11 Best Desk Power Strips with USB of 2026
Sarah Chen reviews the best desk power strips with USB and USB-C: clamp, under-desk, tower, recessed and flat plug picks compared by outlets, USB-C wattage and surge rating.
Updated
Most desks run on a power strip somebody grabbed in a hurry: a beige six-outlet bar on the floor, a phone charger brick in one socket, a laptop brick blocking the next two, and a cord that has to be unplugged every time you vacuum. A good desk power strip with USB fixes all of that at once. It puts outlets where your hands are, charges phones and laptops without separate bricks, and protects the monitor and computer you would rather not replace after a storm.
I’m Sarah Chen, a Certified Administrative Professional, and I’ve set up and supplied workstations for offices large and small, plus more home offices than I can count. Power is the part of a desk setup people think about last and trip over first. This guide covers eleven strips chosen for specific jobs: a desk clamp model, an under-desk mount, a tower, a recessed in-desk unit, a laptop-grade USB-C charger, and the plain, reliable strip most people should simply buy. If you’re building out a whole workspace, our guide to setting up a home office covers the rest of the layout.
Find the Best Desk Power Strip for Your Need
Jump straight to the setup that matches your desk:
- Best desk power strips with USB overall
- Best desk clamp power strip
- Best under desk power strip
- Best surge protector with USB
- Best power strip with USB-C
- Best flat plug power strip with USB
- Best power strip for standing desk
- More use cases: travel, wall mount, recessed, tower, small and long cord
How We Chose These Power Strips
We started from the strips buyers actually choose on Amazon and the models that recur across the top-ranking reviews, then narrowed them by job. Every pick had to be in stock as a new item from a reputable seller, and we checked each listing in person rather than trusting a feed. We compared published specs (outlet count, USB-C wattage per port and in total, surge joules, cord length, plug style and mounting) and read through buyer feedback for the failure patterns that matter on a power product: USB ports that quit, clamps that slip, and housings that run hot.
Safety listings weighed heavily. Where a listing states an ETL, TUV or UL mark, we say so; where it doesn’t, we say that too, because a strip without independent testing is a strip you are trusting on the seller’s word. We haven’t run lab tests on these units, so the electrical figures here come from manufacturer specifications and listing data, and the reliability notes come from patterns across buyer reviews.
Best Desk Power Strips with USB Overall
Each strip below earns its place by doing one job better than the rest. Full reviews come first; the use-case sections further down compare these same picks side by side.
Best Overall: Anker 351 Power Strip
The Anker 351 is the strip I would put under most desks without a second thought. Twelve outlets sounds like more than a desk needs until you count: two monitors, a laptop dock, a lamp, speakers, a printer, a phone charger and a desk fan already fill eight. The rest give you room for the thing you buy next year. The outlets are spaced so an adapter brick doesn’t swallow its neighbor, and the flat plug lets you push the desk back against the wall.
Its surge rating sits at the top of this list, and Anker backs it with a connected-equipment warranty, which is the kind of guarantee you only get from a brand that expects its strips to hold up. Mounting slots and screws come in the box, so you can fix it under the desktop and get it off the floor where it collects dust and gets kicked.
The limitation is USB. There is one USB-C port at 20W plus two USB-A ports, which is fine for a phone and earbuds but won’t charge a laptop. If laptop charging from the strip matters to you, look at the Anker Nano clamp or the Anker 9-in-1 below. A minority of owners also report a USB port quitting while the AC outlets carry on, which is worth knowing even if most units are trouble-free.
Anker 351 Power Strip, 12 AC Outlets, 2100J, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A
by Anker
The safest default for a home office: twelve outlets, a high surge rating, a flat plug and Anker's warranty behind it.
Pros
- Twelve AC outlets cover a full desk: monitors, lamp, dock, speakers and chargers with room to spare
- 2100J surge rating, backed by Anker's connected-equipment warranty
- Flat plug and 5 ft cord tuck behind a desk pushed close to the wall
- Mounting slots and screws are included, so it can hang under a desktop instead of lying on the floor
Cons
- Only one USB-C port, and at 20W it charges a phone or tablet, not a laptop
- Some owners report a USB port going dead while the AC outlets keep working
- Twelve outlets make it long for a small desk or a shallow shelf
Best Budget: One Beat Flat Plug Power Strip
The One Beat strip is what I recommend when someone wants to fix a messy desk for the price of a lunch. You get six grounded outlets, two USB-C and two USB-A ports, an ETL listing and a 45-degree flat plug that sits close to the wall and leaves the second socket of the outlet free. The body is compact enough to sit on the desktop next to your monitor, so the charging ports are actually within reach.
The trade-offs are what you would expect at the price. The 900J surge rating is fine for chargers, a lamp and a laptop, but I would choose something stronger to protect a desktop tower and a pair of monitors. The USB-C port is a 15W phone-class port, not a laptop charger. And a share of reviews mention a USB port failing within months, which is the most common complaint across budget strips generally.
For a secondary desk, a dorm room, a guest room or a kitchen counter, it’s an easy call.
One Beat Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 5 ft Flat Plug
by One Beat
The value pick: a flat plug, six outlets and four USB ports in a compact, ETL-listed body.
Pros
- Six grounded outlets plus four USB ports for the price of a basic charger
- 45-degree flat plug sits flush behind furniture and leaves the second wall socket free
- Compact body fits on a desktop or a nightstand without hogging space
- ETL listed, with a wall-mount option on the back
Cons
- 900J is adequate for chargers and lamps but on the low side for a desktop PC
- USB-C is 15W class, so it will not charge a laptop
- A share of buyers report a USB port failing within months
Upgrade Pick: Anker Nano Desk Clamp Power Strip
The Anker Nano clamp strip moves your outlets from the floor to the front edge of the desk, which is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade in this guide. Instead of crawling under the desk to plug in a laptop, you reach over and plug it in. The clamp holds firmly enough that you can push a plug in with one hand without the strip shifting.
What justifies the premium price is the 70W GaN USB-C port. That’s enough to charge most 13 to 14 inch laptops directly, so the laptop brick can stay in your bag. The layout splits into a top zone and a bottom zone, which keeps a bulky AC plug from blocking the USB ports, and the 1500J surge rating and two-year warranty are what I’d expect from a premium strip.
Check your desk before ordering. The clamp fits edges 0.6 to 1.8 inches thick and won’t work on curved or steeply sloped edges. And like nearly every multi-port charger, the 70W figure is for one port; plug in a phone and a tablet at the same time and the laptop gets less.
Anker Nano Power Strip, Desk Clamp, 70W USB-C, 1500J, 6 AC Outlets
by Anker
The premium desk clamp strip: laptop-grade USB-C and outlets at the desk edge, where you can actually reach them.
Pros
- 70W GaN USB-C port charges most 13 to 14 inch laptops without the laptop's own brick
- Clamp holds firmly enough to plug and unplug with one hand
- Split top and bottom zones keep chargers and bulky AC plugs from crowding each other
- 1500J surge rating and a 24-month warranty
Cons
- Premium price for a power strip; you are paying for the 70W port and the clamp
- Fits only desk edges 0.6 to 1.8 in thick, and not curved or sloped edges
- The 70W figure applies to one port; output splits when several devices charge at once
Runner-Up: Acozvin 10 ft Desk Clamp Power Strip
The Acozvin is the clamp strip for people who need a lot of ports and a lot of cord. Nine AC outlets and eight USB ports wrap around three sides of the body, and the 10 ft cord gives a sit-stand desk enough slack to rise to full height without pulling the plug out of the wall. If your desk edge won’t take the clamp, screws are included to mount it underneath instead.
The 1700J surge rating is strong for the price, and buyers consistently praise how tightly the clamp grips. The USB numbers are more modest than the port count suggests: only two of the USB-C ports reach 20W, and all eight share a 40W total, so this is a strip for phones, tablets and accessories, not laptops.
The other caution is certification. The listing doesn’t state a UL or ETL mark, which is why it sits behind the Anker clamp despite the better port count. Some owners also report USB-A ports that stop charging. For a standing desk on a budget, it’s still the most practical clamp strip I found.
Acozvin Desk Clamp Power Strip, 9 AC Outlets, 4 USB-C + 4 USB-A, 10 ft Cord
by Acozvin
A long-cord clamp strip with a port for everything, built for desks that move up and down.
Pros
- 10 ft cord gives a sit-stand desk enough slack to rise without yanking the plug
- Seventeen ports in total, with outlets and USB spread across three sides
- Clamp grips tightly, and screws are included if your desk edge will not take a clamp
- 1700J surge rating at a mid-range price
Cons
- Only two of the USB-C ports reach 20W, and the USB total is 40W shared
- Some owners report USB-A ports that stop charging
- No UL or ETL mark is stated on the listing
Best Under-Desk Mount: TROND Wall Mount Power Strip
If you want the strip completely out of sight, the TROND is the easiest one here to screw under a desktop. Four mounting tabs hold it flat and steady, and the outlets are spaced wide enough that adapter bricks don’t block each other. It is ETL listed, uses a heavy 14 AWG cord and has a fire-resistant housing, which are the details I look for on a strip that will live where I can’t see it.
Mounted under the back edge of the desk with the outlets facing the wall, it turns the usual floor tangle into one cord running down to the outlet. Pair it with a cable tray from our cable management guide and the underside of the desk looks finished.
Two practical notes. The USB output is 15W in total, so it trickles when several devices share it, and the included screws are short for a thick desktop; buy a few slightly longer wood screws, but not so long that they come through the top. A minority of reviews report early failures, so register the warranty.
TROND Wall Mount Power Strip, 5 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 1300J, ETL Listed
by TROND
The cleanest under-desk install: screw tabs, spaced outlets and an ETL listing at a modest price.
Pros
- Four screw tabs make it the easiest strip here to fix under a desktop
- Widely spaced outlets take adapter bricks without blocking neighbors
- Flat, angled plug and a heavy 14 AWG cord
- ETL listed with a fire-resistant housing
Cons
- USB output is 15W total, so phones charge slowly when several share it
- The included screws are short for thick desktops; buy longer ones
- A minority of reviews report early failures
Best for Laptop Charging: Anker 9-in-1 100W Desktop Charger
The Anker 9-in-1 is a charging station that happens to have outlets. One USB-C port can deliver 100W, which is enough for larger laptops that a 65W or 70W port charges slowly. With four USB-C and two USB-A ports, it can replace a laptop brick, a phone charger, a tablet charger and an earbud cable all at once, which frees up wall sockets and desk space.
It has three AC outlets, which covers a monitor and a lamp but not a full desk. Its 300J surge rating is also low; I would treat it as a charger that sits on the desk and run the computer and monitors from a stronger strip such as the Anker 351. That two-strip setup is common in the offices I equip and it works well.
As with every multi-port charger, the 100W figure applies to one port at a time. Some owners report the middle USB-C ports failing after months of use, so keep the receipt. If you charge a large laptop at your desk every day, this is the strip that does it best.
Anker 9-in-1 Desktop Charger Power Strip, 100W USB-C, 3 AC Outlets
by Anker
A charger first and a power strip second: the pick when the laptop is the device that matters most.
Pros
- A single USB-C port can deliver 100W, enough for larger laptops
- Four USB-C ports let a laptop, tablet, phone and earbuds charge from one strip
- Compact desktop footprint replaces a laptop brick and a phone charger
- Three AC outlets cover a lamp and a monitor
Cons
- 100W is for one port at a time; output splits when several devices charge
- 300J surge rating is low for anything beyond chargers
- Some owners report middle USB-C ports dying after months of use
Best Wall Outlet Extender: Belkin 6-Outlet Wall Surge Protector
The Belkin wall surge protector has no cord at all. It plugs directly into a standard duplex outlet and turns it into six surge-protected outlets plus a USB-C and a USB-A port. When a desk sits right in front of an outlet, that’s the tidiest arrangement possible: nothing to route, nothing to trip over and nothing lying on the floor.
Belkin has made surge protectors for decades, and this one carries a 1680J rating, an ETL certification, a protection indicator light and a two-year warranty with a connected-equipment guarantee. It’s sold and shipped by Amazon.
The limitations come with the design. Two USB ports is not many, Belkin doesn’t list the USB-C wattage, and without a cord it only helps if the outlet is right behind the desk. If your outlet is a few feet away, choose a corded strip instead.
Belkin 6-Outlet Wall Surge Protector, 1680J, USB-C PD + USB-A
by Belkin
The tidy choice when the desk backs onto an outlet: six protected outlets with no cord at all.
Pros
- Plugs straight into a wall outlet, with no cord to trip over or tangle
- 1680J surge rating from a long-established surge brand
- ETL certified, with a protection indicator light
- Two-year warranty plus a connected-equipment warranty
Cons
- Only one USB-C and one USB-A port
- Belkin does not list the USB-C wattage
- No cord, so it only helps if the desk sits right at the outlet
Best for Travel: ORICO Cruise Approved Travel Power Strip
The ORICO is the strip that lives in my carry-on. It’s smaller than a phone, the cord wraps around the body, and the flat 45-degree plug reaches outlets behind hotel beds and nightstands. Four outlets and three USB ports turn a single hotel socket into a charging station for a laptop, phone, watch and earbuds.
It has no surge protection, and that’s deliberate. Many cruise lines ban surge-protected strips in cabins, and ORICO built this one to comply. It still carries an ETL listing and overload, overcurrent and overheating protection. Do check your specific cruise line’s rules, since some ban corded strips entirely.
That same choice makes it the wrong strip for a permanent desk. Keep it in the bag and use a surge-protected strip at home.
ORICO Cruise Approved Travel Power Strip, 4 Outlets, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 4 ft Cord
by ORICO
A pocketable strip for hotel rooms and cruise cabins, deliberately built without surge protection.
Pros
- Smaller than a phone, with the cord wrapping around the body for packing
- No surge protector by design, which is what many cruise lines require
- Flat 45-degree plug reaches outlets behind hotel beds
- ETL listed, with overload and overheating protection
Cons
- No surge protection, so it is not the strip for a permanent desk
- Only four outlets and one USB-C port
- USB-C wattage is not clearly listed for this model
Best Tower: Amazon Basics Power Strip Tower
A tower puts its outlets on the sides of a vertical column, which suits desks with a little depth to spare in a back corner but no room for a long bar. The Amazon Basics tower fits nine outlets and three USB ports into a footprint about the size of a coffee mug, and each outlet has its own on/off button, so you can switch off a lamp or speakers without unplugging them.
It’s also the one tower I found with a stated ETL listing and a UL-certified cord, which is why I chose it over towers with bigger review counts and no listing at all. It’s sold and shipped by Amazon.
It’s taller than some buyers expect, the single USB-C port is a 15W phone-class port, and the review history is shorter than for the other picks. For a corner desk or a shared table, it’s still the tower I would buy.
Amazon Basics Power Strip Tower, 9 Outlets, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 1080J
by Amazon Basics
A certified tower with per-outlet switches, for desks with more depth than width to spare.
Pros
- Vertical tower puts nine outlets in a small desktop footprint
- Individual on/off buttons let you cut power to a lamp or speaker without unplugging
- ETL listed with a UL-certified 14 AWG cord
- Sold and shipped by Amazon
Cons
- Taller and bulkier than some buyers expect
- One USB-C port at 15W
- Smaller review history than the other picks
Best Long Cord: Mifaso 10 ft Power Strip
The Mifaso solves the most common desk power problem I see: the outlet is on the wrong wall. Its 10 ft braided cord reaches across a room, and the 0.35 inch flat plug sits flat behind a bookcase or desk. Keyholes on the back let you hang it on the wall or under the desktop.
You get six outlets, two USB-C and two USB-A ports, 1080J of surge protection, an overload switch and an ETL listing, all for very little money. It’s also a good fit for a standing desk if you don’t want a clamp strip.
The USB-C ports top out at 15W, and the outlets sit fairly close together, so two large adapter bricks side by side may not both fit. For lamps, monitors and phone chargers, it’s excellent value.
Mifaso Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 10 ft Braided Cord
by Mifaso
The long-cord pick: ten feet of braided cord, a flat plug and USB-C for very little money.
Pros
- 10 ft braided cord reaches an outlet across the room
- 0.35 in flat plug at a 45-degree angle fits behind a desk or bookcase
- Keyholes on the back for wall or desk mounting
- ETL listed, with an overload switch
Cons
- USB-C tops out at 15W
- 1080J is mid-range surge protection
- Six outlets are close together for large adapter bricks
Best Recessed: HEZI 65W Recessed Power Strip
The HEZI sets into a cutout in the desktop so the outlets sit flush with the surface. It’s the look you see in conference tables and built-in office furniture, and it puts four outlets and four USB ports exactly where you need them without anything sitting on the desk. The 65W USB-C port handles most laptops, and the unit carries a 1200J surge rating, an on/off switch and an ETL listing.
Installing it means cutting a 6.9 by 2.2 inch hole in your desk, so this is for a desk you own and plan to keep, not a rental or a laminate desk you might move. The 65W is shared across all four USB ports, and the product is newer, with a much smaller review history than the others here.
If you’re building or upgrading a desk and want a clean, built-in finish, it’s the best recessed option I found.
HEZI GaN 65W Recessed Power Strip, 4 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, Flush Mount
by HEZI
A built-in look for a desk you own: flush outlets and laptop-grade USB-C set into the desktop.
Pros
- Sits flush in the desktop, so outlets are at hand with nothing on the surface
- 65W USB-C is enough for most laptops
- 1200J surge protection, an on/off switch and an ETL listing
- 6 ft flat-plug cord runs neatly to the wall
Cons
- Needs a 6.9 x 2.2 in cutout in the desktop, which is permanent
- The 65W is shared across all four USB ports
- A newer product with a much smaller review history
Best Desk Clamp Power Strip
A desk clamp power strip grips the edge of the desktop and puts outlets and USB ports right where your hands are. Before buying, measure the edge thickness: most clamps take roughly 0.6 to 1.8 inches and won’t grip a curved or beveled edge. Then decide whether you need laptop charging. The Anker Nano has a 70W port that runs a laptop; the Acozvin trades that for more ports and a much longer cord at a lower price.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Anker Nano Power Strip, Desk Clamp, 70W USB-C, 1500J, 6 AC OutletsBest desk clamp power strip 70W USB-C charges a laptop right at the desk edge | $69.99 | View on Amazon |
| Acozvin Desk Clamp Power Strip, 9 AC Outlets, 4 USB-C + 4 USB-A, 10 ft CordBest budget clamp strip More ports and a 10 ft cord for less money | $25.63 | View on Amazon |
Best Under Desk Power Strip
An under desk power strip mounts to the underside of the desktop so the only thing visible is one cord running to the wall. Look for screw tabs or keyhole slots and outlets that face the back. The TROND is purpose-built for it, the Anker 351 includes screws for the same job, and the Mifaso’s keyholes and long cord suit desks far from an outlet.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| TROND Wall Mount Power Strip, 5 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 1300J, ETL ListedBest under desk power strip Four screw tabs and spaced outlets make the cleanest install | $21.99 | View on Amazon |
| Anker 351 Power Strip, 12 AC Outlets, 2100J, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-ABest for a full desk Twelve outlets and screws included for mounting | $28.99 | View on Amazon |
| Mifaso Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 10 ft Braided CordBest for a distant outlet Keyhole mount plus a 10 ft cord | $15.99 | View on Amazon |
Best Surge Protector with USB
Every strip with a joule rating is a surge protector, but the ratings vary widely. For a computer and monitors, choose 1000J or more, and look for an ETL, TUV or UL mark. The Anker 351 has the strongest rating here, the Belkin wall unit offers serious protection with no cord, and the TROND adds an ETL listing at a modest price.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Anker 351 Power Strip, 12 AC Outlets, 2100J, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-ABest surge protector with USB 2100J with a connected-equipment warranty | $28.99 | View on Amazon |
| Belkin 6-Outlet Wall Surge Protector, 1680J, USB-C PD + USB-ABest wall surge protector 1680J and ETL certified, plugs straight into the wall | $22.95 | View on Amazon |
| TROND Wall Mount Power Strip, 5 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 1300J, ETL ListedBest mountable surge protector 1300J, ETL listed, screws under a desk | $21.99 | View on Amazon |
Best Power Strip with USB-C
Plenty of strips now list a USB-C port, but most are 15W to 20W phone chargers. If you want a power strip with USB-C that charges a laptop, you need 65W or more, and you should check whether that’s per port or shared. These three are the only picks here that run a laptop.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Anker 9-in-1 Desktop Charger Power Strip, 100W USB-C, 3 AC OutletsBest power strip with USB-C Up to 100W from one port for larger laptops | $39.99 | View on Amazon |
| Anker Nano Power Strip, Desk Clamp, 70W USB-C, 1500J, 6 AC OutletsBest USB-C clamp strip 70W GaN port at the desk edge | $69.99 | View on Amazon |
| HEZI GaN 65W Recessed Power Strip, 4 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, Flush MountBest recessed USB-C strip 65W shared across four USB ports, set into the desktop | $36.99 | View on Amazon |
Best Flat Plug Power Strip with USB
A flat plug sits close to the wall, so the desk or bookcase can push right back and the second socket of the outlet stays usable. The One Beat and Mifaso use 45-degree flat plugs; the Anker 351 uses a flat plug too, with far more outlets.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| One Beat Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 5 ft Flat PlugBest flat plug power strip with USB Compact, ETL listed and inexpensive | $9.97 | View on Amazon |
| Mifaso Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 10 ft Braided CordBest flat plug with a long cord 10 ft braided cord with a 0.35 in plug | $15.99 | View on Amazon |
| Anker 351 Power Strip, 12 AC Outlets, 2100J, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-ABest flat plug for a full desk Twelve outlets and the highest surge rating here | $28.99 | View on Amazon |
Best Power Strip for Standing Desk
A power strip for a standing desk has to move with the desk. The safest setup clamps or mounts the strip to the desk frame so everything plugged into it rises together, with one long cord running to the wall. Give that cord enough slack to reach the wall at full height, which is why a 10 ft cord is the comfortable choice. Our standing desk guide covers the desks themselves.
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Acozvin Desk Clamp Power Strip, 9 AC Outlets, 4 USB-C + 4 USB-A, 10 ft CordBest power strip for standing desk Clamps on and has 10 ft of cord for full height | $25.63 | View on Amazon |
| Anker Nano Power Strip, Desk Clamp, 70W USB-C, 1500J, 6 AC OutletsBest premium standing desk strip Clamp mount and 70W USB-C, but a 5 ft cord needs a closer outlet | $69.99 | View on Amazon |
| Mifaso Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 10 ft Braided CordBest mounted alternative Keyhole mount under the desk with a 10 ft cord | $15.99 | View on Amazon |
Best Power Strips with USB by Use Case
A few more specific needs, each matched to the strip that suits it best:
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| ORICO Cruise Approved Travel Power Strip, 4 Outlets, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 4 ft CordBest travel power strip with USB Wrap-around cord, flat plug, cruise-approved with no surge protector | $16.99 | View on Amazon |
| Belkin 6-Outlet Wall Surge Protector, 1680J, USB-C PD + USB-ABest wall mount surge protector with USB Plugs into the wall with no cord, 1680J | $22.95 | View on Amazon |
| HEZI GaN 65W Recessed Power Strip, 4 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, Flush MountBest recessed power strip with USB Sets flush into the desktop with 65W USB-C | $36.99 | View on Amazon |
| Amazon Basics Power Strip Tower, 9 Outlets, 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 1080JBest power strip tower with USB Nine outlets with individual switches in a small footprint | $22.93 | View on Amazon |
| One Beat Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 5 ft Flat PlugBest small power strip with USB Compact six-outlet strip that fits on a desktop | $9.97 | View on Amazon |
| Mifaso Surge Protector Power Strip, 6 Outlets, 2 USB-C + 2 USB-A, 10 ft Braided CordBest power strip with USB and long cord 10 ft braided cord with a flat plug | $15.99 | View on Amazon |
Buyer's Guide
A desk power strip does three jobs: it adds outlets, it charges devices over USB, and it should protect what is plugged into it. These six factors decide how well a given strip does each one.
Surge Rating and Safety Listing
The joule figure tells you how much surge energy the strip can absorb over its life. Aim for 1000J or more for computers and monitors. A UL 1449 listing confirms the surge protection was tested, and the voltage protection rating (VPR) printed on the label tells you how much voltage gets through during a spike: 330V or 400V is better than 500V. ETL and TUV marks show independent safety testing of the strip itself.
USB-C Power Delivery Wattage
Read the USB-C figure carefully. 15W to 20W charges phones and earbuds, 30W to 45W handles tablets and small laptops, and 65W to 100W runs most laptops. Many strips quote the maximum for one port, and the output splits when several ports are in use, so check the total as well as the per-port number.
Outlet Count and Spacing
Count what lives at your desk today, then add two. Widely spaced or rotated outlets matter more than raw count if you use adapter bricks, which can block the socket next to them. Individual on/off switches, as on the Amazon Basics tower, let you cut power to one device at a time.
Cord Length and Plug Style
Measure from the outlet to where the strip will sit, and add slack if the desk moves. A 5 ft cord suits a desk against the wall, while a standing desk or an outlet across the room calls for 10 ft. A flat or 45-degree plug lets the desk sit closer to the wall and leaves the other socket free.
Mounting Style
Clamp strips grip the desk edge and need an edge of the right thickness. Screw-mount strips fix under the desktop for a clean look. Recessed strips sit flush in a cutout, which is permanent. Wall extenders plug straight into the outlet with no cord. Pick the style that matches where your hands actually reach.
Load Limits and Build Quality
A standard US strip is rated for 15 amps, or 1,875 watts. A typical desk with a laptop, two monitors and a lamp uses a fraction of that, but a space heater or printer can push it over. Look for an overload switch or breaker, a heavy cord (14 AWG is better than 16 AWG) and a fire-resistant housing, and never daisy-chain one strip into another.
How to Choose the Best Desk Power Strip with USB
Start with where the strip will live. If the outlet is right behind the desk, the Belkin wall unit is the tidiest answer. If you want outlets at your fingertips, use a clamp strip; if you want them out of sight, use an under-desk mount; and if you own the desk and want a built-in finish, go recessed. Then size the USB-C port to your most demanding device: phone-class ports are fine for phones, but a laptop needs 65W or more.
Finally, match surge protection to what you’re protecting. A desk with a computer and monitors deserves 1000J or more and a stated safety listing. Brands like Anker, Belkin, Tripp Lite, GE and Philips publish those details clearly; if a listing doesn’t mention one, treat that as a reason to look elsewhere. For lighting at the same desk, our desk lamp guide is a good next stop.
Final Verdict
For most desks, the Anker 351 is the power strip to buy: twelve well-spaced outlets, a 2100J surge rating, a flat plug and mounting screws in the box. If you’re on a tight budget, the One Beat covers a small desk well. And if you want outlets and laptop-grade USB-C at the edge of the desk, the Anker Nano clamp is worth its premium.
Whichever you choose, get it off the floor and run the cords neatly, and the whole desk feels more organized. If your laptop also needs to drive monitors and accessories from one cable, our guide to the best USB-C docking stations is the natural companion to a good power strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I mount a power strip under a desk?
Can a power strip's USB-C port charge a laptop?
How many joules of surge protection do I need for a desk?
How do I hide a power strip on my desk?
Is it safe to plug a power strip into another power strip?
Related Articles
About the Reviewer
Sarah Chen, CAP, PMP
B.A. Business Administration, UCLA
Sarah Chen spent 10 years in office management and operations at Fortune 500 companies before founding DeskRated in 2026. After managing supply budgets for teams of 50+ people and testing thousands of products through daily use, she started writing the honest, no-fluff supply reviews that office professionals actually need. Sarah holds both CAP and PMP certifications and is based in Los Angeles.