- Which? discovers ‘potentially lethal’ phone chargers are being sold by major retailers
- Cheap chargers pose serious risks of fire, electric shock and more
- Consumer group demands stricter government regulation
British consumer watchdog Which? has revealed many of the third-party phone chargers available to consumers could present “potentially lethal” risks – and they’re often hidden in plain sight.
Nine of the 15 chargers tested by Which? posed serious electric shock risks, while eight also presented potential fire or explosion hazards, but more worryingly, many were available from popular and trustworthy high-street and online retailers like Amazon, B&Q and Debenhams.
The timeliness is also of note, because the findings come seven whole years after Which? first warned about dangerous counterfeit and low-quality chargers, suggesting the problem remains widespread despite repeated warnings.
These are the reasons cheap chargers can fail basic safety tests
According to the report, many of the chargers tested failed basic testing because the internal electrical components were positioned too close together, insulation was inadequate, high-voltage stress tests caused failures and plug pins did not meet British Standards requirements.
The most prevalent concern, then, was that the defective products could cause electrical arcing, where electricity jumps between components, leading to electric component failures in the best-off cases, but electric shocks, overheating, fire and explosions in the most severe cases.
Among the examples given by the group was a counterfeit Apple USC-C 35W Power Adaptor sold for £11.99 – a not-at-all similar mock of Apple’s £59 charger. The researchers discovered arcing noises after just 10 seconds, and upon further investigation, found modelling clay inside the charger.
They believe it was added to make the device heavier, making it feel more ‘premium’. A second, separate model, sold via Debenhams, also included modelling clay within.
Besides suspiciously cheap chargers from Amazon (£2.99 and £3.99), eBay (£2.10 and £2.80) and AliExpress (£1.30 and £5.69), Which? also found that a more expensive £10.99 charger sold via B&Q was subject to fire, electric shock and explosion risks.
And even the chargers that passed safety tests, including models sold via Temu and Shein, weren’t fully legitimate. They still lacked the required markings and importer details, making them illegal in the UK.
“Badly designed electricals like these can have life-altering – even fatal – consequences,” Head of Consumer Protection Policy Sue Davies commented.
Which? calls for greater enforcement over online marketplaces
Which? argues that marketplace operators have now become a major route through which unsafe and illegal imports can reach UK consumers, because they often act as intermediaries for third-party sellers.
However, despite the implementation of the UK’s Product Regulation and Metrology Act in July 2025, the consumer group says implementation has been slow. Under the law, the government can place obligations on online marketplaces.
Which? is therefore advocating for stronger enforcement powers and greater accountability for third-party seller listings.
“By making online marketplaces legally responsible for unsafe products, the government can set a world-leading standard for product safety in the digital age,” Davies added.
As for consumers, they’re being advised to buy from recognized brands and be wary of very cheap big-brand chargers. UK citizens should also look for the CE or UKCA marks and importer details.
Looking ahead, Which? has presented UK Department of Business and Trade Minister Kate Dearden a petition, with 150,000 signatories, calling for the government to regulate online marketplaces and fine them for breaches.
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