All 13 “energy-saving” devices fail charity’s safety tests

Thirteen plug-in devices sold with claims that they could cut electricity bills all failed basic safety tests, according to Electrical Safety First. The charity bought them through AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop. It says none contained components capable of producing the promised savings. Most had little more than a circuit board powering a light.

What the tests found

The charity reports that two devices exploded during short-circuit testing at a specialist laboratory. It also found unsuitable plug pins and inadequate protection against faults. These are laboratory findings about the sampled products, not reports of fires in Welsh homes. The warning is relevant to households considering these products as a way to reduce bills. It should not be read as a finding about every electrical item sold through the three marketplaces.

The marketplaces’ responses

In responses published with the investigation, Amazon and TikTok said the flagged products had been removed. TikTok also said it had sent safety guidance to customers. AliExpress said it removed five listings and was contacting affected customers about a recall. The investigation and the companies’ responses are linked below.