Geoffrey Morrison Contributor
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What is the best surge protector overall?
We ran rigorous testing on 16 of the top surge protectors available for under $100, and the standout performer against all of our requirements was the APC P11U2. Its impressive amount of outlets -- 11 in total -- is worthy of note, and six of them have a generously wide design to provide spacing that can accommodate larger power adapters -- plus it comes with USB ports that allow you to directly charge your devices, has high joule rating (more on that in a bit) and a conveniently long power cord. It even comes with a lifetime $250,000 equipment protection policy, which can provide a little peace of mind. That, along with its exceptional functionality, makes this our recommendation for the best surge protector currently available. However, for those seeking surge protection with a specific features or a smaller size (the P11U2 is pretty large), we have more recommendations below worth checking out.
So why do you need surge protection anyway? We've all got lots of electronics we want to plug in, with power strips upon power strips branching out like stubby snakes from every outlet. OK, maybe it's not that bad in your own house, but even beyond the convenience of extra plugs, the best surge protectors can actually prolong the life of your gear. They can, as the name suggests, protect electronics from the power surges that can slowly wear down the delicate hardware inside all modern electronics.
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between power strips and surge protectors. A power strip is essentially just a wired, multioutlet extension of a power outlet. A surge protector adds in circuitry, which is designed to prevent damaging power spikes from making their way to your TV, soundbar or really anything that's plugged in.
One of the easiest ways to tell if the product you're considering is a basic strip or an actual surge protector is by checking if it has a joule rating. All surge protectors will have one, and it's essentially how much of a power surge it can protect against. These devices do wear down over time, and while there's no easy way to tell how much the protection is reduced, some strips do offer a dedicated "protected" LED. Most manufacturers recommend replacing a surge protector every few years. For more about how they work, check out these 10 shocking facts about power strips.
Best surge protectors
The APC P11U2 checks all the boxes for what I was looking for in a surge protector. It has six widely spaced plugs, plus five more that are closer together and two USB ports. It has 2,880 joules of protection, well above my test's average. Coincidentally, editor Ty Pendlebury has one in his testing lab. APC offers a lifetime $250,000 equipment protection policy.
Overall build quality is quite solid, even though the protective covers for each outlet are superfluous and come off easily. The cord to connect the power strip to the wall is quite long, 8 feet, which is convenient. The P11U2 is fairly bulky, but if you want something smaller and don't need 11 outlets, the $33 APC P8U2 loses one row of the wide-spaced outlets for a much smaller footprint overall, though the joule rating and protection policy are also lower.
It's not flashy, and doesn't have some of the features of some of my other picks, but for a basic, solid, surge protector, it's the one to get.
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Best surge protector overall
APC P11U2
The APC P11U2 checks all the boxes for what I was looking for in a surge protector. It has six widely spaced plugs, plus five more that are closer together and two USB ports. It has 2,880 joules of protection, well above my test's average. Coincidentally, editor Ty Pendlebury has one in his testing lab. APC offers a lifetime $250,000 equipment protection policy.
Overall build quality is quite solid, even though the protective covers for each outlet are superfluous and come off easily. The cord to connect the power strip to the wall is quite long, 8 feet, which is convenient. The P11U2 is fairly bulky, but if you want something smaller and don't need 11 outlets, the $33 APC P8U2 loses one row of the wide-spaced outlets for a much smaller footprint overall, though the joule rating and protection policy are also lower.
It's not flashy, and doesn't have some of the features of some of my other picks, but for a basic, solid, surge protector, it's the one to get.
If the APC above isn't available or you're looking for something a little different, the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV offers most of the features we like about the APC. It only has four wide-set outlets, but eight close-spaced ones. There's no USB, but instead you get three RJ11 for telephone (one in, two out) and two coax for cable or satellite. It has a claimed 2,880 joule rating. I have one in my testing lab.
It has an 8-foot cord, and comes with $150,000 "Ultimate Lifetime Insurance" coverage and a limited lifetime warranty.
It's usually a little more expensive than the APC, but if you want something to protect landlines or cable/satellite, it's ideal.
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Best surge protector runner-up
Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV
If the APC above isn't available or you're looking for something a little different, the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV offers most of the features we like about the APC. It only has four wide-set outlets, but eight close-spaced ones. There's no USB, but instead you get three RJ11 for telephone (one in, two out) and two coax for cable or satellite. It has a claimed 2,880 joule rating. I have one in my testing lab.
It has an 8-foot cord, and comes with $150,000 "Ultimate Lifetime Insurance" coverage and a limited lifetime warranty.
It's usually a little more expensive than the APC, but if you want something to protect landlines or cable/satellite, it's ideal.
- The Belkin Conserve surge protector allows you to completely shut down most of your components to save on energy costs while keeping two outlets reserved for electronics you want to keep "always on"; surge protection for cable/satellite RF lines; sliding safety covers for outlets; wireless remote included for power on/off.
- No socket for Powerline network adapters; no phone line or network protection.
The Belkin F7C01008q has a handy feature: It comes with a wireless switch. Six of the eight wide-spaced outlets are controlled by this switch, which you can mount somewhere nearby via its included wall mount and sticky-tape. The protector itself is very flat, with far less bulk than the APC or Tripp Lite.
The fancy remote control comes at a cost, however. The surge protector has a claimed 1,000 joule rating, which is lower than my top picks. It has a shorter cord too, though at four feet it should be long enough for most situations. The Conserve Switch has a 1-year warranty on itself, and $100,000 for connected equipment.
If you like the look of this design but don't need the switch, check out the Belkin BE112230, listed in the Others We Tested section below.
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Best surge protector with wireless switch
Belkin Conserve Switch F7C01008q
- The Belkin Conserve surge protector allows you to completely shut down most of your components to save on energy costs while keeping two outlets reserved for electronics you want to keep "always on"; surge protection for cable/satellite RF lines; sliding safety covers for outlets; wireless remote included for power on/off.
- No socket for Powerline network adapters; no phone line or network protection.
The Belkin F7C01008q has a handy feature: It comes with a wireless switch. Six of the eight wide-spaced outlets are controlled by this switch, which you can mount somewhere nearby via its included wall mount and sticky-tape. The protector itself is very flat, with far less bulk than the APC or Tripp Lite.
The fancy remote control comes at a cost, however. The surge protector has a claimed 1,000 joule rating, which is lower than my top picks. It has a shorter cord too, though at four feet it should be long enough for most situations. The Conserve Switch has a 1-year warranty on itself, and $100,000 for connected equipment.
If you like the look of this design but don't need the switch, check out the Belkin BE112230, listed in the Others We Tested section below.
The Accell D080B-051B looks like a squid. Or maybe a six-legged octopus. (Hexapus?) I feel like this is enough reason to buy it, but it may not be for everyone. Its main benefit is that, instead of rigid outlets on a flat frame, like most surge protectors, it has five short cables with the outlets at the end. Most people probably won't need this specific type of functionality, but I'm sure some of you are looking at it and know exactly how it will fit in your home. Also, you know, the squid thing.
The Accell is rated at a claimed 1,080 joules. Unlike most surge protectors, which continue to pass power when they've passed their joule rating, the D080B-051B fails safe, cutting power so your gear is protected against further surges. You will need to buy a new one if this should happen, but the whole point is to protect your more expensive gear. It's surprising that more surge protectors aren't built like this.
Unlike the others on my list, though, there's no device warranty. While this is disappointing, it's not a total deal-breaker, as I discuss below.
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Best surge protector for extension cords
Accell D080B-051B
The Accell D080B-051B looks like a squid. Or maybe a six-legged octopus. (Hexapus?) I feel like this is enough reason to buy it, but it may not be for everyone. Its main benefit is that, instead of rigid outlets on a flat frame, like most surge protectors, it has five short cables with the outlets at the end. Most people probably won't need this specific type of functionality, but I'm sure some of you are looking at it and know exactly how it will fit in your home. Also, you know, the squid thing.
The Accell is rated at a claimed 1,080 joules. Unlike most surge protectors, which continue to pass power when they've passed their joule rating, the D080B-051B fails safe, cutting power so your gear is protected against further surges. You will need to buy a new one if this should happen, but the whole point is to protect your more expensive gear. It's surprising that more surge protectors aren't built like this.
Unlike the others on my list, though, there's no device warranty. While this is disappointing, it's not a total deal-breaker, as I discuss below.
Unlike most surge protectors, the Belkin BP108000 is tubular instead of being box-shaped. Long and thin, it can sit behind or under furniture better than most other designs. Seven of its nine outlets rotate almost 180 degrees, so you can fit big charger wall warts on all of them. The other two outlets are widely spaced from each other, but are close to the bottom of the protector. This won't be an issue if you're plugging in cables, but grounded wall warts might not fit correctly.
It has a claimed 1,800 joule rating, and comes with a $150,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. In addition to the power outlets, there are also one in and out RJ11 telephone connections. The cable to the wall is 6 feet long.
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Best compact surge protector
Belkin BP108000
Unlike most surge protectors, the Belkin BP108000 is tubular instead of being box-shaped. Long and thin, it can sit behind or under furniture better than most other designs. Seven of its nine outlets rotate almost 180 degrees, so you can fit big charger wall warts on all of them. The other two outlets are widely spaced from each other, but are close to the bottom of the protector. This won't be an issue if you're plugging in cables, but grounded wall warts might not fit correctly.
It has a claimed 1,800 joule rating, and comes with a $150,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. In addition to the power outlets, there are also one in and out RJ11 telephone connections. The cable to the wall is 6 feet long.
The Amazon S9P658O300A00 plugs directly into your wall outlet, adding four more places for plugs. All six outlets on this Amazon Basics protector turn 90 degrees, so you can accommodate up to six wall warts if you turn the top and bottom plugs in the opposite direction of the middle ones.
It's rated for a claimed 1,080 joules. It doesn't have a connected equipment warranty.
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