Gear
Surge Protectors & Power Strips
Core job: one outlet becoming several, safely
This is the least exciting category on the site and the one with the most ways to misuse it. A strip solves a real problem, both at the wall and on the front of a power station, and the rules for using it correctly fit on one hand.
Joule ratings on this page are reported exactly as each listing states them. This site has not measured any of them, and the test conditions behind a joule figure are not published in a way that makes cross-brand comparison meaningful. A certification mark from a recognized testing laboratory is the more useful thing on a listing.
What this category solves
- Turns the single AC outlet on a small power station into somewhere you can plug in more than one thing.
- Puts several low-draw devices on one wall outlet without an improvised tangle of adapters.
- Gives some protection against the voltage spike when utility power comes back, which is not always graceful.
- Puts a switch on a group of devices so they can be cut cleanly rather than unplugged one at a time.
How to choose
| Factor | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cord length | A length that reaches without a second cord | The only reason people chain strips together is that the first one did not reach. Buying the right length prevents the dangerous fix. |
| Certification mark | A recognized testing laboratory mark stated on the listing | A certification mark is a verifiable claim about the unit being tested. A joule figure alone is not. |
| Outlet spacing | Room for the wall bricks you already own | Twelve outlets that fit eight plugs is an eight-outlet strip that cost more. |
| USB ports | USB-C alongside USB-A, with a stated wattage | Charging phones from USB directly avoids the loss of running a wall brick through an inverter, which matters on a battery. |
| Plug profile | A flat plug where the outlet is behind furniture | A bulky plug behind a couch is the reason a cord gets pinched, and a pinched cord is the reason strips catch fire. |
| Protection indicator | A light that reports the protection is still intact | Absorption capacity is used up over time. Without an indicator there is no way to know the unit is still protecting anything. |
The lineup
Nothing on this page has been tested by this site. Every specification is what the listing states, and where a listing states nothing, this page says so rather than filling the gap. There are no prices and no ratings here.
Cord strips
A strip on the end of a cord, for a desk, a bench, or beside a power station on the floor.
Stated TUV listing alongside 12 AC outlets
Anker Power Strip, 12 AC, 2100 J
The listing states 12 AC outlets, a 5 ft cord, one USB-C and two USB-A ports at 20 W, and a TUV listing. The certification mark is the reason this sits first: it is a verifiable claim about the unit having been tested, which a joule number on its own is not. The listing states 2100 J, reported here as stated.
- AC outlets
- 12
- Joules, as the listing states
- 2100 J
- Stated cord
- 5 ft
- Stated USB
- 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 20 W
- Stated certification
- TUV listed
What it does well
- The listing states a TUV listing, which is a testing claim you can look up rather than take on faith.
- Twelve stated AC outlets covers a desk or a shelf without a second strip.
- A stated 20 W USB-C port charges a phone directly, avoiding the loss of a wall brick on an inverter.
- A 5 ft cord is long enough for most placements without becoming a trip hazard.
Where it falls short
- A stated 2100 J is not the highest figure in this catalog.
- Twelve outlets in one strip invites overloading a single wall receptacle.
- The 5 ft cord is the shortest here, which limits where it can sit.
Best forA desk or media shelf where a certification mark matters more than the largest joule number.
Highest stated joule figure here, 2700 J
ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 outlets, 2700 J
The listing states 12 outlets, a 6 ft heavy duty cord, four USB ports, an ETL listing, and 2700 J, the highest joule figure in this catalog. Both the certification mark and the joule claim are present, which is the combination worth looking for. The joule number is reported as the listing states it and has not been verified here.
- AC outlets
- 12
- Joules, as the listing states
- 2700 J
- Stated cord
- 6 ft heavy duty
- Stated USB
- 4 ports
- Stated certification
- ETL listed
What it does well
- The listing states the highest joule figure in this catalog at 2700 J.
- An ETL listing is stated, which is a testing claim rather than a marketing figure.
- A stated 6 ft heavy duty cord reaches further than the shorter strips here.
- Four stated USB ports covers a household charging several phones at once.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a USB wattage, so charge speed is unknown from the product page.
- Twelve outlets on one wall receptacle is a lot of load to manage responsibly.
- A heavy duty cord is stiffer, which matters in tight placements behind furniture.
Best forA workspace where the highest stated absorption figure and a certification mark are both wanted.
HANYCONY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1080 J
The listing states eight outlets, a 5 ft braided cord, four USB ports including two USB-C, a flat plug, wall mounting, and an ETL listing. The flat plug and the wall mount together solve the specific problem of a strip behind furniture, where a bulky plug is what pinches a cord. The listing states 1080 J.
- AC outlets
- 8
- Joules, as the listing states
- 1080 J
- Stated cord
- 5 ft braided
- Stated USB
- 4 ports, 2 of them USB-C
- Stated certification
- ETL listed
What it does well
- An ETL listing is stated, which is a verifiable testing claim.
- A stated flat plug sits behind furniture without forcing the cord into a bend.
- Two stated USB-C ports rather than one, which matches what most households now carry.
- Stated wall mounting keeps the strip off the floor and visible.
Where it falls short
- A stated 1080 J is toward the lower end of the figures in this catalog.
- The listing does not state a USB wattage.
- A 5 ft cord limits placement compared with the longer strips here.
Best forA strip that must sit behind a couch or a desk without the plug forcing a bend in the cord.
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1050 J
The listing states eight outlets, a 10 ft flat plug cord, and four USB ports including two USB-C. Ten feet is the length that stops people chaining strips together, which is the single most common dangerous misuse of this category. The listing states 1050 J, reported here as stated.
- AC outlets
- 8
- Joules, as the listing states
- 1050 J
- Stated cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Stated USB
- 4 ports, 2 of them USB-C
- Stated certification
- Not stated on the listing
What it does well
- A stated 10 ft cord reaches across a room, which removes the reason people chain strips.
- A stated flat plug fits behind furniture without bending the cord.
- Two stated USB-C ports covers current phones and tablets.
- Eight outlets is a practical count that does not encourage overloading one receptacle.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- A stated 1050 J is among the lower figures in this catalog.
- A 10 ft cord is more cable to manage, which becomes clutter if not routed properly.
Best forA room where the outlet is nowhere near the equipment and the alternative would be chaining strips.
TESSAN Power Strip, 8 outlets, 900 J
The listing states eight outlets in a three-sided extender body, a 5 ft flat plug cord, three USB ports including a 20 W USB-C, and a power switch. The stated USB wattage is unusual in this category and useful, since 20 W is a real phone charging rate. The listing states 900 J.
- AC outlets
- 8
- Joules, as the listing states
- 900 J
- Stated cord
- 5 ft flat plug
- Stated USB
- 3 ports, including 20 W USB-C
- Stated switch
- Power switch
What it does well
- The listing states a USB-C wattage, 20 W, which most strips here leave unspecified.
- A three-sided body fits bulky wall bricks that would block neighboring outlets on a flat strip.
- A stated power switch lets a whole group be cut cleanly rather than unplugged one at a time.
- A stated flat plug suits placements behind furniture.
Where it falls short
- A stated 900 J is the lowest stated figure among the strips in this catalog.
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- Three USB ports is fewer than most of the strips here.
Best forA nightstand or a desk where a real 20 W USB-C port and a switch matter more than a joule figure.
Power Strip, 8 outlets, 6 ft
The listing states eight outlets in a three-sided extender, four USB ports, a flat plug, an ETL listing, and a 6 ft cord. It has the certification mark and the useful shape without stating a joule figure at all, which is worth noting rather than filling in. Where a listing states no joule rating, this site records that rather than estimating one.
- AC outlets
- 8
- Joules
- Not stated on the listing
- Stated cord
- 6 ft, flat plug
- Stated USB
- 4 ports
- Stated certification
- ETL listed
What it does well
- An ETL listing is stated, which is the more meaningful of the two claims strips usually make.
- A three-sided body accommodates wall bricks without blocking adjacent outlets.
- A stated 6 ft cord with a flat plug suits placements behind furniture.
- Four stated USB ports covers a household charging several devices.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a joule rating, so absorption capacity is unknown from the product page.
- The listing does not state a USB wattage either.
- A generic listing means less documentation to fall back on later.
Best forSomewhere the shape and the certification mark matter and the joule figure is not the deciding factor.
Olcorife Power Strip, 8 outlets, 10 ft
The listing states eight outlets in a three-sided extender with a flat plug, four USB ports including one USB-C, and a 10 ft cord. It is the long-cord version of the three-sided shape, which is a sensible combination for a room where the receptacle is inconveniently placed. No joule figure is stated on the listing.
- AC outlets
- 8
- Joules
- Not stated on the listing
- Stated cord
- 10 ft, flat plug
- Stated USB
- 4 ports, 1 of them USB-C
- Stated design
- Three-sided extender
What it does well
- A stated 10 ft cord removes the distance problem that leads people to chain strips.
- A three-sided body fits bulky adapters without blocking neighbors.
- A stated flat plug suits tight placements behind furniture.
- Four stated USB ports, one of them USB-C, covers ordinary charging.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a joule rating.
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- Only one of the four stated USB ports is USB-C.
Best forA far-away receptacle where the three-sided shape and the reach both matter.
One Beat Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
The listing states six outlets, a flat plug, four USB ports including two USB-C, and a 10 ft cord. Six outlets with four USB ports is a sensible ratio for a household where most things charge over USB rather than through a wall brick. No joule figure is stated on the listing.
- AC outlets
- 6
- Joules
- Not stated on the listing
- Stated cord
- 10 ft, flat plug
- Stated USB
- 4 ports, 2 of them USB-C
- Stated certification
- Not stated on the listing
What it does well
- Two stated USB-C ports on a six-outlet strip matches how modern households actually charge.
- A stated 10 ft cord reaches without needing a second cord.
- A stated flat plug fits behind furniture without bending the cable.
- Six outlets is a modest count, which discourages overloading one receptacle.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a joule rating.
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- Six outlets may be too few for a media shelf or a desk with several devices.
Best forA bedroom or a small desk where most devices charge over USB and the receptacle is across the room.
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
The listing states six outlets, three USB ports, a flat plug, and a 10 ft cord. It is the simplest arrangement in this catalog: enough outlets for a room, enough reach to avoid a second cord, and nothing else claimed. No joule figure and no certification mark are stated.
- AC outlets
- 6
- Joules
- Not stated on the listing
- Stated cord
- 10 ft, flat plug
- Stated USB
- 3 ports
- Stated certification
- Not stated on the listing
What it does well
- A stated 10 ft cord covers the distance that otherwise tempts people to chain strips.
- A stated flat plug sits flush behind furniture.
- Six outlets and three USB ports is a sensible load for one wall receptacle.
- A simple design with fewer stated features is fewer things to fail.
Where it falls short
- The listing does not state a joule rating.
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- Three USB ports is the fewest among the cord strips here.
Best forA straightforward room where reach is the requirement and nothing else needs to be claimed.
| Product | AC outlets | Cord | Joules, as listed | USB ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Power Strip, 12 AC, 2100 J | 12 | 5 ft | 2100 J, as listed | 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 20 W |
| ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 outlets, 2700 J | 12 | 6 ft heavy duty | 2700 J, as listed | 4 ports |
| HANYCONY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1080 J | 8 | 5 ft braided, flat plug | 1080 J, as listed | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1050 J | 8 | 10 ft flat plug | 1050 J, as listed | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| TESSAN Power Strip, 8 outlets, 900 J | 8 | 5 ft flat plug | 900 J, as listed | 3 ports, 20 W USB-C |
| Power Strip, 8 outlets, 6 ft | 8 | 6 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports |
| Olcorife Power Strip, 8 outlets, 10 ft | 8 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports, 1 USB-C |
| One Beat Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft | 6 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft | 6 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 3 ports |
Cord strips, as the listings state
Anker Power Strip, 12 AC, 2100 J
- AC outlets
- 12
- Cord
- 5 ft
- Joules, as listed
- 2100 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 20 W
ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 outlets, 2700 J
- AC outlets
- 12
- Cord
- 6 ft heavy duty
- Joules, as listed
- 2700 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports
HANYCONY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1080 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 5 ft braided, flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 1080 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1050 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 1050 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
TESSAN Power Strip, 8 outlets, 900 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 5 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 900 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 3 ports, 20 W USB-C
Power Strip, 8 outlets, 6 ft
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 6 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports
Olcorife Power Strip, 8 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 1 USB-C
One Beat Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 6
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 6
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 3 ports
Wall outlet extenders
No cord at all. Plugs straight into the receptacle, which removes the cord as a thing to trip over or pinch.
Highest stated joules with no cord to pinch
QINLIANF Wall Outlet Extender, 5 outlets, 1680 J
The listing states five outlets, four USB ports, a three-sided design, and no cord at all, plugging straight into the receptacle. Removing the cord removes the two things that go wrong with strips: a cord that gets pinched, and the temptation to plug it into another strip. The listing states 1680 J, reported here as stated.
- AC outlets
- 5
- Joules, as the listing states
- 1680 J
- Stated cord
- None, plugs directly into the wall
- Stated USB
- 4 ports
- Stated design
- Three-sided
What it does well
- No cord at all, which eliminates pinching, tripping, and running it under a rug.
- A three-sided design fits bulky wall bricks that a flat strip cannot.
- Four stated USB ports covers phone charging without occupying AC outlets.
- A stated 1680 J figure alongside five outlets in a unit with nothing to route.
Where it falls short
- It must be used at the receptacle, so it cannot bring outlets to where you are working.
- The listing does not state a certification mark.
- A heavy unit hanging off a wall receptacle puts strain on the outlet itself.
Best forA wall receptacle behind a desk or a nightstand, where a cord would only be something to pinch.
Only one product sits in this group, so there is nothing here to compare it against. A comparison table with a single row would be decoration.
Everything in this category, side by side
Values in this table come from each listing rather than from any measurement made here.
| Product | AC outlets | Cord | Joules, as listed | USB ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Power Strip, 12 AC, 2100 J | 12 | 5 ft | 2100 J, as listed | 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 20 W |
| ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 outlets, 2700 J | 12 | 6 ft heavy duty | 2700 J, as listed | 4 ports |
| QINLIANF Wall Outlet Extender, 5 outlets, 1680 J | 5 | None, wall-mounted | 1680 J, as listed | 4 ports |
| HANYCONY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1080 J | 8 | 5 ft braided, flat plug | 1080 J, as listed | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1050 J | 8 | 10 ft flat plug | 1050 J, as listed | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| TESSAN Power Strip, 8 outlets, 900 J | 8 | 5 ft flat plug | 900 J, as listed | 3 ports, 20 W USB-C |
| Power Strip, 8 outlets, 6 ft | 8 | 6 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports |
| Olcorife Power Strip, 8 outlets, 10 ft | 8 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports, 1 USB-C |
| One Beat Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft | 6 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 4 ports, 2 USB-C |
| SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft | 6 | 10 ft flat plug | Not stated | 3 ports |
Surge Protectors & Power Strips, all products
Anker Power Strip, 12 AC, 2100 J
- AC outlets
- 12
- Cord
- 5 ft
- Joules, as listed
- 2100 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 20 W
ALESTOR Power Strip, 12 outlets, 2700 J
- AC outlets
- 12
- Cord
- 6 ft heavy duty
- Joules, as listed
- 2700 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports
QINLIANF Wall Outlet Extender, 5 outlets, 1680 J
- AC outlets
- 5
- Cord
- None, wall-mounted
- Joules, as listed
- 1680 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports
HANYCONY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1080 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 5 ft braided, flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 1080 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 8 outlets, 1050 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 1050 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
TESSAN Power Strip, 8 outlets, 900 J
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 5 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- 900 J, as listed
- USB ports
- 3 ports, 20 W USB-C
Power Strip, 8 outlets, 6 ft
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 6 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports
Olcorife Power Strip, 8 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 8
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 1 USB-C
One Beat Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 6
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 4 ports, 2 USB-C
SUPERDANNY Power Strip, 6 outlets, 10 ft
- AC outlets
- 6
- Cord
- 10 ft flat plug
- Joules, as listed
- Not stated
- USB ports
- 3 ports
Care and safety
Almost every serious incident involving this category traces back to one of three things: a strip plugged into another strip, a heat-producing appliance on a strip, or a cord that was crushed or hidden. None of the three is subtle and all three are avoidable.
- One strip, plugged directly into a wall receptacle. Nothing between them.
- Keep it visible and reachable. If you cannot see it, you cannot notice it discolored or feel it warm.
- Add up what is plugged in and stay under the unit's stated rating.
- Replace after any significant surge event, and replace anything with a protection indicator that has gone out.
- On a power station, the ceiling is the station's stated continuous output, not the strip's rating.
Hard limits
- Never chain strips. Do not plug a power strip into another strip, an extension cord, or a wall outlet extender, in either direction.
- Never plug space heaters, air fryers, microwaves, air conditioners, toaster ovens, hot plates, or kettles into a strip or an extension cord.
- Do not run a strip or its cord under a rug, through a doorway, behind a radiator, or anywhere it is walked on or pinched.
- Take a strip out of service immediately if it is warm to the touch, discolored, buzzing, or smells of hot plastic.
- Do not exceed a power station's stated continuous output by loading up a strip plugged into it. The strip does not enforce that limit.
- A surge protector is not backup power. It stores nothing and does nothing at all while the utility is out.
Where this sits in the sequence
Questions this category keeps getting
Can I plug a power strip into another power strip?
No. Chaining strips defeats the protection circuitry, hides how much load is sitting on one receptacle, and is a recognized fire cause. This includes plugging a strip into an extension cord or into a wall outlet extender. One strip, straight into the wall.
Does a higher joule rating mean better protection?
Loosely, and not in a way that supports a precise comparison between brands. The joule figures on this site are reported as each listing states them, and the test conditions behind them are not verifiable from a product page. A certification mark and a working protection indicator light are the more meaningful signals.
Can I plug a space heater into a surge protector?
No. Space heaters, air fryers, microwaves, air conditioners, and other heat-producing appliances draw a large sustained current and belong in their own wall receptacle. This is one of the most common causes of strip failures and fires.
Will a surge protector keep my equipment running in an outage?
No. It stores no energy. When the wall goes dead, everything downstream of it goes dead at the same instant. Its value in an outage is at the other end, when power returns and the restoration is not clean.
Can I plug a strip into a power station?
Yes for small loads, with one condition. The strip will pass more current than the power station can supply and the inverter will fault. The limit is the station's stated continuous output, so add up what is on the strip and keep it comfortably under that figure.