There are some items in a short term rental that you can cheap out on and quality Power Strips are not one. Some others, if not bought with caution and verification can turn deadly for the guests. It becomes harder to justify the cost of some of these hazardous items when you realize that the guests might not even notice them in some cases. Despite this, you not should look for inexpensive options in certain categories. Items that deal with things like electric power and fire should be acquired only after careful thought and deliberation.

One such item is the humble power strip. We’ve all heard stories of how faulty wires can lead to house fires or electrical shocks. The US CPSC(Consumer Product Safety Commission) estimates there are 3300 residential fires each year with around 50 lives lost. So, it is important to get something that won’t harm your guests while also doing their job without issues. Luckily this is one problem that we solved a while ago so we are in a good position to recommend some high-quality products in this category.

Why should you get a power strip?

A power strip is a block of outlets that distribute power to multiple devices via a single AC wall input. It is used as a convenience device to power multiple devices when a part of the room does not have enough wall outlets. It is usually used with computers or entertainment centers where many devices are connected. The biggest advantage of getting one is not being limited in the number and placement of electronic equipment based on the number of wall sockets in your house. This could be a big problem solver for older properties where the walls do not have enough outlets, to begin with.

You can kind of intuitively realize that a faulty strip can lead to many potentially deadly problems. A frayed cable or overloaded power strip can lead to sparks or shorting of the home’s electrical system. A faulty strip is a power hazard. You should always consider buying new and replacing them at the first hint of trouble.

What to look for in a power strip?

Primarily you should look for robust safety features. This is our number one priority. There should definitely be a circuit breaker present within the power strip that prevents dangerous system overloads. These circuit breakers are rated in amperes and should be around 15-20 amps. Check the one you eventually decide to get to make sure you are getting one with proper ampere coverage. You should get something rated for at least 15 Amps(1875 Watts).

There are special GFCI models, used in areas where water may be present, to prevent shock by cutting off the circuit in case of a short. If you are getting one for the basement and it has flooded any time in the past, consider getting this type. It may be expensive but it is definitely worth the peace of mind.

In other features, figure out how many outlets you need. Most strips come with 3-4 outlets which should be enough for most computer desks and entertainment centers. Also, keep in mind the length of the power cord which should be enough to cover the distance between your equipment and the power socket on the wall.

There are even smart power strips in the market that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. They provide additional functionality like wifi connectivity, voice control and remote control through apps. Though not a priority, this is a nice-to-have upgrade for not a significant price difference.

There is a certain type of outlet called a transformer outlet. It is an adapter that requires more space than a regular plug. Some strips will come with one. It is recommended to get a power strip with at least one transformer outlet in case your guests are traveling with an adapter that requires it.

Some strips come with USB charging ports built it. These are highly recommended as it means that the guest can plug their phones directly without and adapter.

Recommendations from Amazon:

AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip: This one is the best selling amazon basics option that can be had for $10. It is a great option when you are looking for something to just get the job done without breaking the bank. It has 6 outlets – five regular and one transformer outlet. It is rated for almost 800 Joules which is another unit for describing power. It should be enough for most home equipment. It has a 6-foot long cord. It also comes in another version with a 10-foot cord.

Bototek Surge Protector with 10 AC Outlets and 4 USB Charging Ports: This one is rated for 2100 Joules or 1625 Watts. It has intelligent circuitry with built-in voltage sensing. It comes with a 6-foot cord that is accredited by FCC, RoHS. There are 10 ac grounded three-pin outlets and 4 USB ports. 2 out of the 10 ac grounded pins are transformer outlets. It comes in 2 colors so as to not look out of place in your decor.

Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge protector: This one has an 8-foot cord and is rated for a whopping almost 4000 Joules of energy. It comes in variations of 7, 8 and 12 outlets. It comes with a $300,000 connected equipment warranty which just shows how confident they are in their products.

AiJoy Surge Protector Power Strip Tower: Here is one that is supposed to be shown off. It is made to rest on the desk instead of on the ground behind it somewhere. It has 8 AC outlets and 4 USB ports. The design of this strip makes it possible to use all the outlets as transformer outlets as there is a lot of space around the device for the bulky adapters.

Smart Power Strip IMILLET WiFI Power Strip Surge Protector: Finally, if you are going with the smart home theme then get this wifi connected surge protector that can be controlled with your voice through Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can select the exact device you want to turn on or off. It is very high tech and very affordable at the same time.

Love,

Scooch and Steve

