Having a power outage while playing your favorite games is painful. But imagine the pain if the outage causes an electrical surge that fries your gaming equipment. Even if you have the best prebuilt gaming PC under 1000 USD, the financial loss can be hard to handle. You can easily avoid this prospect by adding one of the best surge protectors for gaming PC to your setup.
While not the most glamorous piece of tech, surge protectors are vital for any electronic setup. They keep your expensive equipment safe and sound from sudden power surges during thunderstorms.
Their additional benefit is providing extra power outlets. You can then connect your multiple hardware and equipment to have everything connected to the same power source while providing them the surge protection.
Best Surge Protector for Gaming PC – Our Top 10 Picks
Best Overall Surge Protector – Anker Power Strip Surge Protector
Are you looking for the best surge protector? Look no further! The Anker surge protector has 12 AC outlets and 3 USB ports on a single circuit. It has a 6 ft cord to reach all of your electronics that cannot use a wall outlet. It is capable of approximately 1,875 watts (cumulative) output. Besides, it has not one but two 4000 joule surge protectors to keep your equipment safe when the power goes out. Thanks to the two mount points on its back, you can also hang it on a wall. As it has a flat plug, you can also fit it behind your desk. Overall, the Anker Power strip is a solid option that comes with an 18-months warranty and Anker’s ever-reliable customer support.
Pros
- Excellent slim and smart design
- 12AC outs and 3 USB ports
- TWO 4000J surge protectors
- 18 months warranty
- $3000,000 connected equipment warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not UL listed
Reason to Buy
- Reliable surge protection from a reliable tech brand
Best Budget Surge Protector – Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector
There’s a lot to love about this budget-friendly option from AmazonBasics. It offers 12 power outlets, enough to satisfy the needs of just about any tech enthusiast. All the outlets are well spaced out, which is really helpful, especially if you have those large adapters. What’s more, the outlets come with sliding covers for extra protection. Its power switch has a 15A overload circuit breaker, giving you peace of mind that your equipment will remain safe during a sudden power surge. We just wish there was some way to turn off the LED lights, which can sometimes be distracting.
Pros
- Very economical and affordable
- Nicely spaced outlets
- 15A overload circuit protection
Cons
- LEDs remain on
Reason to Buy
- High joule protection at an affordable price
Best Smart Surge Protector – APC Smart Plug Wi-Fi Power Strip
APC Smart Plug Wi-Fi Power Strip is a half standard and half smart power strip. It features three smart plugs, two smart USB ports, three standard plugs, and two standard USB ports. Overall, you get 10 different surge-protected ports to connect additional equipment to the same power output. That’s insane! Not to forget, you can also operate the smarter half of the power strip with the help of Alexa or a smartphone app. You can also control it remotely by scheduling On and Off features whenever you want. Cool, right?
Pros
- Excellent smart surge protector
- Good cord length
- Sturdy construction
- Easy to install
- Alexa integration
Cons
- Too complex for people who are not tech-savvy
Reason to Buy
- Half standard, half smart surge protector with good cord length
Best Space-saving Surge Protector – PowerJC Tower Power Strip USB Surge Protector Socket 12 AC Outlets with 6 USB Ports Chargers
If you don’t want the ugly mess of cables lying on your floor, PowerJC Tower Strip is an excellent option to look into. It helps you place multiple plugs at an easy distance from your workplace without messing it up with cables. It has 12 power sockets and 6 USB charging ports. You can use these socks and ports simultaneously without worrying about a power surge. However, our only disappointment is that the USB ports do not output the correct amps. Therefore, many mobile phone users will have their phones stuck on slow charge.
Pros
- Multiple charging sockets
- The unique power tower design
- Power safety and quality assurance
Cons
- Slow USB charging
Reason to Buy
- Multiple charging options in a space-saving design
Best Surge Protector for Large Plugs – Belkin Surge Power Strip Protector – 8 Rotating & 4 Stationary AC Multiple Outlets
Rotating outlets, yes!! The Belkin Surge power strip protector is a heavy-duty extension cord pivot plug for home and office. With 12 AC power outlets, you can connect your laptops, mobile phones, best cameras for gaming, and more. It has a 4,320-joule energy rating, providing a reliable extension to protect your equipment. Plus, rotating outlets allow extra room for larger power bricks and adapters. You can adjust their space according to your requirements. A slender design and an 8ft long cord make Belking Surge power strip protector ideal for home offices.
Pros
- 12 AC outlets with surge protection
- Excellent cable management to keep the cables away from your eyes
- Damage-resistant design protects the circuitry from rust, fire, and impacts
Cons
- Not suitable for frequent travelers
Reason to Buy
- Damage-resistant design that also keeps the cords organized
Best Surge Protector with Extra Protection – Witeem Surge Protector with 12-Outlet
Witeem surge protector is another strong contender in this category. It has 12 outlets, 4 USB charging ports, a 4,360-joule surge protection rating, and a 6 ft cord. This surge protector can handle up to 1875W or 15A of connected devices. Moreover, the four USB ports can deliver 5V or 6A of a cumulative total of 30 wattages. The additional surge protection comes from a fire-resistant cover and an internal shut-off system. While the overall design is excellent, the power outlets are a bit too close. This leaves little room for devices with power brick plugs.
Pros
- Simple and easy-to-use power strip and surge, protector,
- 12 outlets (1875W/15A, 4360 Joules)
- Fast Charging USB ports
- Safe Wall mountable option
Cons
- Power outlets are too close to each other
Reason to Buy
- Excellent all-around protection for up to 12 devices
Best Surge Protector with Long Cord – Plugable Surge Protector Power Strip
If your electronics use a diverse range of adapters, a pluggable surge protector power strip may just be your ideal power bar. It features strategically placed power outlets to cover most devices. There are two USB ports in the center to power your mobile phones. On the other hand, four larger AC outs are designed at a distance from the eight main power outlets. So, you can connect your larger brick adapters without blocking other devices. This power strip provides 4,320 joules of protection at 330V, which is more than enough for most households.
Pros
- Built-in EMI/RFI filter to protect your devices
- 25ft cable for extra long reach
- 2-year limited parts and labor warranty
Cons
- The USB port gradually stops working
Reason to Buy
- Extra long cord and made from very durable materials
Best Surge Protector for Smart Devices – Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300
The Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 enables you to control up to six devices with the Kasa app from anywhere. You can monitor how much energy each device consumes and turn off the ones contributing a large portion to your electricity bills. It also has three USB ports to power up your mobile phone. Furthermore, you can schedule turn-on and turn-off times for each outlet. That’s not all. You can also use the Alexa voice-command or Google Assistant to control your devices. And best of all features is its compatibility with a 2.4GHz wireless network. It eliminates the need to connect a separate hub.
Pros
- Very easy setup process
- 6 smart outlets, 3 USB charging ports
- Requires no wireless hub
- Remote voice control
Cons
- Bigger than other power strips
- Expensive
Reason to Buy
- Great surge protector with per-outlet energy monitoring
Best Surge Protector for Gaming Consoles – Huntkey 12 Outlets Power Strip Surge Protector
The Huntkey surge protector is powerful enough to protect any gaming setup. It features 12 different power 120V outlets. The 4000 joules energy rating makes it suitable to protect any high-end gaming setup. It also features 3 USB charging smart ports. The in-built smart IC chipset detects your devices automatically and provides intelligent output accordingly. The unit has a 6ft heavy-duty extension cord and a wire organizer. Thanks to the four keyhole mounting slots on the back, you can also mount it on the wall.
Pros
- Dual-layered overload switch
- Widely spaced outlets
- 3 Smart USB ports
- Wall mounting option
Cons
- Expensive
Reason to Buy
- 12 well-placed outlets along with Power Deliver for fast charging
Best Surge Protector for Advanced Setups – APC Performance Surge Protector
The APC performance surge protector isn’t just another run-of-the-mill surge protector. It has a very distinctive design – there are 11 outlets and 2 USB chargers in a very small space. Plus, the flat-against-the-wall power outlet and 8 ft cord make it a handy piece of equipment. You can slot the rotating power hole in many different positions in your gaming setup. Moreover, this APC surge protector also has ethernet, coaxial, telephone and DSL ports. So, if you own a very complex gaming or home entertainment setup, we suggest considering the APC performance surge protection to keep your equipment safe.
Pros
- 11 well-spread-out power outlets
- 90-degree rotating power outlet
- 8 ft power cord
Cons
- Expensive
Reason to Buy
- Excellent design
How to Get the Best Surge Protector for Gaming PC?
Surge protectors are more than power strips. They shield your devices from sudden power spikes and save you tons of cash. Here’s what you should consider when looking for a suitable surge protector for your gaming setup.
MOVs
Surge protectors use a tiny device, Metal Oxide Varistor or MOV, to ground excess electricity. Unfortunately, this device doesn’t last forever. Sooner or later, a power surge is bound to fry them. Depending on their design, a surge protector can continue working as a regular power strip or as a fail-safe to cut power to your equipment. We suggest a design that opens the circuit once the MOV fails. This way, it will continue protecting your devices. However, the disadvantage is that you will experience frequent shutdowns.
Joule Rating
The joule rating of a surge protector shows the amount of energy it can protect your equipment against. Usually, it’s anywhere from 333 to 500 volts and is sometimes also known as the clamping value. The lower this number, the better it is. The joule rating is also a measure of a surge suppressor’s lifespan. For instance, 4000 joules rated surge suppressor will last twice as long as a 2000 Joule rating. Most surge suppressors also come with a circuit breaker as an additional security measure. A circuit breaker will trip and open the circuit if a surge still gets through the surge protector.
Warranty
Many good brands like KASA and APC promise restitution in case of failure and equipment damage. However, you should check the warranty guidelines before purchasing any surge protector. In most cases, their terms and conditions make it very difficult to collect the damages.
Final Thoughts
The best thing about surge protectors is that they’re not very expensive. You can get a good surge protector for anywhere between $15 to $50. So there’s no reason to miss out on this simple device that can protect your $1000+ set up. We recommend all of the above surge protectors for gaming industry. However, you should consider your specific requirements and then choose accordingly. Good luck!
Best Surge Protector for Gaming PCs FAQs
What surge protector should I use for my gaming PC?
If you have a lot of peripherals that you want to plug in separately and protect simultaneously, look into APC or Anker Power strip surge protector. These are 4000+ joule strips and come with multiple well-spaced outlets to accommodate plugs of all shapes and sizes.
Should I plug my PC into a Surge Protector?
Yes, you should always plug your PC into a surge protector. It has various voltage-sensitive components that can get toasted in a power surge. A surge protector will prevent any such damage.
How many joules should a surge protector have for a gaming PC?
A surge protector for a gaming setup should be at least 2000 joules or above. Anything less won’t be reliable because 1,000 joules is suitable for electronics that don’t store data.
