The 6 Best Whole Home Surge Protectors of 2024

This whole home surge protector comes out on top because it offers an excellent range of features, including great coverage and wide compatibility at a fair price.

The Type 2 SPD provides 108kA protection, is NEMA Type 4 rated for indoor and outdoor use, plus is universally compatible with any manufacturer’s breaker box. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty on the device, and if it fails, includes coverage for connected residential equipment.

The premium Siemens FS140 surge protector is the best choice if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, such as the Southeast or parts of Texas.

This Type 2 SPD can handle surges up to 140 kA and has a NEMA Type 4X rating for indoor or outdoor installation. It also features commercial-grade diagnostics with a three-stage status notification system that includes an audible alarm and a red LED indicator if coverage is compromised.

Another advantage is that you can install it without purchasing additional materials, because it is compatible with any standard 30 amp two-pole circuit breaker.

The Siemens FS140 comes with a 10-year limited warranty and connected equipment coverage. It’s a little larger than some similar options, so double check the dimensions before purchasing.

Even if you don’t know much about whole-home surge protectors, you can tell by looking at the Intermatic Smart Guard that this is serious business. It is actually one of the most advanced models on the market. The caveat is that with a NEMA 1 rating, it is rated for indoor installation only.

Although Smart Guard is capable of 10kA surges, it offers robust coverage with up to six protection modes for each circuit type, while most whole-home surge protectors offer up to four.

It is designed with three independently operating protection modules. This means that if one unit fails, your home will not be left unprotected. This also means that you won’t have to install a whole new SPD after a surge because the individual modules are easy to replace.

With a surge current rating of 80kA, a NEMA 4X rating, and an LED status indicator on the front, this versatile Type 1 all-in-one surge protector far exceeds its price point. The installation process is incredibly straightforward, and thanks to its compact design, the HEPD80 doesn’t take up a lot of space next to the breaker panel.

Another big benefit is the six modes for each circuit type, with most models offering up to four modes. This whole home surge protector comes with a 5-year product warranty, which is less than the competition, although you’ll get up to $50,000 in coverage on connected residential equipment.

The Type 2 surge protection panel is designed to be installed adjacent to the main breaker for direct installation. It offers 50kA of surge protection and the front and center LED status indicators are easy to see. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The standard junction box adds to its durability over time and works well for light commercial use, although with a NEMA 1 rating, the whole house surge protector cannot be installed outdoors.

If you want to easily upgrade your existing electrical system, a low-cost whole house surge protector is your best bet. The Type 2 protector is designed to act as an add-on, providing 36kA protection. And, as with our top picks from Eaton, it’s universally compatible with electrical panels from every manufacturer. It is also NEMA 4 rated for indoor and outdoor installation.

The surge protector also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as well as coverage for connected equipment. For the low price of around $60 at the time of this writing, this is a small investment with a big return.