Surge Protector For Gaming PC (Windows 10, 8) & MAC

Whether you're just looking to add more outlets, or want to add a layer of protection between your gear and the outside world, you'll eventually want to buy a surge protector.

With an incredible range of prices and features, not to mention a barrage of questionable marketing promises, it's hard to figure out what's worth the money, and what's nonsense. I'll help you sort through it.

For a little background, check out what makes a good surge protector. This article is the updated successor to that piece, though we'll cover some similar ground.

1. Surge protectors vs. power strips

Power strips and surge protectors, also called surge suppressors, are different. 

Typically, power strips are cheap, multi-outlet products that are merely an expansion of a wall outlet. These usually have a circuit breaker (on/off switch) of some sort, but most don't offer any real "protection" from electrical issues. Some might have the barest level of protection, but they're all pretty much just like plugging into the wall direct.

Surge protectors are relatively cheap too, but unlike power strips they offer some level of protection against power spikes. How much and how well varies considerably.

2. All about the joules

Surge protectors offer protection in amounts called joules. Generally, the more joules the better, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness.

There's no way to know how much protection a device has left, or if the initial rating is even accurate. To get some answers, the Wirecutter did a massive test on surge protectors, essentially blowing them up to see how well they worked. (On a related note, definitely check out #10.

3. A warranty... on your stuff

Some surge protectors offer a warranty (up to a certain amount) on the gear connected to the protector. For example, in the US, one Belkin model has a $300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty, and states: "If your electronic equipment is damaged by a surge, spike, or lightning strike while properly connected to this power strip, we will repair or replace it, up to $300,000."

You'll probably never need it, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have it. Keep in mind that just because the warranty exists doesn't mean you'll ever see a dime from it. 

4. You probably don't need a power 'conditioner'

There are a number of products on the market that claim to "condition" the power from the wall, promising improved performance in your gear. 

Here's the dirty little secret: Your gear already does this. All electronics have a power supply that takes the incoming wall current (120v in the US), filters it for noise, and converts it into whatever the device needs. Almost nothing actually runs on 120 volts (or alternating current, for that matter), so unless you've got some really wacky (or cheap) gear, and live in an area with bizarrely inadequate power, a power conditioner isn't something you need.

5. Always get more outlets than you need

You're always going to need more outlets. You'll undoubtedly add more gear, without necessarily getting rid of your current gear. I'm not saying that if you think you need four outlets get a 12, but a six is probably a good investment.

6. Get one with enough spacing for big plugs

Many devices use wall warts -- plugs that convert AC power into DC power and look like little boxes with electrical prongs sticking out. Consider getting a surge protector with wider spacing between sockets, or sockets that be rotated or moved, to accommodate chunky plugs.

A surge protector is vital if you want to keep your electronics safe from electrical power spikes. The latest models have more than just a few outlets, as well as smart connectivity and energy-monitoring features.

In addition to controlling a surge protector from your smartphone, some of the top-rated protectors have added safety features, coaxial connectors, and adjustable cords for added convenience. Check out our list for a top-of-the-line surge protector for every home, office, and budget.

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Strip

Today’s best surge protectors don’t just protect electrical devices: They also enable all kinds of useful connections. This excellent TP-Link strip, for example, has six smart outlets that can be individually controlled with an app, giving protection while allowing you to customize devices, set schedules and automatically turn them on or off. It’s also compatible with voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant or Cortana. Three USB ports provide alternative connections for charging other devices too.

If all this wasn’t enough, this power strip also has energy monitoring features, measuring how much power everything is consuming so you can decrease power use, if necessary. You can also check out our larger list of the best smart surge protectors for more like this.

APC Desk Mount Power Station

This professional U-shaped protector is designed to hook onto the edge of a desk, for much easier access than trying to position a strip on the floor (you can also put it over a cubical wall, etc.) It provides 18 Joules of surge protection. This model is also one of the few available with a USB-C charging port, as well as two USB-A ports for other connections, making it a great fit for many offices.

Teckin Smart Power Strip

Teckin has a competitive smart power strip that you can control via app, perfect for larger entertainment systems or complex computer layouts. You can set timers and settings for each individual outlet, as well as setting shut off times to fully power down/up the power strip and save energy. In addition to compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, the strip also works with IFTTT, ideal for those who prefer the customizable platform for their smart gadgets.

Belkin BE112230-08 12-Outlet

With many years of experience working with outlets and plug-in solutions, Belkin has experience making durable surge protectors. This 12-outlet model is a great professional piece with multiple options for cord length, sliding safety covers, and a 3,940 Joule energy rating that’s high enough to protect even the largest office equipment. There are also detachable cord clips to route all your cords through for better organization.

Tripp Lite 10-Outlet

Tripp’s contribution is a “home and office” surge protector suitable for all sorts of different electronic setups. It has handy LED diagnostic lights to warn of outlet status and a built-in splitter that can turn one RJ11 jack into two for a modem, fax (hey, some people still use them), or telephone/DSL line. Four of the outlets are spaced widely apart to fit more awkward adapter plugs, a feature we particularly liked.

There’s no choice for cord length here — you are stuck with the average 8-foot cord — but you can choose a version that comes with gold coaxial connectors, which can be used to help protect any coaxial TV connections you may be using in your home.

Belkin 6-Outlet SurgeMaster Wall Mount

This Belkin model offers a wall mount option for those set-ups where you neither need nor want a surge protector that lies on the floor and gets in the way. Plug this model into a wall outlet and it provides 6 separate, protected outlets for you to use, each with a 1045 Joule rating – enough for most average electronic devices. While you shouldn’t use this with big appliances, it’s a great solution for garage worktables, kitchens, home offices, and so on.

Globe Electric 7732001 6-Outlet

We love this surge protector because of its unique design. Unlike your typical plug or strip design, the Globe Electric outlet features a vertical swivel so that you can turn your outlets in different directions. The swivel is excellent for organizing many cords at once, allowing you to make the most of your space. And don’t be fooled by its convenient size – it’s built to handle large electrical equipment. The choice between 6 or 8 outlets is also super handy. 

Editors' Recommendations

If you have a desktop computer, a home theater, a laptop, wireless earbuds, or any other number of gadgets gathered in one spot for use or for charging, you probably have them plugged into a power strip. But not all multi-outlet strips are created equal, and if you haven’t attended to it in a while, there’s a chance yours is ripe for a replacement. I’ve always tended toward the practical and, after lots of research and years of using many power strips and surge protectors to power my copious amounts of gear, I’ve learned which features matter most and which protectors make for the best protection. If you want to kick up your own surge protection at home, here are some of my top picks in different price points and for different uses.

In this article

1. Best standard surge protector
2. Best surge protector with USB ports
3. Best travel surge protector
4. Best surge protector for wrangling cables and power bricks
5. Best surge protector with battery backup to protect from data loss

Related

The best power strips and surge protectors in 2020

Did you know there’s a difference between power strips and surge protectors? Power strips allow you to plug more than one device into a single wall outlet. Surge protectors — which often double up as power strips — actually prevent surges in voltage from damaging the devices plugged into them. And surge protectors actually lose that ability over time, and need to be replaced. There’s a chance that the power strip you’ve been using for the past 10 years is no longer protecting you like it used to — and it might be time to replace it with one of these high-quality units. Powering and protecting your electronics is not the best thing to cut corners on.

Related

Best standard surge protector: Tripp Lite

1. Tripp Lite 8-Outlet Surge Protector

Tripp Lite may not be a household name, but they’ve been making quality power devices for decades. Their surge protectors are some of the best for the price you pay. Their 8-outlet surge protector is a bit bigger than most standard power strips, but it has enough space to fit a couple larger power bricks without covering up the other outlets — which can be a big plus if you’ve got multiple laptop blocks connected to it. It also contains an automatic shutoff mechanism that stops delivering power once its surge protection has worn out, so you know when it’s time to buy a new one. Some will find this invaluable, while others may find it annoying (in which case you should check out one of the other picks below). There’s also a larger 12-outlet version if you need more protection.

Best surge protector with USB ports: Tripp Lite

2. Tripp Lite 6 Outlet Clamp Mount Surge Protector

While most surge protectors get stuffed behind a desk or entertainment center, sometimes you want to keep one easily accessible to charge your never-ending parade of battery-powered gadgets — and allow for guests to do the same. Tripp Lite makes a clamp mount surge protector that works perfectly for this: Mount it to the side of your desk, end table, or nightstand, and you’ll have easy access for whatever you need to plug in. It even has two USB ports for charging your phones and tablets without an AC adapter, plus the same auto-shutoff mechanism as other Tripp Lite protectors.

Best travel surge protector: Belkin

3. Belkin 3-Outlet USB Surge Protector w/Rotating Plug

I don’t know about you, but I run my battery down most often when I’m traveling — which is ironic, because that’s when outlets are at their rarest. A good battery pack will help get you by, but I also travel with a portable surge protector everywhere I go. Even if the outlets at my gate are used up, I can swoop in with a multi-port unit like this Belkin model and let everyone juice up at the same time. With three outlets and two USB ports, I’m usually the hero of the airport.

Related

Best surge protector for wrangling cables and power bricks: Belkin

4. Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Surge Protector

If no other surge protector seems to have room for your giant power bricks, you’ll want the Belkin Pivot Plug. It’s a bit bulkier than most other surge protectors, but eight of the 12 outlets on this monster pivot 90 degrees. That means you can plug everything in without losing precious ports. Note that unlike the Tripp Lite models, it won’t automatically shut off when it’s worn down. However, a “Protected” light will stay on as long as it’s, well, protected — and you’ll know it’s time to replace the unit once that light goes out.

Best surge protector with battery backup to protect from data loss: CyberPower

5. CyberPower CP825LCD UPS System

While surge protectors will protect your devices from power surges — during a blackout, for example — you could still lose important data if your computer loses power in the middle of your ongoing and unsaved work. An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, acts as a battery backup in these scenarios. When the power goes out, your computer and other equipment run off the unit’s battery for a few minutes, giving you enough time to save your work and shut down safely. This CyberPower model can handle up to 450 watts of gear, and has a handy LCD to let you know how much power it’s currently drawing. Just remember to replace the battery every couple of years, or they won’t hold enough of a charge when you need them (and they’ll start to swell). You can buy new batteries directly from the manufacturer for $40 or so.

More shopping guides and recommendations

Catch up on the latest from NBC Shopping guides and recommendations.

Whitson Gordon is a freelance technology writer with bylines in the New York Times, Popular Science Magazine, PC Magazine and more. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Lifehacker and How-To Geek.