Trading Standards - Energy-Saving' Devices Online

11th April 2026

Consumer body Which? has warned that potentially dangerous 'energy-saving' devices are being advertised online and via social media.

Some of the adverts claim the devices are a way of making savings on energy bills, either by saving energy or "stabilising electrical current".

Which? purchased eight of these devices from online marketplaces including AliExpress, Temu, Amazon, eBay, Shein, and TikTok Shop and found no evidence that they work. They also failed to meet basic electrical safety standards, making them potentially dangerous and illegal to sell in the UK.

Similar devices that have been tested by Electrical Safety First also failed basic safety standards, with some exploding, risking fire and electric shock.

In October the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) also warned consumers to be on high alert for misleading mini-heater adverts, which exploit people's concerns about rising costs and high heating bills.

How to Avoid
Be wary when buying products from unknown websites or sellers, particularly if they promise to make savings on your energy bills and are advertised at a price that is significantly cheaper than similar branded products.

Electrical Safety First advise that you should only buy electrical products from trusted retailers and avoid third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

Pay by credit card or a secure online payment system for stronger protection. Be suspicious if a seller will only accept payment via bank transfer.

Check independent reviews of the seller/store on official websites rather than relying on reviews hosted on the website itself.

Check the site's return policy and terms and conditions and make sure you have contact information for the seller in case something goes wrong. The website should list a valid return address and contact details - be suspicious if a UK website has a returns address overseas and check that the address is listed with Companies House.

Electrical Safety First have created a browser extension, 'Check It Out', which is compatible with Amazon and eBay and will remind you when you are not buying directly from the manufacturer or a retailer you know and trust. Download it at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/check-it-out

You can check that products you own are safe and see recent product recalls on the OPSS product safety alerts, reports and recalls site: www.gov.uk/guidance/product-recalls-and-alerts

If you see a misleading or scam advert online, you can report it to the ASA here: https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint/report-an-online-scam-ad.html

Find out More
Report an online scam ad to the ASA: https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint/report-an-online-scam-ad.html
Electrical Safety First guidance on buying electrical products safely online: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/2qgkkb5o/buying-electrical-goods-online-digital.pdf
Which? article: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/illegal-and-potentially-dangerous-energy-saving-plugs-still-widely-available
Advice on your consumer rights from Advice Direct Scotland: www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre