If you own a gaming desktop or laptop, power tools, and basically any home appliance, you should invest in a surge protector. The most common causes of electrical surges in the home are incorrect wiring or overloaded outlets. External surges usually occur immediately after power is suddenly restored after a power outage.
Besides malfunctioning electrical equipment, surges can also be caused by lightning strikes near your home or into the power grid. So it’s only a matter of time before electronics are compromised.
There is a common misconception that all power strips offer surge protection for electronics, but unfortunately this is not true. In this article, we’ll explain why buying a reliable surge protector is important, and review some of the best products on the market to help protect your electronic equipment.
How to protect electronic devices from power surges?
A surge protector is a small electrical appliance that converts an AC plug into multiple sockets. However, it differs from regular extension cords as it comes with a filter that prevents power surges from affecting your electronics. It is equipped with a surge suppressor, also called a surge arrester.
This device prevents peak AC voltage from exceeding certain limits. Otherwise, the current may damage the device. This limit depends on your region. 120 volts in America and 230 volts in Europe.
There are many power surge protectors sold online and offline. You can buy it anywhere these days. However, you should know how to choose the best power surge protector to protect your expensive electronic equipment. The materials they are made from and the quality of build varies greatly from product to product. Avoid buying from nameless companies as reputable brands can guarantee the quality of their electronics.
The most important thing to look for in a surge protector is its joule rating (labeled J). This is an international unit of energy and indicates how much electricity the protector absorbs before the filter loses its effectiveness. The higher the joule count, the more filtering the device can do.
It also means it lasts longer. Most surge protectors work using metal oxide varistors (MOVs for short). These change the path of energy back to its source or ground wire. This is why you should make sure that your power outlet is equipped with a grounding terminal.
Price: $28
- Surge protection rating 3940J
- Perfect for rugged performance
- Cord length 8 feet
- 12 AC outlets
- Safety slide for each outlet
The Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector is the perfect product if you want a rugged piece of equipment to protect all your connected devices. There is also a 1-in-2-out RJ11 power bar for phone protection, ensuring continuous connectivity. The product also provides coaxial cable protection.
This Belkin surge protector has a 12 AC outlet system that allows you to connect everything you need. Charge your laptop, camera, phone and other devices all at once. It can reliably protect your devices from power spikes, overloads, short circuits and lightning strikes. Even though there are many outlets, the intervals are wide, so you can connect large plugs and chargers without waste.
Price: $18
- Surge protection rating 1080J
- wall mount
- USB smart charging function
- 6 stores
- EMI and RFI filtering
If you need an unobtrusive power surge protector, consider getting this APC Essential. No cords as it mounts directly to the wall. There are 6 outlets, more than enough for a home office or living room. The best part is that the APC Essential also has his two USB ports with 2.4 amps of charging power.
However, this APC power surge protector is on the lower end of surge protection with a range of only 1080 joules. It’s good enough for normal home devices and his PC peripherals, but don’t use it for heavy-duty equipment like medical equipment, heaters, game consoles, etc.
Price: $12.09
- 6 foot cord
- 6 outlet system
- 3-line surge protection system
- Surge protection rating 790J
- 2 USB ports
If you want a simple, very light extension cord with surge protection, consider Amazon Basics. Affordable surge protector power strip with one transformer outlet. It also has a built-in switch that allows you to turn off all electrical devices at the same time.
Two USB ports let you charge your phone or tablet without hogging an outlet. A red protected LED indicator illuminates to indicate power is on. It also comes with a 6ft long cord so you can access and connect to almost any device in the room. That said, this surge protector features 3-line protection, making it ideal for small appliances and gadgets such as cameras, phones, tablets, and lamps. A 15 amp circuit breaker is a very nice additional safety feature of this Amazon Basics surge protector.
Price: $27
- 6 outlet system
- 6 USB ports
- 6 foot cord
- 1885J surge protection rating
- 2.4A fast charging speed
The HITRENDS Power Strip is a 12-in-1 surge protector with 6 outlets and 6 USB charging ports. It sounds like a lot, but this power strip allows him to charge and connect 12 devices at once. This is perfect for an office or large family home (or for tech enthusiasts).
Multiple 3-line protection systems protect connected equipment from power surges, lightning strikes, overloads and short circuits. The USB port easily detects your device and charges at speeds up to 2.4 amps. The high quality of this surge protector is ensured by its fire-resistant PC shell and copper wire instead of aluminum.
Price: $12
- Direct plug-in design
- portable
- 3 outlet system
- Surge protection rating 660J
- very affordable
If you travel frequently and need a portable surge protector, Tripp Lite could be the solution. Its 660J rating allows you to quickly recognize power issues and protect your device. Two diagnostic LED lights, protective and grounded, indicate the power and protective status of the device.
Tripp Lite is a compact and lightweight 3-outlet surge protector with a direct plug-in design. This small power cube complies with the current UL 1449 3rd edition safety standards. You can use it to instantly transform your wall outlet into a power surge protector, but it’s not ideal for large appliances.
Price: $36
- 12 AC outlet system
- 4000J surge protection rating
- 3 USB ports
- double surge protection
- 18 months warranty
Anker is a well-respected company known for its simple yet clean design and quality items. Their power strip surge protectors offer the best quality for the money you are spending. It comes with 12 outlets, 3 USB ports, and a convenient 6-foot cable. It can power an entire workstation, home theater or entertainment center. Charging with the Anker Power Strip surge protector is fast because it uses PowerIQ technology.
Anker only uses the highest quality materials in their devices and this power strip is no exception. A thick rubber coating, fire-resistant PC case and integrated copper wires provide additional safety.
Price: $54
- 6 smart outlet system
- ETL certified surge protection
- energy monitoring
- smart app for mobile phones
- Voice control with Alexa or Cortana
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Strip is a voice-controlled surge protector that comes with its own mobile app. All six outlets are smart, and you can control them individually using Google’s assistant Alexa or Microsoft’s Cortana. Use the mobile app to group and control plugs and schedule device charging. This power surge protector is designed for smart homes.
If that wasn’t enough, this power strip also includes three USB ports for fast charging your mobile devices. And if power consumption is a concern, you can use the app to monitor the power usage of each device. You can also control and reduce power consumption by adjusting the charging speed.
Price: $41
- Easily attaches to your desk
- Surge protection rating 1080J
- 6 outlet system with 3 USB ports
- 6 foot power cord
- Auto shutoff function
With its unique design, the APC Desk Mount Power Station is a great option for keeping your workstation organized. It fits perfectly on the edge of your desk or on the wall of your cubicle. This makes it easily accessible and an ideal choice for small offices. Its surge rating isn’t all that impressive, but at 1080 joules it’s more than enough to protect all your small devices and gadgets.
The USB port is also designed with the office in mind. There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C port for charging or connecting mobile devices. Each provides 4.8 amps of charging power. This is great for charging smartphones and tablets, but not enough for laptops and PCs.
Price: $40
- high end surge protection
- Includes phone and cable ports
- 4320J surge protection rating
- Cord management clip included
- Rotating outlet for large AC adapter
The Belkin Pivotplug is a rugged surge protector. A protection rating of 4320 joules can protect almost anything from sudden power surges. The plug can be rotated upwards up to 90 degrees, allowing multiple large adapters to be plugged in at the same time without having to micromanage space. The device has 4 outlets on each side and 4 more outlets in the middle, but no USB ports.
The Belkin Pivotplug boasts 12 outlets, as well as protection for coaxial cables and phone or fax lines. There are also two indicator lights and the green light goes off when the surge arrester is exhausted. This will let you know when this device no longer protects your appliance.
Price: $32
- 6 outlet system
- 2 USB ports
- Surge protection rating 1080J
- Attractive space-saving design
- Scratch-resistant and durable base
If you’re looking for a power surge protector with a modern design that blends easily into your home or office decor, consider the Accell Power Air. Its round shape makes it easy to place on your nightstand, work desk, or kitchen counter. can.
This surge protector also has two USB ports with 2.4 amp output to quickly charge your phone or tablet. Looking at the side of the Accell Power Air there is a red 15 amp resettable circuit breaker that provides extra protection. The large round power button that controls Power Air is located top center and easily accessible even when all sockets are occupied.
No need to wait for power surges
Just because you’re not affected by a power surge doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start protecting your electronics. You never know when the next surge will come and how much damage it will do. So invest in a reliable surge protector as soon as possible to protect all your devices.
