Report warns 'potentially lethal' knock-off phone chargers sold on Amazon Haul, B&Q and eBay can electrocute and even explode

Date:
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:05:00 +0000

Description:
New Which? report reveals dangerous, potentially lethal knock-off phone chargers sold by major retailers

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 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 theyre 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. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: 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. You may like UK firefighters now deal with a lithium-ion battery fire every five hours Spicy pillows are the new hidden battery danger I found in my home heres how to dispose of them safely The best iPhone chargers 2026

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 Apples 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. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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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, werent 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. What
to read next Samsung Galaxy users warned against leaving their flashlights on accidentally following viral TikTok video I've chosen the best wireless chargers for different needs, after testing nearly 30 from all budget levels Your stolen card details are being sold online for less than a fancy coffee (Image credit: Which?) 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 UKs 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, theyre 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. 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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