What joule rating do I need?

Basic office electronics (lamps, phone chargers): 1,000J. Home computers, monitors, printers: 2,000-3,000J. Home theater (TV, receiver, game consoles): 3,000-4,500J. Servers and NAS drives: 4,000J+ or UPS. The higher the joule rating, the more total energy the protector can absorb before the MOVs (metal oxide varistors) burn out. When a protector's MOVs are depleted, it continues to pass power but provides no protection — quality units have an indicator light that shows when protection is gone.

What's the difference between a surge protector and a UPS?

A surge protector absorbs voltage spikes but provides no backup power — when the power cuts out, everything turns off immediately. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) has a battery that kicks in within milliseconds when power fails, giving you time to save work and gracefully shut down. UPS units also include surge protection. For desktops, home servers, NAS drives, and networking gear — anything that can lose data if power cuts out — a UPS is worth the investment.

Does a surge protector protect against lightning?

A quality surge protector significantly reduces risk from nearby lightning strikes and the power surges they cause on utility lines. However, a direct lightning strike to your power lines can overwhelm any surge protector. For maximum protection: unplug expensive electronics during nearby thunderstorms. The protector is designed to handle the grid-level surges that travel through utility lines, not direct strike energy.

How long do surge protectors last?

MOV-based surge protectors degrade every time they absorb a surge. Quality units have indicator lights showing 'protection active' — when the light goes out, the protector has been depleted and only functions as a power strip. Typical lifespan: 3-5 years in an average home. Replace any protector after it absorbs a major surge (indicator light change), after a significant local lightning event, or on a 3-5 year schedule regardless.

Should I use a surge protector on my TV and entertainment system?

Absolutely — TVs, AV receivers, streaming devices, and game consoles are all sensitive electronics that can be damaged by voltage spikes. Use a 3,000-4,500J protector for home theater setups. Also consider phone/coax/ethernet protection built into the protector to cover all signal paths — surges can enter through cable TV and ethernet lines, not just power.

Best Surge Protectors 2026