Just invested in one of the best gaming PCs and a whole bunch of pricey gaming accessories? Well, grabbing a surge protector to ensure your pricey electronics don’t get fried during inevitable power fluctuations may be the next best move.
Sure, surge protectors aren’t the flashiest gaming gear but serve an important purpose: shielding equipment from damage caused by even a slight voltage spike. On the outside, surge suppressors often look like your average power strip. However, inside is technology to redirect any electricity spikes, preventing that surge from reaching your gear and causing damage.
TL;DR These are the Best Surge Protectors in 2024
- Belkin USB Power Strip Surge Protector – Best Overall
- AmazonBasics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector – Best Cheap
- APC SurgeArrest P11VNT3 – Best Multi-Port
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 – Best Smart Home
- Belkin PivotPlug BP112230-08 – Best for Oversized Plugs
- Tripp Lite 2-Outlet Traveler – Most Portable/For Travel
- Anker 521 Power Strip – Fastest Charging
- Refrigmatic WS-36300 – Best for Large Appliances
- Cyberpower CP1500PFCLCD UPS – Best Uninterruptable Power Supply
- Belkin 8-Outlet Conserve Switch – For Wireless Functionality
The best surge protectors for gaming PCs are full of outlets, offer a solid joule rating for better longevity, and have a high clamping voltage, keeping your entire battle station safe from spikes in power. After nailing the basics, you can find options perfect for travel, protecting your handheld gaming PC or gaming laptop on the go, or something rocking tons of additional ports to keep all your gear safe. Some surge protectors are even ready to integrate with smart home gadgets, and there are uninterruptable power supplies with surge suppressors, letting you save game progress before powering down.
No matter what you’re after, we’ve got you covered. And the good news is that many of our favorite surge protectors for gaming PCs are far less expensive than the equipment they’ll be protecting, like your graphics cards, CPUs, and power supplies.
1. Belkin USB Power Strip Surge Protector
Best Surge Protector
Not all power strips are created equal, and this Belkin power strip turns one outlet in your wall into a strip of 12 well-placed outlets. This flexible setup sports six vertically-aligned plugs in the center, then three on either side, which allows you to use bulkier plugs without losing access to the others. You even get two high-speed USB-A ports to charge a tablet or smartphone. The wall plug is also angled, so you still have access to the second wall outlet, while the six-foot extension cord is durable and long for easy access to the strip.
Belkin delivers 3,996-joule protection to your electronics, safeguarding them from surging, overloading, short-circuiting, and fluctuations. A green or red light will glow, indicating whether the plug is grounded and protecting against surges, so you’ll know if there is an issue with the power strip and if your devices are safe from potential voltage spikes.
2. AmazonBasics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector
Best Budget Surge Protector
For surge protection on the cheap, grab this AmazonBasics strip. Costing under $25, you get 4,500-joule surge protection and 400V to 500V voltage clamping, ensuring that your sensitive, expensive electronics like computers, gaming consoles, or TVs don’t get damaged during an inevitable spike. There’s even a bright green LED light on the strip, indicating active surge protection, while fireproof MOVs prevent sparks or fires from occurring during those thermal events.
Besides surge protection, you get eight outlets with five ports on one side and three more spacious ports on the other for larger plugs, so you’ll have room for a fairly robust entertainment center or PC setup. You also get the option to upgrade the durable six-foot cord length for a couple more bucks to eight, 10, or 12 feet. As an additional safety measure, there are sliding outlet covers to prevent little fingers or other things from getting electrocuted.
3. APC SurgeArrest P11VNT3
Best Multi-Port Surge Protector
The APC SurgeArrest is a pick for those who need heavy protection for loads of devices. You get 11 outlets in a friendly layout for bigger plugs, each with a sliding cover, alongside phone, DSL, coaxial, and Ethernet ports to protect each part of your PC or entertainment rig. It even comes with four hanging holes and an eight-foot right-angle power cord that rotates 180 degrees, so you can easily hang it on the wall if you prefer.
After plugging in and switching on the APC SurgeArrest, an indicator light notifies you if surge protection works, whether an overload occurs, or even if bad wiring is plaguing the building’s electrical system. When it comes to protection, this powerstrip absorbs up to 3,030 joules, while a voltage clamping of 400 volts should be plenty for your more sensitive electronics. Protecting your Ethernet will throttle the connection down to 100Mbps, but it’s hard to beat this extra insurance for your electronics.
4. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
Best Smart Home Surge Protector
If you’ve got a space full of smart home gadgets, why not add a surge-protecting power strip to the mix? You can control the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip’s six outlets independently via Alexa, Google Assistant, or a mobile app for more capabilities, and you don’t even need a hub. Those plugs can be grouped together and commanded or set on schedules, and when connected to Wi-Fi, it’s even possible to control them from anywhere and monitor energy usage.
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip offers more than just its six outlets with smart functionality, as you also get a 1,710-joule breaker to protect against large surges. A status light also lets you know when the strip needs replacement, ensuring you maintain protection post-surge. And it doesn’t stop with just AC outlets, as there are three USB ports to charge up smaller electronics.
5. Belkin PivotPlug BP112230-08
Best Surge Protector for Oversized Plugs
For some reason, many electronics still use large, frustratingly shaped charge bricks, which means plugging them all in, especially to the same powerstrip’s a pain. That’s where the Belkin PivotPlug comes into play, you still get four averagely arranged standard outlets down the middle, but each of the eight outlets lining the sides can pivot up to 90 degrees, helping accommodate all your devices. Given the 12 outlets and the pass-throughs for coaxial, DSL, and telephone connections, cable management is essential, so its cable trap is a nice bonus to keep your setup tidy.
As far as surge protection goes, the 4,320-joule-rated Belkin PivotPlug is a perfect companion for the safety and longevity of your electronics. There are two indicator lights on the strip; one glows green to let you know your equipment is secure, while a red light tells you if the outlet is grounded. It doesn’t stop with surge protection, as it reduces electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference for a better performance out of certain devices.
6. Tripp Lite 2-Outlet Traveler
Best Portable Surge Protector
You might not take your gaming PC on the go, but even if you’re traveling, it doesn’t mean your expensive portable electronics, like a smartphone or laptop, need to be subjected to potential spikes that could brick them. The Tripp Lite 2-Outlet Traveler is a small two-port portable surge protector with 1,050 joules of shielding and respectable clamping voltage to protect more sensitive electronics. Two LED indicator lights also tell you when the outlet is grounded and if it’s protecting against surges or spikes—just keep an eye on the status light to know when to replace it.
You don’t need to worry about the Tripp Lite 2-Outlet Traveler fitting in your bag either, as it weighs less than four ounces, and its three-prong plug is retractable, so you can even pop it in your pocket if need be. DSL and Telephone ports are also available to prevent surges from damaging your internet or phone equipment. And this surge protector even has a limited lifetime warranty, so it should be easy to replace if it ever stops working.
7. Anker 521 Power Strip
Best Fast-Charging Surge Protector
The Anker 521 Power Strip is a great USB-C charger that tops up your devices quickly and safely. You get two USB-A ports delivering up to 12W of power and a USB-C port with power delivery offering up to an impressive 30W, though the three ports are cumulatively limited to 30W at one time. That means your PC peripherals, like a wireless keyboard or gaming mouse, can juice up way quicker than they would with your typical blocks, while three other AC outlets let you plug in even more.
It doesn’t stop there, as the Anker 521 Power Strip offers additional peace of mind with its, though somewhat light, 300 joules of surge protection. You’ll also find indicator lights on the powerstrip to let you know when it’s on, grounded, and protecting against surges. A few extra safety features, like fire resistance, overload protection, and over-temperature control, further your safety and the safety of your devices.
8. Refrigmatic WS-36300
Best Appliance Surge Protector
Beyond PCs, appliances are equally expensive to replace if you fry their insides. Don't you want a cool drink from the fridge between gaming seessions? The Refrigmatic WS-36300 combats this issue, working with larger appliances that include fridges up to 27 cubic feet, as well as ice makers and air conditioners up to 5000 BTU. Just keep in mind this is a surge protector and not a power strip, so it only works with one electronic.
To use it, you simply plug it in, wait three minutes, then plug your appliance into the polarized socket. A series of labeled lights lets you know whether the voltage is high, low, or normal and if there is a time delay. When the Refrigmatic detects a significant variance from the 120-volt standard, it will automatically disconnect, offering up to 1,081 joules of surge protection to save your devices from damage due to spikes, instant surges, power failure, voltage fluctuation, and load shedding.
9. CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD UPS
Best Uninterruptable Power Supply
While surge protectors are great, preventing work or game save loss is ideal. This uninterruptable power supply (UPS) from CyberPower protects against surges and keeps your electronics going for a limited time during blackouts. It should run for 2.5 minutes at a full load or 10 minutes at half capacity for enough time to save important work or games before shutting your machine down. And if there are slight power fluctuations, automatic voltage regulation lets this UPS correct the issue without switching to the battery, extending its battery life.
On the CyberPower, all 12 outlets have 1445 joules of surge protection, while six connect to the battery, ready to take advantage of its 1000W should power be lost. There are additional ports to plug in more electronics, including an ethernet, USB-C, and USB-A. A detailed LCD on the front chassis also displays the UPS battery status and power conditions.
10. Belkin 8-Outlet Conserve Switch
Best Wireless Switch Surge Protector
To save on energy costs, the Belkin 8-Outlet Conserve Switch comes with a light-switch-style wireless remote control, allowing you to turn off your devices with a simple switch. If you want to keep some of your components on, there are two active outlets that won’t be affected by the switch.
Belkin claims the switch has a 60 foot range with no line of sight required. You could easily mount the switch to the wall, or have it located in another room, and viola – your PC and any accessories will be turned off instantly.
There’s nothing too fancy about this surge protector other than the wireless functionality. It’s certainly convenient, and offers eight outlets in total. Protect your components and save money in the long run – what’s not to love?
Where to Get the Best Surge Protector in the UK
How To Pick the Best Surge Protector for Your PC
Surge protectors add an extra layer of protection to your connected components. This is especially useful during a power surge which could cause significant damage to your devices. Most surge protectors come equipped with a device called a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV). This diverts excess electricity to the ground, also known as “clamping” the voltage. This means your electricals won’t be damaged as a result of a power surge.
When purchasing a surge protector, you’ll likely notice an MOV or clamping voltage rating – this indicates how much the surge protector is capable of during a surge. The clamping value (or MOV) tells us how much voltage can get through during a spike (lower numbers are better here). If you opt for a suppressor that opens the circuit when an MOV fails, your equipment will not be left unprotected.
Joule ratings on a surge protector denote the amount of energy it can take to protect your electricals. It’s kind of like the measure of its lifespan – one with a rating of 4,000 joules will last about four times longer than one with a 1,000-joule rating.
Why You Need a Surge Protector For Your Gaming PC
A gaming PC is a pricey investment, and a surge protector adds an extra blanket of protection to ensure a power surge doesn’t render your device useless. Even slight fluctuations in voltage can damage highly sensitive PC components, impacting performance.
Surge suppressors detect higher-than-average voltages, diverting the power and saving your machine from damage. And if you live in an area that faces brownouts and blackouts, a surge protector is especially important. You’ll probably need a power strip to plug in your PC and all its components anyway, and most of the time, you can grab a surge protector for just slightly more.
Beyond surge protectors, some may find a UPS or uninterruptable power supply handy. With these devices, you’ll often get surge protection along with a backup battery to keep your device running. That means you can make important saves to your work or game progress before shutting down your PC.
FAQs
What Even Is a Surge Protector?
Various factors outside your control, be it electrical storms, turning on powerful electronics, power line issues, and more, cause surges in the electricity to go through your plugged-in devices, leading to potential damage. A surge protector prevents spikes in electricity from ever hitting electronics thanks to a metal oxide varistor or MOV. It acts like a valve to help reroute the voltage, limiting or increasing resistance by grounding or absorbing the extra energy, thus keeping the electricity sent to your device steady. Surge protectors come in a variety of forms, but most tend to look like your average power strip.
Do You Really Need a Surge Protector?
While a surge protector is not a requirement to plug electricals into, it’s definitely recommended, especially if you have expensive equipment. If there is a power surge, plugged in devices are at risk of damage.
When Should I Replace My Surge Protector?
If your surge protector hasn’t conked out after a power surge and there’s still life left in it, it’s recommended to replace it around 3 to 5 years.
Brian Barnett writes reviews, wiki guides, deals posts, features, and more for IGN. You can get your fix of his antics on Twitter (@Ribnax) or check out his show on Twitch (The Platformers).
