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The Best Surge Protector Power Strips to Keep Your Work Going

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The Best Surge Protector Power Strips to Keep Your Work Going

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Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Surge Protector Power Strip

Any power strip will work to add a few extra plugs to a workspace, but it’s critical to pick one that won’t damage your electronic equipment or cause a house fire. This is where surge protector power strips come into play. Surge protector power strips offer great value for your money when it comes to protection and outlet quantity, and they also prevent damage and fires by absorbing frequent home surges of up to hundreds of volts before they reach your devices. Our detailed reviews and buying guide can help you find the top surge protector power strips of 2023 to keep things running smoothly without damaging your house or your devices, so read on to learn more.

Power strips are helpful if you have many devices that you want to plug in at once, but they don’t always come with surge protection. Keep reading to learn how to find a high-quality surge protector power strip in 2023:

Choosing the Most Efficient Surge Protector Power Strip

You’ll have to consider the following things before you can find the most efficient surge protector power strip for your office or home:

Joules

The joules rating indicates how much energy a surge protector power strip can withstand before it fails. This may be the most significant consideration when selecting one of these devices — the higher the number, the better the protection.  Anything up to 1,000 joules is fine for small gadgets like clocks or lamps. Power tools, routers, and printers require a joule rating of 1,000 to 2,000, but computers, televisions, and other heavy devices require a rating of 2,000 joules or more.

Response time

Surges aren’t instantaneous — they can take a few nanoseconds to occur. The response time of your surge protector power strip indicates how many nanoseconds it will take for it to activate, and you want something with a response time of less than one millisecond.

Clamping voltage

The clamping voltage (also known as suppressed voltage or peak let-through) is the voltage at which the surge protector power strip begins to protect your equipment. In contrast to joules, a lower number is preferred when it comes to clamping voltage.

UL standards

UL 1449 Voltage Protection Rating (VPR) is a safety standard developed by Underwriters Laboratories. This is the maximum amount of total voltage that your surge protector power strip will allow to pass through to any connected devices. The lower the number, the better your degree of security.

Outlets

When you have eight gadgets to hook up, you don’t want to have to continuously plug and unplug devices into a surge protector power strip with four outlets. It’s usually a good idea to pick up a strip with a greater number of outlets than the one you’re currently using — a six-outlet surge protector is great for the house, while a 12-outlet strip is ideal for the office. You might even consider a power strip tower if you’re low on space.

Cord length

Your surge protector power strip won’t be of much use to you if it can’t reach the wall socket, and using an extension cord frequently breaks the warranty and is a dangerous alternative. Go for a surge protector power strip with a long power cable, as you never know when you’ll need to connect equipment to a faraway wall.

Safety Tips for Surge Protector Power Strips

  1. Do not use them for high-power appliances, as this increases the chances of burnout
  2. Don’t link numerous power strips together to increase the number of outlets available. An extension cord can, however, be temporarily plugged into a surge protector power strip
  3. Price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. Make sure that a surge protector power strip is right for your needs and certified before you buy it
  4. Never use extension cables or power strips in restrooms or on kitchen counters
  5. Consider hiring an electrician to install more outlets if you’re always using power strips or extension cords throughout your home

01 Yintar Surge Protector Power Strip

The Yintar Surge Protector Power Strip has six  AC outlets (one of which is widely spaced), and three USB ports. It also features a surge protector indicator and a 10A overload protector switch to safeguard both you and your devices against spikes in electricity. This surge protector power strip can be used with circuits ranging from 120 to 240 volts, and its quick response time offers you instant charging when you plug in. 

This surge protector power strip’s cord is flexible and easy to organize thanks to reusable cable ties. Because of its rear mounting hole, this power strip can be safely mounted on the wall, floor, or pretty much anywhere else, offering you more freedom in how you use it. This surge protector power strip comes with a 30-day return and 12-month replacement period, and it’s our top choice thanks to its safe, user-friendly design.

Pros

  • Includes various plugs and ports
  • Well-spaced power outlets
  • Long, flexible cord 
  • Comes with cord organizer ties

Cons

  • Rear mounting hole is upside down
Yintar Surge Protector Power Strip

02 KMC Surge Protector Power Strip

The KMC Surge Protector Power Strip has a 900-joule energy rating to make sure that all your electronic devices are fully protected, no matter how much electricity is flowing through them (up to 900 joules, that is). With your purchase, you’ll receive a pack of two strips, each strip containing six outlets and a four-foot American Wire Gauge (AWG) power cord.  

This surge protector power strip is ETL-certified (Electrical Testing Laboratories) and features an illuminated power switch with a 15-amp circuit breaker to let you know that your devices are protected from power surges or any other electrical accidents. This strip is made from flame-resistant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material that can withstand temperatures of over 1,500°F, and it even has a couple of mounting holes on the back that you can use to fix this surge protector power strip around the house.

Pros

  • ETL-certified for added peace of mind
  • Illuminated switch identifies when it’s working
  • High-quality, flame-resistant build 
  • Convenient cord length

Cons

  • Faulty On/Off switch
KMC Surge Protector Power Strip

03 Superdanny 4-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

There’s just something about Rubik’s cube structured portable power strips that attract almost everyone. The Superdanny 4-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip has capitalized on that attraction beautifully by revealing their 4-outlet option that contains 4 AC power sockets that provide a constant 10-ampere current and offers universal voltages from 110 to 240 volts.

The sockets are also pretty widely spaced because of their cube-like structure. But its key feature has to be the additional smart charging USB ports that, like the AC ports, are sufficiently spaced to give room to larger devices. Last but not the least, the device is wall mountable using the two mountable keyhole slots at the back.

Pros

  • Has a 5-foot-long extension cord
  • Additional four smart charging USB ports
  • Automatic shutoff feature for added protection
  • Rubik cube design for amazing portability

Cons

  • Smart charging doesn't work on all devices
Superdanny 4-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

04 Nuetsa Surge Protector Power Strip

The Nuetsa Surge Protector Power Strip has eight AC outlets and four USB ports, one of which is a USB-C outlet. It comes with a six-foot power cord and offers 2,700 joules of surge protection, and each of its USB ports is designed to provide your devices with fast, smart charging.

This surge protector power strip’s charging ports are compatible with a majority of USB devices, and the strip itself is UL (Underwriter Laboratories) and ETL-certified, so you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a safe, reliable product. While it’s working, this surge protector power strip won’t overheat or grow hot to the touch, and it’s fire-resistant up to 1,382°F.

Pros

  • ffers overheating and fire protection
  • Various power and USB outlets
  • High surge protection — 2,700 joules
  • ETL and UL-certified

Cons

  • USB-C port can be wiggly
Nuetsa Surge Protector Power Strip

05 Powlight Surge Protector Power Strip

There are 12 outlets and four USB ports on the Powlight Surge Protector Power Strip to offer you maximum use. It features a surge protector indicator and a 15-amp overload protector switch to defend against surges, and its eight-foot power cord is flexible, which can make wire organization just a little easier.

This surge protector power strip has a hole on the back for mounting it to various surfaces, and it can absorb a minimum of 2,100 joules of energy to reliably safeguard your devices. It’s ETL and UL-certified, and its current protection switch helps prevent the device from overheating. Speaking of getting hot, this surge protector power strip’s polycarbonate exterior is tough and can withstand temperatures and flames of up to 1,382°F.

Pros

  • Many power/charging options included
  • ETL and UL-certified
  • Durable, flame-resistant design
  • Flexible, eight-foot power cord

Cons

  • May wear down quickly
Powlight Surge Protector Power Strip

06 Belkin Surge Protector Power Strip

The Belkin Surge Protector Power Strip includes 12 AC outlets and a surge protector for safe charging. It features phone line and fax protection to make sure that you’ll always be able to be reached while using this strip, and its durable shell helps keep you, your devices, and the surge protector power strip itself safe from overheating, fires, accidental damage, and rust.

This surge protector power strip has an energy rating of 3,940 joules, making it a solid, heavy-duty option for devices like printers, modems, and entertainment systems. Its power cord is eight feet long and features a three-prong angle plug, and the 12 widely spaced outlets themselves feature sliding locks that can be used to keep you and your children safe around it.

Pros

  • Features 12 outlets with convenient spacing
  • Long cord with angled plug
  • Impressive fire and heat protection
  • Great choice for offices

Cons

  • Sometimes arrives dead
Belkin Surge Protector Power Strip

People Also Asked

How long do surge protector power strips last?

Surge protector power strips aren’t a permanent solution, and according to most estimates, they last about three to five years. If your home experiences frequent blackouts, you should consider replacing your surge protector power strips every two years.

Do surge protector power strips catch fire?

Surge protector power strips can be a fire hazard. Improper use and overloading are the most frequent causes of fires from extension cords, power strips, power taps, and surge protectors, especially when cords have numerous outlets, like power strips and surge protectors do.

How can you prevent power strips from tripping?

To prevent surge protector power strips from tripping, you have to make sure that you don’t overload the fuse board.

Denise McNamara

Jul 22, 2022

85 Articles Published

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