It absorbs common household surges before they reach your electronics, preventing damage and fires. This surge protector was among the best at preventing surges. It shuts off once the protection wanes, and it has 12 AC outletsβplus coaxial and phone portsβbut no USB. This three-outlet model has an auto-shutoff feature and offers almost as much surge protection as full-size alternatives.
Plus, it has two USB ports. The best surge protectors have at least eight AC outlets. Smaller, more portable surge protectors, should have at least three. Lower is better when it comes to let-through voltage. We required them to bring a surge down to at most volts. It has a critical auto-shutoff feature, more than enough outlets to keep all your gadgets powered, and both coaxial and telephone connectors. This outlet model offers great protection against household surges that come from other equipment in your home or fluctuations from the power company.
Plus, it has a generous 8-foot cord, and it feels sturdy and robust. In contrast to many comparable models, its compact size, grounded three-prong plug, and optional screw in the center of the unit help keep it firmly attached to the wall outlet, which is important for preventing electrical fires or shocks. And since it has two USB ports with a combined 2. Our top pick will protect most equipment in most cases. But the Furman Power Station 8 PST-8 goes further, providing the best surge suppression of any model we testedβenough to give owners of very expensive electronics peace of mind.
It turned a 5,volt surge into just 40 volts, thanks in part to a shutdown circuit that turns off all power when it detects a surge. The Furman PST-8 actually let less voltage through in our tests than high-end series-mode surge eliminators that can cost hundreds more. A surge protector does much more than a simple power strip, which only supplies extra outlets. It is primarily a safety deviceβa relatively inexpensive way to protect expensive electronics.
Most estimates put the average lifespan of a surge protector at three to five years, and if your home has frequent brownouts or blackouts, you might want to replace your surge protectors as often as every two years. Cheap, basic power strips or outlet extenders are unlikely to have worthwhile surge-protection capabilities. If your home theater costs more than a compact car, you may be tempted by a surge protector with series-mode capabilities, which let virtually no extra voltage through and last indefinitely.
