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Key Points
- Our #1 best overall surge protector choice is the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip.
- It’s best to stick to a maximum load of 1,500 watts per outlet, so avoid plugging in anything that draws a large electrical current, such as an air conditioner, into your surge protector.
- When shopping for the best surge protectors, remember the following criterion: the best joule energy rating is between 1,000 to 2,000 joules
Investing in a high-quality surge protector is crucial for protecting your valuable electronic devices from power surges. While many great options are available today, some stand out above the rest. Today’s best surge protectors offer a high joule rating, multiple port types, and sleek designs that offer protection against spikes from power outages and other factors such as lightning strikes. There are many options depending on what you need, the space you have, whether you want to mount it on a wall, or take it with you on a trip.
In this article, we’ll review the best surge protectors you can buy today based on their features, price, and best use case.
- Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV 12 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, Black
- Cord length: 8 feet
- Number of outlets: 12
- Power rating: 2880 joules
- 12A circuit breaker inside
- Amazon Basics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector, Black/Green
- Cord length: 6 feet
- Power rating: 4500 joules
- Number of outlets: 8
- 15A circuit breaker (resettable) inside
- APC P11VNT3 11-Outlet Performance SurgeArrest Surge Protector
- Power rating: 3400 joules
- Number of outlets: 11
- Includes 2-way splitter for phone protection
- Features an overload indicator
- Tripp Lite 3 Outlet Portable Surge Protector Power Strip, Black
- Cord length: 18 inches
- Power rating: 1050 joules
- Number of outlets: 5 (3 AC, 2 USB)
- Warranty: Lifetime (limited), plus $25,000 insurance on any damaged electrical appliances
- Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector, White
- Cord length: 8 feet
- Power rating: 4000 joules
- Number of outlets: 12
- Warrant: 2 years (limited)
- Anker USB C Desktop Charging Station
- Cord length: 6 feet
- Number of outlets: 5 (3 AC, 2 15W USB-A, 1 45W USB-C)
- Warranty: 18 months
- Features a fire-resistant outer casing
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best Surge Protector Overall: Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip
- Cord length: 8 feet
- Number of outlets: 12
- Power rating: 2880 joules
- 12A circuit breaker inside
Our pick for the best surge protector is the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV. This 12-outlet power strip boasts protection from power surges from other devices in your home, the power company, or mother nature. You can protect everything from computers to routers, phones to lamps, while being assured that your devices are doubly protected with its auto-off feature. In addition, the Tripp Lite comes with coaxial and phone connectors, and the built-in 22GHz gold coax jacks stop surges before they can damage your modem or satellite equipment.
Finally, the Tripp Lite can double as an extension cord due to its 8-foot cord. In addition, it’s great for wall mounting as the bottom panel contains small slots. However, finding the right size screws needed to mount the surge protector to the wall can be a chore. In addition, the Tripp Lite could do with just a little more space between the outlets; otherwise, it may be hard to plug in all the devices you need.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Auto-off feature protects your devices should the strip fail. | The Tripp Lite should come with mounting screws. |
| More space is needed between the outlets to accommodate more devices. |
Best for Your Budget: Amazon Basics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector S9N801RH00A06
- Cord length: 6 feet
- Power rating: 4500 joules
- Number of outlets: 8
- 15A circuit breaker (resettable) inside
If you’re looking for a surge protector that’s under $20, this Amazon Basics S9N801RH00A06 power strip is the best choice. This powerful little protector boasts a 4500-joule energy rating to protect various devices from power surges and lightning strikes. In addition, a reassuringly bright green LED lets you know the strip protects your devices in real time against surges. Like many Amazon products, this surge protector has a user-friendly design, including wide-spaced outlets, sliding covers, a 6-foot cord, and a wall mounting option. In addition, the Amazon Basics surge protector is fireproof, which adds more protection from possibly catastrophic surges.
While this strip protector boasts many excellent features for only a little money, it does have its drawbacks. For example, the outlets themselves are made for devices with skinner plugs and they’re resistant to being used for the first time. In addition, you probably won’t be able to plug in a power brick without blocking some of the outlets.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a great joule rating and enough outlets for a low price. | Despite its wide-spread outlets, the strip will only accommodate large plugs or power bricks by blocking other outlets. |
Best for Heavy Use: APC SurgeArrest P11VNT3
- Power rating: 3400 joules
- Number of outlets: 11
- Includes 2-way splitter for phone protection
- Features an overload indicator
When you need to protect many devices in one area, the APC SurgeArrect P11VNT3 gets our pick for getting the job done. You get 11 outlets, spread out to accommodate large plugs, Ethernet ports to protect your computers, a joules rating of up to 3,030, and an eight-foot rotating power cord, making it easy to wall-mount it pretty much anywhere. Also, an indicator light lets you know the SurgeArrest surge protection is working.
Speaking of mounting the strip, some people may find the process complicated because the screw holes on one end are closer together. Another con to the APC SurgeArrest is the clamping voltage. You typically don’t want anything above 300 volts because even a small power surge can damage devices plugged into the unit. However, the SurgeArrest has a clamping voltage of 330 volts.
Despite the cons, the SurgeArrest has excellent and unique safety features due to its three LED system. The first LED will let you know if the strip can protect your device that you’ve plugged in. The second LED indicates whether the appliance is grounded. Finally, the third LED warns of any overloading issues.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The movable cord makes it easy to place it anywhere. | The light may be too bright and distracting for some users |
| The multiple LED indicators help troubleshoot electrical issues. | Higher clamping voltage power than desirable. |
Best for Portability: Tripp Lite 3 Outlet Portable Surge Protector Power Strip S9N801RH00A06
- Cord length: 18 inches
- Power rating: 1050 joules
- Number of outlets: 5 (3 AC, 2 USB)
- Warranty: Lifetime (limited), plus $25,000 insurance on any damaged electrical appliances
The Tripp Lite 3-outlet S9N801RH00A06 is perfect if you’re traveling either for work or play. While on your journeys, you’ll probably need a portable surge protector to protect your electronic devices, such as your computer or mobile devices. With three AC outlets and two USB ports, the Tripp Lite is perfect for safeguarding against surges with a 1050 joules rating. It further cuts the power when it can’t offer protection. The Tripp Lite wins a spot on our list because of all of this. In addition, it remains lightweight and portable. Not to mention that the 18-inch cord wraps neatly around the body to make it easier to pack.
For all of its portability benefits, a con to the Tripp Lite S9N801RH00A06 is that the outlets are a little cramped, meaning you may not be able to charge or protect three items at once.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The strip will automatically shut off if it can’t work to protect your devices. | The design may be too compact, making charging multiple devices with large plugs hard. |
| A circuit breaker works to keep the outlets from overloading. |
Best for Cord Management: Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector – 12 AC Multiple Outlets, Ethernet & Cable Protection BV112234-08
- Cord length: 8 feet
- Power rating: 4000 joules
- Number of outlets: 12
- Warrant: 2 years (limited)
The Belkin BV112234-08 is our choice for those areas where cord management is crucial. If you’re like many people, trying to tidy the number of cords around your devices can be a headache. Different sizes, lengths, and colors make it hard to stay organized while protecting your electronics, but this compact 12-outlet surge protector can help. Boasting Ethernet, phone, and coaxial protection, everything from your laptop to your cable box is safe from dangerous power spikes, surges, lightning strikes, and other electrical issues.
With a heavy-duty but also compact size which still keeps a lot of space between outlets, the Belkin surge protector is perfect for charger bricks needing protection in small areas.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Belkin BV112234-08 has a 4000-joule energy rating in a device that can protect almost anything and fit almost anywhere. | The clamping voltage is 500V. Anything above 300V is high. |
Best for Quick Charging: Anker USB-C Desktop Charging Station A9132121
- Cord length: 6 feet
- Number of outlets: 5 (3 AC, 2 15W USB-A, 1 45W USB-C)
- Warranty: 18 months
- Features a fire-resistant outer casing
The Anker USB C A9132121 will do the job when you need a fast, safe charge. The Anker sports a 45W USB-C port that fully charges MacBooks in as little as two hours. In addition, laptops and other devices charge more quickly than when using other surge protectors because the strip has a limited cumulative charge of 60W. Also, because the design features outlets on one side and ports on the other, organizing is easy in many spaces.
Unfortunately, the Anker USB-C offers a light 300 joules of surge protection, and the plastic may get easily scratched. However, being fire resistant and having high heat control, the security features outweigh the cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There’s plenty of space between the outlets on the Anker. | Not everyone will appreciate the fact that the outlets are on the opposite side of the USB ports. |
| The charging speed makes it perfect if you’re in a time crunch. |
How to Pick the Best Surge Protector: Step by Step
With so many good options available on the market, choosing a suitable protector can be overwhelming. However, you can select the best surge protector to suit your needs by considering a few key factors.
First and foremost, ensure that the surge protector you choose offers reliable protection against power spikes and lightning strikes. It’s also essential to check the joule energy rating, as a higher rating means more excellent protection. Most people will need to look for a surge protector with a rating between 1,000 to 2,000 joules. For heavy-duty use, opt for a surge protector with a rugged metal case with good durability.
Ultimately, your surge protector should meet your needs and provide maximum protection for your electronic devices. Considering these and other personal factors, you can select the best surge protector for your requirements.
What to Know Before Buying a Surge Protector
Before buying a surge protector, you’ll want to ensure you find the best strip that meets your specific needs. While there can be many factors you’ll consider, one of the most important is the joule energy rating. To protect everything from cell phones to power tools, look for a surge protector with a rating between 1,000 to 2,000 joules. Another consideration is the amount of wattage the surge protector can take. For example, sticking to a maximum load of 1,500 watts per outlet is best. Finally, consider how you’ll use the protector. Ask yourself if you will leave it at home or need to pack it away to take it to work or on a plane. Consider where to place it if it needs to be mounted or can sit on the floor.
Using a Surge Protector: What It’s Like
Surge protectors give you peace of mind. When it comes to protecting your valuable electronics from damage due to surges and spikes in power, nothing else does the job. For example, you can rest assured your desktop won’t suffer catastrophic power spikes and surges that can cause you to lose valuable information. Protect your work and everyday life by buying the best surge protector for your needs. Then, the next time you experience a power outage or a breaker flips unexpectedly, you’ll know your electronics and data are safe.
