Posted on Apr 26, 2024 12:18 PM EDT
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If those two sockets in your outdoor outlet aren’t enough to fulfill your outdoor power needs, then you’ll want to invest in a good outdoor power strip. These handy appliances can multiply a single socket into six or even 10, allowing you to power multiple strings of lights or various outdoor appliances simultaneously.
Outdoor power strips come in a variety of sizes, from small three-outlet models up to large 10-outlet beasts. Unlike indoor models, these rugged, weather-resistant power strips can endure extreme temperatures and even downpours. Understanding what weather conditions an outdoor power strip is rated to handle is key to purchasing the right one.
Having used outdoor power strips regularly to provide electricity for my smoker and outdoor patio lights, I’m familiar with what one needs to look for in these devices. Ahead, I put seven of the best outdoor power strips to the test.
After comparing specs and reviewing dozens of customer reviews on 20 different outdoor power strips, I narrowed the field down to the top seven. Since power strip safety is key, I also chose models with overload safety features and weather resistance ratings. I then put those seven portable power strips to the test in my home over the course of 3 weeks. My testing involved dropping them on concrete, dousing them with water, and subjecting them to extreme temperatures, all in an effort to determine which ones were the toughest.
The outdoor power strips below are the best of the bunch. My selections range from small three-outlet power strips up to large capacity 10-outlet models.
Our Ratings: Capacity 4.5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Weather Resistance 5/5
The APS power strip offers two different types of outlets, ample capacity, and excellent weather resistance, which is why it’s the best all-around option when it comes to expanding the capacity of your outdoor power outlet.
Thanks to drainage holes that direct water that enters through its sockets out of the housing, the power trip can handle prolonged exposure to rain, making it suitable for uncovered outdoor areas. During testing, it provided power to all outlets without tripping its internal fuse or a circuit breaker while being subjected to a continuous spray of water.
Along with being weatherproof, the power strip also has a durable feel, thanks to a tough plastic housing. It barely registered a scratch during our drop tests.
Along with its excellent weather resistance, the APS power strip also offers a nice collection of socket options. Its six three-prong outlets are well spaced with no obstructions. I had no problem fitting larger plugs side by side. There are also three USB plugs on the end of the power strip that are convenient for charging smart devices or powering lights or small appliances that use a USB outlet. My son found it particularly handy for charging the battery on his drone.
There were other notable features I liked about this power strip, including an internal circuit breaker that will trip it at 1,875 watts and a 306 rotating ball joint where the power cord connects to the power strip, preventing bending that can cause damage at this connection point. With its ample capacity and top-notch weather resistance, it’s a great option for prolonged outdoor use.
Get the APS outdoor power strip at Amazon.
Our Ratings: Capacity 3/5; Durability 4.5/5; Weather Resistance 5/5
EIGSO’s weatherproof outdoor power strip is one of the most affordable models that still offers a high degree of weather resistance. With its IPX6 rating, it can withstand continuous rainfall thanks to drainage holes on the back of the power strip that allow water that finds its way into the sockets to drain out. During testing, all three outlets continued to operate after prolonged exposure to sprayed water.
Along with its water resistance, the EIGSO power strip also offers outstanding safety features, including a built-in circuit breaker that cuts off power if voltage exceeds 1,875 watts or 15 amps.
Although this is one of the most affordable outdoor power strips you’ll find, it also offers the fewest outlets with just three, which may not be enough for large holiday light displays. I did like the fact that the outlets are spaced far enough apart that I could fit multiple large plugs side by side. Its compact size also makes it less conspicuous than other bulkier power strips.
The EIGSO’s build quality is excellent. The on/off switch is protected from rain by a rubber casing, and the cable has a rotatable connection to the power strip’s housing that prevents twisting that can cause damage. Its durable construction and excellent weather resistance make it a great choice if all you need is a three-socket plug.
Get the EIGSO weatherproof outdoor power strip at Amazon.
Our Ratings: Capacity 5/5; Durability 5/5; Weather Resistance none
Along with its tough build quality and large capacity, this outdoor power strip is exceptionally well designed for those who need a power hub for corded power tools. Whereas other power strips I tested have a plastic housing, CRST’s has a tough aluminum housing that, combined with the thick plastic covers on its ends, makes it capable of enduring plenty of abuse and drops. It also has a thicker 14-gauge power cord (most are 16 gauge). While this isn’t a big deal if you’re using it to power LED lighting, it is if you’re using power-hungry tools that can heat up thinner gauge cords.
At 15 feet, the power cord is much longer than others, which allowed me to extend it out into the yard or driveway without having to add an outdoor extension cord. And while that long cord could be unwieldy if you don’t need all 15 feet, CRST solves this issue with an integrated cord holder that allows you to wrap any slack neatly around the housing and secure it with the included Velcro strap.
Its 10 outlets offer tremendous capacity, making it a great option for those who need to connect multiple power tools to a power source for big projects. Its bright yellow color makes it more visible to foot traffic, and it comes equipped with a 15 amp breaker switch.
It isn’t weather-resistant, limiting its use to dry weather, but that’s acceptable given that it’s designed to work with power tools you wouldn’t use in the rain. If you’re looking for a power hub for inside and outside your workshop, this is the one.
Get the CRST outdoor power strip at Amazon.
Our Ratings: Capacity 3.5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Weather Resistance 4/5
A compact design with solid build quality makes the Loitinsy a good option for those looking for an outdoor surge protector power strip that can handle USB inputs.
Out of the box, this wall-mounted power strip has a heavy, solid feel and yet is more compact than other power strips. There are three USB inputs that are ideal for charging a smart device or powering lights that use a USB connection. The four three-prong plugs are spaced far enough apart that I was able to plug in devices that use larger plugs without blocking an adjoining one.
There are also small mounting brackets on the four corners of the power strip’s housing, which give you the option of mourning it to an exterior wall if you plan to use it outdoors over the long term.
The Loitinsy power strip’s outlets worked well, including all three USB outlets, after splashing the power strip with water. Keep in mind that this outdoor sport strip is only IPX4 rated; it can withstand light rain and splashes but won’t withstand prolonged exposure to water. This makes it suitable for covered spaces, patios, or porches. Overall, this is an affordable, well-built outdoor option for anyone looking for a power strip that offers both USB and standard three-prong outlets.
Get the Loitinsy outdoor power strip at Amazon.
Our Ratings: Capacity 4/5; Durability 4/5; Weather Resistance 4/5
The challenges with outdoor holiday lighting involve finding enough sockets for all those light strands and running them to your outdoor outlet. The Defiant helps solve both problems thanks to its six outlets and stake design, which allowed me to set it up anywhere in the yard. And while I’ve used stake-style power strips before, this one has a significantly longer stake that makes it more stable.
Defiant also makes operating holiday light displays easy with a robust smartphone app. After setup, which only took a few minutes, I was able to turn off the power hub and set schedules and timers all from my smartphone. This functionality is crucial for anyone who has ever had to venture outside to plug and unplug their light display on December evenings. I was even able to integrate it with Alexa, allowing me to control the power strip via voice commands.
Since this power strip is meant to sit in your yard, I expected it to ace my water test, and it did, performing without issues even under intense sprays of water. The Defiant has a sturdy, hard plastic construction that can endure the foot traffic it’s likely to encounter in a yard. There are also spring-loaded covers that protect unused outlets from rain, though the covers do inhibit the use of larger plugs. Other than that minor gripe, Defiant is a great option for powering light displays thanks to its smart controls, large capacity, and sturdy build.
Get the Defiant outdoor power strip at The Home Depot or Walmart.
Our Ratings: Capacity 5/5; Durability 3.5/5; Weather Resistance 4/5
Those in need of a lot of outlets to handle multiple strings of holiday lights, backyard string lights, or even an outdoor cooking appliance would do well to consider this outdoor power strip from EIGSO. With eight outlets, it’s capable of handling numerous outdoor electrical needs, all at once.
During testing, the EIGSO performed well. It was undaunted by extended sprays of water, continuing to supply power without shorting out or tripping the circuit breaker for my outdoor outlet. The EIGSO is also tough. Its plastic housing endured our drop tests with little more than minor scratches. It also includes an automatic shutoff when loads clear 1,875 watts to prevent potential fires.
Along with its excellent weather resistance, I also liked the wide spacing of the outlets, which made it easy to fit multiple cords in them without them butting up against each other. I also liked the brackets on the back of the power strip that make it possible to mount it to a wall for long-term outdoor use. With its high IPX weather resistance rating and numerous sockets, the EIGSO is a great option for powering backyard string lights or outdoor electrical appliances.
Get the EIGSO 8-outlet outdoor power strip at Amazon.
The HBN six-outlet outdoor smart plug at first glance looks like a great choice to serve as a hub for outdoor lighting displays. It’s solidly built with a heavy-grade plastic construction, and its stake design allows you to set it up in a central location for a front yard light display. Its six outlets offer plenty of capacity to handle even larger lighting displays. It’s also weather-resistant with covers that protect unused outlets from rain. Where the HBN fails is with its Wi-Fi connectivity. Despite an extended effort, I simply could not get it to connect to my home’s Wi-Fi network, even after referring to the included instruction manual and HBN video tutorial on YouTube. Checking with online reviews, I discovered this was a widespread problem with this power strip. Given that the HBN’s main selling point is its smart controls, I can’t recommend this model.
Ahead, find out what kind of safety ratings accompany outdoor power strips, how they vary in size, and what you can find in smart models.
Outdoor power strips have safety features to prevent them from shorting out due to overloading. Some outdoor power strips also function as surge protectors and have built-in fuses that cut off the flow of current when it exceeds the maximum wattage for a standard 15-amp outlet, which is 1,875 watts.
Outdoor power strips designed for continuous outdoor use also have an IPX rating, which designates how water-resistant they are. Those with an IPX4 rating are able to endure light rain and splashes of water, which is adequate for using the power strip outdoors under a covered patio or porch. Outdoor power strips with a high IPX6 rating can withstand continued exposure to heavy rain, making them suitable for use in places where there is no protection from the elements. Keep in mind there is no waterproof outdoor power strip. Never submerge a power strip in water.
How many strands of electric lights, power tools, or other electrical appliances an outdoor power strip can handle is determined by the number of outlets it has. Electrical strip outlets can range from as few as three outlets for smaller power strips up to as many as 10. Along with the number of outlets, it’s also important to pay attention to their spacing. Some electrical appliances and lighting have larger plugs that may block an adjacent outlet when plugged in.
Cord length for outdoor power strips ranges from 4 feet up to 15 feet. A power strip with long cord length can eliminate the need for outside extension cables, though they can be cumbersome if the extra length isn’t required. A shorter cord is ideal if the outdoor power strip is set up close to the outdoor outlet. The best portable power stations eliminate the need for cords entirely.
If you do need an extension cord for your surge protector, check out our ranking of the best extension cords.
Some outdoor power strips are Wi-Fi ready, allowing them to connect to your home network. These smart power strips can be controlled via a smartphone app, which is ideal for turning on and off holiday lighting displays. These apps also allow you to set up schedules and timers that automatically turn the outlets on and off, which is ideal when using a power strip for temporary or permanent outdoor lighting displays.
Read on to find out how long outdoor power strips last, the differences between a surge protector and a power strip, and what appliances you should never plug into a power strip.
The average power strip lasts about 3 to 5 years, depending on how often you use it and how you store it. If the power strip spends extended amounts of time outdoors in the elements, expect to replace it more often. When not in use, store it in a clean, dust-free environment.
While a power strip simply adds extra outlet space, a surge protector will protect any electronics plugged into it against spikes in voltage. Outlet surge protectors contain a fuse that automatically cuts off power when voltage exceeds a certain limit. Some power strips also function as surge protector power strips.
Power strips use a small amount of electricity when plugged in, so technically they can waste electricity. However, higher-end power strips can actually save electricity by preventing devices that are attached to them from using vampire power, which is electricity that appliances and electronics consume even when they’re turned off.
Devices that use a lot of power should not be plugged into a power strip as they can overload it. This includes kitchen appliances both large and small, hair dryers, flat irons and other hairstyling appliances, space heaters and portable air conditioners, and other power strips.
Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. His articles have been featured on such sites as Angi, Popular Science, Futurism, 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report, Domino, and more. Carrick has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from power tools to home security systems to backyard grills. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag.
We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.
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