The best power strips you can buy right now

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

One of the most essential pieces of tech you can get your hands on is a good power strip. It is easy to forget about the benefits these simple devices offer, but they can make your life much easier and protect your electronics. Here’s a list of our favorite options, as well as some information you should know before making the purchase.

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The best power strips you can buy:

Editor’s note: This list of the best power strips will be regularly updated, so keep checking back for updates.

Why do you need a power strip?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

You’ve probably used a power strip in the past. They allow you to reduce the mess in your home or office by containing all of your wires in one place. These devices will distribute power from one plug into many devices, making them very efficient in power usage. Furthermore, they often come with built-in surge protection, which can keep your electronics safe if there is a sudden jump in voltage.

What to look for in a good power strip

A good power strip will be strong against all kinds of damage, such as fire damage and blunt impacts. You should also pick one with built-in surge protection to ensure your electronics aren’t damaged in case of a surge.

Try to find one with an energy absorption rating of 500 joules or more, which is the amount of energy it will protect your devices against. Finally, you will also want to check that the power strip’s surge protector will be triggered at around 400V or less.

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Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector with 8ft Cord

First up, we have a 12-outlet power strip from Belkin. This one is surge protected up to just under 4,000 joules, which means your electronics are safe from huge spikes of electricity. With an 8ft long cable, this power strip is ideal if you need to bring power to your devices from across the room. Side outlets have good spacing too, which we all know is a massive advantage with power bricks getting larger and larger.

GE 6 Outlet Surge Protector

General Electric is synonymous with quality and value. This item may not look as fancy as others in this list of the best power strips, but it’s an excellent option for those who seek simplicity. Outlets feature safety covers, and the unit comes with 800-joule surge protection. It’s also very affordable, making it a great deal.

Belkin F9H100-CW single outlet SurgeCube

This isn’t exactly a power strip, as it doesn’t have multiple outlets. We thought it was a great addition to this list, though, simply because we know many of you might not need an entire strip, but still want to protect a device from surges. Full power strips can get messy, too.

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Rated up to 1,080 joules, the Belkin SurgeCube is the perfect choice if you want to protect a single device from surges in a reliable way. Two handy LED lights on the outlet confirm that the wiring is grounded and that your device is protected.

Anker Power Strip Surge Protector

Anker is another popular accessory brand, and looking at this product, we can tell why. The unit’s versatility and simplicity make it one of the best power strips available. It has 12 outlets and three USB fast charging ports. It also features surge protection by up to 4,000 joules, so it will keep your electronics safe. Its aesthetics are immaculate and simple to top things off, so it won’t look too bad if you decide to keep it visible.

AmazonBasics Standby UPS 600VA 360W Surge Protector Battery Backup

This AmazonBasics 8-outlet surge protector is also a battery backup device, and it’s ideal for computers and home networks. This can give you several minutes of continuous runtime if you experience a power outage, which is essential as it will keep your devices online, allowing you to save your work and protect your data.

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You can also install software on your devices to safely shut down through the battery backup system if there is a power cut. This is the ideal power strip if you want an extra layer of protection for your devices and data.

APC UPS 600VA UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector

This is another battery backup device with seven outlets, five of which are protected by the battery backup system. Capable of running for more than 20 minutes at 100W, this is the ideal solution if your area is susceptible to power outages and you want to protect your devices and your data. It also comes with a convenient USB charging port for an extra device.

CyberPower EC850LCD Ecologic UPS system

Need one of the best power strips with more battery juice? The CyberPower UPS system has 12 outlets, making it ideal for rooms with lots of devices. With 526 joules of surge protection and several minutes of runtime, should your power be cut off, you can use this power strip to protect your devices and your data from damage reliably.

Tessan Power Strip Tower

We’ve seen plenty of power strips with this cool-looking tower design, but the Tessan Power Strip Tower is among the best for the price. Let’s start with the design, which is clean and minimalist. But don’t let its look fool you; this Tessan power strip tower can take care of all your plug needs. It comes with eight AC outlets and four USB ports. The 10-foot cord is long enough for most needs.

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The only downside is that its surge protection isn’t good at 150 joules, but at least it can protect your devices to a certain extent.

Powsav 18-outlet Surge Protector

This Powsav is the best power strip for those who have serious outlet needs. It comes with 12 outlets, making it the most versatile power strip on this list. If all of those outlets weren’t enough, the unit also comes with three USB connectors and a USB-C port.

Plugging so many devices into a single device has its dangers, though. Luckily, the Powsav 18-outlet Surge Protector is up to the task with 2,100-joule surge protection.

Kasa Smart HS300

If you don’t mind handing out some extra cash, the Kasa Smart HS300 is definitely one of the best power strips with smart functionality. The official app can independently control all six outlets. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana also work. It comes with energy monitoring, just in case you want to keep an eye on electric expenses. Then there are the three USB ports, which can keep your mobile devices juiced up.

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