Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger Review

New Compact Belkin Mini Surge Protector Provides 2 x Powered USB + 3 x AC Outlets & Lifetime Product and $75,000 Connected Equipment Warranties for Complete Travel Protection

Over the last couple of years the number of devices that can be powered by USB has increased dramatically and in my case this includes both the Treo and Centro smartphones (with my preferred SPE Retractable S&C Cable), the New Jawbone Bluetooth Headset as well as my Battery Charger.

Thanks to the new Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger you not only get an accessory that is perfect to charge those USB accessories (thanks to two rather convenient powered USB outlets providing 5V/500mA to each port) but also for those trips when (frequently) neither hotel rooms nor airport terminals have enough power outlets (or they’re damaged) to charge all the devices that you bring along (thanks to its three AC outlets). 

Perhaps even more importantly, this small Belkin Mini Surge Protector provides complete surge protection through all five outlets and is backed by both a Lifetime Product and a $75,000 Connected Equipment Warranties.

Additionally, the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger offers a 360-degree rotating plug (including a cap to protect the actual plug above right) with four locking positions (images below) that make it ideal to have this product at exactly the right angle that you need to provide access to your power cables.

Aside the fact that the unit will unfortunatley only work with a voltage of 120V (therefore cannot be used with the 240V found in Europe and other parts of the world) the only other complaint that I have is that the three AC outlets could have been separated a bit further (for example by placing one at the bottom and two in the main body).  Depending on the chargers or plugs that you insert in the AC outlets you may find that you only have two of the three outlets available because of lack of space – it’s not a huge issue but one that you should be aware of.

Having said this, overall I found the Belkin Mini Surge Protector to be superbly well designed and built (extremely solid with top quality plastics used) as well as being quite elegant with its grey and white accents.  Additionally, considering that it houses a surge protector, 2 USB and 3 AC outlets the unit is also very compact (5” x 2” x 1.5”) and lightweight (196 grams / 6.7oz) – certainly a bonus for a travel accessory of this kind.

Because I have too frequently had to experience the lack of available outlets (or poorly positioned outlets) during my trips plus the fact that I also have concerns about potential electrical damage to my laptop, smartphone and accessories I certainly feel that the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger will provide me with all the protection that I need and it has thus now been added to my kit.

Separately, if like me you travel internationally you may also consider the Mobi Products World Wall Adapter (with dual USB outlets) and if you’re looking for essential accessories for your Treo or Centro smartphone here below are also a few of my basic recommendations:

6 Essential Centro Accessories

1. Centro screen protectors: easy protection for your delicate touchscreen.
2. Centro stereo adapter: essential if you want to listen to music on the go using a standard 3.5mm headset of your choice.
3. Retractable Sync & Charge Cable: simple, extremely practical with the retractable system that avoids the mess of cable and terrific value.
4. Microfiber Cleaning Cloth: keep it in your pocket every day and use it to quickly wipe those smudges and face oils from your touchscreen.
5. SanDisk MobileMate SD+ Reader: if like me you cannot live without a high-capacity memory card then I can’t more highly recommend this small and light pocket card reader.
6. Centro Stylus

6 Essential Treo Accessories

1. Treo screen protectors
2. Treo stereo adapter
3. Retractable Synch & Charger Cable
4. Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
5. SanDisk MobileMate SD+ Reader
6. Treo Stylus

Treonauts are always fully charged…