What is the best power strip?

If you mean the best power strip for most people, I’d get the Anker 351 Power Strip. Tom’s Guide currently rates it their best overall surge protector, and it gives you 12 AC outlets, 2,100 joules of surge protection, plus USB-A and 20W USB-C charging.

• Anker 351 Power Strip - $34.50 (Nexoltic)

My picks

• 🏆 Best overall: Anker 351 — 12 outlets, 2,100J, USB-C + USB-A. Great for a desk, TV setup, or general home use.

• 🛡️ Best heavy-duty protection: Belkin 12-Outlet PivotPlug — up to 4,320J and rotating outlets that make bulky adapters easier to fit.

• 💻 Best for a computer/home office: APC P11U2 — 11 outlets, 3,020J, USB ports and strong overall protection.

• 💰 Best value: Tripp Lite 12-outlet — a good choice if you care more about protection and outlet capacity than USB charging.

• Anker 351 Power Strip - $34.50 (Nexoltic)

• Belkin PivotPlug 12-Outlet - $44.95 (Adorama)

• Tripp Lite 12-Outlet Surge Protector - $54.00 (Best Buy)

• APC 6-Outlet Surge Protector - $22.99 (newegg.com)

One important point: don't buy a basic power strip when you actually want surge protection. Look for UL 1449 certification and a meaningful joule rating; a plain power strip generally provides no surge protection.

If you tell me what you're plugging into it (PC/gaming setup, TV, appliances, bedroom, etc.) and roughly how many outlets you need, I can pick the single best one for you.

The right power strip depends on whether you need heavy-duty surge protection to protect expensive electronics, USB fast-charging ports for mobile devices, or a massive amount of outlets.[1][2]

Here are the top-rated options according to expert reviews from platforms like NYT Wirecutter and CNET:

• Best Overall : Widely praised by reviewers from NYT Wirecutter for its top-tier protection, rugged build quality, and safety-focused design.

• Auto-Shutoff Feature : Permanently cuts power once its internal protection degrades, ensuring it never passes dangerous raw power to your gear.

• Specs : 12 AC outlets, 8-foot cord with a flat 90-degree plug, and coaxial/telephone ports (note: no USB ports).

• Best with USB : Perfect for desks or nightstands where you need to charge phones or accessories directly without bulky power bricks.

• Fast Charging : Equipped with a 20W USB-C Power Delivery port and two USB-A ports alongside 12 widely-spaced AC outlets.

• Specs : 2,100 Joules of surge protection, a 5-foot braided extension cord, and a flat plug.[1]

• Best for Home Theater : Highly popular on The Home Depot and Best Buy for living room entertainment setups.

• Massive Protection : Features a massive 3,940 Joule rating to absorb heavy electrical spikes and includes a handy detachable cable management clip.

• Specs : 12 AC outlets (six are widely spaced block outlets), an 8-foot cord, and an angled flat plug. [1][2]

To help narrow down the perfect power strip, where do you plan to use it (e.g., behind a TV, on top of a desk, or for travel) and what devices will you plug in?

If you mean a power strip for a home office, TV, gaming setup, or general electronics, my pick is:

• Belkin 12-Outlet 3996J Surge Protector - $46.99 (Best Buy)

Why I’d choose it

• 12 outlets with room for bulky plugs.
• 3,996 joules of surge protection, which is substantially more than basic 600–1,000J strips.
• 8-foot cord, useful for desks, entertainment centers, and workstations.
• Belkin is a well-established manufacturer.
• It's currently around $47 in the product results I found.

For something cheaper and simpler:

• Belkin 7-Outlet 2320J Surge Protector - $19.99 (Best Buy)

For a setup where you want lots of outlets plus USB charging, I'd consider:

• Anker 12-Outlet 2100J Power Strip - $39.99 (Best Buy)

One important point: don't buy based solely on the number of outlets or joules. Look for a legitimately UL-certified/listed surge protector. UL specifically recommends UL certification, and surge-protective devices fall under UL 1449.

If you tell me what you're plugging into it (e.g. TV + PS5, gaming PC, appliances, office equipment, or whole-home electronics), I can pick the best one for that specific use.

The best power strip for most people is the Anker 351 Power Strip Go to product viewer dialog for this item. because it offers a perfect balance of 12 well-spaced AC outlets, built-in USB ports, and robust 2,100-joule surge protection at a highly reasonable price point. Experts from CNN Underscored rank it as a top choice for modern home offices. [1][2]

Depending on your specific tech setup and safety priorities, your ideal power strip might change.

Top Rated Power Strips

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• Best Overall : Delivers excellent multi-device charging for workstations.
• Features : Includes 12 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and a 20W USB-C fast-charging port.
• Safety : Uses an 8-point system with dual surge and grounded LED indicators. [1][2]

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• Best for Home Theaters : Heavy-duty protection for expensive entertainment systems.
• Features : High-capacity 3,780-joule rating with 6 widely spaced block outlets.
• Design : Features an 8-foot cable and a detachable cord management clip.[1]

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• Best Maximum Protection : Industrial, network-grade defense for high-end PCs or server gear.
• Features : Indestructible all-metal housing with 3,840 joules of protection.
• Safety : Isolated filter banks block electronic noise interference between connected devices. [1][2][3]

Direct Feature Comparison

To help narrow down the list, tell me what you plan to plug in (like a PC, TV, or kitchen appliances) and how long of a cord you need.

If you mean the best power strip for most people, I’d pick:

— best overall

• 12 AC outlets + USB charging
• 2,100 joules of surge protection
• Good for desks, home offices, TVs, gaming setups, and general household use
• Good balance of outlet count, safety features, and price

Other excellent choices depending on your use:

• Best for expensive electronics (PC, TV, home theater): Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Surge Protector

• Strong surge rating (around 4,320 joules on common models)

• Rotating outlets help fit large power bricks

• Better suited for protecting lots of plugged-in equipment

• Best heavy-duty / professional-style option: Tripp Lite Protect It! 12-Outlet Surge Protector

• Designed more around surge protection than USB convenience

• Good choice for workstations and sensitive equipment

• Best for a modern USB-C desk setup:

• Lots of USB-C charging power

• Better if you want one hub for laptops, phones, and tablets rather than many AC plugs

What I’d look for:

• Surge protection: ideally 1,000+ joules; more is better for expensive gear
• UL 1449 certification (for U.S. surge protectors)
• 15A rating for normal household use
• 6–8 ft cord if it will sit behind furniture
• Spaced outlets so big adapters don’t block neighbors

Avoid ultra-cheap “10-outlet” strips with no clear surge rating—they may only be outlet splitters rather than meaningful protection.

For a typical home office or entertainment setup, I’d buy the Anker 2100J 12-outlet model. For a $2,000+ PC/TV setup, I’d lean toward Belkin or Tripp Lite.

The best power strip depends entirely on what you plan to plug into it and where you intend to put it. Experts from Wirecutter and tech reviewers emphasize choosing a model with built-in surge protection to keep valuable electronics safe from voltage spikes.

Best All-Around Heavy Duty Strips

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• Top Performance : Delivers a high 3,940-joule rating perfect for home theaters or media setups.
• Smart Layout : Features six block-space outlets to accommodate oversized transformer plugs.[1]

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• Max Protection : Offers 2,880 joules of protection alongside built-in coax and RJ11 jacks.
• Pro Build : Includes diagnostic LEDs to alert you if the protection circuit gets damaged.[1]

Best for Desks & Modern Charging

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• Built-in USB : Combines 12 AC outlets with a 20W fast-charging USB-C port and 2 USB-A ports.
• Space Saver : Features a space-saving flat plug design to fit easily behind furniture.[1]

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• Desk Clamp : Securely clamps to the edge of a desk to eliminate cable clutter.
• High Output : Delivers up to 70W max via USB-C to charge laptops directly.[1]

Best Budget & Small Space Options

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• Affordable Safety : Highly dependable 6-outlet strip offering 790 joules of baseline protection.
• Reliable Build : Includes an integrated 15A circuit breaker to prevent dangerous overloads.[1]

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• Compact Design : Features a 4-foot extension cord and a flat plug for tight wall spaces.
• Noise Filtering : Cleans up power by filtering out EMI/RFI line noise up to 43 dB.[1]

To help narrow down the ideal option, please tell me:

• What specific devices are you planning to plug in? (e.g., a gaming PC, TV setup, kitchen appliances, or just a phone and lamp?)
• Where will it be located and how long of a cord do you need?
• Do you need built-in USB ports , or are standard AC outlets enough?

The "best" power strip depends on what you are plugging in, but expert testing from major tech publications generally categorizes top picks by use case, safety features, and surge capacity (measured in joules).

The top-recommended options on the market include:

- *Why it's great:* Highly recommended by Wirecutter , this unit offers a brilliant combination of ample outlet space (12 AC outlets), robust build quality, and critical safety mechanics . Crucially, it features an auto-shutoff mechanism that permanently cuts power once the internal components are worn out and can no longer block surges, protecting your gear from hidden failure. [1][2]

- *Why it's great:* If you are protecting exceptionally expensive audio-video gear, gaming rigs, or musical equipment, the Furman PST-8 is gold-standard overkill . It suppresses massive voltage spikes down to minimal residual output and includes a shutdown circuit that completely drops power during extreme anomalies. [1]

- *Why it's great:* Highlighted by CNET , this option brings individual smart control, energy monitoring, and ecosystem integration (like Apple Home) directly to your desktop or entertainment center without sacrificing fundamental surge safety. [1]

- *Why it's great:* Recommended by Tom's Guide , Anker's reliable power strips excel at cleanly organizing tight desktop environments, offering tightly integrated USB charging layouts alongside spaced AC outlets for large power bricks.[1]

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What kind of devices are you plugging in (e.g., basic desk lamps/chargers vs. high-end PC/audio gear)?
• Do you need smart features (app/voice control) or built-in USB-C fast charging ports?

If you mean the best power strip/surge protector for most people, I’d pick the Anker 351 Power Strip.

• Anker 351 Power Strip - $28.99 (Anker)

Why it’s my top pick

• 12 AC outlets with good spacing for bulky adapters
• 2,100 joules of surge protection
• 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports
• 20W USB-C charging
• 5-foot cord and mounting holes
• Good balance of protection, capacity, and price—currently around $29.

Two alternatives

• Belkin 12-Outlet PivotPlug Surge Protector - $44.95 (Adorama)

• Anker Prime 240W 8-in-1 Charging Station - $99.99 (Best Buy)

• Best for maximum traditional surge protection: Belkin 12-Outlet PivotPlug — 4,320 joules and rotating outlets that accommodate large power bricks.

• Best for a desk with lots of USB-C devices: Anker Prime 240W — dramatically more USB-C charging power, including up to 140W from a single USB-C port, but it's much more expensive.

My choice: Get the Anker 351 unless you specifically need the Belkin's higher surge rating or the Anker Prime's high-wattage USB-C charging.

If you tell me what you're plugging into it (TV, gaming PC, home office, appliances, etc.), I can recommend the exact best one.

When looking for the "best" power strip, it usually means finding a reliable surge protector that offers enough outlets, proper spacing for bulky adapters, and vital safety features like auto-shutoff.

Top-rated options depend on your specific setup:

Best Overall for Home/Office: Eaton Tripp Lite Protect It 12-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP1208SAT)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely recommended by expert testers like Wirecutter as the top pick for living rooms and offices. It features 12 outlets, great build quality, stellar surge protection, and a crucial auto-shutoff feature that permanently cuts power once the internal components are worn out and can no longer block surges (meaning if it's on, it's still protecting your gear).

Best Heavy-Duty Option: The Teaobar 12-Outlet Surge Protector Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a strong budget-to-performance choice for heavy workstations or home theaters. It packs 12 AC outlets (with wide spacing for large bricks), a long 15 ft cord, high joule rating (2,700 joules), and built-in USB-A and USB-C ports.

Best for Travel: Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a compact, highly reliable pick that is easy to pack for trips.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• Where will you be using it? (home office, entertainment center, travel, workshop?)
• How many devices do you need to plug in?
• Do you need USB-C/USB-A ports directly on the strip?

If you mean the best power strip for a typical home/office setup, I’d prioritize surge protection, outlet spacing, and build quality over having the most USB ports.

🏆 Best overall: Tripp Lite Protect It! TLP1208TELTV

This is my pick if your priority is protecting expensive electronics. Wirecutter's testing found it particularly strong at suppressing surges, and importantly, it cuts power when its surge-protection components are exhausted rather than continuing to power your equipment without protection. It has 12 outlets and an 8-foot cord.

⭐ Best everyday choice: Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector

• Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector - $40.95 (Staples)

For around $40, this is a very good balance of protection, outlet count, and convenience. The widely spaced outlets are especially useful for bulky laptop chargers and adapters. Current listings show it at about $41.

💰 Best value with USB-C: Anker 351

• Anker 351 Power Strip - $28.99 (Anker)

At roughly $29, you get 12 AC outlets plus USB-A and USB-C charging. It's a particularly good choice for a desk, gaming setup, or dorm room.

My quick recommendation:

• Expensive PC/home theater: Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV
• General home/office: Belkin 12-outlet
• Lots of devices + USB-C: Anker 351
• Just need extra outlets cheaply: a basic UL/ETL-listed Belkin or similar strip

One important distinction: if you're protecting a desktop PC, NAS, or other equipment that needs to stay running during an outage, don't buy a power strip—get a UPS instead. A surge protector won't provide battery backup.

If you tell me what you're plugging into it (PC/gaming, TV, appliances, bedroom, etc.) and your budget, I can pick the exact model I'd buy.