Power strips and surge protectors for a desk setup

Power strip or surge protector?

They look the same, but they are not:

• A power strip turns one outlet into several. That is all it does.
• A surge protector also contains components (usually metal oxide varistors, or MOVs) that divert brief voltage spikes away from your devices.

For a desk with a laptop, monitor and chargers, you want a surge protector. New Mexico State University's safety office points out a trap: some products are UL listed only as extension cords or power strips and contain no surge protection at all. The label to look for is a listing to UL 1449, the safety standard for surge protective devices, often described on the packaging as a transient voltage surge suppressor.

What the numbers mean

Surge protectors wear out

Each surge the MOVs absorb uses up some of their capacity. Tom's Guide notes surge protectors do not last forever, and NMSU warns that failed MOVs give no warning other than the indicator light, while the strip keeps supplying power as an unprotected strip. Check the light occasionally and replace the unit when it shows protection has gone, or after a major surge such as a nearby lightning strike.

The options

We have not used these surge protectors ourselves. The picks are based on Tom's Guide's surge protector guide and the manufacturers' specifications, linked at the end.

For a full desk setup: Anker 351 Power Strip

Tom's Guide named the Anker 351 its best surge protector overall. Anker lists 12 AC outlets, one USB-C port and two USB-A ports, and a 2,100-joule rating. Tom's Guide adds that it has a flat plug and a 5-foot cord. Two limits: the evenly spaced outlets can be too close for bulky chargers, and Anker notes the USB-C port delivers its full 20 watts only when the USB-A ports are not in use.

For a far-away outlet: CyberPower B6012

A slim six-outlet strip with a 12-foot cord, a right-angle plug and keyhole slots so it can be screwed under a desk. CyberPower lists it as certified to UL 1449, with a 15-amp circuit breaker and a limited lifetime warranty. Its 600-joule rating is modest, and its long cord is both its point and its trade-off. It reaches a distant outlet without adding an extension cord, but NMSU's guide recommends surge protector cords of 6 feet or less, so if you can move the desk nearer an outlet, do that first and use a shorter strip.

For tight spots behind furniture: TESSAN Flat Plug Surge Protector

Tom's Guide picked this compact strip, with four outlets and three USB ports, for its low-profile flat plug, which sits flush against the wall behind a bed or bookcase. Tom's Guide also flagged its low 900-joule rating and a warranty that covers only immediate defects.

How to set up desk power safely

1. One surge protector per desk, plugged straight into a wall outlet. Oklahoma State University's safety office warns against daisy chaining: plugging a strip into another strip or into an extension cord.
2. Get the outlet count right. Count everything that needs power, then add one or two for later. Too few outlets is how daisy chains start.
3. Lift it off the floor. Clamp or mount the strip under the desk so it stays clear of feet, vacuum cleaners and spills; see under-desk cable trays.
4. Do not cover cords. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that cords can overheat; never run them under rugs or furniture.
5. Keep heaters off the strip. Space heaters and other high-draw appliances should plug directly into the wall; follow their manuals.
6. Use the right plug. NMSU advises three-prong grounded plugs and never using a three-to-two-prong adapter.

How many joules do you need?

These are our rule-of-thumb bands, built on NMSU's 600-joule minimum for better protection and Tom's Guide's view that 2,000 and up is more than adequate for most electronics. Higher ratings last longer before wearing out.

Frequently asked questions

Do USB ports on a strip charge as fast as a wall charger? Often not. Check the wattage per port; a laptop usually needs a dedicated USB-C charger.

Does a surge protector protect against power cuts? No. For that you need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which includes a battery.

Is a long cord safer than an extension cord? One strip with a cord long enough to reach the outlet avoids chaining a second device, which is safer than adding an extension cord. Shorter is still better: NMSU's guide recommends 6 feet or less, so the ideal is a desk placed near an outlet.

What about the "connected equipment warranty"? Some makers promise to cover damage to plugged-in devices. Read the terms; claims usually need proof of purchase and a correctly installed strip.

Tidying the cables afterwards? See how to hide desk cables without drilling.