Best Power Strips 2026: 12-Outlet and Smart Strips with USB-C
Anker 351 (~$26) is the best overall power strip — 12 outlets, USB-C PD, flat plug. Best smart: Kasa HS300 (~$42) with per-outlet app control. Budget: BESTEK 8-outlet (~$20). Best 12-port value: Nekteck (~$23).
At a Glance
Power Strips Buying Guide
Photo by Саша Алалыкин / PexelsQuick Verdict
Our top pick is the Anker 351 Power Strip 12-Outlet (Our Top Pick) — consistently top-rated in its category. Priced at $28.99.
Budget Pick
The BESTEK 8-Outlet Power Strip at $12.99 — a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for you if:
- You're buying a tech product and want to understand what specs actually matter
- You're confused by terminology and want plain-English explanation
- You want to avoid paying for features you don't need
Skip this guide if:
- You're a tech professional who already understands the specs
- You just want a product recommendation — see our comparison pages
Quick verdict: Anker 351 (~$26) is the best overall power strip — 12 outlets, USB-C PD, flat plug. Best smart: Kasa HS300 (~$42) with per-outlet app control.
<| Power Strip | Outlets | USB Ports | Smart Control | Surge (J) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker 351 | 12 AC | 3x USB-A | No | 2160J | ~$29 |
| BESTEK 8-Outlet | 8 AC (wide-spaced) | 4x USB-A | No | 1800J | ~$20 |
| Kasa HS300 | 6 AC (smart) | 3x USB-A | Yes (Alexa/Google) | Not listed | ~$40 |
| Nekteck 12-Outlet | 12 AC | 3x USB-A + 1x USB-C PD | No | 2160J | ~$20 |
| POWSAV Smart | 4 smart + 4 always-on | 4x USB-A | Yes (Alexa/Google) | 2200J | ~$27 |
How to Choose the Best Power Strip
Outlet Count — How Many Do You Actually Need?
The right outlet count depends on your setup:- 6–8 outlets: Sufficient for a bedroom or living room entertainment center (TV, soundbar, console, lamp, phone charger).
- 10–12 outlets: Ideal for a desk or home office where you have a computer, monitors, speakers, lamp, phone, tablet, and accessory chargers all competing for space.
- Smart strips: Don't just count outlets — count how many you want individually controllable vs always-on. The POWSAV offers 4 smart + 4 always-on as a cost compromise.
Flat Plug vs Standard Plug
A flat (low-profile) plug rotates 90 degrees so the cord exits parallel to the wall rather than perpendicular. This matters when:- Your outlet is behind furniture (bed, dresser, desk) and a standard plug would force the furniture 2–3 inches away from the wall.
- You're plugging into a vertical outlet strip where a standard plug would block the adjacent socket.
Smart vs Standard Power Strips — When App Control Is Worth It
A smart power strip (Kasa HS300, POWSAV) costs $15–25 more than a comparable standard strip. The premium is worth it if you:- Want to schedule devices (turn off your desk lamp at midnight automatically).
- Want to monitor energy draw (know your PC uses 180W, your monitor uses 40W).
- Want to cut vampire power loads (TVs, game consoles, and cable boxes draw 5–20W even when "off" — app-controlled scheduling eliminates this).
- Have Alexa or Google Home and want voice control over desk devices.
USB-C PD vs USB-A in Power Strips
Older power strips include only USB-A ports. USB-A max output is 12W (2.4A × 5V), which is fine for phones but slow for tablets and won't charge laptops. USB-C PD (Power Delivery) changes this:- 18W PD: Fast-charges any modern smartphone (iPhone 8+, Samsung Galaxy S8+) at full speed. The Nekteck includes 18W PD.
- 20W PD: Fast-charges iPhone 12 and later at max speed. The Anker 351 includes 20W USB-C PD.
- 45W+ PD: Needed to charge tablets (iPad Pro, Surface) or small laptops at useful speed. Not found in power strips — use a dedicated charger for these.
Surge Protection Joule Ratings
Every strip in this list includes surge protection, but joule ratings vary significantly:- 600J (BESTEK): Basic protection for standard office electronics. Handles typical household power surges.
- 2100J (Anker 351): Excellent protection. Handles larger transient spikes that can come from lightning nearby or utility switching events.
- 2390J (Nekteck): The highest in this list. Best choice for areas with frequent power fluctuations.
Cord Length
- 5ft: Fine for most desk setups where the outlet is nearby.
- 6ft: Necessary when your nearest outlet is across a desk or behind a shelf. The extra foot eliminates the frustration of "just barely doesn't reach."
- 10ft+: Use an extension cord rather than a longer power strip cord — but make sure the extension cord's gauge (AWG) matches or exceeds the power strip's rated amperage.
ETL/UL Safety Certification
Always buy a power strip with ETL or UL certification. These marks mean an independent lab tested the strip for fire, shock, and electrical safety standards. Uncertified strips (common in very cheap imports) have no third-party safety verification. The Nekteck 12-outlet is ETL certified; all Anker and Kasa products meet safety standards.How We Chose
We researched dozens of options, analyzed thousands of verified reviews on Amazon and Reddit, and cross-referenced expert recommendations from RTINGS.com measurements, Wirecutter, PCMag, and Tom's Guide testing. We prioritized products with active 2025–2026 availability, documented warranty support, and real-world performance data — not just spec sheet claims. Every product we feature must be available to buy today and offer a clear advantage over alternatives at its price point.
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“12 AC outlets + 2 USB-A + 1 USB-C (20W PD). 4.8 stars from 18,220 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 12 AC outlets + 2 USB-A + 1 USB-C (20W PD)
- 2100J surge protection
- Flat plug for tight spaces
- 5ft cord
- USB-C can fast charge iPhone
- Compact size
Watch out for
- 2100J joule rating lower than APC/Belkin
Read Full Analysis
The Anker 351 provides 12 AC outlets plus 3 USB-A ports (combined 20W) in a compact horizontal bar with a flat plug that sits flush against wall outlets. The 5-foot 14AWG cord is appropriately heavy-gauge for a 12-outlet strip. Anker's ActiveShield 2.0 monitors temperature and adjusts power to extend device lifespan. At ~$29, it sets the benchmark for outlet count and USB port count per dollar spent — competitors in the same price range typically offer fewer outlets or no USB ports. No USB-C is the main limitation vs the Belkin premium option. For most home office and entertainment center setups where USB-A charging for phones and accessories is sufficient, the Anker 351 is the default recommendation.
“8 AC outlets + 4 USB-A charging ports. 4.7 stars from 1,576 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 8 AC outlets + 4 USB-A charging ports
- 6ft cord for reach
- 1875W / 15A rated
- 600J surge protection
- Compact design
Watch out for
- USB-A only (no USB-C)
- Lower surge joule rating
Read Full Analysis
BESTEK's 8-outlet power strip provides wider outlet spacing than the Anker 351 — the 3-inch spacing between each outlet accommodates large transformer wall adapters without blocking adjacent outlets. 4 USB-A ports with 4.2A combined output allow simultaneous phone and tablet charging. 6-foot cord. 1800J surge protection. At ~$20, it undercuts the Anker 351 on price with fewer outlets but better physical spacing — the key use case is an entertainment center or desk with multiple large transformer blocks (router, external drive, monitors) where the tighter spacing on competing strips causes blocking.
“6 individually app-controlled AC outlets (turn each on/off from phone). 4.5 stars from 9,335 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 6 individually app-controlled AC outlets (turn each on/off from phone)
- 3 USB-A ports
- Works with Alexa and Google Home
- Energy monitoring per outlet
- No hub required
Watch out for
- More expensive
- Smart features require Wi-Fi setup
Read Full Analysis
The Kasa HS300 is the only smart power strip on this list — six individually controllable AC outlets that can be turned on/off via the Kasa app (iOS/Android), Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. Each outlet's energy monitoring tracks real-time wattage consumption, useful for identifying energy-intensive devices. 3 USB-A ports (2.4A combined). The smart control enables scheduling (turn off entertainment center at midnight), away mode (randomize outlet activity to simulate occupancy), and voice commands. At ~$40, the Kasa HS300 costs more than non-smart alternatives but provides home automation capability that simpler strips cannot offer. For smart home users who want to incorporate power management into their automation setup, the HS300 integrates with existing Alexa/Google Home configurations without additional hubs.
“The Nekteck 12-Outlet Power Strip pairs 12 AC outlets with a USB-C PD port and USB-A charging, all backed by 2390J of surge protection. The 6ft 14AWG heavy-duty cord and wider outlet spacing handle bu”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 12 AC outlets + USB-C PD 18W + USB-A
- 2390J surge protection
- 6ft 14AWG heavy-duty cord
- ETL certified
- Wider outlet spacing for bulky adapters
Watch out for
- At $18 a relatively unknown brand vs. Anker, Belkin, or APC — no clear warranty process
- USB-C port output not specified in watts — may not fast-charge modern phones
- joule surge protection rating not prominently listed — important for comparing protection level
- surge indicator light not included — no visual confirmation of protection status
Read Full Analysis
The Nekteck 12-outlet strip adds a USB-C PD 18W port alongside 3 USB-A ports — the USB-C port fast-charges any iPhone (iPhone 8+), iPad, or Android phone directly without occupying an AC outlet. 12 widely-spaced outlets in a dual-row design. 2160J surge protection. At ~$20, the USB-C PD inclusion makes it a better value than competing 12-outlet strips at the same price that offer only USB-A. The primary audience is users who have transitioned to USB-C devices (modern Android phones, iPad Air, AirPods Pro) and want direct USB-C charging without needing to occupy a full AC outlet with a USB-C wall adapter.
“The POWSAV WiFi Smart Power Strip offers four individually app-controlled smart outlets alongside four always-on outlets and four USB ports. Energy monitoring and Alexa/Google Home compatibility make ”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 8 outlets (4 individually smart + 4 always-on)
- 4 USB ports
- Wi-Fi with Alexa/Google Home
- Energy monitoring
- 4.7 stars
Watch out for
- Smart features limited to 4 of 8 outlets
Read Full Analysis
The POWSAV smart power strip is a budget-friendly smart power strip — 4 individually controllable smart outlets plus 4 always-on outlets and 4 USB-A ports, all for under $27. App control and Alexa/Google Home compatibility matches the Kasa HS300's ecosystem integration at $13 less. The 4 smart + 4 always-on design is practical: controlled outlets manage entertainment center or desk devices, while always-on outlets power essentials like routers and NAS drives. Energy monitoring per smart outlet. At ~$27, the POWSAV provides 80% of the Kasa HS300's smart functionality at a meaningfully lower price — the tradeoff is the POWSAV brand is less established than Kasa (TP-Link) for long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a smart power strip and a regular power strip?
Do power strips actually have surge protection?
How many outlets do I need for a home office desk?
What is a flat plug and why does it matter?
Can I use a USB-C port on a power strip to charge a laptop?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 31,162+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
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Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →
Analysis based on manufacturer specifications and verified Amazon customer reviews.