Erinn Bice

Written by Erinn Bice

Published: 04 Feb 2024

Camryn Rabideau

Reviewed by Camryn Rabideau

6-best-surge-protector
Source: Cnet.com

When it comes to protecting your valuable electronics from power surges, a good surge protector is essential. In this article, we will discuss the 6 best surge protectors available on the market today. Whether you're looking to protect your expensive computer, television, or gaming console, a reliable surge protector can provide peace of mind by safeguarding your devices from unexpected power spikes. Let's explore the top options to keep your electronics safe and secure.

Top Picks:

Overall Score: 9/10

The ECHOGEAR ShockBlocker 8 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip offers 3420 Joules of premium surge protection in a slim design that can power and protect your entire TV, office, or gaming setup. The low profile makes it easy to conceal and it comes with built-in safety covers. It keeps your gear running better and longer by filtering harmful signals and is wall-mountable. It includes 8 AC Outlets and comes with a 5-year, $25k connected equipment warranty. The surge protector is UL certified and tested for safety, making it a reliable and attractive option for your electronic devices.

Key Features

  • 3420 Joules of surge protection for up to 8 devices
  • Low profile design with built-in safety covers
  • Filters harmful signals from power supply
  • Extra space between 3 outlets for large plugs
  • Includes 5-year, $25k connected equipment warranty

Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Dimension: 11.75Lx3.00Wx0.01H
  • Size: 8 AC Outlets

Pros

  • Premium surge protection with 3420 Joules
  • Low profile and wall-mountable design
  • Extra space between outlets for large plugs
  • 5-year, $25k connected equipment warranty

Cons

  • Green LED lights can be too bright for some
  • No USB ports for device charging

The ECHOGEAR ShockBlocker 8 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip offers reliable and attractive surge protection for electronic devices. With premium features and a 5-year warranty, it’s a solid choice for powering and protecting a variety of devices, from TVs to gaming setups.

Overall Score: 8/10

Protect your appliances and electronic devices from sudden electrical surges and lightning with the Clamper Single Outlet Surge Protector. This portable surge protector has 1800 joules and a right-angle design to fit and save space behind appliances. It's lightweight and compact, making it ideal for personal use, traveling, or on-the-go surge protection. The LED light indicators provide peace of mind that your devices are protected, and the surge protector is ETL Listed and has trusted quality with over 40 million products sold worldwide. Perfect for a variety of devices and appliances, the Clamper Surge Protector is a durable, safe, and convenient way to protect your electronics.

Key Features

  • Protect your peace of mind
  • Right-angle design to save space
  • Pocket-sized and lightweight
  • Easy portability for personal use and traveling
  • Durable and safe with LED light indicators
  • Trusted quality by Clamper

Specifications

  • Color: Clear (1 unit)
  • Dimension: 2.75Lx1.88Wx2.91H

Pros

  • Compact and space-saving design
  • LED light indicators for device protection
  • ETL Listed and trusted quality

Cons

  • Backwards plug orientation

The Clamper Single Outlet Surge Protector is a reliable and efficient way to protect your electronics from electrical surges and lightning. Its compact, space-saving design and durable construction make it a great option for both personal use and travel. While the backwards plug orientation may be a downside for some users, the overall performance and protection provided by this surge protector make it a valuable investment for various electronic devices and appliances.

Overall Score: 9/10

The Amazon Basics Rectangular 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector, 4,500 Joule – 6-Foot Cord, Black/Green provides surge protection for computers, TVs, and other electronic devices. It includes 8 outlets, a rating of 4,500 joules, and a 15 amp overload resettable circuit breaker. The 6-foot cord and user-friendly design make it highly functional, although the bright LED might be bothersome for some users. Mounting the power strip might be challenging as well. The heavy-duty power cord, long-lasting build, and high joule protection make it a good value for home use.

Key Features

  • IN THE BOX: Surge protector power strip for protecting computers, TVs, and other electronic devices from potentially damaging power surges
  • OUTLETS: Includes 8 outlets
  • SURGE PROTECTION: 4500 joules rating; green LED light indicates active surge protection and grounded wiring for all outlets
  • ADDED SAFETY: 15 amp overload resettable circuit breaker; fireproof MOV for added protection from surges and spikes
  • USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: Widely-spaced outlets with sliding covers, power on/off switch, and back keyhole for optional wall mounting

Specifications

  • Color: Black/Green
  • Dimension: 11.75Lx2.99Wx1.14H
  • Size: 6-foot Cord

Pros

  • High joules surge protection
  • Widely-spaced outlets for convenience
  • 15 amp overload resettable circuit breaker
  • Long 6-foot power cord

Cons

  • Very bright LED for surge protection indication
  • Challenging to mount

The Amazon Basics 8-Outlet Surge Protector is a robust and affordable choice for protecting electronic devices from harmful power surges. It offers a high level of joule protection, a user-friendly design with widely-spaced outlets, and a long, heavy-duty power cord. While the bright LED might be an issue for some users, it can be easily covered. Overall, it’s a great value for safeguarding valuable equipment.

Overall Score: 8/10

The ECHOGEAR ShockShield Low Profile Surge Protector Power Strip is a sleek, black, and compact power strip with 8 outlets and 2 USB ports. It provides 2160J of surge protection, ensuring the safety of your devices. The USB ports offer 3.4A of power, while the safety covers lock unused outlets. Additionally, it features a long 6' power cord and keyhole slots for wall mounting. The product is UL listed and comes with a 5-year $25k warranty. ECHOGEAR's Surge Protector Power Strip excels in functionality, protection, and design, being both easy to store and wall mountable.

Key Features

  • 8 outlets and 2 USB ports with 2160J of surge protection
  • 3.4A USB power and clean charge for device lifespan
  • Safety covers, wall-mountable, long 6' power cord
  • Fireproof MOVs and UL listed with 5-year warranty

Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Customer Rating: 4.7/5

Pros

  • Sturdy construction and low profile
  • Handy USB ports
  • Filters out harmful signals in the power supply
  • Long 6' power cord with keyhole slots
  • Fireproof MOVs ensuring safety
  • UL listed with 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Bright green indicator light
  • Close spacing of outlet rows

The ECHOGEAR ShockShield Surge Protector Power Strip is a reliable and stylish solution for powering and protecting multiple devices. With robust construction, USB ports, and comprehensive surge protection, it is an excellent choice for modern electronics setups. While the bright indicator light and outlet spacing may be minor inconveniences, the overall quality and functionality of this power strip make it a valuable addition to any household.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Belkin Surge Protector Power Strip is a compact and space-saving solution for adding 12 surge-protected outlets for multiple devices. With 8 rotating and 4 stationary outlets, an 8-foot extension cord, and 4320 joules of protection, this surge protector is designed for home, office, travel, desktop, and charging brick use. The unit is backed by a $300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty and has a safety light indicator to put your mind at ease while charging.

Key Features

  • Multi Outlet: Turn 1 outlet into 12 surge-protected AC outlets
  • Compact Design: Designed with 8 rotating outlets and 4 widely spaced stationary outlets
  • Safety Indicator: Safety indicator light to ensure secure charging
  • Surge Protection: 4,320 joules of overcurrent and overload protection

Specifications

  • Color: Gray
  • Dimension: 3.97Lx1.10Wx11.40H
  • Size: 12-Outlet

Pros

  • Compact and space-saving design
  • Reliable protection for electronic devices
  • Safety indicator for peace of mind
  • Lifetime warranty and $300,000 equipment guarantee

Cons

  • Flimsy on-off button
  • Lifetime warranty only good for 2 years

The Belkin Surge Protector Power Strip provides a reliable and practical solution for protecting electronic devices with multiple surge-protected outlets, safety indicator lights, and a lifetime warranty. However, the unit has a flimsy on-off button and a lifetime warranty that is only good for 2 years.

Overall Score: 8/10

The BXST 5-15(120V) Surge Protector for Refrigerator is a high and low voltage electronic surge protector designed to keep your appliances safe. It has adjustable delay time and special features like a rotating plug for convenient use. With surge protection of 140J, it automatically cuts off power when the voltage exceeds the limit, preventing damage to electrical appliances. The color is white, and it has 1 outlet for easy use in your home or office.

Key Features

  • High and low voltage protection: Protects against voltage fluctuations, power failure, and more
  • Adjustable delay time: Users can adjust the delay time for optimal usage
  • Rotating plug: Plug can be rotated 350° for convenient positioning
  • Over/under voltage protection: Automatically cuts off power to prevent damage from excessive voltage

Specifications

  • Color: White
  • Size: 1 outlet

Pros

  • Adjustable delay time for optimal usage
  • Rotating plug for convenient positioning
  • Automatically cuts off power to prevent damage

Cons

  • Status lights are located in a position that's not visible behind appliances
  • Minimal documentation on button switch options

The BXST 5-15(120V) Surge Protector for Refrigerator is a reliable and convenient way to protect your appliances from power surges and voltage fluctuations. With its adjustable delay time and rotating plug, it offers ease of use and peace of mind for home and office applications. However, issues with visibility of status lights and minimal documentation on button switch options detract from its overall usability.

Best Surge Protectors 2022 Buyer's Guide

  • Consider the Joule Rating: Look for a surge protector with a high joule rating, which indicates its ability to handle surges. Aim for a rating of at least 600 joules for basic protection, but higher ratings are recommended for areas with frequent or severe storms.
  • Look for Clamping Voltage: The clamping voltage is the level at which the surge protector will start to divert excess voltage away from your devices. Lower clamping voltage is better, so aim for a protector with a rating of 400 volts or less.
  • Number of Outlets and Ports: Consider how many devices you need to plug in. Look for a surge protector with enough outlets and ports to accommodate all of your electronics and appliances. Some surge protectors also have USB ports for charging devices.
  • Safety Features: Check for safety features such as fireproof casing, automatic shutdown, and protected indicator lights. These can help keep your devices safe in case of a power surge or overload.
  • Warranty and Insurance: Some surge protectors offer connected equipment warranties or insurance policies that cover damage to your devices in the event of a surge. Consider whether this added protection is important to you.
  • EMI/RFI Filtering: Surge protectors with EMI/RFI filtering help to reduce electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference, which can improve the performance of your electronics.
  • Cord Length and Plug Orientation: Consider the length of the cord and the placement of the outlets on the surge protector. A longer cord and rotating or angled outlets can make it easier to connect devices and manage cables.
  • UL Certification: Look for surge protectors that are UL certified, as this indicates that they have been tested for safety and quality.
  • Price and Value: Compare the prices of surge protectors with similar features and ratings to determine the best value for your budget. Keep in mind that investing in a higher-quality surge protector can help protect your expensive electronics in the long run.
  • Reviews and Ratings: Before making a purchase, take the time to read reviews and ratings from other buyers. This can provide insight into the performance, durability, and reliability of the surge protector.
  • Consider Your Specific Needs: Think about the specific electronics and appliances you need to protect. For example, if you have high-end audiovisual equipment or gaming consoles, you may want to invest in a surge protector designed specifically for those devices.
  • Consult with an Expert: If you're unsure about which surge protector is best for your needs, consider consulting with an electrician or an electronics expert for personalized advice. They can help assess your home's electrical needs and recommend the most suitable surge protector for you.

Remember, the best surge protector for you will depend on your specific requirements and the devices you want to protect. Take your time to research and compare different options to find the right surge protector for your home or workspace.

Frequently Asked Questions about 6 Best Surge Protector

What are some important features to look for in a surge protector?

Some important features to look for in a surge protector are joule rating, number of outlets, compatibility with your devices, and warranty.

How can I tell if a surge protector is working properly?

You can tell if a surge protector is working properly by checking for a “protected” indicator light, making sure it is plugged into a properly grounded outlet, and regularly testing it with a voltage tester.

Why is it important to use a surge protector?

It is important to use a surge protector to protect your electronic devices from power surges, which can cause damage and shorten their lifespan.

Can I use a surge protector for outdoor electronics?

Yes, there are surge protectors specifically designed for outdoor use, so you can protect your outdoor electronics from power surges.

What is the difference between a surge protector and a power strip?

The main difference between a surge protector and a power strip is that a surge protector includes built-in protection against power surges, while a power strip does not.

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