Braxton TaylorA cold weather extension cord. There’s a significant difference between a regular extension cord and one designed to perform in cold weather. Here’s my up-to-date opinion for specific extension cords among the best for cold weather conditions.
I researched this because I use outdoor extension cords during winter, and I needed at least one cold-weather extension cord—or two! I was tired of dealing with stiff, unmanageable cords, so I found a brand that I believe to be among the best for cold-weather performance.
The main difference is – that the outer jacket remains flexible when it’s cold and won’t crack.
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Has this happened to you? It’s winter (or cold weather on either side of winter), and you need to use an extension cord outside, maybe for use on a job site or for whatever reason.
Once exposed to cold weather, it becomes stiff very quickly, making it difficult to manage. And when you’re done, it’s next to impossible to nicely coil it up for storage—because it’s so cold and stiff! A purpose-designed cold-weather extension cord solves this problem.
What if you keep your extension cord in the garage, where it’s cold? Now you’ve got another annoying problem when you need to use it: unwinding or uncoiling it! The loops will not lay out straight because they are cold. They are not flexible, and they are not manageable.
Yet another example: You’re a contractor. Extension cords are in the truck all the time. Now, you have problems unwinding them and then coiling them back up again when finished. It’s annoying, to say the least.
Due to these problems, a regular extension cord will eventually crack and break during cold weather usage. I’ve had that happen!
Again, a purpose-designed cold-weather extension cord will solve this problem!
What is a Cold Weather Extension Cord?
Its design and construction have been optimized for cold temperatures—or, more accurately, ‘extreme temperatures’ (including hot). It is “All-Weather.”
A standard outdoor extension cord works well enough during the off-winter months. But it will probably freeze stiff during the winter.
When the temperature gets colder and approaches freezing, a standard cord will become stiffer and stiffer as its flexibility properties become less flexible!
This results in some potential dangers. Not only is it a pain to work with a less-than-flexible extension cord (good luck coiling it back up), but the cord might crack. Cords are unsafe when they crack because wires become exposed and stop working.
A cold weather extension cord has an outer jacket and inner cables with their jackets that have been optimized to remain flexible. It won’t get stiff or crack and will remain durable, flexible, and kink-free.
Best Performing Cold Weather Extension Cords
There are several “All Weather” extension cord brands these days.
My chosen manufacturer recommendation is Southwire, specifically the ColdFlex brand (more about Southwire below). Select options for length and wire gauge. I suggest 12 gauge wire for most uses with outdoor extension cords.
The wire itself, Southwire, is made in the USA.
This low-loss extension cord is flexible to -50C (-58F). The T*Prene insulated jacket offers superior performance by allowing the insulation to maintain its flexibility.
Southwire
“Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers.”
Features & Benefits
Outer Jacket Constructed of 100% TPE (thermo-plastic elastomer).
TPEs are a physical mix of plastic and rubber. They consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties (temperature and flexibility).
- Solar Supreme SJEOW T*Prene
- WITHSTANDS EXTREME COLD t*preen insulation jacket offers superior jobsite performance by allowing the insulation to maintain its flexibility in the harshest environments
- HEAVY DUTY all-copper wire extension cord recommended for use with heavy duty equipment and tools
- HIGHLY VISIBLE bright blue and white jacket provides extra safety as well as prevents loss and theft on jobsites
- Oversized, clear molded plug prevent accidental bending or breaking and UL listed for your safety
- 15 Amps, 125 Volts, 1875 Watts
- Abrasion, chemical and oil resistant
“I bought this cord to accompany our electric snow blower. I wanted a cord that wouldn’t become stiff and unwieldy in Winter temps. This cord does the job well. Lying in snow and performing in single-digit temps has remained as flexible as my indoor cords.”
“It’s heavier to wind, but that is because it is 12 gauge wire to carry adequate load to my snow blower. Excellent choice, and the price was cheaper than other options!”
~ a review of this cold weather extension cord from a user
Headquartered in Carrollton, GA, Southwire Company is impressive:
Like the reviewer above, I have an electric TORO ‘Power Shovel’ that we use only to clear snow on the deck. Mrs. J works the deck while I use a ‘real snow blower’ for the other cleanup. Here’s a photo after one particular snowfall (a bit much for the power shovel !).
The extension cord we had used for the electric TORO for deck snow removal would immediately become brittle and stiff. Good luck trying to wind it up afterward—it was a pain in the @$$. That is until we bought one of the aforementioned cold-weather extension cords!
[ Read: Extension Cords For Generators ]
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