A surge protector power strip is a very important device that most users often ignore. A good power strip with surge protection can save your computer and other expensive electronic equipment and devices worth thousands during a voltage surge or a short circuit. A voltage surge or spike can occur due to lightning, a grid fault, faulty wiring, or a component failure. Choosing a surge protector power strip can be challenging, as there are many options available on the market, from small to large brands. Moreover, there are many Chinese and unbranded surge protector power strips available in the market at much cheaper prices, but they do more harm than good. Also, a power strip without surge protection should be avoided, as you won’t get any benefit beyond multiple power outlets. To help you with this, I am listing the best surge protection power strips for consumer electronics.
Factors to Consider when Buying a Power Strip
Below are the most important things to consider when buying a surge protector power strip for your computer, laptop, mobile phone adapters, electronic devices, and household appliances.
Surge and Other Protections – The first and foremost thing to look for in a surge protector power strip is the surge protection value and the other types of protection it offers. The surge protection value is usually expressed in Joules (1 joule equals one watt-second). The higher the joules value or rating of a power strip, the greater its surge protection. Besides surge protection, if a power strip can provide other protections such as Overcurrent protection, Short circuit protection, Overload protection, Overvoltage protection, and temperature protection, then it would be an added advantage.
AC Power Outlets Number and Spacing – The Number of AC Outlets is one of the most important deciding factors when choosing a surge protection power strip. I would suggest getting a power strip with at least six AC Outlets for PC and Laptop use only. If you want to use more devices, including mobile phone chargers and other accessories, then go for a power strip with eight to twelve outlets or sockets. Besides the number of AC outlets, the spacing between them should also be adequate so that larger plugs and adapters fit in easily without interfering with nearby outlets.
Cord Length and LED Indicators – If your wall AC Power socket is a little farther from your computer, then cord length is an important factor when buying a power strip. I would suggest buying a power strip with at least 6 feet of cord length. A power strip with a sufficiently long cord (10 feet or more) can also be used as an extension cord. Also, the power strip should have the necessary LED indicators (protected, grounded, power, etc.) to indicate its status.
Size, Design, and Build Quality – The size and design can play a significant role in choosing a surge protector power strip, especially when you have space restrictions or portability is an important concern. Power strips are available in wider, slimmer, low-profile, or tower designs to suit users’ needs. Also, the build quality should be good, and it should not break easily if accidentally dropped from a moderate height.
Brand – Brand plays a crucial role when buying a power strip with surge protection. A surge protector power strip from a good, well-known brand will offer superior performance, safety, and protection for your electronic devices and appliances. It may cost you a bit more, but that’s nothing compared to the cost of your expensive devices and gadgets. On the other hand, a non-branded, cheap power strip can pose a safety hazard and do more harm than good. It can damage your electronic devices, appliances, or gadgets, and, in worst cases, may burn down your house.
Extra Features (Optional) – Extra features are optional and are not necessary for everyday use. Some power strips do come with additional features such as USB Ports (Type-A/Type-C), Coaxial and Phone protection, wall mounting holes, LED Light for night use, braided cord, in-built cable management, individual on/off switches for each AC Outlet, Smart AC Outlets (App and Wi-Fi controlled) and EMI/RFI Noise Filtering (EMI – Electro Magnetic Interference, RFI – Radio Frequency Interference).
Surge Protection Components in Power Strips
The most widely used surge protection component in almost all power strips is a MOV (metal-oxide varistor). It is an electronic component that acts as a voltage-dependent resistor to protect circuits from voltage spikes. Under normal voltage, it has very high resistance and acts like an open circuit, but when a voltage surge occurs, its resistance drops dramatically, clamping the voltage and diverting the excess energy to ground to prevent damage to other components. MOVs are cost-effective, available in different ratings (resistance and clamping voltage), and can handle large surges.
Other surge protection components include GDT (Gas Discharge Tube) and TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor). GDT and TVS can be used in combination with MOV in some power strips to provide additional protection, but they are not used alone because GDT has a slower response time, and TVS cannot handle higher surges, even though it has a faster response time.
Best Surge Protector Power Strips for Home and Office
Below are some of the best power strips with surge protection for workstations, gaming PCs, laptops, mobile phones, electronic devices, and household appliances.
Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector
[EMI/RFI Noise Filter, Slim Design, Great Build and Performance, UL 1440 Certified]
Belkin is one of the biggest names in mobile and computer accessories. It is a well-known, popular brand known for making high-quality consumer electronics. Here we have the Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector, one of the best surge protectors you can get for home or office use. It comes with 12 AC Outlets with ample spacing between them to fit large or oversized plugs. The power strip comes with an 8-foot cable with an angled flat plug. The power strip offers Surge protection up to 3940 joules and up to 6000V of spike voltage. It also comes with Overload Protection and an EMI/RFI Noise Filter (150KHz–100MHz, up to 75dB), which is not found in most surge protectors.
It is UL 1440-certified and features LED indicators to indicate the protection status. The surge protector’s build quality is top-notch, and it features a slim design for tight spaces in your house or office. You can also wall-mount it, as it comes with mounting holes. This surge protector is also backed by a 2-year limited warranty and protected by a 300,000 dollar Connected Equipment Warranty for your peace of mind. Overall, an excellent surge protector for your expensive electronic components and computer (PC or Laptop).
| Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector Specifications | |
| Number of AC Outlets | 12 (6 regular + 6 BlockSpace outlets) |
| Protections | Surge protection up to 3940 joules, Overload Protection |
| Cord Length | 8-foot cable with angled plug |
| USB Ports | None |
| LED Indicators | Yes (Protected, Grounded) |
| Other Features | Physical Switch, Wall Mount Holes, Slim Space Saving Design, In-built Cable Management, Flat Plug, UL 1440 certified, EMI/RFI Noise Filter: 150K Hz–100MHz, up to 75dB, 6000V Maximum Spike Voltage |
Buy Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector
Other Good Surge Protectors from Belkin
- Belkin USB Power Strip Surge Protector [12 AC Outlets, 2 USB, 3996 Joules]
- Belkin Metal Body Power Strip Surge Protector [10 outlets, 15 ft cord, 885 Joules]
Philips 9-Outlet Surge Protector with USB Charging
[USB Charging, Slim Design, Braided Cable, Widely Spaced Outlets]
A very good surge protector from Philips that comes with nine adapter-sized outlets (all grounded) to fit the bulkiest plugs or adapters without any issues. The power strip also comes with two USB ports: one standard USB Type-A port and one USB Type-C port, with a total of 15W of shared charging. The power strip offers surge protection up to 2400 joules, overload protection with an integrated circuit breaker, and an LED indicator for protection status. The surge protector has a 6-foot woven fabric cord to protect against physical damage. Other features include a physical reset switch, a flat plug, and keyholes for mounting on a wall or desk.
The surge protector is pretty slim and is backed by a limited-lifetime, no-hassle replacement plan, $250,000 connected equipment policy, and an ETL listing to ensure the highest industry standards of safety and performance.
| Philips 9-Outlet Surge Protector Specifications | |
| Number of AC Outlets | 9 |
| Protections | 2400 Joules Surge Protection, Integrated Circuit Breaker for Overload Protection |
| Cord Length | 6-foot braided cord |
| USB Ports | USB Type-A x 1, USB Type-C x 1 |
| LED Indicators | Yes (Protected) |
| Other Features | Physical Switch, Mount / Key Holes, 45-degree Flat Angled Plug |
Buy Philips 9-Outlet Surge Protector with USB Charging
GE UltraPro Adapt 12-Outlet Surge Protector
[Angular Design, Solid Build Quality, Braided Cord, Budget Friendly, Higher Surge Protection]
A high-quality surge protection power strip from General Electric (GE). It comes with 12 adapter-sized grounded outlets and offers 3540 Joules of Surge Protection. The power strip has a trapezoidal shape, which allows it to fit the bulkiest adapters with ease. It also comes with overload protection, an integrated circuit breaker, an LED indicator for protection status, and a reset switch. The surge protector has solid built quality and has a braided 6 ft heavy-duty cord.
Other features include Key Holes for Wall Mounting and a Flat Power Plug. It offers a limited-lifetime replacement plan and a $350,000 connected equipment policy. The surge protector is very competitively priced considering its build quality, safety, and protection.
| GE UltraPro Adapt 12-Outlet Surge Protector Specifications | |
| Number of AC Outlets | 12 |
| Protections | 3540 Joules Surge Protection, Overload Protection (Integrated Circuit Breaker) |
| Cord Length | 6-foot Braided |
| USB Ports | None |
| LED Indicators | Yes (Protected) |
| Other Features | Reset Switch, Key Holes for Wall Mounting, Flat Power Plug, Angled |
Buy GE UltraPro Adapt 12-Outlet Surge Protector
Another Excellent Surge Protector from GE with USB Ports
Tripp Lite TLP808B 8 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip
[EMI/RFI noise filtering, Longer Cord, Good Safety and Protection]
Tripp Lite is one of the oldest, most trusted, and most popular names in surge protector power strips. Here we have the Tripp Lite TLP808B 8 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip from Eaton. It comes with eight outlets: three transformer outlets with wide spacing for bulky adapters and five standard-spaced outlets. The power strips offer 1440 Joules of surge protection and a 15A circuit breaker for Overload Protection. Moreover, it has built-in EMI/RFI noise filtering to deliver clean power free of interference. Two LED indicators are present: one for grounded and one for protected, indicating the protection status.
The surge protector’s build quality is excellent, and it is certified to meet strict UL standards (UL 1449 4th Edition; File E89439; Series AGIP7555; Updated 03-16-2016). The power strip comes with a longer 8-foot cord and an angled, flat plug. Other features include mounting holes, outlets, and sliding safety covers. It is available in black and white color options. The power strip is protected by a Lifetime Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty and a $75,000 Ultimate Connected Equipment insurance.
| Tripp Lite TLP808B 8 Outlet Surge Protector Specifications | |
| Number of AC Outlets | 8 |
| Protections | 1440 Joules Surge Protection, 15A circuit breaker for Overload Protection |
| Cord Length | 8 foot |
| USB Ports | None |
| LED Indicators | Yes (Grounded, Protected) |
| Other Features | Sliding safety covers, UL Certified and UL Listed, Key holes for mounting, EMI/RFI noise filtering, Reset switch |
Buy Tripp Lite TLP808B 8 Outlet Surge Protector
AnnTane Power Strip Tower with Night Light
[Innovative Tower Design, USB Ports, Long Cable, Night Light]
AnnTane is a brand of NEXSMART, a Chinese manufacturer of good-quality power strips. Here is the AnnTane Power Strip Tower with Night Light, featuring 12 widely spaced AC outlets, three USB Type-A ports (5V/2.4A Max), and two USB Type-C ports (5V/3A Max). The power strip comes with 1800 joules of surge protection, overload protection, overcurrent protection, and short-circuit protection. It also features an LED night light on the top with three brightness levels (20%-50%-100%) and three color temperatures (white, mixed, warm).
The power strip comes with LED indicators for grounded and protected to let you know the safety status. Overall, it is a nice power strip with an innovative design, great for a dorm room, home, or office, and priced within the budget range. It is available in white and black colors.
| AnnTane Power Strip Tower with Night Light Specifications | |
| Number of AC Outlets | 12 |
| Protections | 1800 Joules Surge Protection, Overload Protection, Overcurrent Protection, short Circuit Protection, |
| Cord Length | 10 ft rated 1625W/10A |
| USB Ports | USB Type-A x 3 (5V/2.4A Max), USB Type-C x 2 (5V/3A Max) |
| LED Indicators | Yes (Protected, Grounded) |
| Other Features | Reset Switch, LED Night Light |
Buy AnnTane Power Strip Tower with Night Light
Low Profile 6 Outlets Power Strips with Surge Protection
Below are some of the best single-strip compact surge protector power strips for home and office use.
- Belkin 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip (1080 Joules Protection)
- Tripp Lite 6 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip (900 Joules Protection)
- APC Surge Protector Power Strip 6 Outlets (1080 Joules Protection)
- GE Surge Protector Power Strip 6 Outlets (800 Joules Protection)
Smart Surge Protector Power Strips
Below are some of the smart surge protector power strips that are Wi-Fi enabled and support Alexa or Google. These smart power strips do not require a hub, and you can schedule, control your devices from a distance, and monitor energy usage with an App.
- Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 6 Outlets (supports Alexa and Google)
- Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip 6 Outlets (supports Alexa)
- Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (supports Alexa, Google, Siri, Bixby)
Final Words
Well, there is no doubt that a surge protector power strip is a useful piece of equipment for PCs, Laptops, mobile phones, TVs, electronic devices, household appliances, etc. It protects your devices, offers multiple outlets for multiple devices, and can also serve as an extension cord. If you need help in choosing the right surge protector power strip, let me know your queries in the comments below.
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