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If you’re on the hunt for the finest surge protectors in the market today, you’re in luck. In the modern households of today, the ever-growing collection of electronic gadgets such as computers, printers, and televisions has put a tremendous strain on the available wall outlets. In our quest to identify the best surge protectors, we embarked on a meticulous examination of various models. These assessments delved into their intricate designs and subjected them to rigorous evaluations using specialized equipment to identify the standout performer in this category. What sets these surge protectors apart is not only their capacity to accommodate multiple plugs but also their ability to shield against power surges, which can wreak havoc on devices equipped with delicate microprocessors.
They also help make sensitive and rechargeable gadgets last longer. A key way to tell if a product is just a basic power strip or a real surge protector is to look at its joule number, which shows how much protection it gives against surges. Surge protectors can lose their effectiveness over time. It’s hard to tell how much they lose their effectiveness, but some power strips have a “protected” LED that shows their state. Most manufacturers say that surge breakers should be replaced every few years. Check out our list of 10 shocking facts about power strips to learn even more interesting things about them.
Best Surge Protectors Comparison Table
| Model | APC P11U2 | Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV | Belkin 12 Outlet | Anker PowerPort Strip 12 | Accell Power Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlets | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 6 |
| Joule Rating | 2880 | 2160 | 3940 | 4320 | 1080 |
| USB Ports | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Cord Length | 6 feet | 8 feet | 8 feet | 6 feet | 4 feet |
| Surge Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EMI/RFI Noise Filtration | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Coaxial and Phone Protection | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Integrated Circuit Breaker | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wall-Mountable | No | No | No | No | Yes |
APC P11U2

| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | APC P11U2 |
| Outlets | 11 |
| Joule Rating | 2880 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Cord Length | 6 feet |
| EMI/RFI Noise Filtration | Yes |
| Surge Protection | Yes |
The APC P11U2 is the perfect surge protection for what I was looking for. It has two USB ports and six plugs that are a long way apart from each other. It has a defense of 2,880 joules, which is much more than the average of my tests. Ty Pendlebury, an editor, has one in his testing lab by chance. APC has a lifetime equipment safety policy worth $250,000.
Overall, the quality of the build is pretty good, but the protected covers for each outlet are unnecessary and easy to take off. The 8-foot wire that connects the power strip to the wall is very useful. The P11U2 is pretty big, but if you want something smaller and don’t need 11 outlets, the $33 APC P8U2 drops one row of the widely spaced outlets for a much smaller footprint overall, but the joule rating and protection policy are also lower.
The Good
- Provides ample outlets for multiple devices.
- High joule rating for robust surge protection.
- Built-in USB ports for convenient device charging.
- EMI/RFI noise filtration for cleaner power.
- Connected equipment warranty provides additional peace of mind.
The Bad
- Relatively shorter cord length may limit placement options.
Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV

| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV |
| Outlets | 12 |
| Joule Rating | 2160 |
| USB Ports | 0 |
| Cord Length | 8 feet |
| EMI/RFI Noise Filtration | Yes |
| Surge Protection | Yes |
| Coaxial and Phone Protection | Yes |
If you can’t get the APC above or want something different, the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV has most of the features we like about the APC. It has only four sources that are far apart, but eight that are close together. There is no USB port, but there are three RJ11 phone ports (one in, two out) and two coax ports for cable or satellite.
It is said to be worth 2,880 joules. I have one in the lab where I do tests. It comes with “Ultimate Lifetime Insurance” for $150,000 and a restricted lifetime warranty. The cord is 8 feet long. It’s usually a little more expensive than an APC, but it’s the best choice if you want to protect landlines or cable/satellite. This is one of the Best Surge Protector.
The Good
- Twelve outlets provide ample space for devices.
- High joule rating offers substantial surge protection.
- EMI/RFI noise filtration for cleaner power.
- Includes coaxial and phone line protection for added versatility.
- Longer cord length allows flexible placement.
The Bad
- Does not include built-in USB ports for device charging.
Belkin 12 Outlet Surge Protector

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| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Belkin 12 Outlet |
| Outlets | 12 |
| Joule Rating | 3940 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Cord Length | 8 feet |
| Surge Protection | Yes |
The Belkin 12 Outlet Surge Protector the Best Surge Protector, model BV12234-08, is a great product that offers a lot of safety. This is why it is one of the best surge protectors and best power strips on the market. It is the same as the APC Performance SurgeArrest 12 because it has 12 outlets and two USB ports. It only has 3,996 Joules of energy, but that’s more than enough for most people. You can also get it in white. It takes up a small amount of space and can easily fit under a home theater set-up.
It also has a clip at the bottom to keep the cables in place. The BV12234-08 also has room for big adapters, a power button that is recessed so it won’t turn off by accident, and mounting holes so it can be attached to walls, baseboards, or furniture. The surge guard comes with a limited warranty that covers it for two years. Just make sure not to plug in a heater, generator, medical device, car, or any other big electrical device, as that will void the warranty.
The Good
- Twelve outlets offer ample space for multiple devices.
- High joule rating ensures robust surge protection.
- Includes two built-in USB ports for convenient device charging.
- Long cord length provides flexibility in placement.
- Generous connected equipment warranty for added protection.
The Bad
- Relatively higher price point compared to some other options.
Anker PowerPort Strip 12

| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Anker PowerPort Strip 12 |
| Outlets | 12 |
| Joule Rating | 4320 |
| USB Ports | 3 |
| Cord Length | 6 feet |
| Surge Protection | Yes |
| Integrated Circuit Breaker | Yes |
A brand called “Anker” is more likely to be sold at online stores like Amazon than at Best Buy. But the company has made a name for itself with its clean white look, value, and quality. The PowerPort Strip 12 from Anker is no different. At the time this was written, the 6-foot version could be bought for between $26 and $27. That’s about $10 less than the competition. Not only that, but it also has the surge energy rating and equipment safety to match.
But the surge protector itself only has a guarantee for 18 months. The UL has also approved this surge guard. As for security, it has a feature that turns the surge protector off if it gets too much power. “It’s so helpful to be able to plug in so many cords in the same place. One buyer said, “I’m glad I found out about the Anker Strip Surge Protector.
The Good
- Twelve outlets for ample device connectivity.
- High joule rating provides robust surge protection.
- Three built-in USB ports for convenient device charging.
- Integrated circuit breaker for added safety.
- Compact design for space-saving installation.
The Bad
- Relatively shorter cord length may limit placement options.
Accell Power Air – Surge Protector and USB Charging Station

| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Accell Power Air |
| Outlets | 6 |
| Joule Rating | 1080 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Cord Length | 4 feet |
| Surge Protection | Yes |
| Wall-Mountable | Yes |
Because they are round, Accell Power Air surge breakers the Best Surge Protector look good in any room of the house or any other place. You can put it on a cooking counter, a desk, or anywhere else you want. The white color also makes it fit in with its surroundings, unlike many other surge protectors that look like black rectangles. Its round shape gives the most space between the six sockets, so that big wall wart chargers can be used in all six sockets without tripping over each other.
There are two 2.4A USB ports that can be used to charge a phone or computer quickly. Your device is protected by a 1080 Joule surge protector and a 15A resettable circuit breaker. The 15A circuit breaker has a red push button on the side. It has two LEDs that show what’s going on: green for power and blue for surge safety.
The Good
- Compact design and wall-mountable for space-saving installation.
- Six outlets provide sufficient connectivity.
- Built-in USB ports for convenient device charging.
- Offers surge protection for connected devices.
- Ideal for areas with limited space.
The Bad
- Relatively lower joule rating compared to some other options.
- Shorter cord length may limit placement options.
FAQs
A: Yes, surge guards do wear out and lose their effectiveness over time. As they soak up energy from power spikes, their safety features may lose some of their power. Some surge breakers have lights that let you know when they need to be changed. Surge shields should be replaced every few years or when they show signs of damage or wear.
A: Surge breakers are good at preventing voltage spikes and power surges, but they might not protect against all electrical problems. They are not made to handle power outages or overvoltages that last for a long time. In these situations, you may need extra safety, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or backup generators.
A: Yes, surge breakers are especially helpful for computers, laptops, TVs, and audio/video systems that are sensitive to power surges. They give these gadgets an extra layer of protection against electrical surges that could damage them. But for very sensitive equipment, it’s best to use surge protectors with more features and a better surge protection rating.