While a surge protector is unlikely to be the most exciting purchase you make for your gaming PC setup, it very well may be one of the most important. It’s not going to improve overall performance nor is it likely to be seen by anyone other than yourself. However, it can prevent the loss of a whole lot of sensitive components and data.
Surge protectors come in a variety of forms including a power strip, stand-alone unit, or a wall outlet. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for a surge protector and, fortunately, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of options available. What you do want to find is a power strip that can handle the power requirements usually found on a gaming PC.
With that in mind, let’s jump right into the 6 best surge protectors for a gaming PC you can purchase today.
- #1 Best Overall: Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector
- Best Runner-Up: APC Surge Protector
- Best Value: Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
- Best for Large Plugs: Anker Power Strip Surge Protector
- Best Guarantee: CyberPower EC650LCD
- Best Basic: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip
#1 Best Overall: Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector
- 8 foot cord
- Right-angle plug
- Tel/Modem/Coax/Ethernet protection
- $250,000 insurance
- Black
Widely regarded as the best surge protector around, the Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector is the best option for protecting your gaming PC.
When it comes to protecting valuable equipment, Tripp Lite and its 12 outlet surge protector help set the bar for defending gaming PCs of all shapes and sizes against damaging power surges. To do this, the Tripp Lite offers a 2880-joule rating, which is more than good enough to help offset any power surge that would do damage with a lesser surge protector.
Available for both the home and office, there are 12 total protected outlets with the Tripp Lite 12, all of which are connected to a wall outlet courtesy of an 8-foot AC cord.
Within the body of the surge protector itself, there are resettable circuit breakers to help protect against any potential electric overload. The good news is that these protective elements are not just for computers either, but they support Ethernet, phone, and cable/satellite lines as well.
Should any damage take place from a surge while connected to the Tripp Lite, the company promises to replace any connected equipment and the surge protector as well.
Check out the Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong joule rating | No USB charger |
| Commitment to protecting equipment up to $150,000 in value |
Best Runner-Up: APC Surge Protector
- Phone, network, Ethernet, and coaxial protection
- 3,020 Joules
- 11 outlet
- Black
A close runner-up to the Tripp Lite, the APC Surge Protector is another stand-out option that receives strong praise from online forums and Amazon reviews.
APC has long been a strong name in the surge protector space, so seeing this model on any list of the best surge protectors for gaming PCs is a no-brainer. Right from the start it stands out with a strong 3,020 Joule surge protection rating.
Throughout 11 total power surge protector outlets — 6 of which are held for larger computer-sized adapters — the APC is a solidly built unit that feels like it will protect your PC against anything. On top of PC protection, there is also data line protection for your phone and modem as well as Ethernet and a coaxial cable.
The 8-foot cord offers 180-degree rotation and a right-angle plug for fitting the APC into even the tightest of corners. Regardless of where you plug the APC in, you get a lifetime warranty and up to $100,000 dollars of equipment protection.
You can find the APC Surge Protector on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile cord for fitting into any outlet area | A higher joule rating would be better |
| Lifetime warranty and equipment protection |
Best Value: Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
- 12 AC multiple outlets
- 8-foot-long cord
- Flat plug
- Heavy duty
- For home, office, travel, computer, laptop, and phone charging
- 3,940 Joules
Sometimes, you just want a good value with your surge protector, and that is why the Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector is such an easy-to-recommend option.
Belkin is one of the biggest names in the electronics peripherals industry and that helps make the Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector such a great value.
Right away, you are introduced to 12 total AC outlets that offer protection not just for your gaming PC, but also for a phone, camera, and other electronic devices. Keeping everything plugged into the Belkin protected is a 3,940 Joule rating, which is a strong number to help prevent electric overload.
Best of all, the widely spaced outlets on the Belkin make it easy to plug in the larger plugs or charger bricks that still come with many gaming PC computers. Each plug offers a 3-prong angle for working with every gaming PC around. Regardless of what is plugged into each outlet, Belkin offers a $2,500 connected equipment warranty to offer a little peace of mind against potential damage.
Check out the Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Total of 12 AC outlets | Limited equipment protection coverage |
| Strong Joule rating | No USB ports |
Best for Large Plugs: Anker Power Strip Surge Protector
- 12 outlets
- 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C port for multiple devices
- 5-foot extension cord
- 20W
- For home, office, dorms
- TUV listed
- 2,100 Joules
Another highly regarded name in electronics manufacturing, the Anker Power Strip Surge Protector is a great option for large plugs.
Offering a total of 12 outlets in all, the Anker Power Strip Surge Protector has a terrific layout with extra space between each outlet. With the extra space available, the Anker is ready to accommodate even the largest plug and brick you can find in a gaming PC.
With a total of 2,100 Joules, the Anker offers more than enough protection to ensure against 8 different safety concerns. Anker promises a build quality that is ready to protect against not just surge protection but also protects against fires, electrical overload, temperature issues, and more.
Along with the 12 AC outlets, there is also one USB-C port that can charge an iPhone 13/14 from 0-50% in 30 minutes. The 2 USB-A ports work with the rest of your devices, making the Anker Power Strip a one-stop shop for your entire gaming desk setup. Plus, Anker offers an 18-month warranty on its equipment and a $200,000 connected equipment warranty.
Find the Anker Power Strip Surge Protector on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plenty of spacing for large plugs | Limited warranty |
| 8-point safety system to protect your equipment | Only one USB-C port |
Best Guarantee: CyberPower EC650LCD
- 650VA/390W
- 8 outlets
- ECO Mode
- Compact uninterruptible power supply
When it comes to a strong guarantee in the form of a lengthy warranty, the CyberPower EC650LCD is a surge protector well worth purchasing.
Like many names on this list, CyberPower is a name that quickly resonates with the gaming PC community and for all the right reasons. Where this unit really stands out is with its 3-year warranty and $100,000 connected equipment guarantee, which should be more than enough to replace any appliances or electronics should damage occur.
To keep an eye on everything, you have a multifunction LCD panel that provides you with detailed information on the power levels all of your electronics are putting out. However, the CyberPower EC650LCD will also move into its ECO MODE when it detects a computer is off or sleeping in an effort to reduce power usage.
In total, CyberPower offers 4 battery-protected outlets, 3 ECO mode outlets, and 1 surge-protected outlet. The battery-protected outlets offer a few extra minutes of battery life in the event of a power surge so you can properly save what you are working on and power off your computer.
You can see the CyberPower EC650LCD on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great protection against power loss and power surges | Bulky size |
| Big guarantees from the manufacturer | Pricey compared to the competition |
Best Basic: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip
- Includes 6 individually controlled smart outlets
- 3 USB ports
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- No hub needed
- 125 Volts
- 3-prong plug
If simple and basic are all you need from a surge protector, the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip is exactly what you need.
Offering surge protection on all 6 of its individually controlled smart outlets, the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip also includes 3 USB ports. Each outlet offers individual surge protection to help shield all of your sensitive electronics against surges that can occur during a bad storm or other dangerous activities.
The Kasa shines with its minimal look and thin frame that helps it fit just about anywhere under a desk, whether in a home or office.
Along with its minimalism, the Kasa also works with its downloadable smartphone app so you can power up your devices remotely. It also works great for plugging in holiday lights, so you can turn them on and off with the tap of a button on your phone. Better yet, the app will also tell you if any device is suddenly using too much power so you can turn it off or put it to sleep to save on energy costs.
Last not but least, the smart functionality built into the Kasa also works with voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant.
Check out the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smart functionality through a downloadable app | Only 6 total outlets |
| Minimal design | Only available in white |
©wk1003mike/Shutterstock.com
What to Know Before Buying a Surge Protector
It’s important to know that before you buy any surge protector from this list they are not foolproof solutions to power surges. Nothing, no power surge protector, no matter the cost, can 100% guarantee your devices will be safe in the event of a storm causing a power surge or some other electrical trouble in your home.
As long as you have this knowledge, you should absolutely move forward with a surge protector purchase if it meets a few important considerations.
The first and most important is to ensure that you buy one with more AC outlets than you might need. You should always aim for more than the number of outlets you might need for your gaming PC setup, just in case you want to add more peripherals down the line.
Additionally, you should also be aware of what the maximum surge protection is of any surge protector before you purchase. This is usually described as joules or watts. Ideally, you will have at least 2,000 joules or at least 1,500 watts. The higher the number the better, but at this minimum consideration, you can rest assured that your devices will be well protected in the event of a surge.
Using a Surge Protector: What It’s Like
Realistically, using a surge protector should be a mandatory consideration when purchasing a gaming PC. Whether or not you need one with a battery backup is a little more subjective but, at the very least, you want to give your devices as much protection as possible and that means you should purchase one of the 6 surge protectors on this list.
Since all it takes is one incident to cause harm to your expensive gaming PC, it’s a worthwhile investment to own one of these surge protectors, and rest assured that you have protection.
Best of all, using one is incredibly simple as all you have to do is plug in your electronics. There is no software required unless you want to use the smart features of the Kasa Smart Plug. However, most surge protectors are very much just plug-and-go.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©karen roach/Shutterstock.com.
