Search

When testing smart features in particular, one surge protector quickly rose to the top: the Tapo P316M Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip. You'll see this surge protector recommended on many lists, and for good reason. The Tapo brand is generally reliable and the smart features in its surge protector are excellent, including Apple Home compatibility and energy monitoring, and it's not prohibitively expensive either. However, some people may want a longer cord or a model with a higher Joule rating. Check out my full list of picks below to see the complete range of options.

Pexels: Саша Алалыкин In recent years, we're seeing powerful storms more frequently. Climate change has had a direct impact on both the frequency and intensity of such events, so we're likely to encounter more extreme weather incidents as time goes on. When lightning storms strike near your home, they can send a massive power surge through your electrical wiring. That surge travels fast, overwhelming the circuits inside your device.   According to the CDC, lightning can also travel through a building's plumbing and any metal wires embedded in concrete walls or flooring, so the threat is broade

Alvarez/Getty Images The instructions from FEMA are pretty clear on what your first line of defense has to be: when you see a bad storm coming, unplug everything. It's the easiest and most affordable thing you can do.  While taking action during storms is certainly important, it's equally essential to think ahead and work on prevention. Here are a few things you can do to safeguard your expensive tech before storms hit: Use surge protectors. You can buy power strips with internal overload protection that you can use for sensitive electronics like computers and entertainment systems.  Plug ma