Buying Guide
The Best Power Strips with USB Ports: Picks and Trade-offs
We looked at 6 power strips with USB ports side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
8 min read6 products evaluated
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4A (12W) output, not fast-charging capable, buyers expecting modern fast-charging speeds from a power strip with USB ports are typically getting output equivalent to a basic decade-old wall charger.
Total USB output wattage is often shared across all USB ports rather than dedicated per port, meaning charging multiple devices simultaneously slows each one, a shared-budget architecture rarely disclosed in spec sheets.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Power Strip with USB Ports Overall
Surge Protector Power Strip - Nuetsa Flat Plug Extension Cord with 8 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Power Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black
Buyers who want basic USB charging alongside genuine surge protection
Our take Check price for Surge Protector Power Strip - Nuetsa Flat Plug Extension Cord with 8 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Power Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact USB Pick
6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector - Yintar Extension Cord with 6 AC Outlets and 3 USB Ports for Home, Office, Dorm Essentials, 1680 Joules, ETL Listed, (Black)
Buyers who want a compact strip with basic USB charging
Our take Check price for 6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector - Yintar Extension Cord with 6 AC Outlets and 3 USB Ports for Home, Office, Dorm Essentials, 1680 Joules, ETL Listed, (Black) (opens in a new tab)
Best Proven Budget USB Pick
HANYCONY Surge Protector Power Strip, 1080J, 5 Ft Braided Extension Cord
Budget-conscious buyers who want the most-proven surge protection with basic charging
Our take Check price for HANYCONY Surge Protector Power Strip, 1080J, 5 Ft Braided Extension Cord (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Outlet USB Pick
Power Strip, ALESTOR Surge Protector with 12 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Extension Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black
Buyers who need both maximum AC outlets and USB charging capability
Our take Check price for Power Strip, ALESTOR Surge Protector with 12 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Extension Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Pick with Basic USB Needs
Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip, 6-Outlet, 790 Joules, Circuit Breaker, LED Indicator, 6ft Extension Cord, White
Buyers who prioritize AC outlet reliability and can add a separate USB hub
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip, 6-Outlet, 790 Joules, Circuit Breaker, LED Indicator, 6ft Extension Cord, White (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Joule Pick for Full Setups
Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 4000 Joules, 8ft Extension Cord, Rectangle, for Home, Office, Gaming Room, Black
Buyers who prioritize maximum surge protection headroom over integrated USB charging
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 4000 Joules, 8ft Extension Cord, Rectangle, for Home, Office, Gaming Room, Black (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Power Strip with USB Ports Overall1 of 6
Surge Protector Power Strip - Nuetsa Flat Plug Extension Cord with 8 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Power Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
8 outlets and 4 USB ports at 2700 joules, genuine surge protection alongside charging capability.
Best for
- Buyers who want basic USB charging alongside genuine surge protection
Why we like it
Genuine 2700 joule surge protection alongside USB charging. On price, it's actually priced above 6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two.
On the other side, No USB-C port.
Key dimensions & specs
- 8 outlets, 4 USB ports (5V/2.4A)
- 2700 joules, ETL listed
- 6ft cord, flat plug
Pros
- Genuine 2700 joule surge protection alongside USB charging
- 4 USB ports for multiple devices
- ETL listed
Cons
- Standard 5V/2.4A speed, not fast-charging
- Shared USB power budget across ports
- No USB-C port
Best Compact USB Pick2 of 6
6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector - Yintar Extension Cord with 6 AC Outlets and 3 USB Ports for Home, Office, Dorm Essentials, 1680 Joules, ETL Listed, (Black) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
6 outlets and 3 USB ports at 1680 joules, a solid middle-capacity option for basic device charging.
Best for
- Buyers who want a compact strip with basic USB charging
Why we like it
On the other side, No USB-C port.
Key dimensions & specs
- 6 outlets, 3 USB ports
- 1680 joules, ETL listed
- 6ft cord
- Compact design
Pros
- Solid middle-capacity option
- 3 USB ports for basic charging
- ETL listed
Cons
- Basic USB charging speed, not fast-charging
- Fewer outlets than the top pick
- No USB-C port
Best Proven Budget USB Pick3 of 6
HANYCONY Surge Protector Power Strip, 1080J, 5 Ft Braided Extension Cord on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
On the other side, Compact outlet count.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers who want the most-proven surge protection with basic charging
Key dimensions & specs
- 1080 joules surge protection
- Braided 5ft cord
- AC-side surge protection
- low-cost
Pros
- Durable braided cord
- Genuine surge protection
- Very affordable
Cons
- Verify USB port inclusion on this specific listing
- Basic charging speed if USB equipped
- Compact outlet count
Best High-Outlet USB Pick4 of 6
Power Strip, ALESTOR Surge Protector with 12 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Extension Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
12 outlets and 4 USB ports, real capacity for a full desk setup with multiple devices needing both AC power and USB charging simultaneously.
Best for
- Buyers who need both maximum AC outlets and USB charging capability
Why we like it
The real tradeoff against that pick: USB ports share a combined power budget.
On the other side, Larger footprint.
Key dimensions & specs
- 12 outlets, 4 USB ports
- 2700 joules, ETL listed
- 6ft cord
- Explicit surge protection
Pros
- Highest outlet count with USB ports in this guide
- Genuine 2700 joule surge protection
- ETL listed
Cons
- USB ports share a combined power budget
- Basic charging speed, not fast-charging
- Larger footprint
Best Budget Pick with Basic USB Needs5 of 6
Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip, 6-Outlet, 790 Joules, Circuit Breaker, LED Indicator, 6ft Extension Cord, White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
An affordable 6-outlet surge protector with an LED indicator, appropriate if your USB charging needs are minimal and AC outlets are the priority.
Best for
- Buyers who prioritize AC outlet reliability and can add a separate USB hub
Why we like it
On the other side, Would need a separate USB hub.
Key dimensions & specs
- 6 outlets, 790 joules
- LED protection indicator
- Circuit breaker
- 6ft cord
Pros
- Very affordable
- LED indicator for surge protection status
- Circuit breaker included
Cons
- No USB ports on this model
- Lower joule rating than higher-capacity picks
- Would need a separate USB hub
Best High-Joule Pick for Full Setups6 of 6
Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 4000 Joules, 8ft Extension Cord, Rectangle, for Home, Office, Gaming Room, Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
4000 joules, the highest disclosed rating in this guide, real headroom for a demanding setup.
Best for
- Buyers who prioritize maximum surge protection headroom over integrated USB charging
Why we like it
8ft cord gives more placement flexibility.
On the other side, Larger rectangular footprint.
Key dimensions & specs
- 12 outlets, 4000 joules
- 8ft cord
- Rectangle form factor
- Amazon Basics brand
Pros
- Highest joule rating in this guide
- Longer 8ft cord for placement flexibility
- Strong early rating
- 12 outlets for a demanding setup
Cons
- No USB ports on this model
- Larger rectangular footprint
How We Chose These Power Strips with USB Ports
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- USB charging speed disclosed explicitly, not assumed fast-charging
- 4A output or genuine fast-charging speeds, since most integrated USB ports on power strips are basic, not modern fast-charging capable.
- Dedicated USB power budget across ports
- Noted that total USB output is often shared across all ports rather than dedicated per port, meaning simultaneous multi-device charging slows each device below its rated maximum.
- AC-side surge protection quality alongside USB capability
- Verified that adding USB ports doesn't come at the cost of reduced joule rating or AC-side protection quality compared to similarly priced AC-only strips.
What to Look for in a Power Strip with USB Ports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Understand that a power strip and a surge protector are not automatically the same thing
A basic power strip simply splits one wall outlet into several without any electrical protection built in, while a genuine surge protector includes internal components (commonly metal oxide varistors) that absorb and redirect a sudden voltage spike before it reaches your connected electronics, and a joule rating, when stated, quantifies roughly how much total surge energy those components can absorb before needing replacement.
This distinction matters because these two product types are frequently sold side by side with visually similar designs, and a strip without stated surge protection provides zero defense against the kind of voltage spike that can damage a laptop charger, a monitor, or other sensitive electronics during a storm or grid fluctuation.
Check the listing specifically for a stated joule rating and the words "surge protector," not just "power strip," if protecting connected electronics is part of why you're buying one.
Confirm your specific mounting method's compatible dimensions before assuming it fits your setup
Power strips designed to mount rather than simply sit on a surface, clamp-on models that grip a desk edge, wall-mount models secured with screws, and under-desk models that attach to the underside of a desk, each have documented compatible dimension ranges (desk edge thickness for clamps, screw spacing for wall mounts) that don't universally fit every desk or wall, so a mounting design being the right general category doesn't guarantee it fits your specific setup.
This is an easy detail to overlook when focused on outlet count and features, but a clamp rated for a specific edge thickness range that doesn't match your desk, or wall-mount screw spacing that doesn't align with your available wall studs, means the mounting mechanism simply won't work regardless of how good the strip itself is.
Measure your actual desk edge, wall spacing, or under-desk clearance and compare it directly against the product's stated compatible range before ordering.
Check combined USB wattage and port count against how many devices you actually charge at once
USB charging ports on a power strip vary meaningfully in both count and total combined wattage output, and this total wattage gets shared or allocated across all connected devices simultaneously, meaning a strip advertising a high total wattage figure with many ports can still deliver notably less power to any single device if several are charging at the same time compared to a strip with fewer ports but the same total wattage.
USB-C ports supporting Power Delivery (PD) can charge laptops and other higher-power devices meaningfully faster than basic USB-A ports, which are typically limited to lower wattage output regardless of what's plugged in.
Count how many devices you'll realistically charge simultaneously and check both the per-port and total combined wattage figures, not just the raw port count, especially if laptop charging via USB-C is part of your actual use case.
Check outlet spacing if you regularly plug in bulky wall adapters
Standard AC outlet spacing on a power strip assumes typical plug sizes, but bulky wall-wart style adapters (common for routers, some monitors, and certain chargers) can be wide enough to block one or even two adjacent outlets entirely, a real practical problem that a strip's total outlet count doesn't reflect if several of your devices use oversized plugs.
Some strips specifically design wider outlet spacing or offset outlet positioning to accommodate this, a detail worth checking if your actual device mix includes multiple bulky adapters rather than assuming raw outlet count translates directly to usable outlet count.
Count how many of your actual devices use oversized wall-wart adapters, and check listing photos or reviews specifically mentioning outlet spacing if that describes your setup.
Weigh review volume against star rating, since safety-critical categories deserve extra scrutiny
Power strips and surge protectors are electrical safety products, not just convenience accessories, and a listing with a strong rating built on a large, genuine review history provides meaningfully more confidence in consistent manufacturing quality and long-term reliability than a similar-looking product with only a handful of reviews, particularly relevant here since a failure mode in this category (a short, an internal fire risk) has real consequences beyond simple product disappointment.
This doesn't mean every lesser-reviewed product is unsafe, but it does mean the safety and durability claims on a thin-review listing carry less independently verified weight for a category where that verification matters.
Check for independent safety certification (UL or ETL listing) as a baseline requirement regardless of review count, and additionally weigh review depth more heavily here than you might for a lower-stakes product category.
How to Choose a Power Strip with USB Ports
| Recommended pick in this comparison | |
|---|---|
| 6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector | |
| Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip |
| Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing outlets or surge protection |
USB-C PD Charging vs Outlets Only
- Charges laptops and higher-power devices faster directly from the strip, without a separate charging brick. In this comparison: check each listing's port types directly.
- Simpler design focused purely on outlet count, pair with your own chargers as needed. In this comparison: Surge Protector Power Strip, 6Ft Power Strip Surge Protector, HANYCONY Surge Protector Power Strip.
| Highest joule rating for surge protection | Amazon Basics 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip |
|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip |
For Bulky Wall-Wart Adapters Specifically
- Wide or offset outlet spacing explicitly mentioned in the listing or shown in product photos, not just a high raw outlet count.
- Power Strip fits this specifically: Highest outlet count with USB ports in this guide.
- You want what Power Strip offers: Highest outlet count with USB ports in this guide. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- Amazon Basics Surge Protector Power Strip already covers the essentials: Very affordable. The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is capacity or charging speed you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do power strip USB ports charge devices as fast as a wall charger?
4A output, not modern fast-charging speeds, equivalent to a basic decade-old wall charger, adequate for phones but slow for tablets or larger devices.
Will charging multiple devices from the same power strip slow them down?
Total USB output wattage is frequently shared across all ports rather than dedicated per port, so charging several devices at once delivers less than each port's rated maximum to each device.
If a power strip's USB port stops working, does that mean the surge protection failed too?
USB circuitry and AC surge protection are somewhat independent subsystems with different failure modes, a strip's AC protection status doesn't indicate anything about USB port health.
Do USB ports reduce a power strip's surge protection quality?
USB port count adds cost and circuit complexity that can come at the expense of the AC-side joule rating at a given price point, compare joule ratings against similarly priced AC-only strips to check.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Surge Protector Power Strip - Nuetsa Flat Plug Extension Cord with 8 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, 6 Feet Power Cord, 2700 Joules, ETL Listed, Black — best power strip with usb ports overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all power strips with usb ports on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.