8 Best Retractable Extension Cord Reels to Get Organized

We’ve all had one of those days where a garage project is interrupted because an extension cord is all tangled up or people keep tripping over it. Not only are extension cords in a garage a pain from an organizational standpoint, they can be a safety hazard.

A good retractable extension cord reel offers the same benefits air hose reel users are well aware of and is considered by most the best way to store extension cords indoors. It can be mounted out of the way in a central location on a wall or ceiling to keep your garage tidy and you working at optimum efficiency.

The following are some of the best retractable extension cord reels you’ll find on the market.

See Also: How to Hide an Extension Cord Outside

Our 8 Favorite Retractable Cord Reels

	Product	Gauge	Length	Outlets	Max Amps
	Goodyear	12/3	40 ft	3	15
	Flexzilla	14/3	25, 50, or 60 ft	3	13
	ReelWorks	12/3	40 or 65 ft	3	15
	Reelcraft	12/3	45 ft	1	15
	Giraffe Tools	12/3	50 ft	3	12
	Alert Stamping	12/3	20 ft	1	15
	Craftsman	14/3	50, 75, or 100 ft	4	13
	Black+Decker	14/3	75 ft	1	13

Retractable Extension Cord Reel Reviews

Reels come in a variety of lengths, gauges, and housing materials. Yet they all share a common goal: to provide power to your workspace without getting in the way.

These six models represent a variety of options, allowing you to choose the reel that best suits your personal needs.

#1 – Goodyear 40-Ft Extension Cord Reel (63313132G)

Just like our favorite air hose reel, Goodyear understands the design of a good retractable reel. While they are more known for their tires and air hoses, Goodyear makes a top notch commercial-grade retractable reel that combines durability and safety.

The compact polypropylene reel has an enclosed drive spring to protect against contaminants, improved ratcheting with the ability to lock at any length or set to non-locking, circuit breaker with reset button, and swivel bracket.

Inside is a 40 foot, 12/3 SJTOW cord with lighted triple tap. A reinforced cord wrap helps reduce the risk of damage when tugging the cord at different angles.

Finally, a 60-inch lead-in ensures the reel can be mounted in the desired location without needing any additional extensions to the wall or ceiling outlet.

Users find this reel to be easily mounted, with high-quality retraction. The lighted female plug is also a welcome safety feature for many home users. Owners note that the heavy-duty cord lasts a long time even in rough environments.

Some consumers have complained about blown fuses when using this reel. As the built-in circuit breaker will trip if 15 amps is exceeded, this problem is likely caused by connecting to an outlet whose fuse is below 15 amps. When encountering similar problems, it might be necessary to move the reel to a different circuit.

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#2 – Flexzilla ZillaGreen 50-Ft Retractable Extension Cord Reel

The popular ZillaGreen doesn’t simply sound like a monster, it proves to be one. Its 50 feet of oil and cold weather resistant 14-gauge SJTOW cord gives flexibility, lightness, and durability; something Flexzilla is known for.

The mounting bracket can rotate 180 degrees and releases the cord in three-foot increments for improved control. The illuminated three-outlet female, adjustable cord stopper, and built-in circuit breaker with reset button make this reel perfect for almost any workshop setting.

Users have run a wide range of power tools, sometimes simultaneously, through the ZillaReel without any issue. They note that mounting is easy, once you understand how the mounting bracket is attached.

Length is also a major bragging point for this reel’s owners, who love being able to reach any point in their workshop.

The biggest complaint about the ZillaReel is a frequently misquoted amperage. The cord is only rated as 13 amps, but sellers often market it as 15 amp, resulting in customers having constant breaker trips. When used as a 13 amp cord, there are no breaker issues. Great for a home garage but go with a higher amperage model for commercial use.

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#3 – ReelWorks 65-Ft Extension Cord Reel (CR625201S3A)

Available in either a 40 or 65 ft. length, this 12-gauge, 15 amp SJT triple tap cord is perfect for a variety of workshop needs. The durable, impact-resistant polypropylene housing has a swivel bracket that attaches easily to the wall or ceiling.

Retraction is quick and easy, thanks to the drive spring, while the latch allows you to lock the cord at the length you want. A 60-inch lead-in makes it even easier to mount this reel precisely where you want it.

Owners appreciate the generous lead-in cord length, as well as the overall craftsmanship. They note that mounting is a breeze, and the cord is easy to retract.

This reel seems to have the opposite problem compared to most competitors. Customers have noted that the cord doesn’t always lock properly, and the retraction is so powerful that it can pull whatever’s plugged into it.

Solutions for this problem have ranged from adjusting the drive spring tension to clamping the cord down when in use.

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#4 – Reelcraft 45-Ft Commercial Grade Extension Cord Reel (L-4545-123-3)

Built for heavy duty use, this industrial retractable extension cord reel is made in the USA and has individually powder coated components for maximum corrosion resistance.

Capable of being bench, ceiling, or wall mounted, the reinforced steel base is designed to protect against damage to the drive spring caused by reverse winding, as well as a heavy duty collector ring to ensure maximum conductivity.

The male plug is designed to conduct 5-15 amp currents, while the three-prong female plug is 15 amp. An adjustable cord stop helps ensure that the 45-foot SJEOW cord is always reachable when retracted.

Those who have purchased the Reelcraft reel tend to still use the same cord years after purchase. The 12-gauge cord provides serious power for those using it at home, and owners who use it in a commercial environment notes that it powers their tools reliably and without any power loss.

The only complaint about this reel occurs at the end of winding. Some say it tends to have trouble retracting the last ten feet, which isn’t a problem for high ceiling mounts. Unfortunately, this may become frustrating in a smaller setting.

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#5 – Giraffe Tools 50-Ft Retractable Cord Reel (DE15-12AWG)

While not exactly a household name, Giraffe Tools has been known to put out some quality tools at good prices. In this case, it’s a spring-driven retractable power cord reel made of hard impact polypropylene.

It can be mounted on the wall or ceiling using the enclosed 180 degree swivel bracket for optimum coverage. An integrated circuit breaker helps prevent power surges while also doubling as a manual power button.

The 50 foot, 12-gauge cable is a premium commercial 3C SJTOW. It remains flexible and kink-resistant in temperatures ranging from -58 degrees to 221 degrees, and is resistant to acids, water, ozone, oil, and alkalis. At the end is a lighted triple tap outlet, each rated for 110 volts. For power, the reel has a 4.5 foot grounded lead-in cord.

Retraction is a snap with the combination of Slow Retraction technology and auto guide system. An adjustable cable stopper helps to ensure the connector won’t smack into the case during retraction. Pulling the cord is equally smooth, with a ratcheting action that allows you to lock the cord at almost any length. Finally, the reel and cord are backed by a 24-month warranty.

Overall, this is a sturdy, reliable product. There have been some reports of the cord failing to retract the final ten feet, although this seems to be an uncommon issue potentially caused by a weak spring. Also, the included anchor bolts are poor quality, so you may wish to supply your own before mounting.

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#6 – Alert Stamping 20-Ft Retractable Extension Cord Reel (5020TFC)

Durability is the middle name of this 12 gauge heavy duty extension cord reel. The casing is made from powder-coated steel, with a built-in eye hook for easy mounting. Its 20-foot cold weather SJTOW cord gives flexibility and functionality, even in frosty weather.

A clear NEMA 5-20R grounded outlet houses a power indicator light, so you always know if the cord is live. Finally, the male plug features a resettable 15-amp circuit breaker for added safety.

This reel has a fairly large following, thanks to its overall quality and safety features. Owners have used it both for home use and in commercial settings with equally positive results.

The female plug illuminates well enough to see in low light, making this popular when working under a car or in other light-restricted areas.

An ongoing issue with this cord has been the fit in its female outlet. The connection tends to be a bit loose, resulting in frequent disconnects if the cord is bumped.

Some have solved this problem by carefully bending the terminal prongs while the cord is disconnected.

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#7 – Craftsman ‎100-Ft Portable Retractable Extension Cord Reel (CMXCRPA14100)

Designed to be easily carried around by its ergonomic easy-grip handle, this compact reel has an auto-locking system to keep the cord at a perfect length every time. A built-in circuit breaker ensures power is cut if the current or voltage exceeds its rating of 13 amp/ 125 volt, and 1625 watts.

Unlike most reels on this list which are spring-driven to automatically retract, this one is manual hand-crank reel. While it takes a small amount of effort to retract the cord into its housing, it’s lightweight and completely portable. It sure beats winding of a long extension cord using your arm.

Four outlets ensure you can make use of multiple tools at once, while a power switch and light indicator add another layer of safety. The cable management guide ensures the high-visibility 100 foot, 14-gauge cable winds tangle-free every time.

Speaking of the cable, the 14AWG SJTW cable is CSA certified. Between the reel’s portable, compact design, cable length, and locking mechanism, this reel allows you to provide power almost anywhere. To top it all off, the reel and cable are backed by Craftsman’s 3-year limited warranty.

You’ll generally only find the occasional nitpick among all of the praise for this reel. Safety is a huge bonus with this reel, even though the GFCI can make using high-power tools (such as welding equipment) a little more difficult to use. Also, you should plug your tools in only after setting up the reel where you want it to avoid winding your cords as you unwind the extension cable.

The crank is a little small for some people, making it a bit of a hassle to wind the cable. This is exacerbated by the one foot extension cord that’s built into the reel for attaching the cable. However, most users find the winding process to be smooth and with little issue.

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#8 – BLACK+DECKER 75-Ft Retractable Extension Cord Reel (BDXPA0063)

BLACK+DECKER has a reputation for making decent quality tools at affordable prices, and this retractable reel is no exception. This manual wind-up reel has four grounded outlets protected by a built-in circuit breaker, as well as a power switch and indicator light. An ergonomic handle makes transport easily, an auto-locking cable clip, and is rated 13-amp, 125 volt, and 1625 watts. 

The big difference is that this model includes a 75-foot 14-gauge SJTW cable in safety orange. There’s room to add an additional 25-foot cable to the reel. It’s slightly smaller and cheaper than the Craftsman version despite so many similar features. However, it still boasts a similar three-year warranty.

This is a sturdy, reliable reel that people have trouble finding fault with. As is normal for reels of this type, you’ll want to unplug any tools while winding or unwinding the extension cord to avoid the tool cords twisting. Also, while the reel will power some pretty tough tools, some types of tools such as welding equipment or leaf blowers may trip the circuit after a while.

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Tips for Buying Retractable Reels

When buying a retractable extension cord reel for the first time, you might be a little confused by all of the choices. The following tips will help you choose the best possible reel for your needs.

Picking the Right Gauge

The gauge of an extension cord does more than dictate its thickness. As a general rule, the more power you will need, the bigger the gauge (e.g., the smaller the number) you will need.

Most household appliances will work off of a simple 16-gauge cord. However, table saws and major commercial tools will need a 12-gauge cord to achieve full power.

Therefore, it is best to look at the most powerful tool you will be plugging into the cord and choose the gauge based upon that item.

Types of Retractable Extension Cord Reels

Manual Reels

Manual reels require physical effort to wind the cord back onto the spool using a hand crank mechanism. While they are typically the most affordable option, completely portable, and have fewer parts that can break down, they require more time and effort to operate.

These reels are best suited for light-duty applications or situations where the cord isn’t frequently extended and retracted.

Spring-Driven Reels

Spring-driven reels use a tensioned spring mechanism to automatically retract the cord with a gentle pull. The spring stores energy when the cord is pulled out and releases it during retraction.

These reels are popular in both home and professional settings due to their convenience and reliability. However, the spring tension needs to be properly calibrated to prevent too-rapid retraction that could cause damage or injury.

Motor-Driven Reels

Motor-driven reels represent the most advanced option, using an electric motor to power the retraction process. These reels often feature controls for smooth, controlled retraction and are commonly found in industrial settings or professional garages.

While they offer the most convenient operation and can handle heavier gauge cords, they are also the most expensive and require access to power for the motor to function.