How to Choose a Surge Protector and Why You Need One

Avoid frying your PC and other electronics by plugging them into a souped-up power strip

Edward C. Baig,

AARP

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Published May 12, 2026

a surge protector and charging block with a cosmic background

Power spikes can fry laptops, televisions and small appliances, so our Tech Guru recommends plugging computers, TVs and other electronics into a surge protector.

AARP (Getty Images, 5)

Key takeaways

Plug-in surge protectors can reduce damage from sudden voltage spikes, but they are not foolproof.
High-power appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves should never be plugged into surge protectors.
Joule ratings help distinguish true surge protectors from basic power strips.

AARP members and readers are invited to submit pressing technology questions they’d like me to tackle in my Tech Guru column, including issues around devices, security, social media and how all the puzzle pieces fit together. This week’s query comes from a reader who discovered how electrical storms can wreak havoc on our devices.

A power surge or nearby lightning bolt can damage electronics that are plugged in. I say this from experience because my router got destroyed. What can I do to prevent this? —Bernice Z.

I recently devoted a column to the topic of leaving a laptop plugged in all the time and the potential impact on its battery life. But there’s something else to consider related to plugging in a computer and other electronics, and you nailed it, Bernice: how to safeguard the gear from power line damage, lightning strikes or other threats Mother Nature poses. Not to mention the sudden voltage surges that may occur inside your house, which folks may not even realize are happening.

Such power spikes can fry laptops, televisions, small appliances and other equipment in the home, and, in a worst-case scenario, even cause fires. They also could put certain data at risk if it got wiped out before you had a chance to back it up.

It is why I recommend people plug computers, TVs and some other electronics into a surge protector rather than directly into a wall outlet. Put simply, when voltage levels spike above an acceptable threshold, a surge protector plugged into a properly grounded outlet can act as a shield, hopefully reducing the threat.

Surge protectors do’s and don’ts

There’s a reason I italicized “some” in the previous paragraph. While plenty of products benefit from a surge protector, refrigerators, space heaters, air fryers, air conditioners and microwaves are just some of the high-power appliances you should never plug into one, as doing so can not only damage those products but also pose safety risks. Instead, plug them directly into the wall.

Another no-no: Do not daisy-chain surge protectors; that is, plug one into another, which is also dangerous.

Surge protector or power strip? Let me also stress the distinction between a surge protector and a power strip, because the latter is not necessarily the same as the former. However, some power strips incorporate surge protection.

Power strips are typically bars or bricks with multiple outlets, often a half dozen to a dozen, though some have more and some fewer. Again, only certain models can protect against power spikes.

How can you tell? If you’re not sure whether a power strip is a surge protector, read the packaging or documentation. Surge protectors carry so-called joule ratings, a metric indicating how much energy they can absorb and dissipate over their lifetime; the higher, the better. Assume that what you have is not a surge protector if there’s no joule rating.

You may also see a Voltage Protection Rating (VPR); in this case, the lower, the better, since it indicates the maximum amount of voltage allowed to pass through. Yet another indicator on the packaging is UL 1449, which refers to a surge protection safety standard.

Ask the Tech Guru                                

Anker, one of many brands that sell surge protectors, states that a joule rating of up to 1,000 should provide adequate protection for lamps, modems and some small kitchen appliances. You’ll want a surge protector rated between 1,000 and 2,000 joules for many computers, TVs, smartphones, printers and routers. You can exceed that level and, of course, pay more, for surge protectors for premium home theater systems and other expensive or sensitive equipment.

In general, surge protectors are inexpensive, with many in the $15 to $50 range, often depending on the number of joules and available outlets. A lot cheaper than replacing a fried router or other gear.

Whole-house surge protectors. You can also purchase whole-house surge protectors designed to protect, well, all the electronics in your home. But prices can run as high as $400 or $500, give or take, with installation by a licensed electrician adding to the cost. These black boxes are typically placed on or near your breaker box.

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Even with a whole-house surge protector, it’s never a bad idea to purchase plug-in surge protectors for some of your gear as a backup line of defense.

Whatever the ratings, keep in mind that surge protectors are not foolproof. According to Lenovo, they cannot protect against brownouts or sudden voltage drops. Nor will they help during a blackout or a complete power outage. And even the best surge protectors, Lenovo adds, cannot handle a direct lightning strike.

Practical considerations

Ample spacing. If you plan to plug multiple products into the power strip/surge protector, make sure there is ample spacing between free outlets, especially if some of the products you are plugging in have bulky bricks that may hog not just the outlet they plug into but also the ones to either side.

Long cord, proper design. This should be obvious, but make sure the power strip can reach the wall and whatever you are plugging into it. Choose one that fits your space, your needs, even your aesthetic. Some surge protectors can sit on the floor, others on a table or snug against the wall. If kept out of view, avoid putting anything on top of it.

Does what you already have still work? Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell. The consensus is that plug-in surge protectors last 3 to 5 years. If what you have is older than that, you should probably replace it. Whole-home surge protectors may last twice as long.

Many surge protectors have lights and switches that indicate they’re turned on. A green light suggests it is still working, but if it turns red, dims or doesn’t illuminate at all, that’s an indication that retiring the thing is in order.

Other signs that a surge protector has passed its expiration date include physical damage, smoke, humming or popping sounds, or running hot.

You might also consider replacing it after a major electrical storm or power surge, because while it may have protected you this time, it may not the next.

Other handy features to consider. Some surge protectors include USB slots that let you charge your phone or other devices.

For the same purpose, a wireless charging pad is another nice convenience on some models.

And so is a backup battery that may provide temporary juice following an electrical outage.

Bonus tip: Practice pronouncing a foreign language

Translation apps can be a godsend when you’re attempting to communicate with someone who speaks a different language. But many of us may butcher pronunciations when trying to speak back.

As part of the 20th anniversary of the Google Translate app, Google is rolling out an AI-fueled “pronunciation practice” tool for Android users that provides instant feedback.

After tapping a Pronounce button and trying to say the words shown on the screen, you’ll see comments such as “Moving in the right direction. Some sounds were a little unclear.”

After being encouraged to try the phrase again, you might progress to “Excellent! Your speech was very clear.”

The new tool is only available in the U.S. and India, with translations limited to English, Spanish and Hindi.

It’s fair to assume, however, that the feature will be extended to other languages and locations, since Google says the practice tool is “one of our most requested features.”

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Edward C. Baig covers technology and other consumer topics. He previously worked for USA Today, BusinessWeek, U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. He is the author of Macs for Dummies and coauthor of iPhone for Dummies and iPad for Dummies. Follow him on LinkedIn, Threads and X (formerly known as Twitter).                   