The 5 best
power strips & surge protectors
we'd actually buy.
We tested power strips and surge protectors for outlet count, USB charging speed, and surge protection ratings. These are the best options for powering a full desk setup safely.
At a Glance
5 picks
from 30+ power strips & surge protectors considered
The shortlist
Sort and scan our top 5 picks. Tap a column header to sort. Tap a row to jump to the full review.
| Product | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  Anker 351 Power StripEditor’s Choice | 4.8 | $28.99 | View |
| 02 |  HANYCONY Surge Protector Power StripBest Value | 4.8 | $12.99 | View |
| 03 |  Belkin SurgeMaster 12-Outlet | 4.8 | $44.95 | View |
| 04 |  Kasa Smart Power Strip HS300 | 4.6 | $39.96 | View |
| 05 |  Tripp Lite ISOBAR8ULTRA | 4.7 | $97.71 | View |
Anker 351 Power StripHANYCONY Surge Protector Power StripBelkin SurgeMaster 12-OutletKasa Smart Power Strip HS300Tripp Lite ISOBAR8ULTRAPrices updated via Amazon Creators API. Availability may vary.
Review · 01
Anker 351 Power Strip
The Anker 351 packs 12 AC outlets plus 20W USB-C fast charging into a flat-plug design with 2100J surge protection, TÜV listing, and a $200,000 connected-equipment warranty.
What We Love
- 12 AC outlets plus 20W USB-C and 2 USB-A
- Flat plug and 5ft cord tuck behind furniture
- 2100J protection with $200K equipment warranty
Reasons to Skip
- USB-C drops wattage when USB-A ports are in use
- Not the cheapest option
The Numbers
“The Anker 351 packs 12 AC outlets plus 20W USB-C fast charging into a flat-plug design with 2100J surge protection, TÜV listing, and a $200,000 connected-equipment warranty.”
Review · 02
HANYCONY Surge Protector Power Strip
A best-value surge strip with 8 widely-spaced outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports, a 5ft braided flat-plug cord, and ETL certification — the highest-reviewed pick on the list.
What We Love
- 8 outlets spaced 2.2in apart for bulky adapters
- 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A charging ports
- Braided 5ft cord, flat plug, wall-mountable
Reasons to Skip
- Lower joule rating than heavy-duty units
- USB output is modest
The Numbers
“A best-value surge strip with 8 widely-spaced outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports, a 5ft braided flat-plug cord, and ETL certification — the highest-reviewed pick on the list.”
Review · 03
Belkin SurgeMaster 12-Outlet
A 12-outlet surge protector with 8 rotating/pivoting outlets for bulky chargers, 4,320J of protection, an 8ft flat-pivot cord, and a $300,000 connected-equipment warranty.
What We Love
- 8 rotating outlets fit large adapters without blocking
- High 4,320J surge protection
- 8ft pivot-plug cord, $300K warranty
Reasons to Skip
- No USB ports on this model
- Bulkier than flat strips
The Numbers
“A 12-outlet surge protector with 8 rotating/pivoting outlets for bulky chargers, 4,320J of protection, an 8ft flat-pivot cord, and a $300,000 connected-equipment warranty.”
Review · 04
Kasa Smart Power Strip HS300
A Wi-Fi smart strip with 6 individually controlled outlets, energy monitoring, and 3 USB ports — works with Alexa and Google Home, ETL-certified surge protection, no hub required.
What We Love
- 6 individually app/voice-controlled outlets
- Built-in energy monitoring per outlet
- Works with Alexa & Google Home, no hub
Reasons to Skip
- Needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi setup
- Only 6 outlets vs 8–12 on others
The Numbers
“A Wi-Fi smart strip with 6 individually controlled outlets, energy monitoring, and 3 USB ports — works with Alexa and Google Home, ETL-certified surge protection, no hub required.”
Review · 05
Tripp Lite ISOBAR8ULTRA
A heavy-duty all-metal surge protector with 3,840J network-grade protection, 4 isolated filter banks that block EMI/RFI noise, a 12ft cord, lifetime warranty, and $50,000 equipment insurance.
What We Love
- All-metal housing, 3,840J network-grade surge
- 4 isolated filter banks block EMI/RFI noise
- 12ft cord, lifetime warranty
Reasons to Skip
- Premium price
- No USB ports
The Numbers
“A heavy-duty all-metal surge protector with 3,840J network-grade protection, 4 isolated filter banks that block EMI/RFI noise, a 12ft cord, lifetime warranty, and $50,000 equipment insurance.”
How We Judge Power Strips & Surge Protectors
Joule Rating and Surge Protection
A surge protector's joule rating measures how much energy it can absorb before failing — higher is better for protecting expensive electronics. Look for at least 1000 joules for a basic desk, 2000+ joules for a computer and monitors, and 3000+ joules for a full workstation with peripherals. A plain power strip with no joule rating offers extra outlets but zero surge protection, so confirm you're buying an actual surge protector.
Outlet Count, Spacing, and USB Ports
Count your devices and add a couple of spares for future growth. Just as important is outlet spacing — bulky wall-wart adapters block adjacent outlets on tightly packed strips, so look for widely spaced or rotating outlets if you use chargers and adapters. Built-in USB-A/USB-C ports let you charge phones and accessories without occupying AC outlets, a real space-saver on a desk.
Cord Length, Plug, and Mounting
Measure the distance to your wall outlet and add slack; a flat or right-angle plug sits flush so furniture can push against the wall. Longer braided cords resist tangling and reach across larger setups. Keyhole mounting slots let you fix the strip to the underside of a desk or to a wall, keeping it off the floor and out of the cable mess.
Smart, Metal, and Specialty Options
Wi-Fi smart strips let you control and schedule individual outlets by app or voice and monitor energy use — handy for turning a whole setup on or off at once. Heavy-duty all-metal strips with isolated filter banks suit high-end A/V and networking gear that's sensitive to line noise. For most desks a quality 8–12 outlet surge protector is enough; choose smart or metal only if you need those specific features.