84 MACWORLD JANUARY 2022
WORKINGMAC REVIEW: AMAZONCOMMERCIAL AC AND USB DESKTOP OUTLETsurge protector, only that it can
handle up to 15A/1800W, and
that it provides 1,080 joules of
protection. That’s substantial
enough for typical purposes,
when only a high-performance
workstation might pull down
several hundred watts. The
power switch includes a circuit
breaker that trips if the power
draw is too high, and then
resets without requiring use of a
separate button.
Most surge protectors list
the maximum voltage that can
pass across each of the three
An LED light indicates surge protection is working.
mmmmh
AmazonCommercial
AC and USB Desktop
Outlet with Surge
Protection
PROS- Easy to place on most
desks. - Top-mounted USB ports.
- Enough wattage to charge
mobile devices quickly.
CONS - Outlets too close together
for some AC adapters. - No way to lock
spring-loaded anchor in
place.
PRICE
$58 (4-pack)
COMPANY
Amazon
legs of a three-wire circuit before clamping
goes into effect using metal-oxide
varistors (MOVs), and that information is
lacking. No warranty against damage to
a failure to provide protection is
included, though such offers typically
have significant limits and are hard to
file claims against.
The only real downside of the
surge protector is that the spring-
loaded lever that holds it in place
can’t be locked in position with a
screw or through other means. In
testing, it’s easy to yank a cable and
slide the unit left to right. However,
the design makes it quite difficult to
remove unintentionally. It’s
likely best used in places
without small children or large
animals. In normal conditions,
you just need to hold it in place
or move it back in place when
manipulating AC plugs.BOTTOM LINE
If you rarely add or remove AC
plugs, the form factor may not
suit. But if you want outlets
nearby and regularly plug and
unplug them, it’s a perfect fit.
It’s especially nice to have so
many USB ports readily
available, literally on top of
having several AC outlets. ■