With energy bills a concern for many households, it's easy to see the appeal of a little gadget that promises to dramatically reduce your electricity costs.
You may have seen adverts online for small plug-in boxes claiming to save 20%, 30% or even more on your electricity bill simply by plugging them into a wall socket.
They often look convincing, are relatively cheap to buy and promise an effortless way to save money.
But there's a serious problem.
These so-called Power Saver devices don't deliver the savings they promise, and some could put your home and family at risk of electric shock or fire.
Often advertised as Electricity Saving Boxes, Power Savers or Energy-Saving Devices, these products claim to reduce household electricity consumption by stabilising voltage or balancing the electrical current.
The suggestion is that simply plugging one into a socket will make your household appliances use less electricity.
It sounds almost too good to be true – and it is.
Consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First recently investigated 13 of these devices purchased through online marketplaces, including Amazon Marketplace, AliExpress and TikTok Shop.
The findings were extremely concerning.
None of the 13 devices was capable of delivering the electricity savings claimed by sellers.
All 13 failed basic electrical safety tests.
Their plug pins failed required strength and dimensional checks, meaning they could potentially snap off inside a socket.
Some devices lacked suitable safety components, increasing the risk of electric shock or fire.
Two of the devices exploded during laboratory testing.
Investigators also found that many of the products contained little more than a small circuit board powering an LED light.
In other words, rather than reducing your electricity consumption, the device could actually use a little electricity itself.
The biggest concern is the quality of their construction.
Electrical Safety First found that the plug pins on all 13 devices failed basic mechanical strength requirements. If a pin breaks off inside a socket, anyone attempting to remove it could be exposed to a live electrical connection.
Some devices also lacked appropriate fuses or other protective components.
The charity's laboratory tests showed just how serious the risks could be, with two devices exploding during testing.
These aren't simply ineffective products. They could create a genuine safety hazard in your home.
The issue has recently (November 2026) been brought to a wider audience through BBC One's Morning Live, where viewers were warned about plug-in gadgets promising dramatic reductions in household electricity bills.
The message was clear: don't be taken in by impressive savings claims or persuasive online adverts.
If a small box costing relatively little claims it can save you hundreds of pounds simply by being plugged into a socket, it's worth being extremely sceptical.
You can read Electrical Safety First's investigation and see the full safety warning here:
Electrical Safety First – Scam 'energy-saving devices' promising to cut bills risk electric shock and fire:
Watch this reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1793701081820422
If you have one of these devices at home, Electrical Safety First advises:
Switch it off at the socket.
Unplug it, provided it is safe to do so.
Do not open it or attempt to repair it.
Contact the seller or online marketplace to request a refund.
Report the product listing as a safety concern if it is still available.
If a plug pin has broken off inside a socket, don't attempt to remove it yourself. Seek help from a qualified electrician.
There are genuine ways to reduce household energy consumption, but they tend to involve making sensible changes rather than relying on a magic gadget.
Try:
Draught-proofing doors and windows.
Improving insulation where possible.
Using heating timers and thermostats effectively.
Switching to LED lighting.
Using energy-efficient appliance settings.
Turning off appliances when they aren't needed.
Seeking advice about grants and energy-efficiency improvements.
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell offers free appointments to help local residents understand their energy use, explore available grants and find ways to reduce bills.
Visit https://caee.org.uk/energy-advice/ or call 01372 300420.
It's understandable that people are looking for ways to bring down their household bills, particularly as winter approaches.
Unfortunately, that also makes people more vulnerable to misleading adverts and products that promise an easy solution.
Please be wary of these plug-in Power Saver devices, and pass this warning on to friends, family and neighbours who might be tempted to buy one.
A product that promises to save you money should never put your home, your family or your safety at risk.
