The Best Surge Protectors for Home Theaters

When it comes to powering your home theater, it’s important to do it the right way. Avoid using multiple basic power strips and a messy tangle of cords. Instead, use a single surge protector that is designed to provide both power and protection for all of your home theater equipment. What are the best surge protectors in 2023?

A surge protector is a crucial part of any home theater system. It’s the most effective way to protect your equipment, including the TV, cable box, Wi-Fi router, speakers, and more. Even your home theater lighting can benefit from protection.

To help you find the best surge protector for your home theater, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 choices. Keep reading to learn more about each one and why we recommend it.

List of 9 Best Surge Protectors

• Panamax M8-AV-PRO 8-Outlet
• Belkin BP112230-08 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug 4320 Joule
• APC PH6U4X32W Smart 6-Outlet 2160 Joule
• APC P11VNT3 11-Outlet 3020 Joule
• Pyle PCO860 19-Outlet 1U Rack-Mounted PSU
• APC H15BLK 12-Outlet H-Type Rack-Mountable
• CyberPower CPS1215RMS 12-Outlets 1800 Joule 1U Rack-Mounted
• Furman M-8X2 8-Outlet with Power Conditioning
• ECHOGEAR 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector

A standard power strip that claims to be a surge protector may not be able to properly protect your equipment from a real threat. A true surge protector is a multi-outlet power distribution device that protects connected devices from voltage spikes or surges, such as lightning.

The best surge protectors detect, stop, and redirect large voltage spikes (surges), directing them to the grounding line and protecting your equipment from harm.

If you’re still using basic power strips and surge protectors, you’re in luck. There are excellent surge protectors on the market specifically designed for home theaters. These surge protectors are intuitively designed and offer a variety of outlets and outlet types to fit your needs, while also being able to withstand high voltage.

Say goodbye to your old power strips and upgrade to one of the top home theater surge protectors on the market. You’ll be on your way to a newly organized and highly protected home theater system.

Panamax M8-AV-PRO 8-Outlet Home Theater Power Management System

Pros

The Panamax M8-AV-Pro (available on Amazon) is our top choice for a surge protector. I’ve been using this Panamax model and the M8-AV for many years now, and we’ve never had any issues with them. They have protected our equipment for many years.

This unit offers 8 outlets, 2 COAX, and a telephone/LAN. All of these have premium filtration and surge protection. The Panamax M8-AV-Pro includes standard surge protection, EMI/RFI, and high-current noise filtration, and a lifetime limited warranty.

The lifetime warranty includes a “Panamax Surge Protector Limited Connected Equipment Protection Policy” which covers up to $5,000,000 in damages for any equipment that is damaged by AC power, cable, telephone, or lightning surge. This is one of the best warranties out there when it comes to surge protection!

Cons

The Panamax M8-AV-Pro is the most expensive among the four different models meant for home theater and home office applications. However, it is still reasonably priced. One downside to this unit is that it doesn’t have USB ports.

Despite its higher price and lack of USB ports, this unit is a great option with very few cons. It is built to last for many years and work as intended. It is a great investment to protect your home theater equipment.

Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector

Pros

The Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector (available on Amazon) is a great option at just under $30. It comes with 12 total outlets, including eight rotating outlets that can accommodate large cords and power adapters. It also features an in/out coaxial outlet and ethernet hookups to protect your phone, fax, cable box, and satellite.

This surge protector can be trusted to protect your equipment, with a 4320-joule energy rating and an input voltage of 125V. It also reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) to block unwanted line noise.

The Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector comes with an 8-foot, 14-gauge heavy-duty power cord, and wall mounting is available. Plus, it has a Belkin Lifetime Warranty and a $300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. This is a great value for the price, providing reliable protection for all your home theater equipment.

Cons

The Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector is a great value for a home theater surge protector, but it does have some drawbacks. One downside is that it doesn’t have any USB outlets to charge your phone.

Additionally, some users have reported issues with storm protection and difficulty with Belkin honoring its lifetime warranty. These are factors to consider when deciding whether this surge protector is the right choice for your home theater setup. It’s important to check the reviews and do your research before purchasing any product.

APC PH6U4X32W 6-Outlet Smart Surge Protector (3 Smart Outlets)

Pros

The APC PH6U4X32W 6-outlet smart surge protector (available on Amazon) is a great choice for a smart surge protector. 3 of the outlets and 2 USB ports are controllable via Alexa or the APC Home App. All outlets and USB ports are surge protected with a 2160-joule energy rating.

This device does not require a hub to use the smart functionality, it connects to an existing Wi-Fi connection. The maximum current support by this unit is 15 amps, with 4.8 amps of shared power for all USB ports.

The APC PH6U4X32W surge protector also comes with a lifetime warranty and a $150,000 connected-equipment protection policy. Although, as we explained in our surge protector guide, it’s recommended to replace them every two years. The 6-foot long power cord also has a 90-degree angle wall plug to save additional space.

Cons

The APC PH6U4X32W 6-outlet smart surge protector is a great option for a smart surge protector, but it does have some limitations. Not all of the 6 outlets are smart-enabled. The smart functionality currently only works with Alexa and the APC Home App, it does not currently work with Google Home or IFTTT, however, the company plans to add this functionality in the future. Keep this in mind when making your decision on whether this surge protector is right for your home theater setup.

APC 11-Outlet Surge Protector with Phone, Network Ethernet & Coaxial Protection

Pros

The APC 11-Outlet Surge Protector (available on Amazon) is a great value at just over $30, as it is currently on sale through Amazon. It comes with 11 outlets, six of which are block-spaced for large adapters. It also includes coaxial and ethernet hook-ups for phone, fax, and network protection.

The APC 11-Outlet Surge Protector features an 8-foot cord with 180-degree rotation and a right-angle plug. APC is a reputable brand in home theater equipment, and this surge protector provides a 3020-joule equipment protection. It also comes with a $100,000 Equipment Protection Policy. This is a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable surge protector for their home theater system.

Cons

The APC 11-Outlet Surge Protector is a great value for its price, but it does have a few drawbacks. It does not have any USB outlets and has no power conditioning capabilities. Additionally, some users have reported issues with network connections when plugging their internet into the ethernet outlets of the APC 11-Outlet Surge Protector. One user reported that it only has a 10/100 passthrough, cutting down 10% of its potential, and another user reported that no connection was available upon plugin.

It’s important to keep these limitations in mind when deciding whether this surge protector is the right choice for your home theater setup. It’s recommended to read reviews and do your research before purchasing any product to ensure that it will meet your needs.

Pyle 19-Outlet 1U 19″ Rackmount PDU (PCO860)

Pros

The Pyle 19-Outlet 1U 19” Rackmount PDU (PCO860) (available on Amazon) is a great value, regularly priced at just under $100 but currently on sale for just over $75. It has a 1U rack mount height and an impressive 19 outlets, including 16 flexible rear-facing power outlets and three wide-spaced front panel outlets.

This surge protector also has one USB charge port and a built-in 15-amp circuit breaker, preventing dangerous circuit overloads. It comes with a 15-foot power cable and an operating voltage of 110/240V, which allows for an optimized and reliable distribution of AC power. This surge protector is perfect for those who want to mount the unit in their rack and have a lot of devices to power.

Cons

The Pyle 19-Outlet 1U 19” Rackmount PDU (PCO860) is a very impressive surge protector/power conditioner, but it does have a few downsides. It does not have any ethernet or coaxial hookups. Additionally, its price is more than double that of other reliable surge protectors on the market.

APC H15BLK 12-Outlet H-Type Rack-Mountable Power Conditioner

Pros

The APC H15BLK 12-Outlet H-Type Rack-Mountable Power Conditioner (available on Amazon) is a high-end power conditioner and surge protector combo from a reputable home theater equipment brand. It features 12 well-spaced outlets, as well as cable/modem and satellite/antenna protection. It also has ethernet cable hookups.

As a power conditioner, it protects from electrical noise interference and damage from power transients. It also has a built-in circuit breaker and is mountable. This power conditioner is perfect for those who want a high-end, reliable and powerful surge protector for their home theater equipment.

Cons

The APC H15BLK 12-Outlet H-Type Rack-Mountable Power Conditioner is a great option with high customer ratings, but it is at a high price point. It also does not feature any USB outlets.

CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector

Pros

The CyberPower CPS121RMS Surge Protector (available on Amazon) is a 120V/15A Rackbar™ surge protector with 12 outlets at a reasonable price of just under $50. It has 6 outlets in the front and 6 outlets in the rear, with ample spacing on the back 6 outlets. It comes with a 15-foot power cord with a cord retention tray and industrial-grade metal housing.

The CyberPower CPS121RMS Surge Protector includes an EMI/RFI noise filter, versatile rack mounting options at a 1U rack mount height, providing 1800 joules of protection, and it comes with a 3-year warranty. This surge protector is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable and reliable surge protector for their home theater equipment.

Cons

The CyberPower CPS121RMS Surge Protector is a great option for its price and capabilities, however, it does not have any coaxial or ethernet outlets. It also has a lower joule rating compared to other surge protectors on the market.

Furman M-8X2 Merit Series 8-Outlet Power Conditioner and Surge Protector

Pros

The Furman M-8X2 Merit Series 8-Outlet Power Conditioner and Surge Protector (available on Amazon) is a well-priced power conditioner and surge protector combo at just under $60. It features nine total outlets, eight rear panel outlets, three of which have ample spacing between them, and one front panel convenience outlet.

The Furman M-8X2 Merit Series 8-Outlet Power Conditioner and Surge Protector comes with a filtration rating greater than 23 dB, 200Khz to 10 Mhz, filtering out RFI/EMI interference for a cleaner sound without pops and crackles. It also has a 15-amp rating with a circuit breaker. This power conditioner and surge protector combo is great for those who want a reliable and affordable option for their home theater equipment.

Cons

The Furman M-8X2 Merit Series 8-Outlet Power Conditioner and Surge Protector is a great power conditioner and surge protector combo from a reputable home theater brand, but it may not have enough outlets for larger home theater systems. Its design is for smaller home theater setups and those with larger systems may need to purchase additional surge protectors to accommodate all of their equipment. It also does not feature any USB outlets, ethernet outlets, or coaxial cable hookups which may be an inconvenience for some.

ECHOGEAR 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector

Pros

ECHOGEAR 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector (on Amazon) is a great option for those looking for a surge protector with plenty of outlets. It features 8 rotating outlets, which allows for easy and efficient accommodation of large cords and power adapters. It also includes an in/out coaxial outlet and ethernet hookups to protect your phone, fax, cable box, and satellite.

This power strip is slim and can be easily hidden in a home theater setup. It also comes with an 8-foot power cable, giving you flexibility with placement. However, the cable is not retractable, which may result in excess cable lying on the floor. Additionally, it doesn’t have a wall-mount option.

It offers a high level of protection with a 2160-joule energy rating and comes with a 5-year warranty that covers your equipment up to $25,000.

Cons

However, it only offers standard power outlets and doesn’t have any significant EMF filtration. Overall, it’s a great option for those looking for a surge protector with a good number of outlets, but it is important to keep in mind the limitations of this power strip.

Get Started – Buy Your Home Theater Surge Protector

It’s also important to consider the level of protection offered by the surge protector. A high joule rating is important for protecting your equipment from voltage spikes and surges. Look for a surge protector with a rating of at least 2160 joules.

Another important feature to look for is the warranty and connected equipment protection policy. A long warranty and a high coverage amount for connected equipment will give you peace of mind knowing that your equipment is protected.

Lastly, consider if you need additional features such as USB ports, EMF filtration, and smart functionality. These features can be convenient and add additional value to your purchase.

By taking these factors into consideration, you’ll be able to select a powerful surge protector that meets all of your current and future needs, ensuring a safe and organized home theater power supply system.

Related Questions

Is it worth it to purchase an all-in-one power conditioner and surge protector?

Splurge on an all-in-one surge protector/power conditioner for your home theater system. It may cost more than a regular surge protector, but it’s worth it to protect your expensive equipment. A power conditioner filters out dirty power and keeps your equipment running smoothly and lasting longer. Plus, it ensures your equipment functions efficiently.

Is there any reason to not buy a surge protector for my home theater?

Use a high-quality surge protector to protect your home theater equipment from storms. It covers everything, from gaming equipment to cable boxes, stereo equipment and more. Severe storms can damage your hardware, leading to costly replacements. Don’t risk it, invest in a surge protector to keep your equipment safe.

Read also: What Are the Best Power Conditioners? 10 Best Power Conditioners