The Best Surge Protectors for Protecting Your Electronics

Best Overall

APC Performance SurgeArrest P11VNT3

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For premium electronics like your TV, computer, and other multimedia equipment, APC's Performance SurgeArrest P11VNT3 is as dependable as they get. Its UL listing indicates it meets high safety testing standards, and a 3020-joule rating means it can absorb a whole lot of surge energy in its lifetime before it fails. A fail-safe feature also cuts off all power to your electronics after protection runs out, ensuring that no additional surges damage them after that point.

APC offers a variety of similar models with comparable protection, but a defining element of the P11VNT3 is its extra ports. In addition to 11 standard three-prong outlets (with safety shutters), you'll find ports to plug in a coaxial cable, telephone, and Ethernet line, with cables included to complete each connection.

Unfortunately, the downside to protecting your Ethernet connection through the P11VNT3 is that it limits your speed to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), even if you have a Gigabit internet network, which can be up to ten times faster than 100 Mbps. One hundred Mbps is plenty for basic web surfing, for example, but makes it tough to stream high-resolution video on multiple devices.

The P11VNT3 also lacks USB ports for device charging, a feature you can find on other surge protectors. However, if you're looking for a model to place on the floor behind an entertainment center or workstation, the product's bulky size makes it an excellent option for this use case.

Price at time of publish: $57

_{Surge Energy: 3020 joules | Number of Outlets: 11 | USB Ports: 0 | Cord Length: 8 feet | Dimensions: 11.89 x 4.69 x 1.57 inches}

Best for Large Adapters

Belkin Pivot Plug Surge Protector BP112230-08

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If you're plugging several devices with bulky power adapters into a single surge protector, even a large number of outlets won't help if they're packed too tightly for your plugs to fit next to each other. Belkin's solution with the Pivot-Plug Surge Protector BP112230-08 comes in the form of four outlets on either side that pivot outward up to 90 degrees, depending on how much space you need in order to squeeze your adapters in.

Add these to the four stationary outlets down the center, and you can plug in and protect up to 12 devices—plus a coaxial cable and phone/fax line. However, if features like USB ports for charging other devices and automatic shut-off are priorities for you, this large unit lacks those.

Importantly, the UL-listed BP112230-08 can reliably safeguard all the electronics you entrust to it. Rated at 4320 joules, it can withstand more surges than nearly any other comparable product. Once it exhausts that protection, power will continue to flow through, but a green indicator light will turn off to let you know it's no longer protecting your equipment. If a surge does damage your plugged-in property, Belkin offers a generous warranty of up to $300,000, but meeting the specific conditions to redeem that amount won't be easy.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Surge Energy: 4320 joules | Number of Outlets: 12 | USB Ports: 0 | Cord Length: 8 feet | Dimensions: 12.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches}

Best Budget

Philips 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

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You can find plenty of low-cost surge protection options in stores and online, as long as you're willing to take on the risk of the reduced protection you pay for. The big-name electronics company Philips makes a 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip that provides impressive protective features for its budget-friendly price.

The device is ETL listed, so it's certified by one of the nation's primary safety testing labs. Its 720-joule rating is enough for smaller, lower-value appliances, but it represents a lower end of surge protection that you might not want to risk with many big-ticket appliances. One important function it does include that competitors often don't is automatic shutdown. That means this surge protector won't keep your electronics running unprotected if it wears out without you noticing.

This model's main marketed feature is its braided power cord, and it indeed feels sturdy and resistant to twists and tangles. If the 4-foot cord length of the base model seems too short for your space, this model is available with 6- and 10-foot cable versions.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Surge Energy: 720 joules | Number of Outlets: 6 | USB Ports: 0 | Cord Length: 4/6/10 feet | Dimensions: 11.8 x 4.65 x 1.55 inches}

Best Whole-House

EATON CHSPT2ULTRA Ultimate Surge Protection Power Strip

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If you’re a homeowner with electrical experience, you may feel equipped to install a Type 2 whole-home surge protective device at your electrical service panel. In that case, the Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA is an option that's popular, effective, and relatively manageable to set up.

The device has a durable enclosure that meets standards for indoor or outdoor use and universal installation on the side of essentially any type of panel (provided you have a dedicated 50-amp double-pole circuit breaker available). As one measure of its protective capabilities, the CHSPT2ULTRA can handle a maximum single surge current of 108,000 amps. In comparison, a typical lightning flash might carry a current of 30,000 amps, so a good Type 2 SPD will often cover at least this figure.

One important thing to note is that whole-home SPDs offer protection for your entire residence by connecting directly to your electrical system. However, their installation is generally best left to a professional electrician.

Price at time of publish: $150

_{Surge Energy: 108,000 amps | Number of Outlets: Not applicable | USB Ports: Not applicable | Cord Length: Not applicable | Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 2.5 inches}

Best Smart

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300

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The Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 from TP-Link's Kasa Smart brand has six outlets and three USB charging ports that you can control wirelessly when you connect the device to your home Wi-Fi network. Once connected to the internet, you can operate the HS300 with the Kasa Smart mobile app or voice commands through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana. You can turn connected devices in each outlet on and off independently or group them together or with other smart products.

What differentiates the HS300 from plain smart power strips/outlets is its surge protection, which is ETL certified for safe and dependable performance. Its 1710 joules of energy absorption is decent, as is a voltage protection rating (VPR) that indicates it can bring surges down to 500 volts. (Premium surge protectors usually have a 330-volt or 400-volt rating.) Overall, its surge performance is middling; if strong surge protection is your priority, a dedicated "non-smart" alternative may be the better investment.

Like many other Kasa Smart products, the HS300 also provides real-time energy monitoring. This feature lets you track which of your devices use the most power and when so you can adjust your usage accordingly.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Surge Energy: 1710 joules | Number of Outlets: 6 | USB Ports: 3 | Cord Length: 3 feet | Dimensions: 14.17 x 2.49 x 1.48 inches}

Best with USB Ports

Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule

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The Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule (also known as the Anker 623 Power Strip) offers a convenient combo of USB-C charging with surge protection in a more compact and clean-looking design than the traditional floor power strip.

On its front face are two full-size USB-A ports that deliver 15 watts of power each. One modern-device-friendly USB-C port supports up to 45 watts, allowing it to charge laptops in addition to smartphones and tablets. This port is also compatible with a variety of fast-charging technologies to quickly power up just about any device.

Tucked away out of sight on the back are three traditional AC outlets covered by the device's surge protection. Unfortunately, that level of protection amounts to only 300 joules, and a large surge could let enough voltage through to damage your electronics. For that reason, the PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule best serves primarily as a charging hub with some bonus electrical security rather than as full-time protection for important equipment.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Surge Energy: 300 joules | Number of Outlets: 3 | USB Ports: 3 | Cord Length: 6 feet | Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.1 x 2.8 inches}

Best Heavy-Duty

Tripp Lite ISOBAR8ULTRA 8-Outlet Surge Protector

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The Premium Isobar line of surge protectors from Tripp Lite doesn't look fancy, but they could be an ideal fit in any office, home workstation, or another setting where keeping equipment functioning is a top priority. On the outside, the ISOBAR8ULTRA has eight outlets, a lighted power switch, three LED indicator lights, and a 12-foot power cord with a sturdy, all-metal casing that guards the high-performance components on the inside.

The ISOBAR8ULTRA's UL-certified, network-grade surge protection includes an impressive 3840 joules of suppression for its lifetime, along with a maximum surge current rating of 97,000 amps reflecting its ability to handle large spikes. Additionally, the outlet arrangement uses what's called isolated noise filter banks, designed to help eliminate electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference and deliver cleaner audio and video from the equipment you plug in.

This level of performance, along with its higher cost, might be more than what average consumers need. However, this Tripp Life model offers valuable peace of mind when you have crucial systems or equipment you can't afford to lose.

Price at time of publish: $124

_{Surge Energy: 3840 joules | Number of Outlets: 8 | USB Ports: 0 | Cord Length: 12 feet | Dimensions: 8.87 x 3.5 x 2.19 inches}

Best Design

JACKYLED Power Strip Tower

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While most surge protectors sit out of sight on the floor by design, the JACKYLED Power Strip Tower stands almost a foot tall, catching the eye with its unique profile and decor-friendly color schemes, including options resembling walnut wood.

The rotating three-level tower (taller and shorter versions are available) has ten widely spaced outlets and four 2.1A USB ports, with an independent on/off switch for each layer. You’ll find a carrying handle built into the top, and the power cord is retractable, so only the length you need is visible. The design considerations combine to make the device ideal for nightstands, coffee tables, and desktops. This tower could also be ideal for shared workstations, giving users easy access to outlets while protecting their equipment from electrical issues like overload, short circuits, and surges.

While the Power Strip Tower could be a welcome addition to many work or common spaces for less high-priority devices, it lacks automatic shut-off and offers a surge absorption lifespan of only 900 joules. You can find better long-term solutions for your more premium fixtures.

Price at time of publish: $37

_{Surge Energy: 900 joules | Number of Outlets: 10 | USB Ports: 4 | Cord Length: 6.5 feet (retractable) | Dimensions: 11.3 x 5.67 x 5.67 inches}

Best Outdoor

POWRUI Outdoor Smart Plug

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The POWRUI Outdoor Smart Plug offers multiple benefits for your outdoor electronics rolled into one device. The first is simply providing four outlets when most products of its type often supply only two. Each outlet has its own short extender cable, which helps make up slightly for the device's tiny main power cord. The outlets additionally offer a decent 1080 joules of ETL-certified surge protection, giving you more security than a basic unprotected outdoor power strip or timer typically would.

The plug also serves as more than a simple outdoor timer, thanks to the smart features that kick in if you connect the device to your Wi-Fi network. You can use the free mobile app to set timers and schedules or control the outlets remotely, and it supports voice commands from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The features work well with holiday lights or other decorative lighting that you want to kick on by themselves or that you want to control without stepping outside.

Finally, the POWRUI Outdoor Smart Plug has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP44 to attest to its weather resistance—specifically, protection against water splashes coming from any direction and objects over 1 millimeter, like wires and screws.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Surge Energy: 1080 joules | Number of Outlets: 4 | USB Ports: 0 | Cord Length: 6 inches | Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches}