I don’t know who’s designing homes these days, but nobody seems to have outlets in their garages. I feel lucky that my two-car garage has three outlets (counting the dedicated outlet for my garage door opener).
Still, a retractable extension cord reel is one of the best purchases I’ve made recently. Now, I can bring power anywhere I need it, even outside, and the extension cord retracts up out of the way after I’m done.
No more tangled cords and tripping hazards, right?
Believe it or not, there’s more to choosing the best extension cord reel than you might think. So, I’ve done some research and found the cream of the crop for you.
Whether you’re after a heavy-duty cord reel or the one with the longest cable for your buck, I’ve got you covered.
Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through the best extension cord reels for garages that’ll make your life so much easier.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time, use the links below to quickly find the Best Garage Extension Cord Reels.
-Best Overall, Best Heavy-Duty Cord Reel: Reelcraft L 4545 123 3
-Best 12/3 Cord Reel: Flexzilla FZ8120603
-Best 50′ Cord Reel: Reelworks GUR024 (26813154)
-Best 100′ Cord Reel: SuperHandy GUR058
-Best Budget Cord Reel, Best for Warranty: GearIT GI-REL-14/3-45F
-Best Value: Vevor AE315AWG16
Best Overall, Best Heavy-Duty Cord Reel: Reelcraft
I recently got my hands on the Reelcraft L-4545-123-3 cord reel. The model number is a mouthful, but it’s been a game-changer for me.
Why Reelcraft vs. Coxreels or Hannay Reels?
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty cord reel that’ll last a lifetime, three companies stand out: Hannay Reels, Coxreels, and Reelcraft.
Let me warn you upfront, the least expensive of these heavy-duty cord reels starts at around $300, but you can easily option these up to over $1000.
That’s a lot of money for a typical home garage, even though you’re getting something that lasts a lifetime.
Hannay Reels are at the upper end of the price range. They don’t allow you to buy a reel off-the-shelf, however. They have a network of dealers to walk you through the purchase process to make sure you’re getting the right product.
That leaves Coxreels and Reelcraft. For this roundup, I looked specifically at the Coxreels EZ-PC series and the Reelcraft L4545.
Coxreels EZ-PC series vs. Reelcraft L4545
Both of these heavy-duty cord reels have a lot of similarities.
- Both have individually powder-coated components, which helps minimize corrosion from moisture seeping between the parts.
- Both are made in the USA from reinforced steel.
- Both use 12/3 gauge rated for 20 amps.
- Both single-outlet cord reels use NEMA 5-20R connectors.
However, a few things made Reelcraft stand out for me.
The Reelcraft cord is rated SJEOOW, compared to the Coxreels’ SJO rating. Although similar, the Reelcraft cable has oil-resistant insulation in addition to the oil-resistant outer jacket. It’s also water-resistant, making it more durable if it happens to get wet.
I cover the different ratings in more detail at the end of this article, but here’s an overview:
- S – Service grade (flexible)
- J – Junior service grade (voltage rating of 300V)
- E – Elastomer insulation
- TPE – Thermoplastic Elastomer
- OO – Oil-resistant insulation and outer jacket
- W – Water-resistant (suitable for outdoor use)
Why the Reelcraft Wins
Although the Reelcraft’s cord is 5′ shorter than the Coxreels, they’re both plenty long enough for most two-car garages. Assuming you mount your cord reel to the ceiling in the center of your garage, the Reelcraft’s 45-foot cable is enough to extend out of your garage and about thirty feet down your driveway.
It’s also considerably cheaper than the Coxreels. Neither is cheap, don’t get me wrong, but the Coxreels are regularly over $500.
I loved the durability and convenience of this cord reel. It’s slightly lighter than the Coxreels (27 lbs. vs. 34 lbs.), but its reinforced steel construction makes it feel like it will last a lifetime.
However, there were a few downsides.
The leader cord was a bit short, and mounting the reel wasn’t the most straightforward process. The base is almost twice the length of the Coxreels, which limits mounting options.
Although I don’t expect to have problems, the warranty for Coxreels is double the length of the Reelcraft (two years compared to one year).
Based on the specs and my initial experience, I give the Reelcraft L4545 123 3 extension cord reel a 4.5 out of 5. The craftsmanship and durability are impressive, but some minor flaws could be improved. The hefty price tag will also turn some people away.
Overall, if you want to purchase a heavy-duty cord reel and expect it to last a lifetime, the Reelcraft L4545 is the one to get. However, this might not be the best option if you don’t have an unlimited budget.
Best 12/3 Cord Reel: Flexzilla FZ8120603
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly retractable cord reel, I recommend the Flexzilla FZ8120603. It has several of the same specs as the Reelcraft but at a much lower price.
Admittedly, you’re trading price for build quality. The Flexzilla has an impact-resistant plastic housing instead of a powder-coated steel case. The mounting bracket is much smaller and thinner, so it won’t withstand as much abuse.
However, the Flexzilla FZ8120603 Pro retractable extension cord reel still has 60 feet of 12/3 cable rated at 15 amps. The cable is SJTOW, meaning it has all the same properties as the more expensive Reelcraft cord reel except for the oil-resistant insulation.
Like many other cord reels in this price bracket, the Flexzilla has a lighted 3-port outlet and a built-in circuit breaker with a reset button.
Because it’s one of the new Pro Series retractable extension cord reels, the FZ8120603 has a self-leveling system that automatically rewinds the cord as it retracts.
I loved this feature. It stops the cable from getting stuck inside the reel, forcing you to pull the cord out and start over.
