The 5 best surge protectors of 2023
The 5 best surge protectors of 2023
‘ZDNET Recommends’: What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET’s editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
What are the best surge protectors and do you really need one?
For most people, buying a surge protector is a quick purchase that doesn’t require much thought. However, doing a little extra research beforehand can pay off in the long run.
As the name would suggest, surge protectors are designed to keep your electronics safe during a power surge (such as a lightning strike). But not every surge protector is the same, and the right one for your home will depend on how many devices you own and how concerned you are with protecting them in case of a surge.
If you’re buying electronics this holiday season, check out the following list to find some of the best options on the market right now. We’ve included something for everyone from basic, budget-friendly surge protectors to sophisticated, Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Also: The 5 best USB hubs
- 12 outlets
- 3 USB ports
- Bulky design
- Limited warranty compared to some products
Specifications
- AC outlets: 12
- USB ports: 3
- Maximum surge rating: 4,000 joules
- Warranty: 18 months
- Connected equipment protection: $300,000
Whether you’re looking for power, safety, or versatility, the Anker PowerPoint Strip 12 has it all. With three USB ports and 12 AC outlets, this product would work well for all types of purposes, including gaming system set-ups and home offices. The USB ports are designed with Anker’s PowerIQ fast-charging technology, which can save up to an hour of charging time for mobile phones.
In terms of safety, the surge protector has an LED indicator that displays when surge protection is active. When overloaded, it will automatically shut off, helping protect your devices from damaging electrical surges.
As another (but smaller) perk, this surge protector has a sleek design and is available in white and black, so it should match most electronics.
- Compact design
- Lifetime warranty
- Fewer joules than other products
- May not have enough outlets for offices or large entertainment systems
Specifications
- AC outlets: 6
- USB ports: N/A
- Maximum surge rating: 1,200 joules
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Connected equipment protection: $20,000
If you only have a few devices to plug in, consider the Tripp Lite SWIVEL6. This surge protector plugs directly into the wall and features three rotating outlets, so it’s ideal if you only have a small amount of space behind your TV. It would also work well in hotel rooms since it’s compact and easy to throw in your suitcase.
As for safety, the device includes LED lights to indicate protection status and has an automatic shut-off setting during surges. It’s also been certified to meet UL 1449 standards, so you can feel confident that you’re buying a safe product.
The brand is known for its diverse surge protectors ranging from one to 12 outlets, but we think the six-outlet SWIVEL6 strikes a nice balance of power and protection.
- Affordable
- Ample outlets and energy rating
- Indicator light is too bright for some
- Warranty isn’t as long as some competitors
Specifications
- AC outlets: 12
- USB ports: N/A
- Maximum surge rating: 4,320 joules
- Warranty: 12 months
- Connected equipment protection: N/A
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, no-frills surge protector, look no further than this one from Amazon Basics. It’s a fairly straightforward device, with 12 outlets (but no USB ports) and your choice of an 8′ or 10′ cord.
You can easily tell when the surge protection is active based on the LED light indicators on the device. And when the surge protector is overloaded, you can use the on/off switch to reset the 15Amp circuit breaker.
The Amazon Basics Surge Protector is a decent deal — especially if you’re someone who needs quite a few outlets on a single surge protector.
- Affordable
- Rotating outlets to fit plugs of all sizes
- Some people might dislike the plug-in wall design
- Surge rating isn’t as high as other products
Specifications
- AC outlets: 6
- USB ports: N/A
- Maximum surge rating: 1,080 joules
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Connected equipment protection: $50,000
The Belkin PivotPlug 6-Outlet Surge Protector is another good option if you’re short on space or want fewer cables around your home. Like the Tripp Lite product, it plugs directly into the wall and comes with pivoting outlets for all types of device cords.
This Belkin product has an energy rating of 1,080 joules, which is enough to protect an average-sized home office during a power surge. It also has easy-to-read red and green lights so you can see when surge protection is active.
There are also products in the PivotPlug line that have more outlets or come with a cord if that’s what you prefer.
- Fast-charging USB ports
- Impressive surge rating and safety features
- Outlets are close together
- Bulkier than some other surge protectors
Specifications
- AC outlets: 12
- USB ports: 4
- Maximum surge rating: 4,360 joules
- Warranty: N/A
- Connected equipment protection: N/A
This surge protector from Witeem is another high-powered option with 12 outlets and four USB ports. Even better? The USB ports are equipped with fast-charging technology, so you can quickly power up your favorite devices.
With an ample 4,360-joule surge rating, this product could be a good pick if you have a large gaming set-up, entertainment system, or shared home office. In addition to surge protection, the Witeem device also protects against overheating and short-circuiting.
The Witeem Surge Protector Power Strip comes with a 6′ cord and is available in black or white.
What is the best surge protector?
The best surge protector is the Anker PowerPort Strip 12, based on the number of AC outlets and USB ports, as well as maximum surge rating and protection.
|
Surge protector |
Price |
AC outlets |
USB ports |
|
Anker PowerPort Strip 12 |
$32 |
12 |
3 |
|
Tripp Lite SWIVEL6 |
$22 |
6 |
N/A |
|
Amazon Basics Surge Protector |
$29 |
12 |
0 |
|
Belkin PivotPlug 6-Outlet Surge Protector |
$22 |
6 |
0 |
|
Witeem Surge Protector |
$20 |
12 |
4 |
Which surge protector is right for you?
When evaluating surge protectors, there are a few main things to think about. First, how many and which type of devices will you be plugging into your surge protector? If you’re only using it for your TV or laptop, you should be fine with a lower surge rating (between 1,000 and 2,000). In that case, we’d suggest something straightforward, like the Tripp Lite or Belkin products.
But if you’re a serious gamer or just want to run multiple devices on the same surge protector, you should go for something with a higher rating. The same applies if you have expensive electronics that you want to protect (in which case, you should also seek out a surge protector with a connected device warranty). If this is you, we’d recommend something like the Anker PowerPort Strip 12.
You’ll also want to consider which extra features you might want. For example, some surge protectors include fast-charging USB ports so you can charge your phone or tablet. Others include built-in Wi-Fi, apps, or smart home integration, so you can control your electronics with your voice or mobile phone. The APC SurgeArrest Smart Surge Protector is a good option in these cases.
|
Choose this surge protector… |
If you want… |
|
Anker PowerPort Strip 12 |
The best overall surge protector for electronics. |
|
Tripp Lite SWIVEL6 |
A compact surge protector. |
|
Amazon Basics Surge Protector |
A budget-friendly surge protector. |
|
Belkin PivotPlug 6-Outlet Surge Protector |
A surge protector that’s highly durable. |
|
Witeem Surge Protector |
A surge protector that charges devices super fast. |
How did we choose these surge protectors?
With so many surge protectors on the market, we wanted to make sure that we chose some of the best options. We did this by reviewing several criteria, including surge rating, number of outlets and USB ports, and warranties.
At the same time, we wanted to include options for every budget and style, so you’ll notice that the surge protectors we chose come in a range of prices and designs.
Finally, we also considered customer reviews. Each of the surge protectors on this list received at least a four-star review on Amazon, so you’ll know that you’re in good company if you choose one of these products.
What is a surge protector?
Surge protectors are electrical devices that plug into a power outlet in your home. They also provide power for one or multiple devices (such as TVs, gaming consoles, and laptop chargers). Most importantly, however, surge protectors keep your devices safe during a power surge.
Surges happen for a number of reasons, like when a large appliance in your home kicks back energy or when lightning strikes.
Is a surge protector the same as a power strip?
Power strips simply allow you to plug multiple devices into the same outlet. Unlike surge protectors, they do not necessarily prevent damage from occurring to your devices when they’re plugged in.
Surge protectors are usually bigger and bulkier than power strips.
Can you plug a surge protector into a surge protector?
It’s not recommended to plug a surge protector into another surge protector since you can create a dangerous electrical issue.
Do I really need a surge protector?
Surge protectors are not essential, but they’re a good investment. They can extend the lifespan of your electronics by keeping them protected during power surges (which happen more often than you’d think).
They’re also relatively cheap, so buying one is an affordable way to get extra peace of mind.
How do I know my surge protector is going bad?
It depends on the model you have. Some have LED indicators illustrating it’s working properly. If you notice these lights don’t appear when you plug it in, it means it might not work anymore. Some even emit audible alarms as it approaches the end of operation.
Moreover, the operational life of a surge protector is between three to five years. Therefore, you’ll want to keep tabs on when you buy them. That way, you know when to replace them.
Are there alternative surge protectors worth considering?
It’s better to have more outlets than you need, rather than not having enough — which is why we focused on surge protectors with at least six outlets or USB ports. However, there are also plenty of great options if you’re looking for something smaller. Here are three picks.
About The Author
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.