Amazon is still selling fake energy-saving plugs that pose a serious fire risk, a year after promising to remove them

Date:
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:04:42 +0000

Description:
Amazon is still listing fake and dangerous 'energy-saving' plugs despite promising to remove them.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Amazon is still selling fake 'energy-saving' plugs despite having pledged to remove them Which? first spotted them in 2025, and Amazon said they had been removed The retailer promised to remove them for a second time in August, but they're still available to purchase Fake energy-saving plugs are one of the biggest tech scams, and theyre still being sold on Amazon even though the retailer
promised MPs it would remove the product listings.

Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds highlighted the dangers of the plugs which can pose a fire risk during a hearing back in June, calling for the retailer to take accountability. In August, Amazons UK Director of Public Policy, Monica Ario, issued a letter to the House of Commons Business and Trade Select Committee saying the devices had been removed from sale, adding that there was "a technical issue in [our] automated classification system that was preventing some of these products from being proactively detected". Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

This isnt the first time Amazon has promised to remove fake plugs. Back in 2025, Which? first spotted these energy-saving plugs and approached retailers with their findings, resulting in their removal from stores. However, identical products were found on Amazon just weeks later. (Image credit: Future) Despite Amazon's most recent pledge to remove the plugs from sale, they're still available to purchase from the retailer. Weve checked Amazon
UKs page and found that these products are still live the Telegraph () has also spotted similar listings. You may like Scam air conditioner retailers
are a big problem experts explain how to spot the fakes Prime Day is over
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Now, Reynolds says hell be writing to Amazon asking for an explanation,
adding that "Amazon has got some proper questions they have to answer. These are exactly the same products tested by Which?". He also claims that these plugs are appearing as sponsored ads at the top of Amazons listing pages.

As mentioned, these devices were first spotted during a test carried out by Which?, for where it tested eight devices from sites including eBay, AliExpress, Shein, and TikTok Shop. It found no evidence that the plugs actually worked, and noted that it would be illegal to sell them in the UK,
as they didn't meet basic safety standards. Get daily insight, inspiration
and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Which? found that each plug it tested had ill-fitted socket pins (Image credit: Which?) So how are these plugs claimed to cut your energy bills? Based on the product listings weve found, Amazons energy-saving plugs are advertised as voltage stabilizers and surge protectors, and are claimed to significantly cut your energy bills by optimizing the performance of your household appliances.

At a time when energy bills are increasing, its an easy sales pitch to make, and theyre also affordably priced (usually around the 10-15 mark), making
them seem to be a worthwhile puchase.

However, it's claimed that the devices are a fire hazard, and also pose an electrocution risk. According to the tests conducted by Which?, more than
half of the plugs socket pins were either too small, not straight, or were so frail they just snapped off.

Other tests found that some of the plugs failed to meet basic safety measures due to poor manufacturing, including non-standard capacitors and soldering.

Amazon hasn't yet commented on the current status of these product listings, or responded to the latest claims. We've asked the company for a comment, and will update this story if we get a response. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/energy-saving/amazon-is-still-selling-fake-ener gy-saving-plugs-that-pose-a-serious-fire-risk-a-year-after-promising-to-remove -them


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