Power outlets and surge protectors are essential these days. You need them simply because your home has a lot of tech devices that require power. And in certain areas — for example, in your office, TV room, or next to your nightstand — there aren’t enough electrical outlets.
Important Note: Power outlets and surge protectors are not the same thing. Power outlets add multiple outlets so you can power multiple electrical devices from one location; surge protectors do the same thing, but also provide overcurrent protection. Essentially, a surge protector is a power outlet… with overcurrent protection.
Why do you need a surge protector?
A power surge occurs when the electrical current to a particular outlet increases, and the electronic devices connected to it receive more power than expected. This can damage or even destroy the electronic devices depending on the severity of the power surge.
The bad news is that power surges are more common than you might think—they can happen dozens of times a day. The good news is that most of these surges are low-voltage power surges caused by appliances and other “low-tech” items in your home, such as your HVAC system, refrigerator, washing machine, or even your hair dryer. These low-voltage power surges won’t damage your appliances, but they can degrade them over time so that they don’t work as well (or last as long) as they should.
High voltage surges aren’t all that common, but they’re not uncommon either. They can be caused by lightning, a power outage, a problem with your transformer, or even faulty wiring in your home. These are the things that can really damage and possibly destroy your home’s electronics.
A surge protector is specifically designed to absorb or divert any excess voltage that comes with a power surge. Specifically, these protectors contain special components called metal oxide variable resistors (also known as MOVs) that divert the excess voltage away from the outlets. Some surge protectors will also shut off when a surge is detected.
Experts recommend using a surge protector for almost every electrical outlet in your home. If you’re not prepared for that, you should definitely consider using a surge protector in areas with expensive or large appliances or devices, such as the kitchen, office, or TV room.
Note: The only exception is that you should not connect an electronic device that produces heat—such as a heater, hair dryer, or toaster—to a surge protector. This will increase resistance and heat buildup; it could actually cause a fire. For these devices, you should plug the device or appliance directly into the wall.
What to Look for in a Surge Protector
Number of ports
The more outlets a surge protector has, the more power it can supply to your electronics. The design of these outlets is also important, because electronics come with power strips of different sizes and you will need to arrange them so that they all fit.
Auxiliary ports
In addition to outlets, some surge protectors also come with auxiliary outlets such as coaxial outlets and telephone ports. Many modern surge protectors also come with USB ports, allowing you to charge your electronic devices with just a cable — without a power adapter.
joule energy rating
Every surge protector worth buying will have a joule rating, which indicates the amount of energy (measured in joules) it can protect against before it fails. The higher the joule rating, the better.
Power cord length
The longer the power cord, the more flexibility you have in placing the surge protector where you want it—convenient. The downside is that longer cords cost more. Most surge protectors come in a variety of lengths.
a guarantee
Overcurrent protectors deteriorate over time. It is recommended to replace them after three to five years. All overcurrent protectors come with a warranty, which does not protect against power absorption failure but covers any type of defect that may occur to the overcurrent protector.
How we tested
Tucker BoyThere are a lot of surge protectors out there, and we certainly haven’t tested them all. But we’ve tested enough of them to be able to pick out what we think are the best options for you. Below you’ll find a selection of surge protectors we’ve tested, as well as some options made by brands we trust.
Best surge protectors:
Belkin Surge Protector
BelkinBelkin Surge Protector
Ports: 12 Ports Joule Energy Rating: 3,940 Warranty: Lifetime
This surge protector is a favorite for home office use. It has 12 well-spaced outlets, allowing you to fit a variety of different sized power adapters. It has coaxial connectors and phone ports if you need them. It also has a sturdy eight-foot power cord, so you have the flexibility to place it where you want.
Foreman Power Conditioner (PST-8)
ForemanForeman PST-8 Power Plant
Outlets: 8 Outlets Joule Power Rating: Not Available Warranty: 2 Years
The Furman PST-8 is a powerful surge protector, with advanced circuitry and technology. It is designed specifically for people looking to power and protect expensive audio or home theater equipment because it does a great job of delivering clean power and protecting against overcurrent. You will notice that it lacks a joule power rating, but that is because it has metal oxide resistors and a high voltage shutdown feature that far exceeds most “cheap” surge protectors.
Honeycomb Surge Protector Power Strip
HanekoniHoneycomb Surge Protector Power Strip
Outlets: 8 Outlets Power Rating: 900 Joules Warranty: 1 Year
This surge protector is a standout product because of its unconventional design; it has 8 outlets spread out on three different sides, plus four USB ports for charging your various gadgets. It also has a woven power cord that comes in three different lengths: five feet, six feet, or ten feet. The big downside is that the power rating is low, so it’s best designed for a bedside table, desk, or area where you have less expensive electronics.
Accell Power Flexible Surge Protector (D080B-051B)
AxelAccell Power Flexible Surge Protector
Outlets: 5 Outlets Power Rating Joules: 1,080 Warranty: 5 Years
Accell makes a variety of surge protectors. This model, the D080B-051B, is the most notable because it features a less traditional design consisting of five short cables with outlets on each end. This gives you more flexibility when connecting different sized power adapters.
