Best Surge Protector for Gaming PC in 2024

The pursuit for supreme gaming performances often drives us to equip our rigs with advanced and expensive components. From high-end graphics cards to top-tier CPUs, the cost of some individual parts can exceed the $500 mark. The last thing any gamer wants is for a power surge to wipe out their investment. This is where the importance of a surge protector becomes undeniable. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the critical role surge protectors play in safeguarding your gaming PC, highlighting how they work, what to consider when choosing one, and ultimately, recommending the best surge protector for gaming PC in 2024. 

The Importance of Surge Protectors for Gaming PCs

Surge protectors are vital for any gaming setup, acting as a shield against electrical surges. These surges can occur from various sources, including lightning strikes, power outages, or fluctuations in your home's electrical grid. Without adequate protection, even a single power surge has the potential to damage your gaming PC's sensitive components irreparably.

• Protecting Your Investment: High-end components like processors, graphics cards, and memory modules not only drive the cost up but also increase the susceptibility to damage from unpredictable electrical surges. A surge protector safeguards these components, ensuring your investment is protected from unpredictable electrical spikes.

• Maintaining Uninterrupted Gameplay: For gamers, every moment of disruption can detract from the gaming experience, potentially affecting gameplay outcomes, especially in competitive scenarios. Surge protectors help maintain a stable power supply, preventing unexpected shutdowns or resets caused by electrical spikes. 

• Enhancing Overall Electrical Safety: Beyond the protection of your gaming PC, surge protectors contribute to the overall safety of your gaming environment. By managing electrical loads and preventing overheating, they reduce the risk of electrical fires, ensuring a safer gaming experience. This aspect is particularly important in setups with multiple devices connected, where the risk of electrical overload is higher.

How Does a Surge Protector Work?

A surge protector shields your gaming PC from electrical surges by acting as a gatekeeper, controlling the flow of electricity. At its heart, a surge protector uses components known as metal oxide varistors (MOVs), which can detect the voltage level of the electricity passing through them. Under normal conditions, they allow the standard voltage to pass through to your devices unimpeded.

However, when a power surge occurs, the MOVs spring into action. They absorb the excess electrical voltage and then redirect it safely into the ground through the protector's grounding wire, thus preventing it from reaching and damaging the connected devices.

A surge protector is designed to act repeatedly, ready to defend against multiple surges over time. However, it's worth noting that each surge absorbed diminishes the protective capacity of the MOV. Once a surge protector has absorbed a cumulative amount of energy exceeding its rated capacity, its effectiveness can be significantly reduced.

Things to Note When Choosing the Best Surge Protector for PC

With the protection of your high-end gaming equipment at stake, it's essential to consider several key factors to ensure you select the best surge protector for computer. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

Number of AC Outlets

Your gaming setup likely includes a variety of components beyond just the PC itself, such as monitors, speakers, and sometimes streaming equipment. Each of these requires a power source. Therefore, selecting a surge protector with an adequate number of AC outlets is crucial.

This ensures that all your devices can be connected and protected simultaneously. It's essential to anticipate future needs as well; you may add more components to your setup, so opting for a surge protector with more outlets than you currently need can save you from needing a replacement down the line.

Number of USB Ports

In today's gaming setups, USB-powered devices are as common as traditional plug-in ones. From charging smartphones and tablets to powering gaming controllers and headsets, USB ports add a layer of versatility to your surge protector.

Choosing a surge protector with enough built-in USB ports can streamline your setup, reducing the need for additional chargers and keeping everything organized and within reach. It's not just about quantity, though; also consider the amperage of the USB ports to ensure they can support fast charging for your devices.

Maximum Surge Protection

The level of protection a surge protector can offer is perhaps its most critical feature. This is typically measured in joules — the higher the joule rating, the more energy the surge protector can absorb and dissipate, offering better protection against larger surges.

For a gaming PC, a surge protector rated at least 1000 joules is recommended, but for enhanced protection, especially in areas prone to lightning and power surges, aim for 2000 joules or higher. 

Clamping Voltage

This is the voltage level at which the surge protector starts diverting excess energy away from your devices. Lower clamping voltage means the protector kicks in sooner, offering better protection. Look for a surge protector with a clamping voltage of 400 volts or less.

Response Time

The response time of a surge protector indicates how quickly it can respond to a surge. The faster the response time, the better the protection. Ideally, you want a surge protector with a response time of one nanosecond or less.

Recommended Best Surge Protector for Gaming PC

In the quest to find the best surge protector for gaming PCs, Anker stands out with its innovative designs and robust protection features. Let's take a closer look at some top-tier surge protector power strip models that cater to the diverse needs of gamers: 

Anker 521 Power Strip

The Anker 521 Power Strip is a versatile powerhouse, capable of energizing up to six devices simultaneously through its 3 AC outlets, 2 USB ports, and a USB-C port. Its design is meticulously thought out, featuring USB ports at the front for easy access and AC outlets at the back to reduce cable clutter on your desk.

Notably, the 30W USB-C port supports fast charging, ensuring your mobile devices are quickly powered up and ready to go. The surge protector also boasts Anker's 8-Point Safety system, including surge protection, short-circuit protection, ActiveShield temperature monitoring, and more, offering you peace of mind with its comprehensive safety features.

Anker 350 USB Power Strip 

For those with more extensive power needs, the Anker 350 USB Power Strip is an ideal choice. This model impressively supports up to 12 devices with its 10 AC outlets and 2 USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C), making it perfect for gamers who have a multitude of devices. The USB-C port facilitates effortless charging of your phone or tablet, saving you the hassle of using additional chargers. 

Its compact design, complete with convenient mounting holes, allows for easy wall installation, saving valuable desk space. Safety is also paramount with the Anker 350, featuring a superior 8-Point Safety system that includes 2100-joule surge protection and certification from ETL, ensuring your devices are protected from electrical mishaps.

 Anker 351 Power Strip 

The Anker 351 Power Strip is equipped with 12 AC outlets and 3 USB ports, including a 20W USB-C port that can charge an iPhone 13 up to 53% in just 30 minutes. This model is designed with an optimized layout, offering extra space between outlets to accommodate larger plugs easily. Like its siblings, it includes an 8-Point Safety System with 2100-joule surge protection, offering robust defense against power surges while ensuring the safety of your devices. 

Conclusion 

Throughout this guide, we've explored the critical role of surge protectors for gaming PCs, delved into how they function, and outlined the key features to look for. The best surge protector for gaming PC should offer enough AC outlets and USB ports to accommodate your devices, alongside robust maximum surge protection to shield against electrical spikes. Selecting the best surge protector is not just about adding an extra layer of safety. It's about ensuring uninterrupted gaming experiences, protecting your investment, and maximizing the lifespan of your gaming setup. Equip your gaming station with the best surge protector for PC and game on without fear.

FAQ

How many joules should a surge protector have for a gaming PC?

A surge protector for a gaming PC should have at least 1000 to 2000 joules of protection to provide adequate defense against voltage spikes. 

Is it better to plug PC into wall or surge protector?

It is better to plug your PC into a surge protector rather than directly into the wall to protect it from power surges and voltage spikes.

What is the difference between a UPS and a surge protector for a gaming PC?

A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides emergency power supply during a power outage, while a surge protector shields devices from power surges. For gaming PCs, a surge protector is essential for daily protection, while a UPS is beneficial for preventing data loss during power interruptions.