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5 Best Surge Protectors, According to Experts

Protect your TV, laptop and other pricey electronics from unexpected electrical surges.

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VerifiedReviewed by Home Improvement & Outdoor Director
surge protector
Good Housekeeping

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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 save expensive electronics, equipment and appliances from irreversible damage.

Our top pick: Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip. This pick offers great value, and our pros appreciate that it features 12 outlets for powering and protecting electronics. It meets key UL safety standards and features a lengthy 8-foot cord.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of electronics and equipment for your home, from TVs to portable air conditioners. When choosing the best surge protectors on the market, we evaluated each pick for its number of outlets, cord length, price and maximum spike voltage. According to our experts, these are the best surge protectors to invest in to help neutralize power surges in your home.

1
Best Overall

Tripp Lite 12 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

12 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip
Credit: Good Housekeeping

Pros

  • Good value
  • Features 12 outlets
  • UL 1449 certified
  • Long cord

Cons

  • Extra ports may not be needed

Number of outlets/ports: 12 | Cord length: 8 feet | Dimensions: 1.54" x 2.72" x 10.3"

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). “Whether you're protecting electronics or simply charging your devices, this power strip delivers performance and peace of mind,” said one online reviewer.

2
Best Value

Belkin PivotPlug 12-Outlet Surge Protector

PivotPlug 12-Outlet Surge Protector
Credit: Good Housekeeping

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Features rotating outlets
  • Compact design

Cons

  • May not be as durable, according to online reviewers

Number of outlets/ports: 12 | Cord length: 8 feet | Dimensions: 10" x 4.75" x 1.9"

Ideal for everything from workstations to entertainment systems, this pick stands out for its unique design that enables outlets to rotate so you can 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.

It has upward of 18,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.8 average star rating. "[It] powers everything I have on my desk — lamps, my computer, speakers, chargers, and other miscellaneous things. It protected my devices from a power surge once... Very well built, and robust!" said one online reviewer. Just keep in mind that it may not be as durable or last as long as other higher-quality surge protectors.

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3
Best Compact

APC UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector

 UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector
Credit: Good Housekeeping

Pros

  • Compact design that allows for stacking devices on top
  • Features two USB ports

Cons

  • Short cord length

Number of outlets/ports: 6 outlets and 2 USB charging ports | Cord length: 5 feet | Dimensions: 9.64" x 3.54" x 6.57"

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’s backed by more than 10,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon. One online reviewer said that it “works great as a backup battery/power supply when there's a power outage” and is “easily worth the money as the battery keeps my devices online long enough for me to finish up work and then safely shut off.” 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.

4
Best for Audiovisual Equipment

Furman Power Conditioner (PST-8)

Power Conditioner (PST-8)

Pros

  • High quality build
  • Great choice for audiophiles

Cons

  • Bulky appearance

Number of outlets/ports: 8 | Cord length: 8 feet | Dimensions: 3.75″ x 17.75″ x 2.7″

This heavy-duty surge protector offers some of the best protection for expensive equipment, like robust home entertainment systems, 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. “Buy this thing if, as I have, you've spent a ridiculous amount of money on home theatre gear and don't want the next lightning strike or line-cross to cost you big bucks,” wrote one online reviewer.

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5
Best Power Strip

Anker 351 Power Strip

351 Power Strip
Credit: Anker

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Features 3 USB ports, including fast charging

Cons

  • Short cord length

Number of outlets/ports: 12 AC, 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A | Cord length: 5 feet | Dimensions: 13" x 4.13"

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 on top of 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.

It features more than 13,000 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.8-star rating. “This power strip is a must-have for any household with a lot of tech!” said one online reviewer, who describes it as safe and reliable for family use.

How We Test Surge Protectors

testing surge protectors
Good Housekeeping

Engineers and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing chargers, smart plugs and all types of electronics for years. We’ve been hands-on with surge protectors and power strips, and recently evaluated seven of the latest models in the Home Renovation & Outdoors Lab. We assessed each pick for performance, ease of setup, design and certifications.

For more information on surge protectors, we spoke with Brian Lockwood, Product Manager at Belkin, and UL Solutions engineers David A. Gerstetter and Charles S. Kurten.

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What to look for when shopping for surge protectors

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✔️ 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 330-6000 volts. Our pros recommend a 330 VPR for most homes seeking basic protection for devices, while a larger 6000 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.

✔️ Outlet 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 that the design of the surge protector is spacious enough to plug in everything that you need and that it's 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?

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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."

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to appliances, travel, parenting, home and fitness. Olivia brings years of product review experience to the Good Housekeeping Institute and continues to stay 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.

Headshot of Olivia Lipski
Olivia Lipski
Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst

Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.


Headshot of Dan DiClerico
Reviewed byDan DiClerico
Home Improvement & Outdoor Director

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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