A garden socket supplies you with electricity directly in your green oasis. You need the latter for all work with electrically operated garden tools. In our guide you can find out what characterizes a high-quality garden socket, what you should pay attention to when buying and which models are particularly recommended.
If you like working on the computer in the garden, you need a socket
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Philips power supply myGarden, IP44 weatherproof, stainless steel, 23 x 7 x 7 cm
38.00 EUR To the product| Type | Column garden socket |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP44 |
| slots | 2 |
| cable length | without cable |
| Assembly | screwing |
Amazon reviewers praise the quality workmanship and high functionality of the Philips garden socket. In addition, the model should look chic and modern without being too flashy. For attachment, the column is at best screwed onto a concrete floor slab. Some buyers describe the assembly as a bit tedious, but with the right tools it seems to go smoothly in the end. Another important advantage is the relatively generous distance between the two slots, so that you can also plug in bulky plugs in parallel (difficult with many garden sockets).
our recommendation
Brennenstuhl garden socket / outdoor socket 2-way with ground spike (weather-resistant plastic, socket for outside with waterproof housing, 1.4 m cable) black
8.57 EUR To the product| Type | Ground spike garden socket |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP44 |
| slots | 2 |
| cable length | 1.4m |
| Assembly | ground spike |
The Brennenstuhl garden socket acts as a clear price-performance winner in the comparison. Despite the extremely low price, the model is considered very robust and stable as well as functionally strong by the users. Among other things, the extremely solid rubber coating of the supply cable is emphasized, which should be thick and resistant, but still flexible to handle. This version is recommended for everyone who wants good quality and easy installation for a low purchase price - and who (can) accept optical losses and a short cable.
our recommendation
UNITEC socket distributor for the garden in stone look, garden socket, outdoor socket, IP 44, 4 socket cubes
EUR 29.95 To the product| Type | Natural look garden socket |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP44 |
| slots | 4 |
| cable length | 3 m |
| Assembly | screwing |
The UNITEC garden socket is defined as a flexible distributor of good quality. Amazon reviewers are also enthusiastic about the inconspicuous look, which is based on precious natural stone. Thanks to the successful design, the 4-way socket fits harmoniously and atmospherically into the garden. Perfect for all hobby gardeners who need more than two slots and want a natural stone look.
Purchase Criteria
Type
Ground spike garden socket: With a ground spike garden socket, the socket boxes are on a ground spike. Usually it is made of plastic. In terms of installation and price, the ground spike variant is undoubtedly the best solution, but it often leaves a lot to be desired in terms of appearance, as it has a very simple and functional design.
Column garden socket: As the name suggests, the pillar garden socket is in the form of a round or square pillar. The sockets are incorporated into this column. She often combines elegant stainless steel with flaps made of plastic. The beautiful look is the biggest advantage of this type of garden socket.
Outdoor light socket: Kill two birds with one stone Models that are designed as outdoor lights on the one hand and have slots for electrical garden tools on the other. They also usually appear as round or square columns and combine a stainless steel body with a plastic/glass light area.
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LED Universum path light anthracite with 2 sockets 80 cm stainless steel outdoor light floor lamp energy column power column power distributor for the garden garden socket (without twilight sensor)
79.99 EUR To the producttips
If you opt for a garden socket in the form of an outdoor light, you should be aware that the light often does not have an off switch, which can have a negative impact on your electricity bill.
Garden socket in a natural look: Is it a tree trunk? Or a stone? No, a garden socket! The designs in wood or stone look are particularly creative. They often have hidden slots that you access by opening a door. When closed, these garden sockets blend harmoniously into the garden.
weather resistance
Garden sockets are outside sockets. Accordingly, high weather resistance is a basic requirement for their functionality. All garden sockets correspond to at least protection class IP44 - that means they are splash-proof and protected from coarse sand. The higher the protection class (e.g. IP55, IP65, IP67 or even IP68), the greater the water pressure the respective garden socket can withstand.
tips
A so-called FI circuit breaker (residual current circuit breaker) is also part of the standard equipment of a garden socket. It protects against electric shock by immediately cutting off the power supply when it detects fault currents (caused by moisture getting into the electrical equipment).
Assembly
ground spike: Garden sockets with a ground spike simply have to be inserted into the garden ground using the spike. This is the simplest variant of assembly. But: In order for the socket to hold reliably, you need loose soil. Hard, stony ground is not suitable. The same applies to a foundation.
screw connection: Except for the ground spike version, all garden sockets are screwed for attachment.
- Base attachment (metal): Screw the garden socket onto a solid floor using pre-drilled holes in the base and the screws included in the scope of delivery. NOT suitable for soft ground.
- Base attachment (synthetic resin): Same principle as above. In addition, the selected fixing point must be absolutely flat so that the softer material does not break.
number of connections
Each garden socket has at least two slots. Before you buy, think about how many devices you want to have plugged in at the same time in the garden - it depends on how many sockets the garden accessories should provide. Common solutions are 2-way and 4-way sockets. 3-fold, 5-fold and 6-fold variants are rather rare.
tips
The number of socket outlets alone says nothing about how many and which devices can actually be operated at the same time. When making your comparison, always pay attention to how close the sockets are to each other (bulky plugs sometimes block each other) and how high the maximum connected load in watts is (what power do the electrical devices that you want to use together require in total?).
cable length
Depending on how far the connecting outdoor socket is from the planned location for the garden socket, you need a more or less long cable. In most versions, the cable length is between one and four meters. Models with a cable measuring five or even ten meters are not that common.
Note: Some garden sockets are supplied without a cable. At least this gives you the opportunity to choose an extension cable that suits your requirements (but it must be at least splash-proof!).
extras
There are garden sockets that bring one or more additional functions. Here are some examples:
- with timer
- with twilight switch/twilight sensor
- with motion detector
- with remote
The garden socket with timer is particularly popular. The timer is used to automatically activate and deactivate certain devices, such as electronic Christmas decorations, which should switch off automatically at a specified time. But: This integrated timer already takes up a slot. Sometimes it is also so bulky that it blocks the socket underneath or next to it. So take a very close look at the garden sockets with timer before you buy them.
frequently asked Questions
How do I install a garden socket?
In order to supply the garden socket with energy, you must connect its cable to a well-located outside socket on the terrace or at the house. If the distance between the outside socket and the intended location of the garden socket is relatively large, it is best to run the cable underground through the lawn - for visual and, above all, safety-related reasons (avoid tripping if possible, unfavorable weather conditions). Alternatively, you can also connect the garden socket to the house circuit.
In both cases, experts advise making the power line switchable in order to be able to temporarily disconnect the line to the garden sockets in the evening or in winter if necessary.
This video shows you an example of how to proceed when installing your garden socket:
youtubeIf you want to permanently lay the power cable of the socket underground, you should consult a specialist (electrician).
tips
There are now even modern WLAN garden sockets that you can switch on and off with your smartphone from anywhere in the world.
Which brands offer good garden sockets?
Among the best known and most popular brands for garden sockets
- Phillips
- Brennenstuhl
- somfy
- GreenCraft
Where is the best place to buy a garden socket?
You can choose from various garden sockets in hardware stores such as OBI, toom, Bauhaus, hagebaumarkt and Hornbach, and of course at Amazon.
equipment
cable
If no cable is included in the scope of delivery of your chosen garden socket, you must order a suitable model separately.
our recommendation
Brennenstuhl quality rubber extension cable 10m (IP44, cable for outside) black
14.49 EUR To the producttimer
An additional timer allows you to plan and automatically control the activity of electrical devices in the garden.
our recommendation
Brennenstuhl timer MZ 44, mechanical timer socket (daily timer, IP44 protected, with increased contact protection and protective cover) black
4.99 EUR To the productremote control
The garden socket can be switched on and off particularly easily with a remote control. It often costs little money, but makes everyday gardening noticeably more pleasant. Important note: Only radio-controlled sockets can be controlled with a remote control.
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