The 6 Best Under-Desk Power Strips for Cleaner Cable Setups, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: A flat plug, 8 outlets, 4 USB ports and 2,700 joules, ETL listed, on a 6 ft cord.

The Nuetsa has 8 outlets and 4 USB ports, a flat plug, a 6 ft cord, a 2,700 joule surge rating and an ETL listing.

The flat plug is why it wins for this job: it lies against the wall instead of sticking out, so the desk can sit closer to the outlet and the cord does not bend sharply. Joule rating is the total surge energy it can absorb before wearing out, and 2,700 is well above the cheap strips. ETL listing means it was tested to an electrical safety standard. Eight outlets cover a monitor, a computer and chargers for most people.

Buy it if you want a tidy, protected strip behind a desk. Skip it if you have more than eight devices.

Outlets

8 AC and 4 USB

Surge rating

2,700 joules

Plug

Flat

Cord

6 ft, ETL listed

Our verdict: 12 outlets and 4 USB ports with 2,700 joules and ETL listing.

The ALESTOR provides 12 outlets and 4 USB ports, a 6 ft cord, 2,700 joules of surge protection and an ETL listing.

Twelve outlets handle a desk with monitors, a dock, a lamp, a printer and several chargers. It ranks second because the longer body is bulkier under a desk, and the listing does not say whether the plug is flat. Surge rating matches the Nuetsa.

Buy it if your desk is crowded with gear. Skip it if you want a compact strip.

Outlets

12 AC and 4 USB

Surge rating

2,700 joules

Cord

6 ft

Certification

ETL listed

Our verdict: 12 outlets, 4,000 joules and an 8 ft cord in a rectangle body.

This Amazon Basics strip has 12 outlets, a 4,000 joule rating, an 8 ft cord and a rectangle form.

It has the highest surge energy rating in the group and the longest cord, which suits desks far from the wall. The cord length is a real advantage when the outlet is across the room. It ranks third because the listing has no USB ports and no certification mark named, and the wide body is not compact.

Buy it if you want maximum protection and cord reach. Skip it if you need USB charging.

Outlets

12

Surge rating

4,000 joules

Cord

8 ft

Form

Rectangle

Our verdict: A compact 6-outlet, 3-USB strip with 1,680 joules and an ETL listing.

The Yintar has 6 AC outlets and 3 USB ports, a 6 ft cord, 1,680 joules and an ETL listing, in a compact design.

A compact body fits more easily behind a small desk. It ranks fourth because 1,680 joules is adequate but below the leaders, and six outlets are tight for a full workstation.

Buy it if you have a small setup. Skip it if you want higher surge energy.

Outlets

6 AC and 3 USB

Surge rating

1,680 joules

Cord

6 ft

Certification

ETL listed

Our verdict: A compact strip with 1,080 joules and a durable 5 ft braided cord.

The HANYCONY offers 1,080 joules of surge protection and a 5 ft braided cord, in a compact body described as suited to under-desk placement.

Braided cords resist kinks and are tougher against the scuffs a desk base causes. It ranks fifth because the joule rating is modest and the listing gives no outlet count or certification.

Buy it if you want a tough cord on a budget. Skip it if you want certified protection.

Surge rating

1,080 joules

Cord

5 ft braided

Size

Compact

Bracket

Under $25

Our verdict: A 6-outlet strip with 790 joules, a circuit breaker and an LED protection indicator.

This Amazon Basics strip has 6 outlets, 790 joules, a circuit breaker, an LED indicator and a 6 ft cord.

The LED protection light tells you when the surge protection has worn out, which is useful and often missing. It ranks last because 790 joules is the lowest rating here, so it will age quickest.

Buy it if you only protect a lamp and a charger. Skip it if you run a computer and monitors.

Outlets

6

Surge rating

790 joules

Indicator

LED protection light

Extra

Circuit breaker