Best Power Strips and Surge Protectors to buy

I’ve fried a hard drive before. One power surge during a thunderstorm, and a $200 external drive was toast. That was years ago, and I haven’t plugged anything into an unprotected outlet since. If you’re running a home office, gaming setup, or even just a TV with a streaming stick, you need a good surge protector between your gear and the wall.

I’ve tested and researched the best power strips and surge protectors you can buy in 2026. This list covers everything from heavy-duty 12-outlet units for full workstations to compact travel strips you can toss in a laptop bag. Here are my 15 picks.

Table of Contents

1. Anker 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

This is my top pick for most people. The Anker 12-outlet strip gives you 12 AC outlets plus 3 USB ports (2 USB-A and 1 USB-C with 20W Power Delivery). I like how the outlets are spaced so bulky adapters don’t block neighboring sockets. That sounds minor, but it’s a real problem on cheaper strips.

The USB-C port is genuinely useful. It’ll push an iPhone from dead to around 50% in about 26 minutes. You won’t need a separate wall charger for your phone anymore. Surge protection sits at 2,100 Joules, which is solid for this price range. Anker backs it with an 8-point safety system that covers surge suppression, overload cutoff, and fire-resistant casing.

The flat plug and 5-foot cord make it easy to tuck behind a desk or entertainment center. If you’re running a home office or gaming setup and need one strip that handles everything, this is the one I’d buy first.

2. Amazon Basics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip (with USB Ports)

Not everyone needs 12 outlets and a bunch of USB-C ports. Sometimes you just need a reliable strip that doesn’t cost much. That’s exactly what this Amazon Basics unit does. You get 6 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1,000 Joules of surge protection for the price of a couple coffees.

The 6-foot cord is generous, and there’s a flat on/off switch with a green LED that tells you your devices are grounded and protected. Spacing between outlets is a bit tight for large adapters, but standard plugs fit without issues.

I’d recommend this for a nightstand, kitchen counter, or dorm room. If you’re protecting a $2,000 gaming PC, go with something higher-end. But for a lamp, phone charger, and a few small electronics, this strip handles it just fine at a price that’s hard to argue with.

3. Tessan Flat Plug Travel Power Strip – 4 Outlets + 3 USB

I keep one of these in my travel bag at all times. The Tessan is small enough to slip into a laptop sleeve, but it turns a single wall socket into 4 AC outlets plus 3 USB ports (including USB-C). That’s 7 devices from one plug. The 45-degree flat plug hugs the wall so tight that furniture can sit flush against it.

Surge protection is 900 Joules, which isn’t the highest on this list, but it’s perfectly adequate for the kind of gear you’d bring on a trip. There are even mounting holes on the back if you want to hang it on a wall or under a desk at home.

If you travel for work, work from coffee shops, or just need extra outlets in a tight space, this is the strip to get. The built-in USB ports mean you can leave your phone and tablet chargers at home. I’ve used it in hotel rooms across 3 countries without a single issue.

4. Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector (8-ft Cord, 3,940 Joules)

If you’re protecting expensive gear, the joule rating matters. This Belkin delivers 3,940 Joules of surge absorption, which is among the highest you’ll find in a consumer power strip. That’s the kind of protection you want sitting between a power spike and your $1,500 monitor or $3,000 desktop rig.

You get 12 AC outlets with wide spacing so bulky adapters actually fit. The sliding safety covers keep dust out of unused sockets, and there’s a clip-on cable organizer to help with cord management. The 8-foot cord with a flat plug gives you serious flexibility in placement behind desks and entertainment centers.

Belkin backs this with a $300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty for 2 years. That tells you how confident they are. If you’re building out a home theater or a multi-monitor workstation, I’d pick this over the Anker. It doesn’t have USB ports, but the surge protection is nearly double. For pure protection of high-value electronics, this is the one.

5. BESTEK 8-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip (4 USB Ports)

The BESTEK is a workhorse strip that I’d recommend for desks and workshop benches. It gives you 8 AC outlets (with 2 extra-spaced slots for bulky adapters) and 4 smart USB ports that share 4.2A of output. The USB ports auto-detect your device and deliver the fastest charge it can handle.

Surge protection is a modest 600 Joules, so I wouldn’t plug your most expensive gear into this one. But the 15A circuit breaker is the real story here. It handled an 8,000-BTU window AC unit in testing without tripping, so it can take a beating from power-hungry devices.

The 6-foot cord and compact footprint make it a good fit under a desk. If you’ve got a workstation where you need outlets for a monitor, desk lamp, and printer plus USB charging for your phone and headphones, this strip does the job well at a fair price. Just don’t rely on it for serious surge protection on high-value electronics.

6. One Beat 6-Outlet Surge Protector (Side-Mounted Outlets + USB)

I love the design thinking here. Instead of all outlets facing the same direction, the One Beat puts 6 AC outlets on three sides of the strip: 2 front, 2 left, 2 right. That means cords run in different directions, which actually reduces the cable tangle problem that plagues every regular strip. It’s one of those “why didn’t someone think of this sooner” designs.

You also get 3 USB ports (2 USB-A and 1 USB-C) and 900 Joules of surge protection. There’s a 15-amp circuit breaker and an illuminated power switch. The USB ports use auto-detect to optimize charging speed for whatever you plug in.

This is the strip I’d recommend for a cramped desk or dorm room where cable management matters. It’s not built for large appliances, but for everyday electronics, phones, and laptops, it does the job while keeping your desk looking clean. The side-mounted outlet layout is genuinely clever.

7. Addtam 5-Outlet Wall Charger Surge Protector (with USB-C)

No cord, no strip on the floor, no clutter. The Addtam plugs directly into your wall outlet and transforms it into a 9-in-1 power hub: 5 AC outlets on three sides, plus 4 USB ports (3 USB-A and 1 USB-C). I was surprised to see 1,800 Joules of surge protection in something this compact. That’s more than some full-size strips offer.

A small LED indicator confirms your surge protection is active and your grounding is correct. The USB-C port delivers up to 3.1A for faster phone charging. One minor gripe: since the outlets face downward when plugged in, chunky adapter plugs can overlap a bit.

I keep one of these in my kitchen and another in the bathroom. They’re also fantastic for hotel rooms when you’re traveling. If you want more outlets and USB charging without any cords running across the floor, this is exactly what you need.

8. JACKYLED 12-Outlet Surge Protector Tower (with 6 USB Ports)

Tower-style power strips are perfect for shared workspaces, and this JACKYLED unit is one of the best I’ve seen. It stacks 12 AC outlets across four sides of a vertical tower, with 6 USB ports (2 USB-C, 4 USB-A) clustered at the top. Everyone around a table can plug in from their own angle. That’s genuinely useful in conference rooms or creative studios.

Each tier of outlets has its own power switch, so you can toggle groups of devices on and off independently. That’s an easy way to kill phantom power draw when you leave for the day. The 6.5-foot retractable cord winds into the base, so you only pull out as much slack as you need. There’s even a carrying handle on top.

Surge protection is 1,050 Joules with a 13A circuit breaker. That’s adequate for charging and everyday electronics, though I wouldn’t rely on it for sensitive server equipment. Think of it more as a convenient charging hub than a heavy-duty protector. For co-working spaces, workshops, or any table where 4+ people need power, this tower format is hard to beat.

9. CRAFTSMAN 6-Outlet Magnetic Power Strip (2 USB Ports)

This one’s built for garage and workshop use. The Craftsman gives you 6 outlets and 2 USB ports in a rugged strip with two strong rubber-coated magnets on the back. You can slap it onto the side of a tool chest, metal workbench, or cabinet, and it holds tight without scratching the paint. You can also wall-mount it through keyhole slots.

I need to be honest here: this is not a surge protector. There’s no internal MOV and no circuit breaker. It’s purely an outlet multiplier. If your garage already has a protected circuit or you’re running power tools that don’t need surge protection, that’s fine. But don’t plug your PC into this one.

The 6.5-foot cord feels heavy-duty and durable, and the LED power switch glows to confirm it’s on. If you work in a garage or shop and constantly need outlets within arm’s reach, this Craftsman strip solves that problem perfectly. Just know what it is and what it isn’t.

10. Tripp Lite “Protect It!” 12-Outlet Surge Protector (8-ft Cord, 2880J)

Tripp Lite has been making power protection gear for decades, and it shows. This strip packs 12 widely spaced outlets (4 of them extra-spaced for big transformers) and a serious 2,880 Joule surge rating. That’s enough to absorb multiple surges over time before the protection components wear out.

What I really like about this model is the fail-safe circuitry. When the surge protection components are spent, it automatically cuts power instead of continuing to deliver unprotected electricity to your devices. Most cheap strips don’t do this. They’ll happily pass through a fatal spike after their MOVs are burned out. Tripp Lite doesn’t play that game.

The 8-foot cord has a right-angle flat plug, and there are coax, RJ11, and RJ45 jacks for protecting your cable TV, phone, and Ethernet lines too. If you’ve got a home theater with a TV, streaming box, soundbar, and gaming console all plugged in, this is the protector I’d pick. Tripp Lite even backs it with a $150,000+ equipment warranty.

11. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 (6 Smart Outlets + USB)

This is my pick if you want a smart home power strip. The Kasa HS300 gives you 6 individually controllable outlets that work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Kasa app. No hub required. You can tell Alexa to turn off your desk fan, schedule your lights, or shut down all your home office devices at midnight automatically.

Beyond the smart features, you get 3 USB charging ports and ETL-certified surge protection. The Kasa app also lets you monitor each outlet’s energy usage in real time. That’s surprisingly useful for figuring out which devices are drawing the most power. The strip is rated at 15A/1875W with a 6-foot cord.

I use one of these for my office setup. Being able to kill power to my monitor, desk light, and speaker with one voice command at the end of the day saves me the hassle of reaching behind my desk. If you’re building out a smart home, this strip is the easiest way to make “dumb” devices smart.

12. APC Performance P11U2 Surge Protector (11 Outlets, 2 USB, 2880J)

APC is one of those brands that IT professionals trust without question. The P11U2 gives you 11 outlets and 2,880 Joules of surge protection in a well-built strip with a flat 90-degree wall plug and 8-foot cord. It also has 2 USB charging ports built in, so you don’t need extra adapters for your phone.

What sets APC apart is their fail-safe design. When surge protection components are exhausted, the strip disconnects power completely rather than passing unprotected current to your devices. Status LEDs show you the protection and grounding state at a glance. APC covers this with a connected equipment warranty that often runs into the tens of thousands of dollars.

If you’re setting up a networking rack, a workstation with multiple monitors, or any setup where equipment failure would cost you serious money, this is the protector to buy. It’s UL-certified, built by a company that’s been doing this longer than most, and offers the kind of protection that actually matters when a storm rolls through.

13. Anker Nano 6-in-1 Charging Station (2 AC, 4 USB – 67W USB-C)

This isn’t a traditional power strip. The Anker Nano is a compact charging station that combines 2 AC outlets with 4 USB ports (2 USB-C, 2 USB-A) delivering a total of 67W. That’s enough to fast-charge a MacBook Pro 13″ to full in under 2 hours. One USB-C port outputs 45W and the other 20W, so you can charge a laptop and phone at the same time without either slowing down.

The whole unit is tiny, with a 0.35-inch flat plug and a slim 5-foot cord. It includes 900 Joules of surge protection and a $200,000 connected-equipment warranty from Anker. The shell is made from 75% post-consumer recycled plastic, which is a nice touch.

I’d recommend this for a nightstand or a minimalist desk where you don’t need a dozen outlets but you do need fast USB charging. If you’re tired of juggling a MacBook charger, phone charger, and iPad charger separately, this consolidates all of that into one small unit. It’s the cleanest-looking option on this entire list.

14. CyberPower CSP600WSURC2 Wall Tap Surge Protector (Swivel Outlets + USB)

The CyberPower wall tap is brilliant for outlets that are stuck behind furniture. It plugs directly into the wall and gives you 6 AC outlets arranged in two banks that swivel 90 degrees. You can rotate the outlet banks so cords run parallel to the wall instead of sticking straight out. That means your couch or dresser can sit almost flush.

It provides 1,200 Joules of surge protection and includes 2 USB charging ports sharing 2.4A. An LED indicator confirms the protection is active. All 6 outlets are surge-protected and grounded.

I’ve used this behind my TV stand, and it’s a much better solution than running a full power strip along the floor. The swivel mechanism is the real selling point. If you’ve got an outlet hidden behind a sofa, in a tight corner, or in any spot where a traditional strip just won’t fit, this CyberPower adapter is exactly what you need. It’s especially good for entertainment centers and kitchens.

15. Jgstkcity Desk-Clamp Power Strip (5 Outlets, 6 USB, 1200J)

I hate crawling under my desk to plug things in. That’s exactly the problem this Jgstkcity strip solves. It clamps to the edge of your desk (fits surfaces up to about 2 inches thick) and puts 5 AC outlets and 6 USB ports right at your fingertips. The USB setup is impressive: 4 USB-C PD ports (each up to 20W) and 2 USB-A Quick Charge 3.0 ports. That’s 40W total of fast charging.

The strip is ETL-listed with 1,200 Joules of surge protection, and it has a 6-foot flat-plug cord that runs down to your wall. Your desk needs about half an inch of clearance from the wall for the clamp screw, and you can remove the clamp entirely if you want to surface-mount it instead.

If you’re running a standing desk, gaming setup, or multi-device workstation, this is the most ergonomic power solution on the list. No more reaching behind furniture. No more crawling on the floor. Your outlets and chargers sit right on the desk edge where you can actually use them. It’s a small upgrade that makes a surprisingly big difference in your daily workflow.

How to Pick the Right Power Strip

After testing and researching all 15 of these, here’s what I’d tell you to focus on.

Joule rating matters most. If you’re protecting expensive electronics, look for 2,000+ Joules. The Belkin (3,940J), Tripp Lite (2,880J), and APC (2,880J) are the heavy hitters. For basic phone charging and small electronics, 900-1,200 Joules is fine.

Count your devices. Don’t buy a 6-outlet strip if you’ve got 8 things to plug in. I’d rather have 2-3 extra outlets than be stuck using a splitter on my surge protector, which defeats the purpose.

Replace your surge protectors every 3-5 years. The MOV components inside degrade with every surge they absorb. After a few years, your “surge protector” might just be an expensive extension cord. And during severe thunderstorms, unplug your most valuable gear as a failsafe. No surge protector is 100% proof against a direct lightning strike.

Frequently Asked Questions

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