What to Look For When Choosing a Power Strip

The days of choosing which piece of electronics you want to plug in are long gone. Thanks to power strips, now you can have even up to 12 different devices plugged in and ready to use simultaneously. Therefore, it can easily be said power strips transformed our lives in many ways.

The days of choosing which piece of electronics you want to plug in are long gone. Thanks to power strips, now you can have even up to 12 different devices plugged in and ready to use simultaneously. Therefore, it can easily be said power strips transformed our lives in many ways.

If you’re on the hunt for a new power strip, there are several things you should know about these handy items. From deciding between different electrical ratings to choosing the best number of ports, we’ll cover everything you need to consider to purchase the right power strip for your needs.

Difference between power strips and surge protectors

Although many people use these two terms interchangeably, power strips and surge protectors don’t provide the same properties.

When it comes to power strips, they only offer extra ports. Different power strips are designed to absorb different amounts of power, but there’s nothing you can do if your power strip fails. Since they don’t offer any kind of protection from power spikes and surges, basic power strips are typically used for kitchen appliances and other appliances that don’t use much energy.

But, some of the best power strip choices can provide you with everything you need in an extension cord.

Surge protectors might be a better choice if you need something more from your extension cord. In addition to providing extra outlets, surge protectors also protect your valuable electronics from harmful power surges.

If you need an extension cord for high-end items such as televisions, computers, laptops, and stereos, it’s a better idea to go with a surge protector. That way, you don’t risk losing important information that can be found on these devices.

What to look for in a power strip

It’s safe to say not all extension cables are the same, which is why choosing the best cable for your needs is such an important task. If you’re on the hunt for a power strip, here are some valuable tips that can make the process of choosing the right power strip much easier .

Think about the devices you plan to plug in.

First things first, it’s crucial to think about the devices you plan on using with the newly-purchased power strip.

Are you interested in getting more ports for your kitchen area so you can have all your kitchen appliances plugged in and ready for use? Or are you looking for a power strip for your work desk filled with all kinds of electronics? Depending on the devices you plan to plug in, the perfect power strip choice will vary.

Carefully examine the electric rating.

An electric rating will tell you more about the amount of power the power strip can absorb. Not all electronic devices use the same energy, so this point is closely connected to the previous one.

By determining the type of appliances, you need a power stripe for, your task of examining the electric ratings will be much simpler. That way, you’ll purchase a power strip that can support the amount of electricity needed for all your appliances and devices.

Count the number of ports you need.

There’s nothing worse than purchasing an expensive, high-quality power strip only to find out you forgot about one device and now you don’t have enough ports. To avoid this rookie mistake, count the number of ports you need before purchasing a power strip.

If you’re planning to add some new home items soon, count them too. In the end, it’s better to have a couple of extra ports than to have them missing.

Check out the unique features.

Thanks to modern technology, today you can find power strips with all kinds of valuable features. Can a power strip be mounted to a wall? Does it have USB ports? Is it energy efficient? Does it have an automatic moisture shut-off?

These are all unique features you can find in power strips today. Evaluate which features you’d benefit from and make sure to purchase the corresponding model.

Make sure it has a warranty.

Don’t purchase power strips that don’t come with a warranty. After all, you wouldn’t like to spend your money on an expensive power strip only to find out it doesn’t work on your devices.

With a warranty, you can exchange the purchased power strips if you’re not happy with them or get a new one if they fail to work. It’s worth investing in such power strips for more reasons, including increased security and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Buying a power strip is probably more complicated than you’d think, especially if you expect certain results from your power strip. By completing this guide, you now possess the basic knowledge regarding power strips that’s more than enough to find a perfect tool for you and your family’s needs.