Tronic Double 13A Socket with Switch & Neon Indicator, Ivory

Our review

This is a double 13A socket from Tronic, finished in ivory with a screwless front plate and rounded edges, so it sits fairly flush against a wall rather than drawing attention. Each of the two outlets has its own switch and a small neon light that glows while that socket is live, which is genuinely useful for appliances you leave plugged in, like a fridge, freezer, router or phone charger, since you can tell from across the room whether power is actually reaching them. The casing is polycarbonate and the mounting plate behind it is metal, which is the combination you want in a socket that will be switched on and off daily. It suits anyone replacing an old outlet in a kitchen, living room or bedroom, or adding a second point where one socket is no longer enough. Before buying, check the depth of your back box and whether your wiring is a standard 13A ring or radial circuit, since the plate and casing add a little bulk. Compare it with plain unswitched sockets and with single-outlet versions: the neon indicators and per-socket switches are the main things you are paying for here, and if you do not need them, a simpler unit will do the same job. Also compare finishes, because ivory shows less dust than gloss white but stands out more against a dark wall. If you are unsure about your circuit, have a qualified electrician fit it. Available on Sokonia.