Surge Protector Recommendations?

[paulyron]

i'm outside the us most of the time and here i use a cyberpower ups as a surge protector even though the battery is no good anymore.  did not replace the ups battery so use it as a surge protector.

 

 

i want to buy a surge protector for use in the us and leave the surge protector there for use and for other people to use.  in the home, we have a very old powerstrip.... it might even be twenty years old.  reason being when i'm in the us, i use my laptop and monitor there so want to make sure my electronics are safe.  had used the same old power strip there with no issue but would you say its risky?  i connect laptop charger, monitor and phone charge to it.  sometimes connect other things but i try to connect more than three things at once with it.  the thing is the people in the house has no issue with that power strip ever... they only connect phone chargers and ipad and rarely anything else.  

 

 

but would you say its good idea to buy a surge protector for the house or not?  

 

 

 

These two below seem to be the most popular surge protector on amazon.  The second one has lot of good reviews as well but not a name brand?  Belkin good but how is it?

 

Now what about best buy rocketfish?  Those cost a lot more than the belkin or the nuetsa but the reviews are really good.  Eight outlet seem to be more than good enough?

 

What about the insignia power surge protector from best buy?  Looks like a power strip but it says it is surge protector?

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BE112230-08-12-Outlet-Power-Protector/dp/B000J2EN4S/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=surge+protector&qid=1679795717&s=electronics&sr=1-1

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Nuetsa-Extension-Outlets-Joules/dp/B09F2XPJ47/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=surge+protector&qid=1679795717&s=electronics&sr=1-3

 

 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketfish-8-outlet-2-usb-3600-joules-surge-protector-strip-black/4689072.p?skuId=4689072

 

 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketfish-12-outlet-2-usb-surge-4680-joules-protector-strip-black/5482701.p?skuId=5482701

 

 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-6-outlet-surge-protector-strip-black/5986112.p?skuId=5986112

 

 

 

[OhioYJ]

Between those two? Personally I would buy the Belkin. It's from a name that I've heard of before (a known brand), it's got a higher joule rating, more outlets, personally I think a better layout, and a longer cord.

 

I actually own several of those Belkin surge protectors actually. For the price they are pretty hard to beat.

[Shimejii]

Pretty much surge protector stuff i just buy name brand stuff that actually has proper certs. I would rather buy it and have it work then take a chance with something cheaper. In this case Belkin is a well known brand, Nuetsa isnt. Nuetsa is using pretty awful Photoshopped products of generic surge protector so thats a red flag imo

[OhioYJ]

52 minutes ago, paulyron said:

Now what about best buy rocketfish?  Those cost a lot more than the belkin or the nuetsa but the reviews are really good.  Eight outlet seem to be more than good enough?

 

What about the insignia power surge protector from best buy?  Looks like a power strip but it says it is surge protector?

 

 

Still same answer. I would trust the Belkin over the Best Buy "house brand" stuff. The Belkin is a name brand, and still cheaper.  I really wasn't joking, I do have several of those exact Belkin ones.
 

In my house it's sort of a tiered system for surge protection:

- I have several cheaper Belkin ones, for lights and junk where I just need more outlets

- Those Belkin surge protectors.

- A handful of APC surge protectors. (That should be "nicer" than the Belkin ones, but maybe they aren't, maybe they just cost more?)

- Then stuff that goes on a a UPS.

[paulyron]

On 3/25/2023 at 9:56 PM, OhioYJ said:

Still same answer. I would trust the Belkin over the Best Buy "house brand" stuff. The Belkin is a name brand, and still cheaper.  I really wasn't joking, I do have several of those exact Belkin ones.
 

In my house it's sort of a tiered system for surge protection:

- I have several cheaper Belkin ones, for lights and junk where I just need more outlets

- Those Belkin surge protectors.

- A handful of APC surge protectors. (That should be "nicer" than the Belkin ones, but maybe they aren't, maybe they just cost more?)

- Then stuff that goes on a a UPS.

Yes i know belkin is brand name.  But some reviews of it on amazon isn't good.

 

 

How long you have those exact belkin surge protectors?

 

 

So only stick with belkin or apc or tripp lite?

 

 

What about these?

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Protector-SurgeArrest-Essential-PE76/dp/B01M7SPNM1/ref=sr_1_2?crid=OPLY5D08XYVE&keywords=apc+surge+protector&qid=1680588915&s=electronics&sprefix=apc+surge%2Celectronics%2C829&sr=1-2

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Protector-INSURANCE-TLP6B/dp/B006KAP4AK/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tripp+lite+surge+protector&qid=1680588954&s=electronics&sprefix=tr%2Celectronics%2C276&sr=1-3

 

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Protector-INSURANCE-TLP606B/dp/B000UD4LIY/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=tripp+lite+surge+protector&qid=1680588954&s=electronics&sprefix=tr%2Celectronics%2C276&sr=1-4

 

 

Also buying one of these gives you insurance?  So anything that happens to your electronic while using it gets 

insurance?  How that works?

[OhioYJ]

4 hours ago, paulyron said:

What about these?

My oldest Belkin one like that is many years old at this point. I originally bought it for a large fish tank setup that I don't even have any more. It's now on my son's PC that he uses at his grandparents house after school.  I have a couple more around the house, no issues. 

 

I have a couple of those first APC ones that you linked too actually that I use for lamps, clocks etc. However you are starting to link to ones that have a much lower joule rating. A bit of an over simplification, but the higher the joule rating the better the surge protection.  

 

As for the insurance, I've never looked into too much honestly. Most of them have something, I believe Belkin and APC have it as well, they just don't advertise it as much as TrippLite. I've just always figured they'd get you in the fine print. Either they'd determine you went over the joule rating of the surge protector, or it wouldn't be replacement cost, etc. TLDR, I wouldn't bank on the insurance saving you. 

 

Also keep in mind surge protectors are essentially consumables. Every surge they take "damages" them. They have a limited life span and need to be replaced every so often if you want to keep the surge protection.

[BatRastard]

I just bought that Belkin (the first in your list) last week and it's a very good unit. It replaced a SurgeMaster that was having grounding issues. 

[paulyron]

So you would recommend the belkin over all the other ones?  The tripp lite one has less than 500 joules.  The apc one has more than that but not as much as the belkin. 

 

 

So the belkin is the best if you connect laptop and monitor to it?

 

 

i ask this because we use a very old power strip in other location where the power strip is at least ten years old.  Thing is the people don't connect important things to it besides phone charger or lamp or electric razor.  

 

 

 

[paulyron]

So I didn't buy a surge protector yet. I just continue to use that cyberpower UPS that I have for years that I posted the link to earlier even though the battery needs replacement and I never bothered with that. Still no issue using it that way right? It works still has a power strip but obviously when power outage, all power goes out.


Now, the place that I'm at now which I'm here for a short time before I go back to my regular apartment later on, they have an old power strip that they been using for many years. I am pretty sure it's a power strip and not a surge protector. How do you know if it's a power strip and not surge protector? It looks like one of those plain white power strips with that red light so it's a power strip?


The thing is they only connect phones to it so no expensive equipment like a laptop or tv or anything like that. The thing is when I'm here, I use that power strip to connect my xps laptop and another laptop and 1 monitor at the most. I also connect my phone to charge it sometimes. It has 6 outlets only and looks like a power strip. Now all the times I have used it, there has never been an issue. I believe the most things I ever connected to it at once is... xps laptop, dell monitor, another laptop, phone charger and there has been no issue. Now I'm only here for a short time so I use this power strip to connect my electronics when I'm here.


The thing is should I buy a surge protector for them or not? The thing is they don't need one since they only connect maybe 2 devices to it at once and that never uses much power. Now when I'm here, I connect the devices I mention but is there any concern of too many things connected to it or not? I assume if I were to connect 2 laptops, 2 monitors and a phone and possibly use the last outlet for another phone, only then this would be a concern? The thing is this power strip of theirs... it is at least 5 years old minimum but it works for them and no issue.


On Amazon there are these 2 Belkin surge protectors and one that is anker. The belkin is a lot more joules than the anker one. Now I know these have very good reviews but my concern is when I read some of the negative reviews... obviously there will be tons of negative reviews when there are over 25000 reviews. But the 1st belkin one that is very popular, several posters mentioned how their belkin surge protector was burning and if they weren't home, well you know what would have happened. Several other posters mention how they notice smoke coming out of it so that is very similar. Now obviously if a surge protector just stops working, that sucks but when you just get a new one. My concern is... are there any surge protectors out there where you have no concern or very concern to worry about in terms of smoke and a heavy fire? Or pretty much every product will have that risk no matter what?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BE112230-08-12-Outlet-Power-Protector/dp/B000J2EN4S/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3KJM6V45EBYAD&keywords=surge%2Bprotector&qid=1701207225&sprefix=surge%2Bprotect%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-4&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-12-Outlet-Protector-6-Foot-BV112050-06/dp/B00966IFQ0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=26VKZDH388EKI&keywords=belkin%2Bsurge%2Bprotector&qid=1701207245&sprefix=belkisurge%2Bprotector%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-3&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Protector-Multiple-Extension-Essential/dp/B09SG2Q23M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S2SQLECV8VEC&keywords=anker%2Bsurge%2Bprotector&qid=1701207259&sprefix=anker%2Bsurge%2Bprotector%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1&th=1

So of all these 3 options, which would you choose? What about the rocketfish one's on best buy that cost a lot more? The other thing is this. The place where I'm at now, even though there are storms occasionally, I don't recall there ever being a power outage or anything like that here at this location. Thus if there was, obviously a surge protector is needed. But since they don't have any expensive equipment like tv, computer etc... would you saying buying a surge protector for them is a good idea or not? I thought it's good idea but then I thought well their old power strip has been working for them for years and no problems at all. Last thing I want is to buy a surge protector and then there is some fire and smoke issue if you know what I mean.

So based on this, what do you recommend? Now I'm here at this location for a short time in visits so I just use that same power strip for my expensive electronics. But should I buy one of these surge protectors just so I can them when I'm here? Then when I'm not here, well take it with me or just put it in their home?

 

 

Another thing is I read these surge protectors give you insurance up to x amount?  Someone mentioned the Belkin surge protector gives you insurance up to $250,000 on equipment but how hard would it be to claim that?  For me, say I have electronics that connect to it that is worth let say $3000 or so.  You telling me if there is a power outage or anything where this surge protector destroys your electronics that is not your fault, you can claim it?  That seems to be the 1 benefit of buying a surge protector if it damages all your electronics that are connected to it?  Or do almost most people can't claim it?  How would you even claim this?  It is on your own word and pictures?  Can't imagine you send them the burned or damaged surge protector for them to examine it and say if it's the surge protector fault or not?

[Whatisthis]

Instead of a surge protector, get a line conditioner. It will clean up the electricity before it goes to your electronics. They’re a bit more expensive, but if you care about your stuff, worth it.

 

I use these: https://www.amazon.com/APC-LE1200-Automatic-Voltage-Regulator/dp/B00009RA60/ref=asc_df_B00009RA60/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194024095585&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2709859732586182048&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017300&hvtargid=pla-368535978127&psc=1&mcid=3857044bbe9b3722b083eef3e331d826&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0Glk64Az9So1fOqzE2lmnzmpfgWjH7QkFM3Hg7ylh1akf1FqjdwVdBoCj-QQAvD_BwE

[paulyron]

On 11/28/2023 at 8:08 PM, Whatisthis said:

Instead of a surge protector, get a line conditioner. It will clean up the electricity before it goes to your electronics. They’re a bit more expensive, but if you care about your stuff, worth it.

 

I use these: https://www.amazon.com/APC-LE1200-Automatic-Voltage-Regulator/dp/B00009RA60/ref=asc_df_B00009RA60/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194024095585&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2709859732586182048&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017300&hvtargid=pla-368535978127&psc=1&mcid=3857044bbe9b3722b083eef3e331d826&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0Glk64Az9So1fOqzE2lmnzmpfgWjH7QkFM3Hg7ylh1akf1FqjdwVdBoCj-QQAvD_BwE

Well that seems much more expensive but is it necesarry?

 

 

So those belkin or anker surge protectors are not good?

 

 

The main concern is some of the reviews for the anker said it had a burning smell and one person said it was burning and if they weren't home, that would been bad.  That is the main concern I have but all surge protectors have this concern right?

[silencer12]

35 minutes ago, paulyron said:

Well that seems much more expensive but is it necesarry?

 

 

So those belkin or anker surge protectors are not good?

 

 

The main concern is some of the reviews for the anker said it had a burning smell and one person said it was burning and if they weren't home, that would been bad.  That is the main concern I have but all surge protectors have this concern right?

Surge protectors help block power-spikes (surge) that come on the line. Yes some can go bad or break just like a power-supply has a burning smell. Belkin is fine for a protector and are well known.. No nothing about the anker protector.

 

They will not block lightning strikes as those are thousands of volts. It is best to disconnect a computer during thunderstorms (bad weather).

[Whatisthis]

1 hour ago, paulyron said:

Well that seems much more expensive but is it necesarry?

 

 

So those belkin or anker surge protectors are not good?

 

 

The main concern is some of the reviews for the anker said it had a burning smell and one person said it was burning and if they weren't home, that would been bad.  That is the main concern I have but all surge protectors have this concern right?

Brownouts can fry equipment as well as power surges. I’d rather spend $60 than $1500. It’s peace of mind.