The 1980s brought us the computer age and also ushered in the power strip. Most people had a desktop computer and monitor, and maybe a printer—but add to those external drives, scanners, wireless routers, and other peripheral devices, and those two standard outlets most of us had were simply overwhelmed. Now we’ve got laptops, tablets, smart phones, and wireless Bluetooth devices—and we’re still tied to those power strips.
Today, power strips often incorporate USB ports and surge protection. We tested a broad range to determine which are the best. But first, some buying advice.
What You Need to Know About Surge Protection
The proliferation of wireless handheld devices that charge at lower voltages makes surge protection more important than ever. What most people don’t realize about surge protectors is that they wear out over time. With every voltage fluctuation they absorb, their lifespan is shortened. So, to be sure you’re getting the most protection you can, it’s a good idea to replace them every two to three years.
Power surges can occur for a number of reasons. People tend to worry most about lightning strikes, which can find their way to electrical wires and cause power spikes in the millions of volts. Most surge protectors can’t handle anything this large, so don’t rely on them during lightning storms—the best way to protect from this type of surge is to unplug your sensitive electronic equipment.
More commonly, power surges are caused during storms when power lines are downed. When the power company’s transformers and complex switching systems try to reroute power or address changing demands, it can create inconsistent power flow with dips and bursts. The other common cause for surges occur within your own home. Air conditioners, compressors, and electric ranges require a large amount of power, particularly when they start up. However, their need drops off quickly once they’re running, which can cause surges elsewhere in the house’s wiring.
The amount of protection surge protectors provide is measured in joules. A joule is a unit of energy required to do a certain amount of work. One joule is about the amount of electricity used to light a one-watt LED for one second. To adequately protect an average home entertainment system or computers and related equipment, look for surge protectors rated in thousands of joules. Always check with the manufacturer, they usually provide examples of what can be protected on their packaging.
How We Tested These Power Strips
The power strips on this list have been thoroughly vetted and evaluated by our test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience with them to determine the best options. We plugged these power strips in and tested them in kitchens, family rooms, workshops, and offices. We evaluated them based on ease of use, their features, and how they performed in various situations. We used a Sperry Instruments outlet tester to confirm circuit grounding when power strips had wiring fault indicators. If you need power strip or surge protector, chances are you’ll find one on this list to suit your needs.
EDITORS' CHOICE
APC P11GTV SurgeArrest
Outlets: 11 | USB ports: 0 | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 3,400 joules | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: 6 ft. | Plug: 90°
APC has a lot of confidence in this 11-outlet SurgeArrest, so much so that it offers a $300,000 equipment protection policy. Short of using it in a research lab to protect scientific instruments, we had a hard time coming up with a list of equipment to match that total. Multiple layers of protection will guard against power surges coming through your coaxial tv cable, telephone/DSL lines, and home’s electrical outlets. Among the power strips we tested, it has a unique power saving, “master controlled” outlet. When enabled, if the equipment plugged in to the master outlet is turned off or put in standby mode, anything plugged into the seven controlled outlets is turned off. There are LEDs to indicate protection status and building wiring faults. The six outlets are spaced nicely to accommodate large power adaptors, and all of them have sliding covers to keep out dust and debris when not in use. The heavy cord swivels 180 degrees so that it can lay flat and out of the way, no matter which way it’s oriented behind furniture. Because of the SurgeArrest’s size and features, we found it most useful for elaborate entertainment or computer equipment.
BEST FOR NARROW SPACES
360 Electrical Power Curve 6-Outlet
Outlets: 6 | USB ports: 0 | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 1,080 joules | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: 4 ft. | Plug: 90°
360 Electrical’s Power Curve is a departure from traditional, blocky power strips. This long, narrow model looks a bit sleeker, something to consider if it has to be left in plain sight. Each individual receptacle rotates, so that it can be oriented to suit larger plugs and power adapters without obscuring the ones next to it. A power switch on the end doubles as a circuit breaker. And it has large, bright LEDs that indicate surge protections status and circuit grounding, so if there has been a surge, or a ground fault, you’ll see at a glance. And if your electronics are damaged by a surge, 360 Electrical provides a $100,000 connected equipment warranty. The Power Curve is also available with five outlets and two USB ports.
MOST VERSATILE
Monoprice 8-Outlet Rotating Surge Strip
Outlets: 8 | USB ports: 0 | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 2,160 joules | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: 6 ft. | Plug: Standard
The Rotating Outlet Surge Strip packs a lot of outlets in its compact footprint, with two fixed and six that rotate 180 degrees to accommodate plugs and power adapters of different sizes. Mount the unit horizontally using the slotted holes on the back, and keep the cords in order with two, fold-out guides on the end. The illuminated power switch doubles as a circuit breaker reset, and there are two LED indicators to show surge protection status and that the circuit is properly grounded. We found the Surge Strip to be a good all-around option, with ample surge protection for sensitive electronics and flexibility for any size power adapter.
BEST FOR DESK TOPS
Bestek 8-Outlet
Outlets: 8 | USB ports: 3, 2.4-amp | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 300 joules | Circuit breaker: 13-amp | Ground fault detection: No | Cord length: 6 ft. | Plug: 90°
Bestek’s eight-outlet surge protector is versatile enough to sit on a desk or work table where plugs are frequently needed or switched out temporarily. The upright, tower configuration conveniently exposes two outlets on each side for easy access when placed in the center of a table. It has three USB ports, and the flat tower top makes a nice place to leave devices while charging. Surge protection is modest, but this is primarily a power strip to plug into when power is needed, versus a permanent power source for expensive equipment. We found it particularly handy for use on a project/craft table where we use our computers, glue guns, cordless tool chargers, and soldering irons.
BEST ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL
APC PE6RU3 SurgeArrest
Outlets: 6 | USB ports: 2, 3.4-amp | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 1,080 joules | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: 6 ft. | Plug: 90°
APC’s six-outlet SurgeArrest is ideal for use near a desk or entertainment system. It has wall mounts on the back to hang horizontally or vertically, but make sure it’s accessible, or access to the USB ports all the way at the end will be limited. The main feature of this power strip is how the six outlets swivel 180 degrees to provide ample room for large power adaptors or oversize plugs—this helps keep the unit’s footprint small. The power switch doubles as a circuit breaker reset, and when turned on, two LEDs indicate protection status and if the circuit is grounded properly. Finally, APC provides a $50,000 equipment protection policy.
BEST FOR KITCHEN USE
360 Electrical Revolve Plus
Outlets: 4 | USB ports: 2, 2.4-amp | Power switch: No | Surge protection: 918 joules | Circuit breaker: No | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: n/a | Plug: n/a
When excess cord just gets in the way and all you need is a couple of extra outlets, something like the Revolve Plus is the answer. It’s a modern twist on the outlet extender with surge protection and two handy USB ports. We found it particularly useful in the kitchen where the number of under-cabinet and connected devices—things like smart home hubs, LED lighting, and infotainment systems—have been multiplying. It has the LEDs that show surge protections status and circuit grounding, so if there’s been an electrical surge or a ground fault, you’ll know at a glance. The individual receptacles rotate so you can make room for oversized plugs or power adapters. To make sure everything stays connected to power and prevent the unit from wiggling loose, its center screw replaces the outlet’s faceplate screw.
BEST FOR COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACES
Jacklyed Power Strip Tower
Outlets: 10 | USB ports: 4, 2.1-amp | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 900 joules | Circuit breaker: 13-amp | Ground fault detection: No | Cord length: 6.5 ft. | Plug: Standard
This Jackyled is a convenient table-top power strip, useful in collaborative environments or meetings. Placed in the center of a table, it has outlets on every side, with two USB ports each on two of the sides. There’s a power switch for each layer of the tower, so you can be selective about which equipment you power off and which you leave on. The power cord for this unit retracts and winds into the base, so there’s no extra cable looped around to deal with. We especially liked the Power Strip Tower on our project table where tools and equipment frequently come and go and we have several things going on at once.
A modest amount of surge protection is provided for sensitive electronics, although we wouldn’t suggest using this as a permanent power supply for these devices.
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BEST FOR TRAVEL
Anker PowerPort Cube
Outlets: 3 | USB ports: 3, 3.6-amp | Power switch: No | Surge protection: No | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: No | Cord length: 5 ft. | Plug: Standard
The compact cube-shaped PowerPort from Anker is more of an extension cord with USB ports than it is a power strip. Its tiny size means it doesn’t take up space on a desk top and will always be close to plug/unplug things frequently used. The PowerPort comes with an adhesive pad to keep it from moving around, wherever you decide to put it—it’s super sticky, so you can even tack it on a wall. We were able to do away with multiple AC adapters thanks to this Anker. Its size also makes it ideal for travel, easily fitting in a briefcase or bag. With three outlets and three USB ports, it will power all the personal electronic devices you need for work or play.
MOST COMPLETE PROTECTION
Belkin 12-Outlet
Outlets: 12 | USB ports: 0 | Power switch: Yes | Surge protection: 3,940 joules | Circuit breaker: 15-amp | Ground fault detection: Yes | Cord length: 8 ft. | Plug: 90°
Belkin has everything covered with this 12-outlet surge protector. Connect phone/fax/DSL lines, coaxial cables for TV/cable modems, and ethernet and power cords for all your equipment to protect from surges and spikes wherever they come from. The low-profile power strip has six widely spaced outlets for large power adaptors and a clip-on cable organizer to keep cords all heading in the same direction. The slim design helps it fit under desks and behind furniture, so you can set it up and forget it—although the protection and ground wiring status lights won’t be visible in this case. Sliding covers protect unused outlets from dust and debris. Just remember they’re there, or it will be frustrating reaching behind furniture to plug something in. Finally, Belkin provides a $100,000 connected equipment warranty with this surge protector.
BEST LOOKING
Globe Electric Designer Series Power Strip
Outlets: 3 | USB ports: 2, 2.4-amp | Power switch: No | Surge protection: 300 joules | Circuit breaker: No | Ground fault detection: No | Cord length: 6 ft. | Plug: 90°
Match your power strip to your style or décor with one of 12 available colors of the Designer Series power strip. This simple model offers 300 joules of surge protection on its three outlets (so don’t use it as a permanent power source for sensitive electronics) and two USB charging ports. It’s small enough to use on a desk or table top and comes with a six-foot power cord wrapped in a braided, color matched, fabric cover—so it will look like a design decision, rather than a utilitarian object. A right-angle, low-profile plug makes it easy to sneak behind furniture situated right up against the wall. We found the Designer Power Strip most useful for plugging in laptops and wireless devices when needed. This model is also available with six outlets.
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