However, some more expensive options use newer systems that ditch sacrificial parts for components that block excess voltage instead. This model shields both your devices and the surge protector, allowing the latter to last longer on average than its MOV counterparts.

Another factor to consider when buying a surge protector is the joule rating. It’s more important for MOV-based systems and is an indicator of the amount of energy and the number of surges a protector can take before it fails—so, the higher is better.

There’s also a clamping value that measures how much voltage is let through to your appliances in a single spike, with most surge protectors ranging from 333 to 500 volts—but the lower the number, the better. Meanwhile, many surge suppressors include a circuit breaker that trips if a high enough voltage manages to get through, adding an extra layer of protection.

Just as important as the protection mechanism is what happens when the device becomes compromised. Most quality surge protectors have a built-in kill switch that makes them inoperable if they can no longer provide protection. Others continue to work as ordinary power strips without any protective benefits. This defeats the purpose of having a protector in the first place and puts your devices at risk. All the units on our list either have an emergency stop system or LEDs notifying you once components inside are degraded.

Finally, a warranty is worth considering should a surge suppressor fail to act as it should. Many companies promise restitution in the event of a failure, but make sure you note down all the details if it does or it may be difficult to collect.

Our list comprises some of the best surge protectors available, so keep reading on to find the best one for you.

Best Surge Protector Overall: Tripp Lite Surge Protector

The Tripp Lite Surge Protector is our best pick overall if you want a surge protector for just about any use case. This general-purpose device ticks all the essential boxes—it has a sturdy and robust feel, up to 12 reasonably spaced ports, a cord length of 8 feet, and a decent 2,880-joule rating.

✓ Reasonable price✓ High joule rating✓ Well-spaced ports with outlets for power bricks✓ Tripp Lite warranty

✗ No USB ports✗ Ports may be tight initially

Beyond the basics, the Tripp Lite surge protector has a crucial auto-shutoff feature that prevents power from reaching your appliances once the protection wears out. This is also handy if you miss the diagnostic LEDs indicating whether the device has been compromised or not.

This surge protector also has coaxial and telephone connectors for easy connection to various external devices. There are even mounting slots if you ever decide to attach it to a wall, desk, or workbench.

The Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV is UL-listed, giving you extra peace of mind. But what if, for some reason outside your control, it fails? Tripp Lite offers compensation if that happens and makes it easy to do so, judging from reviews.

Best Wall Surge Protector: LVETEK Surge Protector

If you are looking for a surge protector that can be plugged directly into a wall outlet, LVETEK is a solid option. Although wall chargers are generally small, this budget-friendly pick offers five power outlets that are well-spaced to ensure you don’t sacrifice one to use another.

✓ USB ports, including a Type-C outlet✓ High joule rating for the price✓ Smart design with well-spaced out ports

✗ Using USB ports simultaneously reduces on charging speed✗ Rear plastic plate is a bit flimsy

It also has four USB charge ports (three USB-A and one USB-C) to plug-in extra devices. Each port can supply current up to 2.4A, but the combined rating is 5V 4.2A, so don’t expect to charge four devices at maximum speeds.

In terms of protection, the LVETEK surge protector has a 1,680-joule rating which is decent for the price. It’s also ETL certified and comes with a light indicator that tells you if the device is still capable of protecting your appliances.

Best Surge Protector for Gaming PCs: Furman Power Station 8

Our best surge protector overall will easily protect most devices. But if you have really costly equipment such as gaming PCs you’ll want something more powerful to make sure your expensive equipment doesn’t get fried. In that case, the Furman Power Station 8 (PST-8) is for you.

✓ Unrivaled surge protection ability✓ Lasts longer than most of the competition✓ Sturdy aluminum design and an 8-foot cord

✗ Pricey✗ No USB port

Unlike most surge protectors that use Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) to divert surge current, the Furman PST-8 uses Series Multi-Stage Protection Plus (SMP+) that provides great surge filtering alongside an automatic shutdown circuit that cuts off the power when a surge is detected. This setup protects both your appliances and the surge protector, allowing it to last longer in theory than MOV-based options.

Physically, the device is huge (mostly long) and stands out in any setup, so it’s difficult to hide under a desk or behind an entertainment center. But it should feel right at home beside the average large and LED-lit gaming PC. It has eight AC outlets, two cable satellite ports, and two telecom connectors, so you can plug all of your components in on it.

However, all of these upgrades come at a high cost, with this surge protector costing easily double the price of most of the other recommendations on this list. It’s worth it, though, for how expensive gaming PCs are to buy or build.

Best Surge Protector for Home Theaters: APC Surge Protector

The APC Surge Protector is your best bet if you need a surge protector for a home theater system. It houses eleven AC outlets, a coaxial port, and one telephone/LAN outlet. Unfortunately, it lacks USB ports, but when it comes to hooking up home theater equipment, USB ports aren’t the most important outlet on a surge protector.

✓ 11 total power surge protector outlets✓ 8’ cord with 180 degree rotation and right angle plug✓ $100,000 in equipment protection

✗ Not gigabit Ethernet certified✗ Lacks USB ports

The APC provides essential surge, spike, and lightning protection for your electronic devices, features 6 outlets that are block spaced for larger adapters, and has an eight-inch cord with 180-degree rotation and a right-angle plug.

It comes with the company’s lifetime warranty, which covers up to $100,000 in equipment protection for AC power, cable, telephone, or lightning surge damages. This is one of the best warranties for surge protectors, so if something happens, you know you’ll be able to replace your electronics.

Best Travel Surge Protector: Tripp Lite 2 Traveler

The Tripp Lite 2 Traveler is a great choice for a travel companion. It’s small enough to fit in just about any bag and can shrink even further courtesy of the retractable three-prong plug. It’s also very light at less than four ounces, so you can afford to toss the Traveler in a bag and have it whenever you need it.

✓ Portable design✓ High joule rating for the price

✗ No USB port

Tripp Lite’s compact device has two AC outlets that can easily charge your laptop and phone on the go, alongside DSL and telephone ports. An intuitive design sees both ports placed on either side of the device, ensuring you can take advantage of both simultaneously.

Its 1,050-joule rating is generous for its size and should keep your devices safe while on a journey. Just pay attention to the diagnostic light to know when to replace it.

The Tripp Lite Portable Surge Protector is UL-rated and backed by the company’s $50,000 damage protection offer—if something happens while traveling, you know you’ll be covered.

Best Battery Backup Surge Protector: APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector

If you want a surge protector that doubles as a UPS to keep your PC running during a power outage, the APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector is one of the best options available. It has a rating of 1,500VA/865W that can last from a few minutes to several hours depending on whether you have your TV, PC, and other large gadgets or just some routers plugged in. The device has ten outlets, all of which are surge protected; however, only five can tap from the battery power.

✓ Enough battery to keep multiple devices running for a while after a blackout✓ Easily replaceable battery✓ Battery stacking capability for longer use

✗ High cost✗ No USB port

The system has an automatic voltage regulator that instantly corrects voltage fluctuations without taking a toll on the battery. Unfortunately, it also has a beeping sound characteristic of UPSs, but you can silence it with a front panel soft key.

If you’re one to monitor your battery, there’s a small LCD with plenty of information at a glance. But if you want to see all the nitty-gritty, the bundled Windows PC power-management software will give you just that.

You can also get an extra battery backup if you have more devices or want to power your appliances for longer. And once you’ve used the surge protector for a while and the battery health begins to deteriorate, you can easily swap out the battery cell with a replacement.