Pick Up These Power Strips to Protect Your Gear While Charging
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All of us spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on electronic devices that we use all day, every day. Phones, laptops, TVs, microwave, just to name a few. So spending a fraction of that cost to protect these things should be a no-brainer. That’s where a good power strip comes in.
What Are the Best Power Strips?
Not only will the best power strips provide a convenient and organized place to plug everything in, but the power strip’s built-in surge protection will be your last line of defense against electrical damage. When electrical voltage suddenly swells or spikes, it can be too much for your devices that are plugged directly into the wall to handle, which can result in damage or even fires. A surge protecting power strip steps up and sacrifices itself, suppressing the surge and transferring that power away from your appliances. This is especially crucial during power outages, when your home’s breaker box may not switch off in time.
Though they may look similar, not all power strips are alike. Some offer spacing for extra bulky AC plugs, others have USB and ethernet ports along with the standard outlets. Most importantly though, is how much they can handle. A “joule” is the standard unit of measurement used in electronics, and different strips can only handle varying joule amounts.
It’s extremely important to take into consideration what you’ll be using your power strip for, and if it’s up to the job you need it to do. Smaller devices, like phone chargers or lamps, work well with a low joule count – about 200 and up. If you’re plugging in your entire battle station with a computer, two monitors, fish tank and a mini-fridge, your best bet is a bigger strip that can handle up to 2100.
No matter your needs, these four picks will effortlessly protect your electronics in every room of your house, giving you a space to plug in your devices and keep them protected.
1. Bototek Surge Protector
The Bototek fears no surges, storms, or even lightning strikes. This is a powerhouse of a power strip and offers not just the protection (up to 2100 joules) to know your devices are safeguarded, but also a plug for everything too.
With 10 AC outlets and four USB chargers, chances are it’s probably more than enough to handle all your devices, both big and small. The USB charging is compatible with most everything, and is extra fast too, thanks to its Smart Charging feature.
If there’s a sudden surge, the Bototek’s double-break safety switch will automatically switch off, protecting not only all your devices, but the strip itself too.
Constructed with heat-dissipating copper wire, this absolute unit is flame-retardant and fireproof, up to 1,382 degrees.
The extra-long cord is a nice touch, so the unit reaches down to the floor and isn’t left dangling (though it’s wall-mountable too) and it’s slim enough that it won’t block other outlets. Also the fact that two of the outlets are spaced farther apart from the other eight, leaving room for larger/boxier plugs, is another reason this strip is superior in every way.
2. KMC Surge Protector Power Strip
KMC’s power strip is a step beyond basic. This six-outlet strip with built-in voltage sensing puts up a protective defense against power spikes and storms that could potentially damage your devices, and the higher joule rating (900J) means you’re able to safely plug in some larger appliances too.
The 15-amp circuit breaker lets you know with a separate light when it’s guarding your electronics from things like surges, over-heating, and over-charging, and the main switch is brightly lit to show that it’s flipped on and providing power.
A common problem with power strips is, ironically, the power cord. It’s often too short and too bulky, which means all your plugged-in devices are left awkwardly hanging a few feet above the floor. The four-foot long 14 AWG cord here leaves enough slack to reach the ground or tuck behind a piece of furniture to tidy up your space.
This set gets you a two-pack of power strips.
3. Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
This handy two-pack is best for protecting smaller devices like phone chargers or lamps, providing up to 200 joules. Between the pair, there’s a total of 12 outlets, which should be more than enough to cover what you need in a bedroom or compact home space. The slim design also means the strip will fit easily behind a desk or furniture too.
The Oversized Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) are there to absorb any excess electricity, and its damage-resistant construction makes sure that the circuits are protected from things like impact, fire and rust. The Power Filtration feature also makes sure that buzzing and other noises are kept to a minimum when it’s plugged in and receiving power.
This strip is very lightweight, with a thick two-foot cord and plenty of outlets for smaller, less power-hungry devices. The on/off button doesn’t light up either, which is great for using it in a bedroom and not wanting a light running all night.
4. AmazonBasics Surge Protector Power Strip
Amazon’s power strip gets the main job done without any unnecessary extra bells and whistles.
This six-outlet surge protector comes in a pack of two, and makes it easy to have all your devices plugged into the same strip, powering everything on and off using a simple switchable flip without having to unplug it from the wall. It’s also designed to conserve energy when not in use. The power switch is embedded low, which prevents any accidental pressings and shutting everything off by mistake.
Two eye-holes built-in on the back give you the option of mounting it on the wall too.
For smaller devices, this is a solid choice when you’re in need of maximizing outlets. For larger appliances, go for one that can handle a higher joule amount.
5. Baseus 100W Charger
Baseus’s compact PowerCombo is a powerhouse of a multi-charger in a small package, thanks to the high-performance GaN chip inside.
This supports a vast array of different phone, tablet, laptop, console, and home-appliance types, along with PPS charging, and can fuel an iPhone 13 up to 50% in just 30 minutes. It’s compatible with Samsung’s SuperFast charging, and the angled plug sits nicely flat against the wall outlet to save space in your setup.
It’s ideal for travel too, with two full size outlets, two full size USB and two USB-C ports. Multiple safety precautions are also a feature, with built-in protections like dual-zone cooling, anti-touch, and guarding against overheating.
This is also available in a smaller 40 wattage strip as well.