5 Best Surge Protectors to Protect Your Home Electronics
One simple upgrade can help protect every device you plug in.
Expert consulted: Dan DiClericoHome Improvement & Outdoor Director
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If you live in an area prone to thunderstorms or your home experiences frequent power outages, it’s best to plug any big-ticket electronics into a surge protector. Similar to power strips in appearance but capable of much more, surge protectors prevent devices from overheating or short-circuiting due to unexpected electrical surges. Not only can a surge protector absorb and divert the extra electricity caused by spikes in voltage, but it can also help reduce the risk of damage to expensive devices like TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip
- Best value: Belkin PivotPlug 12-Outlet Surge Protector
- Best for audiovisual equipment: Furman PST-8 Power Station
- Best power strip: Anker 351 Power Strip
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab test all kinds of home electronics, and we evaluated the best surge protectors for outlet count, cord length, price, and surge protection. These are our top picks to help keep your devices safe.
Pros
- Good value
- Features 12 outlets
- UL 1449 certified
- Long cord
Cons
- All ports may not be needed
With 12 outlets available and a spacious layout, this surge protector from Tripp Lite is an excellent choice for families with a lot of electronics that need constant power and protection. It features a lengthy 8-foot cord so you can reach distant outlets, as well as extra ports for Ethernet, cable, and more.
Our pros found it lightweight for its size, and we appreciate that it meets UL standards (specifically, UL 1449). That means it meets safety standards designed to reduce the risk of fire and electric shock.
| Number of outlets/ports | 12 |
| Cord length | 8 feet |
| Dimensions | 1.54" x 2.72" x 10.3" |
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Features 3 USB ports, including fast charging
Cons
- Short cord length
Not only does this power strip from Anker come at an affordable price, but it features surge protection to help protect anything plugged in. Our pros like that it has 12 outlets plus three USB ports, including one 20W USB-C port for fast charging, which can be handy on a busy home office desk. The cord length is short, but you can always opt for the 10-foot model, and we like that the design is slim.
| Number of outlets/ports | 12 AC, 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A |
| Cord length | 5 feet |
| Dimensions | 13" x 4.13" |
Pros
- Affordable
- Features rotating outlets
- Compact design
Cons
- May not be as durable
Ideal for everything from workstations to entertainment systems, this pick stands out for its unique design, which lets outlets rotate so you have enough space for larger AC adapter blocks (like a MacBook charger). Our pros like that it features a lengthy 8-foot cord, a cord management clip so your desk stays clutter-free, and a compact design. Just keep in mind that it may not be as durable or last as long as other higher-quality surge protectors.
| Number of outlets/ports | 12 |
| Cord length | 8 feet |
| Dimensions | 10" x 4.75" x 1.9" |
Pros
- Compact design that allows for stacking devices on top
- Features two USB ports
Cons
- Short cord length
One of the sleekest surge protectors on this list, this pick from APC is an excellent choice for entertainment centers or home offices. It features six outlets for everything from your PC to your security camera, and our pros appreciate that electronics can be stacked on top to save space. While it’s a bit heavy, we like that it can provide constant power and up to 100 minutes of runtime should power be outside expected levels.
It also features two USB charging ports so you can simultaneously charge your phone or smart home devices. Just note that the cord length is on the shorter side.
| Number of outlets/ports | 6 outlets and 2 USB charging ports |
| Cord length | 5 feet |
| Dimensions | 9.64" x 3.54" x 6.57" |
Pros
- High quality build
- Great choice for audiophiles
Cons
- Bulky appearance
This heavy-duty surge protector offers some of the best protection for expensive equipment, like robust home entertainment systems and audio and DJ equipment. It’s one of the bulkier picks on this list, but the brand guarantees noise reduction and consistent peak audio and visual performance.
It’s expensive, but well worth the investment for anyone who experiences frequent electrical fluctuations and wants to protect expensive equipment.
| Number of outlets/ports | 8 |
| Cord length | 8 feet |
| Dimensions | 3.75″ x 17.75″ x 2.7″ |
How we test surge protectors
Engineers and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab regularly evaluate electronics and power accessories, including surge protectors and power strips. We recently assessed seven models in the Lab.
✔️ Safety features: We reviewed each model's joule rating, safety certifications, and built-in safeguards, including automatic shutoff after a major surge.
✔️ Outlets and design: We assessed the number of outlets, spacing for bulky power adapters, cord length, and plug orientation to determine how well each surge protector fits various home and office setups.
✔️ USB charging options: For models with built-in USB ports, we considered the number and type of ports available, including USB-A and USB-C.
✔️ Build quality: We evaluated the overall construction, ease of use, and thoughtful design features, such as indicator lights and power switches.
For additional insight into surge protectors and what shoppers should look for, we spoke with Brian Lockwood, product manager at Belkin, and UL Solutions engineers David A. Gerstetter and Charles S. Kurten. Based on these factors, we selected the surge protectors that stood out for safety, usability, and overall value.
What to look for when shopping for surge protectors
✔️ Certifications and ratings: Don't just buy any old surge protector. "Be careful to buy surge protectors that are certified and from well-known brands—an uncertified surge protector can cause a lot of damage!" said Brian Lockwood, product manager at Belkin. UL engineers also advised checking the surge protector's voltage protection rating (VPR), which can range from 330–6,000 volts. Our pros recommend a 330 VPR for most homes seeking basic protection for devices, while a larger 6,000 VPR is better suited for larger equipment, commercial spaces, and the like. Before purchasing a surge protector, also check that it features the UL mark, or UL 1449, to ensure it has met safety requirements.
✔️ Outlets and ports: Decide how many electronics will require surge protection to ensure your surge protector has enough outlets available. While some surge protectors feature six outlets, you'll find others with 12. Some may even include USB ports for plugging in smartphones, cameras, and more. Also, ensure the surge protector is spacious enough to plug in everything you need and slim enough to fit behind your TV stand or on your desk.
✔️ Power cord length: Check the length you'll need for your surge protector to reach the outlet on the wall as well as the devices you plan on plugging in.
What's the difference between a surge protector and a power strip?
At first glance, surge protectors and power strips look similar. They both extend the reach of a single outlet so you can plug and power multiple devices. Surge protectors, however, have one key element that basic power strips lack: The ability to protect your devices in the case of a power surge that causes a sudden spike in voltage.
"A power strip simply provides additional outlets, allowing you to plug in multiple devices from a single wall socket, but it offers no protection against electrical surges," explains Lockwood. "In contrast, a surge protector not only expands outlet capacity but also shields your electronics from voltage spikes caused by lightning, power outages, or faulty wiring. This added layer of protection makes surge protectors essential for safeguarding sensitive or expensive devices like computers, TVs, and gaming systems."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to appliances, travel, parenting, home, and more. Olivia brings years of product review experience to the Good Housekeeping Institute and stays on top of the industry's latest innovations to help readers make better buying decisions. She frequently collaborates with GH Institute Labs on product tests and reviews.
For this story, Olivia worked closely with Dan DiClerico, director of the Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab. Dan has written about home improvement for nearly 25 years, including thousands of product reviews and articles on home maintenance for Good Housekeeping, as well as magazines like This Old House, Martha Stewart Living, and Consumer Reports.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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