Guard Your Electronics with the Best Surge Protector in 2022
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YINTAR Surge Protector (10 Outlets) -
Amazon Basics 6-Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon Basics) -
KMC 6-Outlet Surge Protector (2-Pack) -
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector (White Color) -
Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector (With Phone Line Protection) -
Buyer's Guide
While a surge protector might seem like little more than a fancy power strip, the protection they provide can be crucial for guarding your electronic devices. Their protection is usually rated in Joules, which is a measurement of energy and indicates how much of a surge they can protect against; generally, a higher rating means more protection from one of these devices.
Any power outlet in a house or similar building must be properly grounded to ensure a surge has somewhere to go, even with a surge protector in place. The immense power of a bolt of lightning cannot be adequately handled by a surge protector, but good protection can deal with more common power issues like surges utility providers or other local sources. With all of this in mind, we've compiled a list of five high quality surge protectors and have also included a surge protector buyer’s guide below for information to help you pick the right model to keep your electronics safe.
YINTAR Surge Protector (10 Outlets)
- 10 outlet support
- With 4 USB ports
- Design makes it take up a lot of space
Amazon Basics 6-Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon Basics)
- Affordable
- Enough ports for a PC setup
- Limited features
KMC 6-Outlet Surge Protector (2-Pack)
- Pack of two
- With LED indicator
- Build quality isn't the best
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector (White Color)
- Comes in two colors
- Various length options
- Black and white isn’t exactly a lot of color options
Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector (With Phone Line Protection)
- With phone line protection
- Wall-mount option
- Too large for some spaces
Our Top Five Surge Protectors
YINTAR Surge Protector (10 Outlets) - Best Surge Protector Overall
Have you ever wanted to hook up an entire room to one large extension cord? It may sound like a bad idea to some, but technology has advanced quite a bit over the years, and this has allowed us to push the limits of what’s possible and, more importantly, what’s safe. This surge protector by YINTAR also serves as an extension cord, and it has not one, not two, but ten different outlets that you can plug in all sorts of things onto, be it your TV, speaker set, or anything else.
- 10 outlet support
- With 4 USB ports
- Design makes it take up a lot of space
The surge protector also comes with four USB ports. You won’t be transferring data to and from your house, of course, but the ports are there so that you can charge your phone, game controller, or other devices via a USB cable. If you somehow manage to use all 10 outlets on this surge protector, the USB ports will give you the extra connections you may need to charge up at the same time.
Amazon Basics 6-Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon Basics) - Runner Up
If you’ve read some of our lists, then you’ve probably come across Amazon Basics products quite a few times. And this is for good reason - contrary to their name, Amazon Basics provides more than just the basics. Well, they do, but not in the “we’re cheaping out on our products” sense, but more on the “it has everything you need in good quality” sense. Amazon Basics products may be simple, but they’re made to last, and best of all, they’re affordable.
- Affordable
- Enough ports for a PC setup
- Limited features
The Amazon Basics 6-outlet surge protector is perfect for plugging in all sorts of electronic devices. In particular, it has enough outlets for a basic PC setup, with enough outlets for your monitor, PC, speaker set, and three other things - this could include your phone charger, your printer, and maybe a small table lamp. In other words, you’ve got a lot of outlets to work with, and with its solid build quality, it’ll last you for years to come without worry.
KMC 6-Outlet Surge Protector (2-Pack) - Honorable Mention
What if you had not one, but two surge protectors? Now, depending on the situation, you may want to have one large surge protector over two smaller ones. But in situations where, say, you need surge protectors in different places in your house, one large surge protector won’t be so useful. Having two smaller ones, on the other hand, will effectively give you more coverage in your house.
- Pack of two
- With LED indicator
- Build quality isn't the best
These two surge protectors have an LED indicator that showcases if the surge protector is actually working. Of course, you can tell if the surge protector is working by simply plugging in a device and seeing if it’s powered, but the LED indicator will help give peace of mind to people who are a little too antsy over electronics. The surge protectors have a 24-month warranty guarantee, making this a solid purchase overall.
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector (White Color) - Consider
Interior design isn’t just a hobby for some people - it’s a way of life. And when even the simplest of things get in the way of their ideal home look, it can be a problem. Fortunately, even surge protectors offer some form of design flexibility. This surge protector by GE comes in two different colors - black and white - making it great for those who want to choose a color that suits the surrounding room better. A surge protector that sticks out like a sore thumb can prove to be quite the annoyance, so it’s good that you can choose at least one of two colors.
- Comes in two colors
- Various length options
- Black and white isn’t exactly a lot of color options
There are also quite a few customization options in regards to the length of the surge protectors. They can range anywhere between 2 feet all the way to 25 feet, so you can pick a surge protector that’s just long enough and does not have any excess cable to loop around. Finally, you can either choose between a 1 or 2-pack, so you won’t have to buy two separate pieces.
Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector (With Phone Line Protection) - Best Budget Surge Protector
This last surge protector aims to be used in the middle of your home. It not only has ample space for plugging in devices, but it also comes with phone line protection for other forms of surge protection other than just your electronic devices. If you’re worried that your phone line will be affected by surges, then this device will make sure nothing bad happens to it.
- With phone line protection
- Wall-mount option
- Too large for some spaces
The device itself is quite large, with varying sizes, too. The smallest power strip is 6 inches long, and you can get one that’s 12 inches long too if you need something larger. There’s even a wall mount option if you want a more permanent solution. You can also choose the number of outlets, ranging from 7 outlets all the way up to 12, with some options also offering USB ports for USB cable charging. It’s got a little bit of everything, and while it may be a little too big for some households, if you can find the space for it, it’s a solid product.
Buyer's Guide
Although picking a surge protector might initially seem simple, there are quite a few considerations to keep in mind before making a choice. Perhaps the single most important factor is the suppression rating, which indicates how much power the device protects your electronics from. You should also look at other considerations like the number of outlets, cord length, and other connections for devices or cables the surge protector can help defend. Noise filtering, clamping voltage, and additional safety features are all important in protecting your system more completely to prevent damage to your computer or other electronics.
Surge Protector: Our Guide to Buying
Suppression rating
Arguably the single most important consideration when looking at a surge protector is its suppression rating, which indicates how much power it can protect your system from in case of a surge. This rating is expressed in Joules, a unit for measuring energy, with higher values indicating greater protection. At the very minimum, you should look for a model with a rating of at least about 1,000 Joules or just a bit over it. 2,000 to 3,000 Joules is preferable, and if you are concerned about surges through your power lines, then look for a model with a rating over 3,000 or even 4,000 Joules.
Number of outlets
While power suppression is incredibly important, all the protection possible is meaningless if you do not have enough outlets for all of your devices. The best way to determine how many outlets you need is to look at the devices you plan on plugging into the surge protector at that outlet. From there you can choose a model with one or two more available outlets. This gives you enough connections for all of your devices, plus some options for expanding your system or plugging in temporary devices.
If you’re not sure how many devices you’ll have plugged in together, then go for a surge protector with at least seven or eight outlets, although a dozen or more is a better choice. Also be sure to pick a model with at least one (preferably two or three) outlets specifically for larger plugs; this helps you avoid using up two outlets for a single device.
Cord length
This may not be a major issue, but it’s worth considering. The length of the cord on your surge protector can help eliminate excess clutter or make it easier to set up your entire system. If all of your devices are close to a wall outlet, a shorter cord minimizes the extra cable you have between the wall and your surge protector. Conversely, look for a model with at least six feet of cable if you have a setup where extra reach is necessary. This ultimately comes down to your setup, so choose the protector with the right cord length for your arrangement.
Additional connections
Your priority when choosing a surge protector may be available electrical outlets, but you should consider other connections too. If your protector will be near a cable modem or other cable cord you will be using, then look for a surge protector that includes a cable connection. This lets you run your cable signal through the protector, protecting your devices from surges that can come in along that line. Similarly, if you have a phone line near the area, choose a surge protector that has in and out phone connections so you can protect your telephone equipment. Other connections, like Ethernet ports, are also beneficial to protect your entire network from potential surges.
EMI/RFI noise filtering
Power surges may be your primary concern when choosing a surge protector, but many models also include filtering to reduce electromagnetic noise through your system. This is especially beneficial if you run networking cables through your surge protector since noise elimination can help improve networking signals fidelity and clarity. Look for noise filtering of at least up to 50dB, though 75dB is better and helps keep signals clear of a lot of noise.
Clamping voltage
The clamping voltage of a surge protector indicates at what point it will divert power away from your devices and protect them from a surge. Fluctuations of voltage through power cables and from outlets are not uncommon, so surge protectors do not immediately go into action at any increase. Instead, there is a value known as the clamping voltage, and whenever voltage goes above this level, the surge protector steps in to keep your devices safe.
There are three common voltages: 330 V, 400 V, and 500 V. Lower values are better since you don’t want a surge protector to ignore too much, so 330 V is ideal but 400 V is also acceptable. Avoid any surge protectors with a clamping voltage of 500 V.
Safety features
Detachable cables are a great safety feature you should look for when picking a surge protector. This lets you more easily store a protector when not in use, and also prevents tripping over cables. You should also look for a surge protector that includes outlet covers, either one that slides into place or removable ones. By covering unused outlets, it reduces the likelihood of accidental insertions from say, a curious youngster holding a metal fork. Such features are ideal in a household with small children, but even in a professional setting, they can be valuable.
Manufacturers and warranty
As you consider different surge protectors, look for well-known manufacturers that deliver quality products that are reliable over long-term use. Companies like Belkin, CyberPower, and Tripp Lite all produce excellent surge protectors that live up to the specifications indicated on the models they make. Fellowes and APC are also good companies that make a wide range of different surge protectors.
Look for a surge protector with at least a five-year warranty, though you can find many models with lifetime warranties. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that surge protectors can only handle a certain number of surges, after which they function as a power strip but no longer offer protection. Models with indicator lights let you know if you need to replace it or if it is still working properly.
