A surge protector is a necessity these days if you want to keep your devices safe. A power surge can happen at any time, which may cause you to lose data, or worse, reduce your electronics to a pile of rubbish. There are a lot of surge protectors out there though, so how do you know what to buy? Fortunately, we’re here to help you out by pointing at the different features to consider, as well as making recommendations on the best surge protectors for specific purposes. Read on to make a decision on which one to get, but you need to hurry because stocks for any of these options may run out at any moment.
The best surge protectors
- The best surge protector overall:
- The best surge protector for sensitive equipment:
- The best surge protector for a single device:
- The best surge protector for multiple devices:
- The best surge protector for tight spaces:
- The best surge protector for an Apple ecosystem:
How to choose a surge protector
There are different brands and models of surge protectors, each with their own features and across a wide range of prices. First and foremost, you’re going to have to stick to trusted brands and well-reviewed products — we’ll be dealing with electricity here, so beyond protecting your devices, you should make sure that you or your loved ones won’t get harmed by substandard surge protectors.
Among the other factors to consider in choosing a surge protector include smart home capabilities that are compatible with your preferred platform, the number of outlets depending on how many devices you’re planning to use them with, and how much space you’ve got where you’re planning to place it. You may also want to go for higher energy ratings for more protection, for your peace of mind especially in areas where you experience a lot of power surges.
How we chose these surge protectors
We selected these surge protectors with value for money in mind — we looked for the perfect balance of price and performance so that you can maximize your hard-earned cash. There’s an overwhelming number of options out there, but we can confidently say that our recommendations are the top choices for you to consider. However, the popularity of these surge protectors also means that there’s a chance that stocks sometimes get depleted, so you’re going to want to choose what you want to buy and proceed with the transaction quickly.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip
| Pros | Cons |
| Six smart outlets | Length takes up some space |
| Three USB ports | |
| Works with digital assistants | |
| Energy monitoring |
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip is our overall top choice among surge protectors because it’s perfect for your computer, TVs, and other types of appliances in your home theater setup. It features six smart outlets that you can remotely control through the Kasa Smart app, and they also work with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana. There are also three built-in USB ports in the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip, and it also offers energy monitoring so you can check how much power each of your devices consume while plugged in.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 6 |
| USB ports | 3 |
| Maximum energy rating | 1,875 joules |
Belkin 12-Outlet Advanced Power Strip
| Pros | Cons |
| High maximum energy rating | No USB ports |
| 12 outlets | |
| Ethernet, coaxial, and telephone cable connections |
Sensitive and expensive home theater equipment — such as stereo systems and video game consoles — that need extra surge protection should be plugged into the Belkin 12-Outlet Advanced Power Strip. The surge protector will keep your high-end devices protected while maintaining clear picture and sound. In addition to 12 outlets, the Belkin 12-Outlet Advanced Power Strip supports Ethernet, coaxial, and telephone cable connections to provide surge protection to more types of devices.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 12 |
| USB ports | 0 |
| Maximum energy rating | 3,996 joules |
Cable Matters Mini Surge Protector
| Pros | Cons |
| Very cheap | No USB port |
| High energy rating for its size | Protects only one device |
| Takes up virtually no space |
If you need surge protection for just one device — say, your laptop while you work in your bedroom or the video game console that you bring with you on your travels — the Cable Matters Mini Surge Protector should be at the top of your list. It’s very affordable, but it gets the job done without taking up too much space compared to getting a power strip. There’s a built-in LED that indicates surge protection is online, so you can easily check that your device is safe from power surges.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 1 |
| USB ports | 0 |
| Maximum energy rating | 2,205 joules |
Anker 351 Power Strip
| Pros | Cons |
| High number of outlets | Large size |
| Several safety features | |
| Spacious layout |
For a surge protector that can handle different types of devices and connections, there’s the Anker 351 Power Strip. It features a total of 12 outlets, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port, which should be more than enough for everything that you need to charge or plug in. The Anker 351 Power Strip offers an eight-point safety system that combines surge protection with other features such as fire resistance and overload protection, and its layout is wide enough to accommodate larger plugs.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 12 |
| USB ports | 3 |
| Maximum energy rating | 2,100 joules |
Belkin Wall Surge Protector
| Pros | Cons |
| Multiple outlets for small device | Low maximum energy rating |
| Barely takes up space | |
| Perfect for trips |
If a power strip is too bulky but you need surge protection for multiple devices, perhaps the Belkin Wall Surge Protector will fit the bill. You can charge or plug in up to five devices through the three outlets and two USB ports, while just barely taking up space. This also makes the Belkin Wall Surge Protector the perfect choice if you need a surge protector when travelling, so you can upgrade any standard wall outlet.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 3 |
| USB ports | 2 |
| Maximum energy rating | 540 joules |
Eve Energy Strip
| Pros | Cons |
| Works with Apple HomeKit, Siri | No USB ports |
| Energy monitoring | |
| Easy to set up |
If you’ve heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem with the Apple HomeKit for your smart home setup, then the Eve Energy Strip should be the surge protector of your choice. It comes with three power outlets that you can individually control through the HomeKit app or through voice commands with Apple’s Siri, and you can also set schedules and track power consumption. The Eve Energy Strip doesn’t need a hub or gateway, as you just need to directly connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of outlets | 3 |
| USB ports | 0 |
| Maximum energy rating | 1,700 joules |
This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.
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