Best Surge Protector for 4K TV 2022 – Reviews and Buying Guide

A surge protector is a must-have gadget in your home to protect electronics against power spikes and surges. An electrical surge can occur for many reasons including, lightning strikes and faulty wiring to electrical overload and power restoration after a blackout or power outage.

In other instances, it could just be random due to a sudden increase in the voltage flowing through a power system. Regardless of the source, the outcome is the same. That excess AC could end up frying your electronics’ internal circuitry, causing irreversible damage.

4K TVs, in particular, are more susceptible to getting damaged by power surges. We tested and reviewed the top-rated products on the market to bring you our top picks for the best surge protector for 4K TV.

	Belkin Surge Power Strip Protector	APC Surge Power Strip Protector	Tripp Lite Surge Power Strip Protector
	Best Overall	Best Value Option	Best Premium Option
Dimensions	3.97 x 1.1 x 11.4 in.	5.51 x 1.5 x 4.02 in.	2.72 x 10.3 x 1.54 in.
Outlet capacity	12	6	12
Maximum surge rating	4,320	1,080	2,880
Voltage	125V	120V	120V
	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

How We Tested and Compared These Products

When comparing the various products on the market, there are specific features we were looking for. For starters, the outlet surge protector in question needed to do what it is supposed to do. As a result, we were interested in the product’s joule rating. They needed to be rated 1,080 and above, which means they could absorb a higher-than-average surge voltage without failing.

We also compared the number of outlets that came on each gadget. Rather than purchase multiple surge protectors to do the same job, we were interested in the one that could accommodate multiple appliances, including 4K TVs, cable boxes, DVRs, video game systems, satellite receivers, PCs, and associated peripheral devices, mobile devices, and so forth. The more outlets it had, the better it would be at keeping things organized. Those units ranked higher on our list.

Finally, we were interested in the manufacturer. We only reviewed surge power strip protectors from top manufacturers with a proven track record of producing high-quality electrical gadgets. We’re talking – Belkin, APC, Tripp Lite, and Amazon Basics.

Our Pick: Belkin Surge Power Strip Protector – Best Overall

 

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Features:

• Dimensions: 97 x 1.1 x 11.4 in.
• Outlet capacity: 12
• Maximum surge rating: 4,320 Joules
• Voltage: 125V

Belkin is an American brand that has become a household name in connectivity, automation, power, security, and productivity solutions. The company manufactures a broad range of consumer electronics for residential and commercial use, sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. Belkin’s track record of innovation and its wealth of experience is evident in its range of surge power strip protectors.

First impressions: We were quite impressed by how sleek it looks. It has 12 AC outlets, each of which offers surge protection for your 4K TV, modem, phone, laptop, and any other connected device that could potentially get damaged by intermittent power fluctuation. The fact that it comes with all these outlets means you can keep your floor and desktop surfaces clutter-free.

We particularly like the fact that each outlet is rotatable. This comes in handy if you have an extra-large adapter with larger charger bricks that would not fit conventional non-rotatable outlets.

The surge protector has an 8-foot-long, heavy-duty power cord designed to resist wear and tear, making it ideal for game rooms, workstations, home offices, and several other power applications. Belkin surge protector has damage-resistant housing designed to withstand impact, rust, and fire, making it one of the most durable surge protectors around.

As far as its performance goes, Belkin does exactly what it is supposed to do. We’ve had our TV hooked up to it for more than a year now with no incidents whatsoever, even during a blackout. All in all, if reliability is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with this unit.

 

Best Alternatives

APC Surge Power Strip Protector – Best Value Option

 

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Features:

• Dimensions: 51 x 1.5 x 4.02 in.
• Outlet capacity: 6
• Maximum surge rating: 1,080 Joules
• Voltage: 120V

Reliable, high-quality surge protectors for 4K TVs don’t exactly come cheap. Many of the lower-priced units we tested did not guarantee surge protection, which is a risk you don’t want to take when it comes to protecting your LED TV. The APC outlet surge protector is by far the best-performing budget outlet plug extender we’ve come across.

For starters, its 1,080-joule surge protection rating is pretty impressive for a product in its class. It is engineered to offer guaranteed protection during power fluctuations without damaging or affecting the performance of connected equipment. We like how easy it recovers from overloads, eliminating the need to replace a fuse. Now that’s something you don’t often come across.

This six-outlet surge protector is wall mountable to keep your floor, workstation, or TV stand clutter-free. It is compatible with coaxial cable for 4K TVs, phone lines, and Ethernet cables, making it extremely versatile. If there’s any potential wiring issue in the wall circuit, the surge protector has an LED light that comes on to warn you about it.

Unlike several other surge protectors in its class, APC is one of the few products that come with built-in attenuation capability. It offers remarkable insulation against radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can cause data errors which, in turn, affect the signal quality. That way, you can enjoy HD viewing regardless of the number of electronics connected to it.

All in all, for a surge protector in its category, APC delivers outstanding value for the money.

 

Tripp Lite Surge Power Strip Protector – Best Premium Option

 

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Features:

• Dimensions: 72 x 10.3 x 1.54 in.
• Outlet capacity: 12
• Maximum surge rating: 2,880 Joules
• Voltage: 120V

If you have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, you will like what the Tripp Lite power strip surge protector brings to the table. While it is slightly pricier than your run-off-the-mill flat plug extender, the surge protection it offers makes it worth every penny.

Tripp Lite is a subsidiary of Eaton, a UAE-based company that has amassed a wealth of experience in all-things backup power and power management. The company’s line of surge protectors is in use across thousands of households in the US, and with good reason.

For starters, this particular outlet surge protector is engineered using high-quality, high-performance components that offer guaranteed surge protection. We’re talking – built-in gold coaxial jacks with an RJ11 and 22Ghz rating to give total AC protection against power surges that could potentially damage your TV, phone, modem, or any other satellite and cable equipment you might have in your home.

Its high joule rating meets UL-1449 safety standards by integrating a 12A circuit breaker that automatically shuts off connected electronics for overload protection. We also like the intuitive right-angle plug it comes with and all the different mounting options it provides. It not only features 12 outlets but also has the capacity for four large transformer plugs that can be connected without obstructing any of the remaining outlets.

All in all, if guaranteed surge protection is what you seek for your smart TV, then Tripp Lite Protect would be your best bet.

 

Amazon Basics Surge Power Strip Protector – Best Home Theater Surge Protector

 

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Features:

• Dimensions: 2 x 5 x 1.29 in.
• Outlet capacity 12
• Maximum surge rating: 4,320 Joules
• Voltage: 120V

The Amazon Basics surge protector is another favorite. For its price point, the specs it comes with are nothing short of impressive. It offers a whopping 4,320-joule surge protection rating making it ideal for protecting sensitive electronic equipment like 4K TVs, data lines, and computers from potentially damaging voltage fluctuation.

The power brick has a 12 outlet capacity and comes with an 8-foot-long power cord that allows you to connect distant devices while keeping your floor and workstation clutter-free. We like the built-in LED light indicators that let you know when grounded wiring and surge protection is active. It also has a fireproof metal-oxide varistor (MOV) that offers an additional layer of safety against excessive transient voltages that pose potential fire hazards.

One of the features we like most about the Amazon Basics surge suppressor is that it has a built-in resettable 15A circuit breaker. In case of an overload, it automatically powers off the connected devices to keep them from getting damaged.

Everything about its design is functional and intuitive. The outlets are widely-spaced, allowing them to accommodate large transformer plugs without covering any of the unused ones. The outlets also have sliding covers which is a handy feature if you have curious toddlers around the home. The surge protector housing is extremely durable and wear-resistant and even has a back keyhole you can use to mount it to the wall.

All in all, if safety is your primary concern when choosing the best surge protector for your home electronics and appliances, the Amazon Basics surge protector would be an excellent option to add to your indoor arsenal.

 

How to Choose the Best Surge Protector for 4K TV – Buying Guide

 

With so many different products on the market, trying to figure out the ones that work versus those that don’t can be daunting, especially when you don’t know what features to look for. Here are some useful tips you can use when choosing the best surge protector for 4K TV.

Joule Protection Rating

When picking a surge protector for your household electronics, the joule rating is one of the most important factors you need to consider. This is an indicator of the amount of voltage surge protectors can absorb without failing. Remember, these devices are designed as a buffer between your 4K TV, cable box, DVR, video game system, satellite receiver, PC, and associated peripheral devices and the power source.

The surge protector is supposed to absorb excess AC before it ever reaches your electronics. The higher the joule-rating a particular surge protector has, the more protection it offers. At the bare minimum, you need to go for a product with a 1,080-joule rating or higher.

Automatic Shutoff

Auto-shutoff is a backup protection feature that prevents AC current from reaching the electronic device in question if surge protection fails. It completely cuts off the power supply, protecting your 4K TV or any other device connected to it from getting fried when there’s a power spike. While not all surge protectors have this feature built-in, it’s a good idea to find one that does.

Protection Alerts

Some surge protectors come with built-in audible alarms or LED lights to let users know whether or not they are providing the necessary amount of power protection to connected equipment. You need to monitor them frequently to know whether or not they need to be replaced.

Power Outlet Control

This is more of a convenience feature than anything. Some of the surge protectors on the market come with multiple switches that allow you to power on/off individual devices without interrupting power flow to the others.

Additionally, you should go with a surge power bar protector that comes with several outlets to keep your TV stand or workstation neat and organized. Bonus points if it has a USB port as well.

Protection Type

There are four main types of voltage surge protectors, each of which offers a different level of protection. The one you choose ultimately comes down to the amount of protection you want.

• 3-line power surge protectors – These offer the highest level of protection to hot, neutral, and ground lines. Most of them even come with battery backup.
• Data line power surge protectors – These are designed to offer protection to PCs and network equipment against power spikes traveling over a modem, telephone, coaxial, Ethernet, or HDMI cable.
• PoE power surge protectors – Power-over-Ethernet surge protectors offer in-line protection to Ethernet ports and related applications.
• Hospital-grade power surge protectors – These offer an additional layer of safety to power plugs and outlets and come with special features like anti-microbial coating, battery backup, and anti-shock.

FAQ

What causes a power surge?

While there are several reasons why a spike in AC voltage may occur, the most common reasons for power surges include lightning strikes, faulty wiring, electrical overload, and power restoration after a blackout. A power surge is characterized by a voltage spike ranging between 1V and 169V over the maximum threshold.

Who pays for damages caused by power surges?

It depends on the kind of home insurance policy you have and the root cause of the power surge. An insurance policy that includes personal property will usually cover damages resulting from excessive voltage and power spikes from lightning or any other external event. On the other hand, if the surge was caused by a circuit overload or faulty wiring in your home, you will have to foot the costs yourself.

How can you prevent a power surge from damaging electrical equipment?

For starters, ensure that you don’t overload your circuits. Air conditioners, heaters, and other large, power-hungry appliances should not share a wall outlet with any other devices. You should also use surge protectors with a high Joule rating to prevent excess AC voltage from reaching your electronics.

Conclusion

There you have it – our top picks for the best surge protector for 4K TV and other electrical appliances. Any of the products we’ve reviewed in this guide would make an excellent choice. If we had to recommend one, it would undoubtedly be the Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector. Its high joule rating is hard to beat.