Best Overall USB Power Strip in 2023
A USB power strip solves a common problem: filling every outlet in your home with a power plug for your phone, tablet, computer, smartwatch, or other tech accessories. Power adapters for these devices are small, but they’re taking up valuable real estate that could be used to keep appliances plugged in all the time. If you’ve ever spent any time rearranging power adapters underneath your work desk and getting confused about which one goes to what gadget, you’ll understand the utility of this tech accessory. The best USB power strips will keep your most commonly used portable devices charged and ready for the day ahead without bumping power-hungry ones off the grid.
How we chose the best USB power strips
Our recommendations for the best USB power strips come from a mix of hands-on testing and research. Despite their utility, these are relatively low-tech gadgets with a single job: keeping your devices charged and powered. That said, we factored in their size, how many outlets they have, which USB ports are featured, and any other extra features when determining which ones made the cut. You’ll be able to find a great USB power strip regardless of your power needs, space constraints, and budget. You can rely on our recommendations to remain a permanent, well-used part of your home theater or office setup for several years.
The best USB power strips: Reviews & Recommendations
This may not be the most glamorous gadget, but it’s still important to take the time to learn the ins and outs of all your options. Our guidance can help you make the right choice, so the only thing you’ll have to think about is which gear to plug into your USB power strip.
Best overall: Austere VII Series 6-Outlet with USB-C PD
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
Specs
- Number of outlets: 6
- USB Ports: 5 (3 USB-C, 2 USB-A)
- Surge protection: 4,000 Joules
Pros
- Myriad USB ports
- Sleek look
- Surge protection
Cons
- Price
We’ve been testing Austere’s VII Series 6-Outlet with USB-C PD for several months, and it’s provided rock-solid performance in a well-constructed package. The USB power strip has five USB ports and six outlets. Critically, one of the USB-C ports can supply up to 45W of power, which is enough to charge a laptop. All of this power strip’s USB ports are on the bottom, far away from its outlets. This allows you to organize your area a little more neatly. You’ll never accidentally yank out a power cord when trying to unplug your phone’s charging cable. In practice, this design has worked out really well, and we hope it becomes the industry standard.
We used this power strip’s USB ports to charge phones, laptops, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth earbuds, and other portable devices. The cables fit into the VII Series’ USB ports snugly and securely and never popped out, even when the power strip was moved around. Similarly, we connected computer monitors, powered speakers, vacuums, and everything in between to the VII Series’ outlets and had an identical result. The outlets were spaced far enough apart that we could finagle large power adapters next to one another without incident.
We were continually impressed by the VII Series’ overall build quality during our tests. It’s uncommon for such a basic gadget to look and feel so luxurious. The aluminum Austere used for the USB power strip’s chassis makes it feel as nice as a MacBook. The company even paid attention to the cable connecting the power strip to your wall; it’s thick, braided, and has sufficient reinforcement around the connector so it won’t fray. Austere says its USB power strip can insulate electronics from up to 4,000 joules of power spikes. If you’re in an area with many thunderstorms or your home’s electricity is so-so, this is a big feature.
All of these features contribute to the VII Series’ high price. This is the only USB power strip we recommend that costs over $62, but its performance and build quality are unmatched. If you want each component in your home theater or office to be top-notch, Austere’s VII Series 6-Outlet with USB-C PD is peerless.