SURAIELEC Outdoor Outlet Box, 20 AMP Waterproof Electrical Box, 20 AMP WRTR GFCI Receptacles, Rainproof 3R Enclosure, All Metal Outlet Cover, Power Plug for Backyard, Outdoor Lighting

Why I picked up the Suraielec outdoor GFCI box

I needed a durable, lockable outdoor receptacle for a 20A patio circuit that sees a lot of rain and steady use—string lights, a small pump, and occasional power tool charging. Rather than piecing together a separate box, cover, and GFCI, I tried the Suraielec outdoor GFCI box because it arrives as a complete, ETL-listed package: a 120V, 20A WR/TR GFCI pre-mounted in a galvanized, 3R-rated steel enclosure with a gasketed in-use metal cover and multiple knockouts.

After installing and living with it through a stormy stretch, I came away impressed with the build quality, the space inside the box, and the way the in-use cover handles real plugs—not just ideal, slim ones.

Build quality and weather protection

The enclosure is all metal—galvanized steel with a uniform finish—and it feels reassuringly stout. Edges are rolled and deburred, the hinge is smooth with a positive stop, and the cover closes tightly against an included gasket. The latch has a lockable hasp that fits a small padlock or zip tie. That’s useful if you’re installing in a public-facing area or simply want to prevent “borrowed” power.

The rating here is 3R, which translates to rainproof for outdoor use. It protects against falling rain and sleet, but it’s not a washdown enclosure. If you expect direct hose spray, pressure washing, or aggressive irrigation, a NEMA 4/4X setup would be the safer spec. In typical residential exposures—under eaves, on a post, or on a fence—this box is right at home. After a few heavy rain days, I found no moisture ingress and no visible rust bloom. The cover hinge and latch still move cleanly.

Installation experience

This is a straightforward install if you’re comfortable with basic electrical work and your circuit is already run. A few things stood out:

• Knockouts on the sides, back, and bottom are easy to remove and line up well with standard 1/2-inch fittings. I used a bottom knockout with a rain-tight connector for THWN in conduit.
• There’s generous wiring space. Even with 12-gauge conductors and pigtails, I didn’t feel cramped. The cover props open and stays put, which makes terminations much less fiddly.
• The steel box bonds properly via a provided ground screw, and the GFCI’s WR/TR rating is printed and clear. Mine included a ground pigtail that made bonding clean and simple.
• Mounting is simple: two rear holes accept exterior screws into a backer or post. I added a bead of exterior-rated sealant at the top edge where it meets the siding for belt-and-suspenders weatherproofing.

A tip: lay out your conduit approach first and punch only the knockout you need. The back knockout is handy for a flush look, but in many cases a bottom entry with a drip loop and a rain-tight fitting gives the best weather performance.

The GFCI and day-to-day use

The 20A WR/TR GFCI is standard form factor with test/reset buttons and tamper-resistant shutters. It supports LINE/LOAD wiring if you want to protect downstream receptacles. On my circuit, I kept it LINE-only since it’s the last device. The screws and clamp plates accepted 12 AWG conductors easily and tightened down uniformly.

Functionally, the device trips and resets as expected. The test button trips cleanly; reset has a positive, audible click. I ran a small pump, string lights, and a shop vac at different times; no nuisance trips, and hot/wet-day operation was uneventful.

The in-use cover is the other half of the story. Depth is sufficient for typical straight plugs and many right-angle plugs. I could close and latch the cover with a 16-gauge light string and with a 14-gauge outdoor extension cord without pinching insulation. The cord pass-through is gasketed and doesn’t feel like a weak point. Very bulky wall-wart transformers or oversized smart plugs may be a squeeze—if you rely on those outdoors, measure before you commit—but for most tools and yard gear, it’s a non-issue.

Security and public use

The lockable cover isn’t a bank vault, but it’s effective against casual tampering. On a rental or shared outdoor space, being able to shut and lock the cover means you won’t discover phantom loads or unplugged devices. The metal cover also resists prying better than common plastic in-use covers.

Code and compatibility notes

A few practical checks before you buy or install:

• Circuit rating: This is a 20A receptacle. It belongs on a 20A branch circuit with 12 AWG conductors. Don’t put a 20A receptacle on a 15A circuit.
• Location: It’s 3R rainproof, not hose-proof. If it will be blasted by sprinklers or pressure washers, consider relocating, shielding, or stepping up to a 4/4X solution.
• Cable and fittings: Outdoors usually means THWN in conduit or UF-B with proper strain relief and rain-tight fittings. NM-B (Romex) is not appropriate in wet locations.
• Downstream protection: If you plan to use the LOAD terminals to protect additional outlets, label those outlets accordingly and test them after wiring.

What could be better

The kit is well thought out, but a few things are worth knowing:

• Instructions are minimal. If you’re new to GFCI line/load wiring, plan to consult a clearer guide. The device is labeled, but the pamphlet is sparse.
• The in-use cover is roomy for typical plugs, though very chunky adapters will challenge the available space.
• As with any pre-bundled kit, you’re married to the included GFCI’s feel and feature set. If you have a favorite brand of GFCI, you can swap it in—the box accepts standard devices—but that’s extra cost.

None of these were dealbreakers for me, but they’re the boundaries of the design.

Alternatives and where this fits

You can assemble a similar setup with a plastic 4X in-use cover, a separate weather-resistant GFCI, and a generic outdoor box. That route can be more hose-resistant and lets you pick every component. It’s also easy to mismatch parts, and you may spend more by the time you’ve sourced everything. The Suraielec box hits a sweet spot for price, completeness, and ease of install, especially if you specifically need a 20A outdoor receptacle with a durable, lockable cover.

If you’re looking for integrated extras—photocells, timers, Wi-Fi controls—this isn’t that. It’s a straightforward, robust receptacle in a rainproof, lockable steel enclosure.

The bottom line

The Suraielec outdoor GFCI box does what a good outdoor power point should: it protects people with a proper 20A WR/TR GFCI, protects the device with a rainproof, gasketed housing, and protects your access with a lockable cover. The all-steel build feels substantial without being cumbersome, the wiring space is generous, and the knockouts make conduit routing painless. It’s ETL listed, logically laid out, and the in-use cover handles real-world cords instead of just brochure-ready ones.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you need a 20A outdoor receptacle that’s safe, durable, and ready to mount without sourcing a pile of separate parts, this kit is a smart choice. Just match it to a 20A circuit, place it where a 3R enclosure makes sense, and plan for the few limitations of an in-use cover with very bulky adapters. For patios, posts, sheds, and jobside access, it’s a dependable, tidy solution at a fair price.