A lump of modelling clay sat inside the Apple-branded charger, a crude attempt to give it a weighty feel. But when Which? researchers plugged the £11.99 device bought from eBay into an electrical strength test, they heard arcing sounds within 10 seconds – a sign that a current was jumping between parts of the circuit, risking fire, explosion or electric shock.
The consumer watchdog purchased 15 USB phone chargers from seven online marketplaces and found that nine were so badly manufactured they posed an immediate risk of electrocution. Eight of those also presented significant fire and explosion hazards. Crucially, all 15 lacked essential safety markings on their packaging, the device or accompanying documentation, making their sale in the UK illegal.
“Which? found nine of 15 phone chargers from Amazon, eBay and B&Q posed electric shock risks, including a fake Apple charger with modelling clay.”
Among the most alarming finds was the fake Apple USB‑C 35W Power Adaptor. Inside its casing, researchers discovered a lump of modelling clay – thought to be an attempt to make the charger feel more robust. One customer who had bought the product posted on the listing to say it had overloaded and ruined their iPad and phone, both of which stopped charging.
Two unbranded chargers from eBay sellers costing £2.10 and £2.80 also posed risks of fire, explosion and electrocution. A USB‑C charger sold for £6.99 on Amazon’s ultra‑cheap platform Amazon Haul failed electrical safety tests and was found to be a shock and fire risk. The 2‑1 Super Fast Charger (£10.99) from a seller on B&Q Marketplace failed safety tests and had the potential to explode, cause a fire or give users an electric shock.
A Dual Port 35W charger for £9.99 from Debenhams’ marketplace failed all of Which?’s electrical safety tests and was also weighted with modelling clay. Two chargers bought from sellers on AliExpress for £1.30 and £5.69 had parts of their electrical circuitry too close together, which could cause an explosion, fire or electric shock. Meanwhile, chargers from Temu and Shein passed Which?’s safety tests but were missing required markings.
Which? first exposed the danger of counterfeit chargers seven years ago, and is now calling on the government to urgently use new powers to impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces to ensure the safety of products sold by third‑party sellers.
“Badly designed electricals like these can have life‑altering – even fatal – consequences,” said Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer protection policy. “Online marketplaces have known about the danger of knock‑off chargers for the better part of a decade, but consumers continue to be placed at risk. The government must urgently use the new powers it has under the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces.”