Best Surge Protector Prices

The joule rating is how much surge energy the protector can absorb before its protection is used up, so higher is better. Around 1,000 joules or more is a sensible minimum for computers, monitors and TVs, and 2,000 joules or more suits expensive gaming PCs and home theatre setups. Low ratings of a few hundred joules are fine for lamps, chargers and other inexpensive devices.

Yes. The components that absorb surges degrade a little with every spike and can be used up by a single large surge. Many surge protectors have a protection indicator light; if it goes out, the outlets may still deliver power but the protection is gone. Replace a surge protector every few years, or straight away after a major surge or storm.

It depends on the rating. Many power strips have low-power USB-A ports that charge phones slowly. For fast charging, look for a USB-C port with a stated Power Delivery wattage, such as 20W, which fast-charges most modern phones. Laptops usually need 65W or more, so keep using the laptop's own charger.

No. Daisy-chaining power strips or surge protectors is a fire risk and is advised against by manufacturers and electrical safety codes. If you need more outlets, replace the strip with a single larger surge protector, such as a 12-outlet model, plugged directly into the wall.

Not from a direct or nearby lightning strike, which can overwhelm any plug-in surge protector. It handles the smaller, far more common spikes from the grid and from appliances switching on and off. During a thunderstorm, unplugging expensive electronics is the only sure protection; whole-home surge protection installed by an electrician adds another layer.