A solid surge protector can keep your valuable electronics safe from misbehaving voltages, giving you complete peace of mind.

For a small upgrade on a regular power strip, you can essentially put a gate between your wired goods and the electricity coming in through the wall socket, with a surge protector designed to take the heat instead of your TV, console or anything else you have plugged in.

It's able to do this by making sure the voltage doesn't exceed a certain level, which, in turn, ensures that plugged-in devices don't have their components fried or fuses blown.

It may be the case that your surge protector will never need to be called into action, but, for those who don't want to take the chance, we've rounded up some of the best to consider.

Best surge protector: Our top pick

Best surge protectors photo 2
Belkin Surge Protector

Reliable protection

Belkin's far-reaching model provides hefty protections for big appliances.

Best surge protectors photo 2
Belkin Surge Protector

Belkin's far-reaching model provides hefty protections for big appliances.

For

  • Lots of outlets
  • 3,940-joule protection

Against

  • Larger plugs can block other sockets

Belkin's surge protectors come in many different varieties, but a solid choice is an eight-outlet model, which comes with a heavy-duty 8ft cord.

The extension lead comes with a 2500J energy rating, and the eight protected outlets can withstand a 6,000V spike.

This particular protector essentially works like a circuit breaker, which means it will automatically switch off when overloaded before turning back on.

Just be aware, as with any surge protectors, that the internal components will wear down over time and it may need to be replaced.

Surge protectors we also recommend

While the Belkin Surge Protector is at the top of our list, we know it won't be the right pick for everyone. We've all got different things to plug in, and they're at various distances from the wall outlet. So, with that in mind, we've also selected the following devices for you to consider.

Best surge protectors photo 6
Amazon Basics Surge Protector

Superb alternative

An effective budget solution for smaller appliances.

AmazonBasics 6-Outlet, 200 Joule Surge Protector Power Strip, 2 Foot, Black - Pack of 2

Amazon

For

  • Two strips for all your outlet needs
  • Very well priced

Against

  • Only rated for 200 joules

Amazon Basics cover pretty much everything in the home nowadays, and that extends to surge protectors.

Now, this two-pack isn't necessarily for those with big items, such as TVs, PCs, and the like, but it is a perfect solution for those who want to protect smaller things like chargers, lamps, and appliances.

On each power strip, you'll get space for six AC outlets that can offer 200J protection.

And handily, the red LED indicator will go out once the power strip has worked its protective magic and is ready to be replaced.

Best surge protectors photo 15
Amazon Basics Rotating 6-Outlet Surge Protector

Rotating flexibility

If you've got a lot of large plugs to deal with, this could be your new best friend.

Amazon Basics Rotating 6-Outlet Surge Protector Wall Mount - 1080 Joules

Amazon

For

  • Rotating sockets alleviate problems with larger plugs
  • Tidy wall mount design

Against

  • Sockets cannot be placed at a diagonal angle

If you like the idea of an Amazon Basics surge protector but you're worried about your large plugs getting in the way of each other, this could be the one for you.

The clever design of this surge protector allows all six sockets to be rotated 90 degrees for more clearance.

The wall-mounted design means that it can be tucked up next to your existing wall outlet without the need for an extra cord.

The wall-mount aspect could be a positive or a negative depending on your personal set-up, though, so be sure to inspect your wall outlet before purchasing.

Best surge protectors photo 4
APC Surge Protector

For power users

Those hunting serious surge protection need look no further.

APC Surge Protector with USB Ports, P11U2, 2880 Joule, 6' Cord, Flat Plug, 11 Outlet Power Strip

AmazonBest Buy

For

  • 2.4A USB outlets
  • LED protection indicators

Against

  • The cord is only 6ft long

If you want a bit of an overkill option for your home or office setup, APC's surge protector should be able to cover your electronics - and then some.

With 11 evenly spread AC outlets, two USB ports, and a 6ft cable, you should be able to fit all your devices into one place and protect them with the strip's 2880J Surge Energy Rating.

To give you some reassurance it's working as it should, it also comes with LEDs for 'Protection Working', 'Overload' and 'Building Wire Fault'.

Best surge protectors photo 5
Witeem Surge Protector

Serious protection

High-level surge protection for a true power user.

Power Strip,Witeem Surge Protector with 12-Outlet (1875W/15A,4360Joules) and 4 USB Charging Ports (5V/6A,30W),6Ft Extension Cord,Wall Mountable Overload Protection Outlet for Home & Office, Black

Amazon

For

  • Four USB ports
  • Loads of power outlets

Against

  • Big plugs will get in the way of other sockets

If you have a mountain of devices that need protection in the same place, Witeem's 12 outlet protector is a great pick to consider.

The device even has two fast-charging USB ports, which are ideal for smartphones, tablets, and the like, with surge protection maxing out at 4360J.

Since it's quite a hefty unit, you might also want to mount the protector anywhere within the cord's 6ft reach, which is made possible by two mounting holes on the rear.

Best surge protectors photo 8
Hulker Extension Surge Protector

Simple and effective

A clever universal surge protector that's ideal for home office setups.

2PACK GHY1 [HD] [9H Hardness] [Scratchproof][No Bubbles] Tempered Glass Screen Protector Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S68

Amazon

For

  • Three intelligent USB sockets
  • Fire-resistant materials

Against

  • Only three sockets

With three outlets for your electronics and three for USBs, Hulker's surge protector is ideal for PC setups and home offices.

Since the USB outlets give you a home to charge smaller devices, you can use the three power outlets (offering up to 3250W of power) to take care of the larger electronics, safe in the knowledge that they're protected from voltage spikes.

What's particularly interesting with Hulker's offering is the universal sockets, meaning you can use devices from different standards within the same surge protector.

Best surge protectors photo 7
Belkin Surge Protection Extension Lead Strip

Excellent guardian

Simple and effective surge protection for those with plenty of devices.

Belkin 6 Way/6 Plug 2m Surge Protection Extension Lead Strip, White

Amazon

For

  • Integrated power switch
  • Quality fit and finish

Against

  • Only 650J surge protection

Belkin gives you plenty of choice over how many sockets you can protect, though a healthy pick is the company's six-socket extension lead.

The surge protector is able to shield your expensive electronics from spikes up to 650J, with the company indicating the design is able to protect against fires, impact, and rust.

It also features two LEDs to indicate when the sockets are either protected or not grounded, with the latter essentially informing you that the surge protector has done its job and should be replaced.

Best surge protectors photo 9
Duronic Surge & Spike Protector

Unique design

A veritable power tower that's ideal for small spaces requiring lots of options.

For

  • Well-spaced sockets
  • Very affordable

Against

  • Not the most attractive design

The supreme option for when wall sockets are at a minimum, Duronic's tower-shaped surge protector gives you a frankly outrageous amount of sockets to take advantage of.

The company has engineered the adapter to protect against voltage spikes, with both an LED indicator for when outlets are powered and one to show whether the surge protection is still working.

With so many options available, Duronic suggests that this power tower is best for low-power appliances, but as long it doesn't exceed 3000W collectively everything should remain protected.

Best surge protectors photo 10
Aofo Extension Lead/Surge Protector

Basic and affordable

High-powered, universal and ready to protect your electronics.

For

  • Universal socket design
  • Four integrated USB sockets

Against

  • Some international plugs fit better than others

This is another universal power strip that's able to offer serious protection for devices from around the globe.

With a total power output of 3250W, and just four sockets and four USB ports to host your electronics, this is a great selection for those who need to fit multiple big appliances in the same space.

Like the rest of the options on this list, Aofo's design looks to guarantee against fires and overcharging, with a safety lock also present to save children from electric shocks.

Best surge protectors photo 11
Smallrt Extension Lead/Surge Protector

Best for office desks

A reliable tower surge protector that can blend into your office with ease.

For

  • Eight sockets in a small form factor
  • Long 16.4ft cable

Against

  • The housing could be more sturdy

With eight power outlets and four USB ports, this is another top pick for home offices and small spaces that require a tower design.

Smallrt suggests that the power strip is designed to suit devices between 110-250V, with a max power output of 2500W. When surge spikes are detected, the unit will automatically cut the power and protect connected devices.

It features separated switches, too, for the top half and bottom half, which allows you to quickly manage multiple sockets without the need for unplugging.

How to choose a surge protector

It may seem simple enough to pick a surge protector, but, with so many options and styles on the market, it can be quite a challenge. So, to help you find the right one for your needs, here are a few things worth thinking about before hitting the buy button.

What are you powering?

If you're in the market for a surge protector, then you've clearly got some devices that need powering up. So, first things first, take a look at all the plugs you'll need to accommodate. This will help you to determine many things, including how many sockets you will need and how much thought you'll need to give to the spacing of the sockets.

If you notice a large number of USB power adapters, then maybe you would benefit from a surge protector that offers USB outlets, as well as standard wall outlets. If it turns out they're all USB, maybe you can get a USB specific power adapter and save yourself some space.

Where are the devices located?

This one's fairly simple, too, but it's definitely important to keep in mind. It's no good buying a surge protector that hangs off of the wall socket when, in practice, you're going to need it to stretch a few meters.

There are all sorts of shapes and sizes available, so if you need to tuck it away in a cupboard then be sure to pay attention to the surge protector's measurements.

What are joules and why should you care?

A joule is a measure of the energy released over a period of time. On a surge protector, the joule rating indicates how much energy it can absorb before it fails. The higher the number of joules, the greater the surge protection provided.

All you really need to know is that if you're protecting valuable and high wattage electronics like a gaming PC or home theatre system, then the higher the joule rating the better. In that case, we'd recommend going 2000J or higher. For smaller, lower current electronics like a bedside lamp and alarm clock, you can get away with a much lower joule rating.

Still, if you can afford it, surge protectors with a higher joule rating offer the most protection for your home and your devices.