Charging your Tesla can be a difficult task when the outlet is not within reach of the charging adapter.
It can happen when traveling along a less-frequented route far from urban areas where we can make use of superchargers, or even at home if the outlet is far from the garage or the usual parking spot.
Also, when bringing out a Tesla to a campsite, a lot of RV outlets could be used to charge the vehicle as these provide the necessary amount of power that an EV needs to charge. But again, you need to be close enough to it to be able to connect your mobile charger, and this is not always possible.
Extension cords can provide you with that extra length you need.
Best NEMA 14-50 Extension Cord – Top Picks
Camco Extension Cord
- Length: 30 feet
- Established brand
- PowerGrip handle
Conntek Extension Cord
- Length: 30 feet
- LED power indicator
- 60-ft length available
RVGUARD Extension Power Cord
- Length: 25 feet
- 15-ft, 50-ft available
- Easy unplug handle
Related: Tesla Charging Cable Organizers
Charging cable extensions can provide you with 50 feet of increased cable length so that you can reach power outlets up to 70 feet away from your Tesla.
We’ve reviewed five of the best extension cables for charging your Tesla. Take a look below to see which one fits your needs best.
Camco 50-Amp Heavy-Duty Extension – The Best Tesla Extension Cord
Specifications
| Cord length | 30 feet |
| NEMA | 14-50P, 14-50R |
| Weight | 5 pounds |
| Color | Black and Yellow |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 50 Amp |
| Material | PVP and Copper |
Designed with convenience and simplicity in mind, the Camco 50-amp NEMA 14-50 extension features Camco’s signature PowerGrip molded handle.
Out of all easy-unplug handles we’ve seen in heavy-duty extension cords this is our favorite one. The handle feeling is solid and feels secure when using it. This is expected from a manufacturer with such a long history in the electrical supply accessories market.
The PowerGrip handle makes plugging and unplugging the cord a simple task. The head of the extension won’t be damaged even when using the handle continuously.
Camco’s power cord can be stored quickly and effortlessly with its convenient carrying strap. This strap is made of fabric-like synthetic materials and can be secured with the included buckle. The carrying strap can also be used to hang the extension to a wall.
Camco 50-Amp NEMA 14-50 Extension in use
Pros & Cons
- Established manufacturer
- Includes carrying strap
- Easy plug-unplug with PowerGrip
- PowerGrip handle can make it bulky
Read more: How to get the best range with your Tesla
Conntek 50-Amp 30-Feet Extension Cord with LED Power Indicator
Specifications
| Cord length | 30, 15 and 50 feet |
| NEMA | 14-50P, 14-50R |
| Weight | 13 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 50 Amp |
| Material | PVP and Copper |
Another alternative is Conntek’s 50-Amp extension cord with an LED power indicator. It comes in a very traditional all-black with a heavy-duty wire protection
The most remarkable feature of this cable is the inclusion of a power LED on the male end of the cord. It can let you know if the cable is receiving any power before connecting the Tesla charger to it.
It also features an easy-grip handle. However, we noticed it doesn’t have the best shape and size for it to be as easily removed as the other extension cable alternatives. The Ergo Grip handle does its job, but it could be better designed.
Something also worth mentioning is that both shorter and longer versions of this extension cord are available. 15-feet as the shortest and 50-feet as the longest. We would like to see a 60-feet variant in the future as 50-feet falls short sometimes.
Pros & Cons
- Available in both longer and shorter lengths
- LED power indicator
- UL-certified
- Heavier than average
- Ergo Grip handle is not as good as Camco’s PowerGrip
RVGUARD Nema 14-50 Extension Power Cord
Specifications
| Cord length | 25 feet |
| NEMA | 14-50P, 14-50R |
| Weight | 18 pounds |
| Color | Black and green |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 50 Amp |
| Material | PVP and Copper |
The RVGUARD NEMA 14-50 Extension Cord is a combination of excellent power transfer capabilities and reliable craftsmanship. Unlike the two previous recommendations, this extension has a more traditional gray-and-black coloring.
If you intend to have this extension installed at home permanently, the subtle colors of this extension could make it go completely unnoticed as the yellow handles of some offerings are less than ideal if we want to keep them plugged in at home.
This extension is also equipped with an easy to grab handle on both sides. The handle will assure the cable can be easily disconnected without damaging the extension head.
Once again, this NEMA 14-50 Power Cord is Hard Service Rated. The cord can stand use and abuse and continued use in outdoor environments.
Pros & Cons
- Available in 15 feet and 50 feet variants
- Easy unplug handle
- Bag and organizing strap included
- Not as light as Camco’s offering
Miady RV Extension Cord – Easy Unplug Design with Cord Organizer
Specifications
| Cord length | 30 feet |
| NEMA | 14-50P, 14-50R |
| Weight | 20 pounds |
| Color | Black and yellow |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 50 Amp |
| Material | Copper, thermoplastic |
Another solid alternative for an extension cord is Miady’s RV Extension Cord. It designed similarly to the previous option, but the organizer and cord hanger are made of red plastic. This extension cord also has a similar secure unplug mechanism to easily disconnect any of the ends without the risk of damaging the plastic in any way.
It is hard-service rated, which means the wiring is protected by an STW jacket which resists abrasion, corrosion, and short circuit. This improves safety significantly as we can be assured that the internal wiring of the cable stays intact and never comes into contact with exterior elements.
Miady’s RV extension cord comes equipped with a cord organizer and hanger. It’s a nice touch that can help anyone quickly store the cable when not in use. It can be stowed away on one the walls of our garage with a simple screw.
Pros & Cons
- Includes cord organizer
- Hard-service rated
- Heavier than the other offerings
TWB Smart 50 Amp RV Extension Cord – The 25-foot alternative
Specifications
| Cord length | 25 feet |
| NEMA | 14-50P, 14-50R |
| Weight | ~10 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 50 Amp |
| Material | Copper and PVP |
Most manufacturers offer 30-feet extensions cords. It’s an adequate length but if we only need it for a short distance we can opt for slightly shorter cables.
A 25-feet extension will be lighter and more compact than the 30-feet counterparts but can still provide us with a fair amount of versatility when using it outdoors. The TWB NEMA 14-50 extension cord is made with Thermoplastic and also heavy-duty rated.
We’d like to see a cord organizer included with the extension. This is a shorter cable than the other offerings but a cable hanger and organizer would be a nice touch to help keep the garage tidy.
The manufacturer also offers an adapter if we intend to use the extension cord with a generator. Be aware that not all generators are capable of charging electric vehicles.
Pros & Cons
- Lower size than the alternatives
- Specifically tested for EV-charging
- Adapter for generator available
- No cable organizer included.
NEMA 14-30 Dryer Extension Cord (4-Prong Dryer)
Specifications
| Cord length | 25 feet |
| NEMA | 14-30P, 14-30R |
| Weight | ~10 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Voltage | 125/250 Volts |
| Amperage | 30 Amp |
| Material | Copper and PVP |
A NEMA 14-30 connector extension will let you charge your Tesla with the common 4-prong or 3-prong 30 amps home dryer plug. It is offered in lengths of 10, 25, and 50 feet.
Although setting up your home charger out of a dryer outlet isn’t recommended by Tesla, it is a practical alternative for homes where the closest high voltage electrical outlet to the vehicle is an unused dryer plug.
Unfortunately, this product doesn’t include a cord organizer, a carrying bag, or an LED power indicator like other similar products. Overall, if you intend to charge your Tesla off a dryer 14-30 outlet, this is a solid cable that will get the job done.
Pros & Cons
- NEMA 14-30 plug, common on dryer outlets
- Also available in 10-ft and 50-ft length
- Available for 3-prong and 4-prong outlets
- 30 amps
AmazonBasics Outdoor Extension Cord – 50-Foot
Quick Overview
- Rating: 13 Amps, 1625 Watts, 125VAC
- 3-prong connection
- Versatile and lightweight extension cord to keep in your Tesla at all times
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 14-30?
NEMA 14 connectors are four-wire plugs available in amperage ratings from 15A to 60A. The 14-50 connector is commonly used in electric cooking ranges, RV parks, and electric vehicle chargers. The NEMA 14-30 connector is used for home clothes dryers.
The Tesla Mobile Connector can be used with a variety of outlets, although many owners opt for the NEMA 14-50 connection due to the higher amperage and faster charging.
Can any of these Tesla extension cords be used at a campsite?
Yes. That would arguably be the best use for this type of extension cord. Electrical outlets commonly used for RV hookups can be used to charge your Tesla.
We recommend checking with the campground administration if the outlet you intend to use is in proper working condition. Electrical outlets on some campgrounds can have issues as they are exposed to the elements all year long.
It’s always a good idea to check if the outlet we intend to use is active and safe to use before doing so, especially since we’re dealing with high amperages. We don’t want to risk damaging the charging adapter of our Tesla.
Can any vehicle be charged with these Tesla charging cable extensions?
Yes. The extension cords will be able to charge any Tesla vehicle with the mobile adapter. Other electric vehicles can also be charged using an extension cord but the products recommended here are specifically for Tesla vehicles. Additional adapters might be needed for other electric vehicles.
What is level 2 charging?
Level 2 charging uses 240V electrical circuits up to 80 amps to rapidly charge your Tesla at home using a Tesla Home Charger or a Tesla Mobile Connector. It can give your vehicle up to 52 miles of range per hour of charging.
For comparison, level 1 charging can recharge your vehicle at a rate of 2 miles of range per hour of charging while level 3 charging can give Tesla up to 170 miles of range in just 30 minutes of charging.
Do these extension cords have any additional use apart from charging an EV?
Yes. All of the extensions here are standard NEMA 14-50P to NEMA 14-50R cables. They have a variety of uses and they are widely used for hooking an RV or a camper to the electrical connections of campsites and parks.
How do extension cords for Tesla charging work?
Extension cords have a NEMA 14-50 male plug at one end and also a NEMA 14-50 female plug on the other end.
The male end of the extension plugs into the outlet and the female end of the extension plugs into the Tesla adapter.
What are the lengths of the extension cords listed here?
The extension cords listed here have a length of 30 feet unless specified otherwise. This means your vehicle can be up to 50 feet away from the power source. The standard Tesla charging cable has a length of 20 feet and having a 30 feet extension cord can give you a charging range of up to 50 feet.
Can the 110-volt adapter from Tesla be used with this extension cord?
Yes, the extension cords will work with the standard 110-volt adapter from Tesla and provide an excellent way to increase the usable length of it.
Can you use two extension cords to increase further charging distance?
Two charging cords can be chained together to provide even more charging distance if needed. However, as the total distance from the electrical outlet to the vehicle increases, line losses also get bigger, and this can make total charging time longer.
Chaining more than two extensions together is not recommended as it could cause overheating or irreversible damage to the equipment when running at full load.
Will these extension cords work outside North America?
No. The extension cords listed here are designed for use in North America exclusively. This includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The extensions won’t work in Europe or most countries outside North America due to voltage or plug type differences.
Check here to see the spread of plug types around the world. If your country appears in the same color as the United States, it is likely that the extension cords listed in this article will be compatible with your current home dryer outlet.
More recommendations when using an extension to charge a Tesla
It is rare that extension cords listed here malfunction in any way. Safety, durability, and reliability are principles every manufacturer adheres to. When properly used, extension cables can last up to 10 years or even longer.
However, we are dealing with high electrical currents, so it is good to have extra caution. Here are a few safety recommendations when you are using an extension cord to charge your electric vehicle:
- If possible, test the outlet you are going to be using to make sure it is in functioning order.
- Make sure the connections are not getting unusually hot.
- Avoid constant plugging and unplugging of the connections.
- Plug items closest to the outlet first, plug the charger into your Tesla last.
- If any burning smell is detected, disconnect everything immediately.
- Do not use if any of the ends of the extension can be directly exposed to water.
- Discard immediately if the outer rubber is damaged or the inner wiring of the extension is visible.
Some final thoughts
EV infrastructure is rapidly developing. Superchargers are becoming widespread and electric vehicle charging can be found in a growing number of parking lots and rest areas around the world. Owning an electric vehicle has never been so practical.
But there are times when we won’t be able to reach the outlet with our mobile connector. It could be outdoors if we take our vehicle to campgrounds, or it can also happen at home if our garage is far from a NEMA 14-50 outlet.
Even if you don’t find yourself in this situation often, investing in an extension cord and keeping it in the trunk of our vehicle is a good idea. We don’t know when we could find ourselves stranded and wishing we had a longer charging cord to give our vehicle a bit of juice to get home.
Have you ever needed to charge your Tesla but didn’t have a long enough cord?
Please consider sharing this with anyone who might be needing an extension cord to charge their Tesla vehicle.
