Best Power Strips for All Your Dorm Room Gadgets

When you're setting up your dorm room with a computer, sound system, iPod dock, CD player, speakers and other electronics, make sure you're plugging everything into a power strip that protects all of your machines and gadgets in the event of a power surge. You'll find dozens of different types of power strips -- also known as surge protectors -- at your favorite appliance or home goods store, but some offer some extra features and benefits than others. These handy gadgets can save energy and will also prevent your electronics from being fried when you're hit by a storm.

Use these tips to pick out the best power strips for all your dorm room gadgets:

12-Outlet Power Strips

Since your dorm room may only have two or three outlets for you to use, pick a power strip that can accommodate all of your electronics. Belkin's line of home and office surge protectors offer all the basic features and functions, and can accommodate up to 12 different gadgets. These heavy-duty power strips are usually set to "always on" mode so all gadgets will be powered up together when they are plugged in. I like to use these types of power strips for larger electronics like the television, DVD player and entertainment system. Having all the wires go to one place makes it easier to prevent wires from getting tangled. They're also easier to hide in the living space.

Remote Control Power Strips

If you're living in a fairly spacious dorm room or are sharing space with a few other people, consider getting a power strip designed with remote control functionality. These power strips deliver continuous power to all gadgets plugged into the strip, but the remote lets you shut off power for several devices when you need to. This can be a simple way to control the power to a certain computer, home entertainment system and other larger electronics or gadgets with one click.

USB Controlled Power Strips

Do you have a lot of small, desktop gadgets that need to be plugged into an outlet? Common dorm items like a desk lamp, second monitor, speaker system, and other peripheral devices can be plugged in to an EcoStrip USB-controlled power strip that is connected to a main computer. This can be a great space-saver for very cramped work spaces and smaller dorm rooms and will also save energy. When you shut down your computer, all of the peripheral devices are shut down at the same time.

Computers, televisions and other electronics can be completely destroyed if they are plugged directly into a wall outlet during a severe storm. Larger electronics and appliances will also use up a lot of energy. Investing in a few power strips for your dorm room may mean some energy savings in the long run, and also some big savings on the cost of replacing your favorite gadgets and electronics in the event of storm damage.

Sources:

Crutchfield -- Power Protection: How it Works

TODAY Tech -- How to choose a good surge protector

How Stuff Works -- How can a surge protector save energy