foot length. The SJTW rating confirms its suitability for tough environments, both indoors and outdoors.
A key safety feature is the lighted end, which provides an immediate visual confirmation that the cord is energized. This helps prevent accidental contact with live plugs. Built for durability and visibility, this cord is a solid choice for anyone who needs reliable, high-capacity power for their most powerful workshop equipment.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 20Ft Extension Cord for Your Workshop
Picking the right 20ft extension cord for my workshop isn’t just about grabbing the cheapest option on the shelf. I’ve learned the hard way that a poor choice can lead to tripped breakers, damaged tools, or even a safety hazard. Over the years, I’ve developed a checklist to make sure I get a cord that can handle the job.
The first thing I always check is the wire gauge, which is the thickness of the actual copper wire inside. This is the most critical factor for powering workshop tools. Gauge is shown as a number, like 16, 14, or 12. Remember: a lower number means a thicker wire and more power capacity. For light-duty tools like a battery charger or a small sander, a 16-gauge cord might be okay. But for my table saw, miter saw, or air compressor, I never go below a 14-gauge cord, and I prefer a 12-gauge for anything really demanding. A thicker wire prevents voltage drop, which means my tools run at full power and don’t overheat.
Next, I look at the amperage and wattage rating. This tells me exactly how much electrical load the cord can handle. Most quality 20ft extension cords for workshops will be rated for 13 to 15 amps. I always match this to my tool’s requirements. If my circular saw pulls 15 amps, I need a cord rated for at least that much. The wattage rating is just the amps multiplied by the voltage (so, 15A x 120V = 1,800 watts). I make sure the total wattage of my tool is under the cord’s limit.
The jacket and plug design are also huge for workshop life. I look for a thick, durable jacket labeled “SJTW” or “STW.” The “W” stands for weather-resistant, which is great for a garage shop where moisture might be present. I also prefer a bright orange or yellow jacket so it’s easy to see and avoid tripping over. The plug should be sturdy, with a “dead-front” design (meaning the prongs aren’t live when unplugged) and, ideally, a built-in cover to keep dust out of the outlets. For my outdoor projects, I only use cords with GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) plugs for an extra layer of shock protection.
Finally, I consider the outlets themselves. A basic two-or-three outlet end is fine, but I love cords with a block-style end that offers multiple, widely-spaced outlets. This lets me power my work light and my orbital sander from the same cord without needing a separate power strip. Finding the right 20ft extension cord for workshops comes down to matching its guts—the gauge and ratings—to my tools’ needs, and then picking a physical design that will last in my specific environment.
FAQ
Can I use any 20ft extension cord with my table saw?
You should not use just any cord. Table saws are high-amperage tools and require a thick wire to operate safely and effectively. I always use a 14-gauge or, even better, a 12-gauge 20ft extension cord for this kind of tool. A thin, cheap cord (like a 16-gauge) can overheat, cause voltage drop (making your saw underperform), and potentially become a fire risk.
What does the “SJTW” rating on the cord mean?
This is a standard set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that tells you about the cord’s jacket and usage. The “S” means it’s suited for hard service, the “J” means it has a junior hard service jacket (slightly less thick than a “S” alone), the “T” means the jacket is made from thermoplastic, and the “W” means it’s rated for outdoor use and resistant to water, making it a great all-around choice for a workshop environment.
Is it safe to plug one extension cord into another?
I strongly advise against “daisy-chaining” extension cords, especially in a workshop. Connecting multiple cords increases the electrical resistance and significantly raises the risk of overheating. If you need more than 20 feet of reach, your safest bet is to buy a single, longer, heavy-duty extension cord that is properly rated for the total length and amperage you require.
What is the benefit of a GFCI plug on an extension cord?
A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a crucial safety feature. It constantly monitors the electrical current flowing through the cord. If it detects even a tiny imbalance, like electricity leaking to the ground (which could be through you!), it cuts the power in a fraction of a second to prevent a severe shock. This is essential if you’re working in a garage, basement, or outdoors where moisture might be present.
How should I store my workshop extension cords?
Proper storage is key to making your cord last. I never just wrap it tightly around my arm or elbow, as this can kink and damage the internal wires over time. The best method is to use an over-under coil technique or use a dedicated cord reel. This prevents twists and stress on the cord, keeping it in good working condition for years. Properly selecting a 20ft extension cord for workshops is the first step, but taking care of it is what makes it a long-term investment.