With every voltage fluctuation they absorb, their lifespan is shortened. What most people don’t realize about surge protectors is that they wear out over time. The proliferation of wireless handheld devices that charge at lower voltages makes surge protection more important than ever. What You Need to Know About Surge Protection Best for Collaborative Workspaces: Jacklyed Power Strip Tower ($26.99).Best for Travel: Anker PowerPort Cube ($19.99).Most Outlets: Powsaf 18-Outlet ($22.97).Most Versatile: Monoprice 8-Outlet Rotating Surge Strip ($13.44).Best Under a Desk: Bestek 8-Outlet ($25.99).Best One-Size-Fits-All: APC PE6RU3 SurgeArrest ($26.99).
Best for the Desktop: Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule ($69.99).Most Complete Protection: Belkin 12-Outlet ($24.99).Best for Work Travel: Tessan Flat Plug Extension Cord ($16.99).We tested a broad range to determine which are the best. Today, power strips often incorporate USB ports and surge protection. Now we’ve got laptops, tablets, smart phones, and wireless Bluetooth devices, all connected to a power strip. Most people had a desktop computer and monitor, and maybe a printer-but add to those external drives, scanners, wireless routers, and other peripheral devices, and those two standard outlets most of us had were simply overwhelmed. The 1980s brought us the computer age and also ushered in the power strip.