$65 at Amazon – APC P11U2 is the best surge protector overall
$45 at Amazon – Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV is the best surge protector runner-up
$40 at Amazon – Belkin Conserve Switch F7C01008q is the best surge protector with a wireless switch
$40 at Dihuni – Accell D080B-051B is the best surge protector for extension cords
$50 at Amazon – Belkin BP108000 is the best compact surge protector
$15 at Amazon – Amazon S9P658O300A00 is the best on-wall surge protector
$39 at eBay – Anker PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini is the best small surge protector
$10 at eBay – Accell D080B-011K is the best surge protector for travel (Update: Out of stock)
$38 at Amazon – Belkin SRA007p12tt6 is the best for a desktop (or otherwise visible spot)
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, drawing on over a quarter-century of expertise. Protecting your electronics from power surges is essential, and finding reliable and affordable surge protectors is crucial. Choosing the right hardware is vital for preventing wear and tear on your delicate electronics.
Power strips and surge protectors are often confused, but they serve different purposes. Surge protectors have circuitry to prevent power spikes, while power strips are simply multi-outlet extensions. Surge protectors have a joule rating to indicate their protection level. It’s recommended to replace surge protectors every few years.
The best surge protector overall is the APC P11U2, with 11 outlets, USB ports, high joule rating, and a long power cord. It also comes with a $250,000 equipment protection policy. Other top picks include the Tripp Lite TLP1208TELTV, Belkin Conserve Switch F7C01008q, Accell D080B-051B, Belkin BP108000, Amazon S9P658O300A00, Anker PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini, Accell D080B-011K, and Belkin SRA007p12tt6.