Best surge protectors and power strips 2020
As many homes face increasing power usage, you might want to consider a new surge protector — from standard to USB-equipped and models with battery packs.
Whitson Gordon
Whitson Gordon
While most surge protectors get stuffed behind a desk or entertainment center, sometimes you want to keep one easily accessible to charge your never-ending parade of battery-powered gadgets — and allow for guests to do the same. Tripp Lite makes a clamp mount surge protector that works perfectly for this: Mount it to the side of your desk, end table, or nightstand, and you’ll have easy access for whatever you need to plug in. It even has two USB ports for charging your phones and tablets without an AC adapter, plus the same auto-shutoff mechanism as other Tripp Lite protectors.
I don’t know about you, but I run my battery down most often when I’m traveling — which is ironic, because that’s when outlets are at their rarest. A good battery pack will help get you by, but I also travel with a portable surge protector everywhere I go. Even if the outlets at my gate are used up, I can swoop in with a multi-port unit like this Belkin model and let everyone juice up at the same time. With three outlets and two USB ports, I’m usually the hero of the airport.
If no other surge protector seems to have room for your giant power bricks, you’ll want the Belkin Pivot Plug. It’s a bit bulkier than most other surge protectors, but eight of the 12 outlets on this monster pivot 90 degrees. That means you can plug everything in without losing precious ports. Note that unlike the Tripp Lite models, it won’t automatically shut off when it’s worn down. However, a “Protected” light will stay on as long as it’s, well, protected — and you’ll know it’s time to replace the unit once that light goes out.
While surge protectors will protect your devices from power surges — during a blackout, for example — you could still lose important data if your computer loses power in the middle of your ongoing and unsaved work. An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, acts as a battery backup in these scenarios. When the power goes out, your computer and other equipment run off the unit’s battery for a few minutes, giving you enough time to save your work and shut down safely. This CyberPower model can handle up to 450 watts of gear, and has a handy LCD to let you know how much power it’s currently drawing. Just remember to replace the battery every couple of years, or they won’t hold enough of a charge when you need them (and they’ll start to swell). You can buy new batteries directly from the manufacturer for $40 or so.
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