UK holidaymakers are warned against buying cheap travel adaptors online after safety tests revealed dangerous products on platforms including AliExpress, eBay, Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop. Electrical Safety First issued the alert after finding universal adaptors that could expose users to live electrical parts.
Failing safety checks
The charity tested eight universal travel adaptors with retractable plug pins designed for UK, Europe, Australia and the US. Six failed basic safety requirements, allowing multiple plug pins to be live simultaneously. Users risk touching up to 240 volts, which could be fatal, especially with wet hands.
Customer reports
One adaptor sold through Amazon Marketplace had almost 9,000 reviews. A buyer claimed it overheated on first use, while another said it destroyed the appliance it was charging. Electrical Safety First's previous investigation in 2025 found 15 dangerous adaptors on TikTok Shop, Amazon, eBay and Wish.com, with tens of thousands sold to UK shoppers.
Safety expert's plea
Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "Shopping for your holiday getaway should be an enjoyable experience, not one that puts you at serious risk. Shoppers in the UK shouldn't have to question whether the products they buy might put them at risk, yet our investigation shows that dangerous electrical goods are still finding their way into people's homes through online marketplaces." He added: "What looks like a bargain could come at a much higher cost. We urge Brits heading abroad this summer to think before they buy and only purchase travel adaptors from reputable retailers they know and trust."
Marketplace responses
An eBay spokesperson said: "We have removed the listings identified by Electrical Safety First and we're carrying out wider checks to find and remove any similar listings. At eBay, we combine technology, AI-supported monitoring and specialist teams to help maintain a safe and trusted marketplace." An Amazon spokesperson added: "We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and our own policies. The products identified have been removed from sale. We proactively monitor our store for safety alerts and product recalls, removing affected products and contacting customers who purchased them."
Consumers are advised to buy travel adaptors from reputable brands such as Mophie, Anker or Ugreen, ensuring proper safety certifications.
