Imagine this: your phone is at 5%, your laptop needs a charge for that important project, and your favorite lamp is just begging to be turned on. But wait, you only have one outlet! Suddenly, that simple power strip becomes a superhero, saving the day (and your devices). It’s a small thing, but without it, our modern lives would grind to a halt.
Choosing the right power strip can feel like a puzzle. Do you need more outlets? What about protecting your electronics from power surges? There are so many types, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The wrong one could leave you with less power than you need or, worse, put your valuable gadgets at risk.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know. We’ll explore the different kinds of power strips, what features to look for, and how to pick the perfect one for your needs. By the end, you’ll be a power strip pro, ready to conquer any outlet shortage and keep your devices safe and sound.
Top Power Strip Recommendations
No. 1
6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector - Yintar Extension Cord with 6 AC Outlets and 3 USB Ports for for Home, Office, Dorm Essentials, 1680 Joules, ETL Listed, (Black)
- Power Strip with 6 Outlets & 3USB Ports: 6 AC Surge protector outlets(1680 Joules) including 1 Widely Spaced Outlet, 2 USB A Ports & 1 USB C Port (5V/3.0A, 15W) , 6 feet power cord (1250W/10A), Surge protector indicator and 10A Overload Protector switch protects against spikes and fluctuations.Wide range voltage design, can be used on 120v to 240v circuit.
- Smart Charging USB Ports: Build in smart charging technology, Each USB A port features 2.4A Max output. USB C charging port features 3A MAX., 3 USB ports ( Total 5V/3.0A/15W) can charge almost any USB device (smart phone, tablet, Amazon Kindle, fire stick, e-reader, blue tooth headphones, portable speaker etc).
- Surge Protector outlet: The 6 AC outlets provide surge protector against electrical spikes. Three complementary Surge Protection Circuits, TVS (transient voltage clamp) MOV(metal oxide varistor) GDT(gas discharge tube), with response speed less than 1Ns, and minimum energy-absorbing capacity of 1680 Joules, its response time is much shorter than the single MOV surge protector circuit, It truly provides great protection of your precious plugged-in devices.
- 6 Feet Flat Plug Power cord with Cable Ties: - 6 Ft Extension Cord makes it more flexible ，Reusable Fastening Cable Ties Can tie up the unused cord and make it better organized. the Mounting hole at the back allows this wall mount power strip to be securely installed in various applications, such as wall mounts, floor mounts, workbenches, under counters & more.
- Our After Sale Service: Our friendly and reliable customer service will respond to you within 24 hours. You can purchase with confidence, with our 30-day return and 12-month replacement.
No. 2
Anker Power Strip with 2100J Surge Protector, Outlet Extender, 5ft Extension Cord with Multiple Outlets, 12 AC, 2 USB A,1 USB C Port for 20W, Home Office, Dorm Room Essentials, TUV Listed
- All the Power You Need: Features 12 AC outlets, 1 USB-C port, and 2 USB-A ports to give you everything you need to power up all of your appliances and mobile devices.
- Fast Charge Your iPhone: Use the 20W USB-C port to give your iPhone 15 a high-speed charge from 0-50% in just 26 minutes.
- 8-Point Safety System: Combines surge protection, fire resistance, overload protection, temperature control, and more to protect you and your devices.
- Optimized Layout: Features extra space between outlets to accommodate bulky plugs. The 5 ft cord is ideal for desks (4 - 5 ft wide), bedside tables, and sofa side tables.
- What You Get: Anker 351 Power Strip, 2 mounting screws, welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, lifetime* $200,000 connected equipment warranty, and friendly customer service.
No. 3
KMC 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip 2-Pack, 900 Joules, 4-Foot Extension Cord, Overload Protection, Black
- 900-joule energy rating provides maximum protection of all your electronic devices
- 6 pack of 6-outlet, surge-protector power strips with 4-foot power chord
- 4-foot long 14 AWG power cord
- Lighted power switch with an 15-Amp circuit breaker to signify your devices are protected from power surge, over-heated, overload, over-charging
- ETL listed. 24 months warranty guarantee.
No. 4
Surge Protector Power Strip - Nuetsa Flat Plug Extension Cord with 8 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Power Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black
- 【Power Strip with 8AC outlets & 4 USB】- Power bars with surge protector with 8AC outlets & 4 USB charging ports (1 USB C Outlet), 6 Feet Heavy Duty extension cord, surge protector(2700 Joules) with overload protection protects against spikes and fluctuations. Wide range voltage design, can be used on 120v to 240v circuit.
- 【USB- C Fast & Smart Charge】- 4 USB Charging ports, each USB A port features 2.4A Max output. USB C charging port features 3A MAX. Built- with smart technology, detecting charging devices and deliver optimal charging speed automatically, compatible with most USB devices. NOTE: The UCB-C port doesn't support any other devices which need 9~22V charging voltage.
- 【8AC Surge Protector Outlets】- The 2 level complementary Surge Protector Circuit which composed of TVS (transient voltage suppressor), MOV (metal oxide varistor), with minimum 2700 Joules energy absorbing capacity, could protect your devices much more quickly and reliably than other brand’s 1 level MOV Surge Protection Circuits.
- 【Safety and Certificate】- ETL safety certified, with extension cord and other major components certified by ETL. The over current protection switch limits the power strip's working current to certain setting, so it will not get hot during usage. Environmental protection and fire-resistance PC shell with flame retardant at 1382℉ makes it more durable and longer lifetime.
- 【What You Get】- Nuetsa Power strip, Maunal, 30-day return, our worry-free 12-month, and reliable customer service will respond to you within 24 hours.
No. 5
Flat Plug Power Strip, Ultra Thin Flat Extension Cord - Addtam 12 Outlet 3 Sides Multiple Outlets, 5Ft, 1050J Surge Protector, Wall Mount, Desk Charging Station for Home Office Dorm Room Essentials
- 【Space Saving Flat Plug & 5Ft Extension Cord】- With only 0.35 inch ultra slim design, the flat plug power strip is much thinner than traditional plugs, which can close to the wall easily, and hide in the back of furniture, bed or refrigerator; 5ft extension cord is made of pure copper, which has better current carrying capacity (15A). The flexible power cord is not easy to deform, durable and more safety
- 【3 Side Design & Widely Space】- Multi sided compact power strip with widely space fits large power adapters without blocking others, Extension cord with multiple outlets turns 1 sockets into 12 outlets, which could charge up to 12 devices at the same time. It would charge your cellphone, laptop, tablet, cameras without a variety of converters, save your space and make your desktop organized
- 【Easy Mount on Wall and Desk 】- Unique screw fixation design on both end allow this white power strip securely installed in various applications (4 screws included). It is easy for mounting to walls, desks or furniture. Keep your desktop organized, a must have accessories for college dorm room, home, office, bedroom, kitchen and etc.
- 【Multi Safety Protection with ON/OFF Switch】- Surge protector power strip has 1050 Joules, overload protection, short-circuit protection, over-current protection, and so on. The on/ off switch can automatically shut off when the power exceeds rated value, to protect your expensive devices like computers, TV at home, office, college dorm, etc. ETL safety certified, with extension cord and other major components certified by UL.
- 【Suitable for Any Occasions】- With screw fixation design on both end, you can mount on a wall or fixed on the desk easily. And It is very convenient and practical to install on office desks, TV walls, tool walls or kitchen.With compact and lightweight design, the slim power strip is easy to carry and best for travel.
No. 6
Power Strip Surge Protector - One Beat 6 Widely Outlets with 4 USB Ports (2 USB C), 5 Ft Extension Cord Flat Plug, Wall Mount Outlet Extender Small Power Strip for Travel Home Office College Dorm Room
- 【10-IN-1 Desktop Power Strip with USB C Fast Charge】— With 6 AC outlets, 2 USB ports and 2 USB C power strip, power up 9 devices simultaneously. USB C charging port features 3A Max, USB A charging port features 2.4A Max, With smart charging technology, it can auto-detect your connected devices and can reach faster-charging efficiency, which would charge your devices WITHOUT a variety of converters.
- 【3 Side Space Saving Design & Widely Space Outlets】— 3-side design and each AC outlets with 1.6 inches space in between, larger than standard 1.5-inch socket, fit big adapters without blocking each other. The compact size (5.0*1.9*1.8 IN) takes up less space on your desk or luggege, essential for the travel, home, office, and college dorm.
- 【Wall Mountable Extension Cord with Flat Plug】— The low-profile flat plug fits easily in tight spaces; and the right angle flat plug design prevents bottom plug blocking; the 5ft upgraded power cord is very thick and has better current carrying capacity (13A); the two mounting holes on back allows this power strip to be securely installed in various applications.
- 【Overload Surge Protection 】 — Features 900 Joules surge protector outlets. Lighted on/off switch with integrated circuit breaker for overload protection of all outlets, It will automatically cut power to protect connected devices when voltage surge is overwhelming. (The "Surge Protected” indicator light on to show your devices are protected).
- 【Multi Safety Protection】— This travel power strip certified by ROHs, FC, ETL, protected against over-voltage, over-current, over-charge, short-circuiting, over-heating. Fire-resistance PC shell with flame retardant at 1382℉ makes it more durable and longer lifetime.
No. 7
Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip w/ 12 AC Outlets & 8ft Flat Plug, UL-Listed Heavy-Duty Extension Cord for Home, Office, Travel, Computer, Laptop, Charger - 3,780 Joules of Protection
- MULTI-OUTLET SURGE PROTECTOR: Power everything on your desk with a single compact multi outlet extension cord; 12 AC outlets with surge protection charge your computer, laptop, phone, camera, etc.
- SAFEGUARD YOUR DEVICES and APPLIANCES: Extensive power surge protector strip testing ensures computers, monitors, hard drives, home theaters, and appliances are protected by 3,940 joules of overcurrent and overload protection
- SAFETY LIGHT INDICATOR CONFIRMS YOUR DEVICES ARE PROTECTED: Wall-mountable power strip surge protector features a safety indicator light to ease your mind while charging, letting you know devices are secure or know if your outlet needs adjusting
- COMPACT & HEAVY-DUTY: Belkin power strip has widely spaced outlets that give ample area to fit big plugs and chargers; its slender design is ideal for home office, workstations, etc.; the 2.4M cord has a 3-prong angle plug convenient for tight spaces
- UL SAFETY CERTIFICATION VERIFIES OUR POWER STRIPS & SURGE PROTECTORS MEET SAFETY STANDARDS: This product has been independently lab tested and certified to meet or exceed UL safety standards
No. 8
GE Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Ft Extension Cord, 6 Outlet Extender, 800 Joules, Flat Plug, Twist-to-Close Safety Covers, ETL Listed, White, 67051
- 6 OUTLET SURGE PROTECTOR — Six grounded, three prong outlets expand one wall outlet into a centralized power solution for electronics, appliances and tools
- 800 JOULES OF SURGE PROTECTION — Helps protect connected devices from voltage spikes using an integrated circuit breaker with reset switch and a protected indicator light that confirms active surge protection
- 6FT. POWER CORD — Durable extension cord provides flexible reach and dependable performance for home, office, garage or workshop setups
- SPACE SAVING FLAT PLUG — Low profile, angled flat plug fits easily behind furniture and keeps one wall outlet unobstructed and available for use
- MOUNTING & SAFETY FEATURES — Built in keyhole slots enable wall or desk mounting, while twist to close safety covers protect unused outlets from dust and debris
The Ultimate Power Strip Buying Guide
Power strips are super handy for plugging in lots of things at once. They help you organize your cords and keep your devices safe. But with so many options, picking the right one can be tricky. This guide will help you find the best power strip for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a power strip, keep these important features in mind:
1. Number of Outlets
- Think about how many devices you need to plug in.
- Do you need just a few for your desk, or many for your entertainment center?
- Power strips come with 2, 4, 6, 8, or even more outlets.
2. Surge Protection
- This is a big one! Surge protection stops sudden power spikes from damaging your electronics.
- Look for a power strip with a high joule rating. A higher joule rating means better protection.
- Some power strips also have indicator lights to show if surge protection is working.
3. Cord Length
- How far away is your outlet?
- A longer cord gives you more flexibility in where you place your devices.
- Short cords can be annoying if your outlet is far away.
4. USB Ports
- Many modern power strips include USB ports.
- These let you charge phones, tablets, and other gadgets without needing a separate wall adapter.
- Check the amperage of the USB ports to see how fast they charge.
5. Outlet Spacing
- Some plugs are big and bulky, like for power bricks.
- Look for power strips with wide-spaced outlets. This prevents big plugs from blocking nearby outlets.
Important Materials
The stuff a power strip is made of matters for how safe and durable it is.
1. Casing Material
- Most power strips use sturdy plastic for their outer shell.
- Look for fire-retardant plastic. This is safer in case of overheating.
- Metal casings are also strong but can be heavier.
2. Internal Wiring
- Good quality internal wiring is thick and made of copper.
- This helps carry electricity safely and prevents overheating.
- Thin or cheap wiring can be a fire hazard.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Certain things make a power strip better or worse.
Quality Boosters:
- UL certification: This means the power strip has been tested and meets safety standards.
- Overload protection: This is a built-in switch that cuts power if too much is drawn, preventing damage.
- Individual On/Off Switches: Some power strips let you turn off each outlet separately. This saves energy.
Quality Reducers:
- Flimsy plastic: A cheap-feeling casing might break easily.
- Unmarked joule ratings: If you can’t find a joule rating, it might not have good surge protection.
- No certifications: If it doesn’t have a safety certification, it’s risky.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use a power strip affects which one is best for you.
Home Office:
- You’ll likely need a power strip with surge protection for your computer, monitor, and printer.
- USB ports are great for charging your phone and headphones.
- Wide-spaced outlets are helpful for bulky power adapters.
Entertainment Center:
- You might need a power strip with many outlets for your TV, game console, soundbar, and streaming devices.
- Surge protection is crucial here to protect your expensive electronics.
Kitchen:
- A power strip can help you plug in your toaster, coffee maker, and other small appliances.
- Make sure it’s placed away from water to avoid accidents.
Travel:
- Compact power strips with built-in surge protection and USB ports are perfect for trips.
- They help you charge all your devices in one spot at your hotel.
Power Strip FAQs
Q: What is surge protection, and why is it important?
A: Surge protection guards your electronics from sudden, strong bursts of electricity. These bursts can come from lightning strikes or power grid issues. Without it, your devices could be damaged.
Q: How do I know if a power strip has good surge protection?
A: Look for a joule rating. A higher joule number means it can absorb more energy from a surge. Aim for at least 1000 joules for good protection.
Q: What does “UL Listed” mean?
A: “UL Listed” means the power strip has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and meets specific safety standards. It’s a sign of a quality and safe product.
Q: Can I plug too many things into a power strip?
A: Yes, you can overload a power strip. Each power strip has a maximum wattage it can handle. Plugging in too many high-power devices can overheat the strip or cause a fire.
Q: What’s the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?
A: A power strip simply gives you more outlets. A surge protector is a power strip with extra components to block power surges. Many power strips today include surge protection.
Q: Are USB ports on power strips fast chargers?
A: Some USB ports are fast chargers, but not all. Check the amperage (amps) listed for the USB ports. Higher amps generally mean faster charging.
Q: How do I clean a power strip?
A: Always unplug the power strip first! Use a dry cloth to wipe away dust. Never use liquids, as they can cause electric shock or damage.
Q: Can I use a power strip outdoors?
A: No, most power strips are not designed for outdoor use. They can be damaged by rain, moisture, and extreme temperatures, which is dangerous.
Q: What is a “smart” power strip?
A: A smart power strip can be controlled through an app or voice commands. Some can monitor energy usage or turn off devices automatically.
Q: How long do power strips last?
A: A good quality power strip with surge protection typically lasts about 5-10 years. If the surge protector indicator light goes out, it’s time to replace it.