Contractor-grade extension cords are worth the extra few bucks.

Yes, they’re built tougher for daily abuse. The insulation is thicker and more flexible in cold weather, the strain relief at the plug ends is better, and the copper gauge is usually honest (12 AWG instead of 14 or 16). Standard home-use cords work okay for a lamp or a vacuum, but they won’t hold up to being walked on, dragged, or left in the sun.

That said, “lightweight” is a marketing term here. A true contractor cord is actually heavier because of the thicker jacket and wire. If you see a “lightweight contractor cord” that’s suspiciously light, it’s probably just a regular cord with a yellow jacket. Stick with a cord that lists its AWG rating and has a beefy plug.

Just buy the right gauge for the job (10 or 12 AWG for tools, 14 AWG for lights) and call it a day. Your future self won’t regret spending the extra five dollars.