Stay Current - Pick the Best Surge Protector for Your PC

Let’s start off with our favorite. The TLP1008TEL may not be the strongest or the most exciting model on our list. But what makes it our favorite - and the best surge protector for PC - is its blend of affordability, a wealth of features, and a generous warranty.

This 10-outlet surge protector can absorb up to 2,395 joules of energy, and when that threshold is reached, it features a circuit breaker that automatically cuts power to your devices. It activates from 400 volts onwards, and a diagnostic LED light lets you know whether everything is working properly.

As with all the best-rated surge protectors, there are plenty of additional features to mention. In addition to 10 power outlets, there are also three passthrough ports for phone and DSL cables or coaxial cables. Although there is no network (ethernet) protection, the eight-foot cable is great for people who need a surge protector with a long cord, while the design with six close and four spaced-out outlets is great for oversized plugs. 

The best feature, however, is the lifetime warranty and coverage of up to $150,000 should your connected equipment get damaged while using the Tripp Lite TLP1008TEL. We should also mention the excellent USB ports and tough build. Considering the multiple levels of protection and fairly affordable price, it’s little wonder that the TLP1008TEL is often recommended as the best surge protector on Reddit. It’s a great piece of gear that won’t let you or your expensive electronics down.

APC is a well-known brand when it comes to surge protectors and smart power strips. The model we’ll be looking at is similar to the Tripp Lite TLP1008TEL in many ways, and despite not being as affordable as some other models on our list, it offers plenty of bang for your buck.

For starters, the surge protection is rated for 3,020 joules and boasts a clamping voltage of 330 V.

Much like the TLP1008TEL, our best surge protector of 2022, the APC P11VT3 “SurgeArrest”, provides protection for more than just your power supply and monitor. In addition to the six spaced-out outlets for wider plugs and five tightly grouped ones for standard ones, the P11VT3 also features three tel/DSL inputs, as well as two network ones. There is some debate as to the usefulness of an ethernet surge protector, but it certainly can’t hurt to have the option.

P11VT3 is an excellent choice for people who like a power strip with a long cord. The 8.01 ft. cable is a feature worth mentioning, as it has a flat end and 180-degree pivoting, making it easy to manipulate. This and the mounting holes make the P11VT3 one of the best wall-mount surge protector offerings on the market.  

The multitude of LED indicators to help you with troubleshooting is also something to take note of. Finally, there’s the $100,000 insurance and lifetime warranty, although APC is a little light on the details about how exactly the insurance works. Nevertheless, this APC surge protector is a solid purchase.

This 12-outlet surge protector provides a lot of power, has three extra USB slots, has a two-year warranty, and comes in a flame-resistant casing. Unfortunately, the central power outlets are close together, and it’s missing concrete info on the clamping voltage.

As the best power strip surge protector on our list thus far, it has a protection rating of 4,000 joules and supports up to 1,875 W of power.

In addition to the 12 outlets (which should be enough to plug in just about every device you need), there are three USB ports (two at 3.1A and one at 1A charging speed). It is possibly the best heavy-duty surge protector in its price range, but it’s not perfect. The outer six outlets are nicely spaced out, but the central ones are very tightly packed. Considering how many devices you can pack into this surge protector power strip, it’s a shame that the cable is only six feet long.

In addition to having a flame-retardant casing, the HOLSEM 12 has a double-break overload switch. While this surge protector comes with a 24-month warranty, it doesn’t offer insurance for other damaged devices.

Overall, this is a great USB power strip with excellent surge protection capabilities. It has enough juice to power even the strongest of gaming PCs while hosting additional protection for up to three USB connections. We wish the cable was longer and the central outlets more spaced out, but you can’t have it all.

Yup, Amazon also makes multi-plug outlet surge protectors. With this six-outlet surge protector, you get what you pay for - it’s pretty good value for the money, but the low price only gets you so much protection.

Our surge protector reviews have thus far looked at some pretty high-end models. AmazonBasics, as the name implies, caters more to budget-minded consumers. Its 1,000-joule protection rating and 800 volts of clamping mean that this 6-outlet surge protector is a solid option for plugging in several smaller devices like mobile phones, but it’s far from ideal for sensitive high-power equipment such as gaming PCs.

It might not be a top-tier product, but at under ten bucks, this is certainly one of the best cheap surge protector options on the market. As such, don’t expect much in the way of extra functionality - there’s a standard six-foot cable, five standard outlets, and one that fits oversized plugs. There is an LED indicator but no option to cut power when the surge protection wears out, so you should definitely pay attention to that little light.

This is a budget product, which means there are no fancy bells and whistles here, and it comes with no warranty. The high clamping voltage does mean a longer lifetime, but it almost makes this model a glorified Amazon power strip. 

That said, less demanding devices and appliances such as mobile phones and desk lamps will still appreciate the added protection. Just don’t go plugging your $3,000, 1,000 W gaming machine into it.

Much like APC, Belkin is a well-known maker of dependable surge-protected extension cords, power banks, and other electronic equipment. The BP112230-08 is a 12-outlet power strip with almost industrial-grade surge protection, excellent clamping voltage, a solid cable, and plenty of extra features.

This heavy-duty surge protector comes with 4,320 joules of power and 400 V of clamping voltage. This means that it will keep even the most sensitive of equipment safe, although triggering at lower voltages will also reduce its lifetime. 

Eight outer outlets have the ability to pivot, making this the best surge protector for Mac computers or laptops, which often have oversized plugs. In fact, it’s one of the best designs we’ve ever seen on a surge protector, featuring only four non-movable outlets while having a durable, damage-resistant casing and smart-cable management for its eight-foot cable.

In addition to the 12 power outlets, this Belkin surge protector also has pass-throughs for coaxial and telephone/DSL cables but no USB ports. There is no kill switch either, so once your surge protection is out, you’ll want to replace the whole system to be safe. 

The BP112230-08 is perhaps the best laptop surge protector on our list. But it’s more than that. In addition to the sturdy construction and powerful protection rating, it also comes with a fantastic $300,000 connected equipment warranty and a lifetime warranty for the Belkin power strip itself. 

This isn’t a cheap product, but you’re really getting what you pay for. The lack of a kill switch on a piece of equipment costing over 30 bucks is a bit disappointing, but considering the fantastic construction, unique features, and robust warranty, the Belkin BP112230-08 is still an easy recommendation.

It’s no accident that we have two APC models on our list. The Schneider Electric brand has a great line of surge protectors and outlet extenders, and the P12U2 is no exception. With powerful protection, plenty of outlets, low clamping voltage, and some innovative ideas, there’s a lot to like here.

First off, much like HOLSEM’s 12-outlet surge protector, this is a sturdy multi-plug surge protector with a protection rating of a massive 4,320 joules and a clamping voltage of 330 volts. The two are close contenders for the title of the best surge protector for high-end PC platforms, but we prefer the P12U12’s certified 330 V clamping voltage for added peace of mind.

The 12 outlets are all protected with safety shutters and arranged in an interesting manner: two rows of four closely packed outlets on each side, with two more for oversized plugs on each side. The central part has two 2.4A USB outlets, keeping you safe from a power surge on a USB port. There is also a very stylish system for notifying you about the state of surge protection - a set of green LED letters spells PROTECTED on the plastic on the top-right corner of the brick.

When picking the best surge protector for your PC, every little detail matters. While it’s great that this model has a flexible cable with a rotating shoulder, it would be nicer if it were a little longer. Similarly, while you may be eligible for up to $300,000 dollars in connected equipment damage, there is a sketchy 10-day claim policy, which is much lower than the typical 30 days that most manufacturers provide.

Overall, though, this is another very solid surge protector from Schneider Electronics. It is powerful, dependable, and has USB protection as well. 

Here’s something a bit different. TP-Link is a company renowned for network-related gear such as modems and routers. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is neither the most powerful nor the most affordable surge-protected outlet extender on our list, but it certainly provides the most advanced features around.

Let’s start with the basics. For a 6-outlet power strip with surge protection, 1,710 joules is decent, but it’s not a great amount of protection. A low clamping voltage of 330 V is, however, very welcome for protecting your sensitive computer gear.

These are certainly nice specs, but the HS300 is one of the top-rated power strips for different reasons. Each of its six outlets can be remotely controlled via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. You can also use the provided app to group the outlets and determine when they will turn on or off, depending on your needs. The HS300 also comes with three handy 5A USB charging ports and the option to monitor the energy consumption of your devices via an app.

So far, so good, right? Well, there are a few slight inconveniences that stop the HS300 from being the best surge protector for your computer. Namely, if we ignore the more durable models out there, price is another issue. All this fancy smart tech doesn’t come cheap, so be prepared to fork over twice the amount you’d pay for non-smart, high-end surge protectors. Also, the cable is woefully short at only three feet, but if you’re primarily using this as a computer/home theater hub, that shouldn’t be a problem. 

Overall, this smart surge protector is a fantastic piece of gear that will make you feel like you’re already living in the future, so paying a little extra for it and dealing with a slightly shorter cord seem like decent tradeoffs.

It’s hard to tell which is the best power strip for computer use.

The Austere Power VII Series costs almost ten times what some really solid competitors retail for and 20 times the price of some basic models such as the AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector. But what does all that money get you, and is it a worthwhile deal? Let’s find out.

First off, the unit has a surge protection rating of 4,000 joules - a class-leading performance for a 6- outlet surge protector. Unfortunately, there is no information anywhere on the clamping voltage, but considering the price and specs, we are going to assume it’s either 330 V or 400 V. At nearly 200 bucks, this isn’t going to be voted the best surge protector for PC on Reddit or similar forums anytime soon, but it does have some features that try to justify the steep price.

There’s the sleek brushed aluminum construction, flame-resistant MOV circuits, and thermally protected outlets. The Austere VII also features EMI/RFI filtration called PureFiltration, which provides better clarity for your video and audio devices by insulating the signal from noise and artifacts, such as those caused by power fluctuations. 

If you’re looking for a surge protector with USB charging, Austere has you covered. There’s a 45 W USB-C PD port for charging laptops and other smart devices, two more USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports as well. This makes it probably the best power strip for a laptop if you’re not on a budget and one of the best surge protectors for USB-powered devices in general. 

Finally, unlike most other competitors on the market, the Austere VII comes with a stylish and sturdy woven cable called WovenArmor. The only concern here is that the cable is only five feet long, which may be too short for some people. 

A surge protector’s build quality is important. In that regard, Austere has got you covered.

Along with the other premium features, you really feel that you’re getting a unique and solid product. Whether the significant price mark-up is a worthy tradeoff for such luxury is up to you to decide, but nevertheless, the Austere VII is surely a quality product.

There is a reason why Schneider Electric and Belkin have two models each on our list. The SurgeCube wall surge protector is Belkin’s smallest and most affordable product, so while you shouldn’t expect miracles, this is still a great portable surge protector that will cost you less than a trip to McDonald’s.

First off, the basics. This is a super-portable surge protector outlet that clamps onto your existing outlet on the wall, with no cables needed. For such a small device, it has an excellent 885-joule protection rating, but don’t expect it to last for ages. In fact, it’s the best small surge protector around if you’re looking for good protection in a super-portable package.

That said, the accent is on this being a very small surge protector. It’s a portable budget portable product, so don’t expect much in terms of extra features. There are LED indicators to let you know that your devices are grounded but no fancy extras like USB chargers or kill switches. It does, however, feature 150 kHz-100 MHz RFI noise filtration. 

The SurgeCube may not be the most powerful or feature-rich surge protector for your computer, but the mix of portability, good protection, and affordable price makes it an easy recommendation for anyone who needs protection on the go. It’s not exactly the best surge protector for a gaming PC or a high-end audio system, but that wasn’t the intention anyway.