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Power strip buying guide
This power strip buying guide helps you quickly select the right power strip for your application, outlining key differences between power strips, surge protectors and power distribution units (PDUs).
A power strip is a set of outlets that distribute AC power to electrical devices such as computers, audio/video equipment, network devices, power tools and lighting. Several styles are available, including strip, rack-mount and cabinet/bench mount.
3 key power strip features
If you have multiple electronical devices but limited outlets to power them, power strips are ideal for connecting and powering a wide variety of devices, including computers, laptops, cell phones, speakers, lamps and specialized equipment in healthcare, retail and education applications.
Power strips are typically used in homes, offices, server rooms, data centers, commercial, industrial and healthcare environments where power distribution to several electrical devices is a priority. Some common applications include connecting computers and peripherals, servers and other network equipment, home entertainment systems, as well as workbench power tools.
When selecting a power strip, there are a few questions you should consider.
Choose a power strip that will accommodate at least as many devices as you plan to plug into it and consider more outlets for future equipment. Most outlet strips are available with up to 24 outlets. Remember that transformer plugs are larger than standard plugs. Fortunately, some power strips are designed to accommodate transformer plugs without blocking adjoining outlets.
Determine how far you will place your power strip from your grounded AC outlet and select a power strip with a cord length at least that long. Outlet strips are available with cord lengths up to 24 ft. Power strip outlet configurations include standard, right-angle, front-facing, rear-facing and end-mounted outlets. Depending on your application, a standard outlet configuration is typically sufficient, but front-facing, rear-facing and end-mounted outlets are also available for special applications.
Both power strips and surge protectors provide multiple outlets to connect and power electronic devices, but surge protectors also protect against AC voltage surges and spikes that can ruin your valuable equipment in a flash or build up equipment damage over time.
Some power strips come equipped with all-metal housings, which are virtually indestructible, and 15- or 20-amp circuit breakers that prevent dangerous system overload. GFCI models, often utilized in areas where water is present, prevent shock by instantly disconnecting the electrical circuit in case of a power surge or spike.
Select power strips are designed for use in patient-care areas or outside patient-care areas within hospitals and other healthcare facilities. These outlet strips are ideal for use in administrative areas and resident rooms with no line-operated electrical equipment for diagnostic, treatment or monitoring purposes. A patented antimicrobial coating helps to reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infections in hospitals and other medical environments.
Yes. There are a variety of rack-mount power strips designed for server racks and other equipment in network environments, including data line protection for serial, network or phone line connections.
In addition to AC outlets, select power strips provide USB charging for mobile devices, including tablets, e-readers and smartphones. Each pair of USB-A charging ports provides the necessary amps of shared power to eliminate the need for AC adapters, leaving outlets available for AC equipment.
Select power strips offer 20-amp capacity for high voltage applications and include a circuit breaker in case the power strip can't handle this higher voltage limit.
GFCI plugs are designed to safely distribute power to connected equipment in harsh environments. This feature protects users from electrical shock in wet or humid environments.
Exclusive, patented antimicrobial protection with silver ionic powder coating is 99.9% effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria like C. diff and MRSA. This patented coating helps to reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) in hospitals and other medical environments.
The coating also meets the requirements of JIS Z 2801:2000; an international standard for evaluating efficacy in antimicrobial products.
The table below compares power strips, surge protectors and power distribution units (PDUs), highlighting their key differences in functionality, protection level and typical use cases. This comparison helps clarify which option is best suited for home, office or data center environments.
| Category | Power strip | Surge protector | PDU |
| Protection level | No surge protection; power distribution only | Protects against voltage spikes and surges | Varies by model; typically no surge protection (included on select advanced models) |
| Typical use | Home, office, light commercial setups needing additional outlets | Protecting sensitive electronics (computers, TVs, networking) | Data centers, server room and rack-mounted IT environments |
| Primary function | Expand a single outlet into multiple outlets | Distribute power and protect connected devices | Distribute power across multiple devices in rack environments |
| Environment | Low-risk environments (dry, standard indoor use) | Residential, office and light IT setups | High-density IT environments (server racks, network closets) |
| Eaton product line | Eaton power strips (standard, safety, hospital-grade, network) | Eaton surge protectors | Eaton rack PDUs and ePDU solutions |
We know you have many brands to choose from. On the surface, they may all seem alike. It's what you don't see that makes the difference. With Eaton, you get solid engineering, proven reliability and exceptional customer service. All our products undergo rigorous quality control before they are offered for sale, and independent testing agencies verify our products meet or exceed the latest safety and performance standards. Our commitment to quality allows us to back our products with industry-leading warranties and responsive customer service. It's the Eaton difference.
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