Independent on-off switches for each level, Easy to carry in any bag or backpack provides protection for two devices and USB charging, Advanced surge suppression with series mode protection in addition to a metal oxide varistor. The higher the joule rating, the more protection it offers. When you're on the road or at someone else's home or office, it's the same. Please refresh the page and try again. Still, it sits cleanly on a wall and can work well next to a nightstand to plug in a lamp and some phone chargers. Since the charger side supports Anker's PowerIQ technology, which identifies devices for fast charging, it can charge a MacBook in slightly over two hours. TP-Link really has produced the ultimate surge protector. TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. APCs SurgeArrest Performance P12U2 is our new favorite surge protector that automatically cuts power when protection ends. Charg puts nearly every charging and protection feature in a single power strip: Replaceable surge protection, USB charging, a long cord, and cable management. And the green light around the edge looks dope and also makes it easy to find when you want to plug something in while you're editing in a darkened room," said a reviewer who awarded the surge protector 5 out 5 stars. A surge protector should more accurately be called a thing that blocks excessive voltage when it exceeds a certain extreme point. This cutoff, called clamping, is typically 330 volts (V), 400V, or 500V. For the technically inclined who want to know: its small electronic components called Metal Oxide Varistors, or MOVs for short, which are more often used for this filtering of surges. Just use it mostly for smaller devices. One reviewer who rated the surge protector a 4 out of 5 said: "Liked it so much, we bought 3.". You also must plug a surgeprotector into a properly grounded 3-prong outlet. There is also a circuit breaker, and the power switch can reset it after it trips. Think of it as an automated levee or dam that can push a massive surge of water back towards a river to help keep your home safe. A notable feature of this model is that it provides a fail-to-safe design, also referred to as "automatic shut down" by Tripp Lite. Industry reports and testing indicates these protections are effectively pointless, so we didnt consider their presence or absence in our testing and reviews. In this scenario, you must stay alert, particularly during a storm and right afterwards, or whenever your lights flicker . Joules provide a rough basis of comparison thats nearly impossible to test in lab conditions, as youd have to simulate a variety of surges over long periods of time with multiple identical units of each model. Tripp Lite's protection levels are way above average at 1050 Joule. This surge protector has been rated 4.5 out of 5 on B&H Photo. Getting ahead of a problem that may be unlikely but not improbable saves you from the enormous consequences if it occurs. (See below for more detail.) It doesnt have nearly as high a Joule rating at only 918, nor does it offer the same amount of equipment protection. And the cord feels solid. A joule is a measure of energy. This will ensure your electronics stay safe, even if it means having to go pick up another unit. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. Phone jacks and coax connectors dont add much to value to a surge protector. Because you can plug so much power into a multi-outlet device, its very easy to overload the thing into which youre daisy chaining the surge protector, which can cause product failure or even an electrical fire. MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus benchmarks: Which laptop wins? Not only that, it includes a 10W Qi wireless charger. Depending on the age of a utilitys systems and how frequently lightning strikes occur, however, surges and huge spikes might be regular occurrences. This is often blamed on the quality of the components, when it actually can be a result of a power surge. Generally, for most electronics and video game consoles including the elusive PS5 and Xbox Series X 2,000 joules and above will be more than adequate in keeping your devices safe. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. On the back are three AC sockets, so that the AC cables are hidden from view, and on the front are three USB ports, along with LEDs that show the charging and surge protection status, as well as a ground wire check LED. If you place tremendous value in industrial design, the Austere VII Series surge protector is the most attractive device in this category. 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Don't forget to make sure that any socket adaptors you use also have a ground prong, as surge arresters are rendered useless without a working ground wire. TheTripp LiteTLP1008TELis another good choice, but it doesnt have the USB charging ports and it has two fewer outlets. A surge protector's lifespan is estimated at three to five years under the normal conditions of a well functioning power grid. Those are the ones you want to replace post haste. The one-year warranty, while not bad, falls below the competition. Anker decided to do something about it and created a stunning surge protector plus USB charger, plus USB-C power delivery (PD up to 45W), all rolled into one into an aptly named white "capsule" that sits atop your desk. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, There was a problem. It should be noted that the most expensive type of surge protectors use Series Mode protection. The series mode design also provides great surge filtering. If youre concerned about electrical strikes, you need to upgrade how the electrical feed comes into your house (or convince a landlord to do the same). Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. With a three-wire outlet, which is required for surge protectors, those are line, neutral, and ground. Best overall surge protector: the best protection and value for the money, Best for the home - blends in with every room of the house, Best for the office: multiple sockets for multiple hands and makes things easy at the workplace, Vertical tower design with lots of sockets, Best for portability - does one thing and does it well, not getting in the way, Best for professionals: when the goal is protecting your important equipment at all costs, Coax (CATV/Satellite/Cable modem) and RJ11 phone sockets, Most versatile - AC Protection plus charging of your latest USB-C devices with Power Delivery (PD), Can charge high power devices (eg a Chromebook), Best budget option: if your wallet is thin you can still have great protection including insurance for an unbelievable low price. If the light isnt lit, the MOVs have burned out, and theres no protection left. Many surge protectors but not all include a LED indicator to indicate if the AC socket connected to the surge protector has a good earth connection. The company was founded in 1922 to manufacture car headlights, but by the 1950s it was making rotating warning lights for the police, fire and ambulance markets, and in 1982 it created the first surge protector, having created the first UPS (opens in new tab) system for PCs two years earlier. Fernando Cassia Some power stops flowing. You can take precautions when designing a new home to prevent them, such as ensuring air conditioners and central heating do not share the same power lines as your appliance sockets. Everyone is jumping on the USB-C bandwagon. Although, the warranty on the surge protector itself only lasts for 18 months. There was a problem. Other "non-sacrificial" methods do exist, such as from Zero Surge. Thats a problem. Most quality surge protectors and power strips have a built-in kill switch which will make the surge protector inoperable if it cant provide protection any longer. But in any case, it shows that the firm takes its level of protection seriously. NY 10036. And note, not all power strips offer surge protection. Protects from primitive grids, with huge power fluctuations," said one reviewer. Not only that, according to the APC product page, the SurgeArrest 12 undergoes testing by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In practice, this is very, very hard to determine. If you dont follow the guidelines spelled out for plugging your surge protector into the wall, you can damage it void the product warranty and any damaged-items protection that comes with it. I am very pleased that I learned about the Anker Strip Surge Protector," said one reviewer. Regardless of how good the surge protector is, it will be rendered useless with a weak or severed earth wire. Another nice security feature are the child-proof outlet covers. We also dig that all the plugs can be hidden on the underside of your desk, and that cord is super long. It also swivels, meaning it can sit both horizontally and vertically. Not this one. The surge protector is backed by a two-year limited warranty. In the case of failure of the surge arrestors, the unit shuts off, so it is not possible to continue using the device risking your beloved hardware by continuing to use it. Heres why you can trust us. When that time comes with almost any other surge protector, youll need to toss it in the garbage. On Walmart's website, this product has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. Six switched AC outlets that can be programmed with complex schedules, Includes an away mode for simulating someone present in a home or office, Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, Outlets can be combined in scenes with other Kasa Smart devices, No manual in the box, not even a tiny one, Power cord is slightly too short for versatile placement, No Apple HomeKit or Siri Shortcuts support, USB charger and AC jack at end of cord for desktop mounting, Pivoting outlets alleviate AC adapter crowding, No circuit breaker, protection relies entirely on MOVs, Coax and phone connectors are generally useless, Higher-end surge protection features in a very inexpensive power strip, No LEDs to indicate grounded or protected status, Warranty claims must be made within 15 days of product failure, Excellent clamping voltage level for main AC power, Highly legible and attractive protected and grounded indicator lights, USB charging ports are too close to two outlets, The insurance for failing to protect your gear will be even more difficult to collect than most, Elegant design, high-end materials, and premium build quality, Five USB charging ports, including a USB-C PD port capable of delivering 45 watts, 15-amp circuit breaker, EMI/RFI noise filtration, and outlets that are electrically isolated from each other, Price tag reflects aesthetics and materials more than features or performance, Does the surge protector continue to provide power when its clamping capability has burned out? If youre not sure what type of protection you need, scroll down a bit further and well help you decide. The APC product below does the same and it has twice as many outlets, but it costs more than twice as much. Its protection does not stop with MOVs measured in Joules. The super-long 18 ft (5.48m) power cord leads to a small plastic unit with three AC outlets. The joule (expressed as J) needs a longer explanation: J is an international unit of energy. Manufacturers of surge protectors certify their devices and measure their effectiveness, giving them a rating in Joules which is the amount of energy they can filter, and also its clamp voltage, which is the threshold. The CyberPower Desktop Power Charger is meant for a desk, to plug in accessories or charge phones. Please refresh the page and try again. Some might add a layer of minimal surge protection. During a surge, the excess voltage spike is discharged to ground instead of reaching your device. If your property is old, or if you rent, rewiring a whole house or office is often neither easy nor practical. TechRadar is supported by its audience. 12 Outlet Power Surge Protector with 2 Built-in USB Charger Ports, 3-outlet Mini Surge Protector with USB Ports (BST300bg), Best surge protector for cable management, Lesser equipment protection compared to competition, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. Two are on one side of the unit and one on the other. There are twelve AC outlets, four of which are spaced out to let you connect big wall wart chargers that would otherwise step over the nearby socket. Heres why you can trust us. Upon reaching its joule rating, the surge arrestor ceases to function as a filter: electricity will keep flowing through them, but so will spikes. We'll help you pick the right one for your home or small office. When the surge protector experiences a surge and the arrestors reach their end of life, the device stops sending power to your devices, telling you in no uncertain terms that it's time to replace it. But there are three variants when protection fails: All power stops flowing, which will immediately remove electricity to all connected devices. Purchasing a solid surge protector is a wise investment. I confess that I only learned this in 2016; I checked mine, and had to replace one a few months later when that light suddenly disappeared. And of all the units we tested, it was the sturdiest of the bunch, with a flat and wide base. Im about to blow your mindor at least the minds of most people. Compared to larger surge protectors, the 3-Outlet falls short. Alternating current (AC) voltage centers around 120V, but it cycles or alternates from -170V through 0V to +170V and back again; 120V is the rough average. By looking at the LED on the unit, you can tell when the protection is working. Just make sure not to plug in a heater, generator, medical device, car, or any other major electrical device, as that will voice any warranty protection. Industry standards for surge suppression and power conditioning devices include IEEE 62.41 and UL1449, which limit the quantity of electricity that can pass through them. Fortunately, there are numerous means of protecting yourself, with varying levels of complexity and most at reasonable prices. The CyberPower Desktop Power Charger is built like a brick, and thats a good thing. There are, quite literally, thousands to choose from. There are two USB ports with a 2.4A output which can be used to fast charge a smartphone (opens in new tab) or tablet (opens in new tab). Place it on a kitchen countertop, atop a desk, under a desk, or anywhere you like. Updated July 18, 2022 to add a link to our Meross Smart Wi-Fi Surge Protector review. If your equipment is more critical or sensitive, you want to choose a surge protector with a lower clamp voltage. Its AC sockets are also close to one another making this unit unsuitable for big wall wart chargers. iOS 16 Apple Pay tipped for a huge change, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Other types of filters are gas discharge arrestors which are often seen in antenna protectors, but most of the time, MOVs are used, often in combination with other components like capacitors. Having not used it, we assume it involves recording the invoices for purchases, assessing the damage by sending the affected equipment, etc. With 12 outlets and two USB charge ports, it matches the APC Performance SurgeArrest 12. The average lightning strike releases about one billion joules of energy in less than a second! This surge protector is also UL listed. Outside of work, you can find him sitting blankly in front of a Word document trying desperately to write the first pages of a new book. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). If you're on a tight budget and your wallet is thin, then you need not look further. The SurgeArrest 12 also has a built-in fail-safe mode, cutting off power once the internal components have been compromised. Professionals with expensive equipment will want the best protection possible. Dont know if your outlet is properly grounded? The power cord is braided and robust, meaning it should deal with a fair amount of abuse. NYT labs evaluated this unit and called it "the best surge suppression we tested" adding that it "turned a 5,000-volt surge into just 40 volts". The electrical grid wasnt designed for electronics, and surges and spikes used to be more regular and higher, as they didnt affect electric motors. Think of it as a building where each horizontal section represents a floor. Belkins 12 Outlet Surge Protector, model BV12234-08, is an excellent unit that provides plenty of protection, which is why its one of the best surge protectors and best power strips on the market. It is named after James Prescott Joule, who was a physicist, mathematician, and brewer from Salford, near Manchester. Power comes in over line, passes through neutral, and cycles through negative and positive voltage; thats one leg (known as L-N). Because of this, it's essential to install AC wiring that complies with code and has proper earthing. Belkins 12-Outlet PivotPlug Surge Protector (BP112230-08) wont cut off power when it can no longer protect your devices, but it does offer low clamping voltage (330V on all legs). It also has a clip towards the bottom for cable management. Acting more like a wall tap, the 3-Outlet essentially gives buyers additional ports on their walls. Finally we sorted our list of picks by price in each category to select the ones that offer the best value for their price and which had the best buyer review scores. The feature that sets this product apart from the crowd is the fact that you can buy a new surge protection cartridge when it wears out. "It is so convenient to plug in so many cords in one location. MOVs dont degrade in a perfect linear fashion, and not all MOVs are of the same quality. You will receive a verification email shortly. It is possible to plug in wall warts without blocking nearby sockets and its clear this surge protector has a well thought out design. Its 6 foot power cord makes it easy to use it anywhere, and it is retractable as well. "I am loving this. So, regardless of shape or size, all units on this list will give strong levels of protection. A surge protector throws itself into the line of fire, sacrificing its components again and again so that your devices stay functional. You have to look at the protection light to know the state of protection. While it may be tempting to purchase the cheapest surge protector available, doing so could be a catastrophic mistake. A round power button is located at the center of the flying saucer, which is smaller than a dinner plate. Manufacturers of surge protectors certify their devices and measure its effectiveness, giving them a rating in Joules. To put the Joule rating of a surge protector in simple words, it indicates how much energy a device can absorb before the filter stops functioning. Once you are satisfied with the basics, you can move on to the extras. Need more power? One of the 22 reviewers said: "Really useful. This vertical power strip allows for sufficient space between outlets and optimizes the use of those outlets. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. For travel and small spaces, the 3-Outlet Mini Surge Protector with USB ports can come in handy. Sure, it doesnt offer much in the way of flashy features, but it will protect whatever hardware you plug into it, and its in the rare class of devices that will shut off when it can no longer fulfill that mission. Some protectors thus only stop power passing through if that critical junctures MOVs die. Your beloved electronics, computers, chargers, and monitors can be damaged; and since surges can happen at any time, even while you are sleeping, you better do something about it. No surge protector survey can be accurate with using the "clamping voltage" ratings. AC power has three legs over which power passes. But more on that below for those interested in the technicalities. Hes a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. There are three different paths for electricity with AC power, and one is more important to protect against surges than the other two. In an area with erratic voltage, your surge protector might wear out in months or a few years; on other electrical systems, it might last indefinitely. This product has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars with 22 reviews on B&H Photo. This is a very flexible and adaptable surge protector, with an eight-foot cord and both protection and ground-fault indicators. These are the best surge protectors and power strips you can buy. In terms of footprint, its relatively compact and can easily sit below a home theater setup. This Belkin surge protector has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on B&H Photo. Desire Athow The way most surge protectors work is by using Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), which reroute energy back to the electrical source. But what exactly is series mode protection? Some surge protectors have a round design, while others provide surge protection for both AC outlets as well as cable TV, RJ11 sockets, and RJ45 ethernet cables. If you live in an area where brownouts or blackouts are frequent, you should change the surge protector every two years. Tripp Lite offers a $25,000 warranty on connected devices, so it's not a big deal that there is no power button. Youll also notice that the surge protectors we recommend have high joule protection ratings. But this one is not rounded and doesn't blend into its surroundings. The transparent rails on the side that light up to indicate both grounding and surge protection look slick. New York, Its also UL Listed. But if your budget allows for it, then Zero Surge might be the way to go. The Furman surge protector is a hybrid, which is why it has a low Joule rating. New York, When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It uses a series mode of protection that does not follow the same rating system. Some act as nothing more than an extension of an existing wall outlet. You might think the above ominous warning sounds like it was taken from a frightening movie trailer, but it's true. It costs about ten times as much and it effectively never burns out.). USB-C ports are available on new MacBooks and USB-C is on monitors. Put simply, the more joules, the better protection and the longer your surge protector will do its job. , On surge protectors like that, the only indication of whether protection remains active is a protection light. A 1080 Joule surge protector, as well as a 15A resettable circuit breaker, whose red push button can be found on the side, provides protection to your device. A proper ground wire in an outlet connects back to a grounding rod for an entire home or building that drains voltage literally to the earth. A series mode surge protector blocks high current and absorbs excessive voltage. It is two tennis shoes long and as tall as an apple. Unlike other devices which are limited to 110/120v or 220/230v depending on the edition, this one states that it can be used in 110 and 220v countries. Below youll find our top recommendations for the best surge protectors for every use case and budget. Glenn Fleishmans most recent books include Take Control of Untangling Connections, Take Control of Your M-Series Mac, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac.