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Best Power Strip With Individual Switches for a Safer, Tidier Workspace
A power strip with individual switches lets one outlet power down without unplugging everything else, which matters in garages, workshops, and home offices where a dozen devices share one cord. This short roundup covers five picks: heavy-duty metal strips for high-draw tools, wide-spacing models for bulky adapters, and one compact budget bar for light-duty desk and nursery use. The overview below shows each pick’s key spec and best use, so most readers can choose in under a minute and then read the full review for details.
Overview of the Picks
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moutable Metal Power Strip Surge Protector | 8 outlets, 8 individual switches, 1200J | High-draw garage and workshop benches | Mid |
| KeBen Heavy Duty Power Strip | 6 outlets, flat plug, 1200J, 1875W/ETL | Tight wall outlets and appliance clusters | Mid |
| 1.77" Extra Wide Spacing Power Strip | 6 outlets, 1.77" spacing, 1200J | Bulky adapters and tool chargers | Mid-plus |
| 1.77" Wide Spacing Power Strip with Mounting Brackets | 8 outlets, 1.77" spacing, 1200J | Wall-mounted shop and school setups | Premium |
| Power Strip with Individual Switches (3-Outlet) | 3 outlets, 3 ft cord, 300J | Desk, bedroom, and nursery use | Budget |
1. Moutable Metal Power Strip Surge Protector — Best Overall for Heavy-Duty Use
Outlets: 8
Individual Switches: 8
Surge Rating: 1200J
Cord: 6 ft, 14AWG
Electrical Rating: 15A, 1800W, 125V, 60Hz
Housing: Metal
Color: Black
The Moutable pairs a metal housing with a 14AWG cord, a heavier gauge than the flimsy leads on most consumer strips, so it holds up better under continuous draw from tools and appliances. Eight outlets each carry their own rocker switch, which means a bench can keep a charger, lamp, and radio live while a saw or compressor is switched off between cuts. The 1200J surge rating and 15A/1800W ceiling put it in the same class as serious workshop strips rather than desk accessories.
This is the pick for a garage or shop bench where several high-draw devices share one strip and the user wants per-outlet control without crawling under a table. The trade-off: eight switches crowded onto one faceplate can be fiddly to tell apart in dim light, so labeling each rocker is worth the effort.
2. KeBen Heavy Duty Power Strip — Best for Tight Wall Outlets
Outlets: 6
Individual Switches: Yes
Surge Rating: 1200J
Plug: Flat plug
Electrical Rating: 1875W, 15A
Housing: Metal
Cord: 6 ft
The KeBen’s flat plug is the feature that earns it a spot: the low-profile head tucks against the wall behind furniture and appliances, so the strip can sit where a standard right-angle plug would block the neighboring socket. Six switched outlets, a 1200J surge rating, and a metal body cover the essentials, and the 1875W/15A rating handles appliance clusters like a washer, dryer accessories, and a utility light on one run. The 6 ft cord gives enough reach to route from a wall outlet to a shelf or bench.
It suits renters and homeowners who need a strip behind a couch, washer, or workbench where the outlet sits in a tight spot. The trade-off: six outlets on a flat-plug body is a modest count for a full shop, so buyers with more than a handful of devices should step up to an eight-outlet model.
3. 1.77" Extra Wide Spacing Power Strip — Best for Bulky Plugs
Outlets: 6
Outlet Spacing: 1.77"
Individual Switches: Yes
Surge Rating: 1200J
Electrical Rating: 15A, 1875W
Housing: Metal
Cord: 6 ft
The 1.77" spacing is the entire reason to buy this strip: wall warts, timers, and tool chargers that hog two slots on a standard strip each get their own on this one. Six switched outlets, a 1200J surge rating, and a metal housing round out the package, and the 15A/1875W ceiling matches the heavy-duty class. It fits garage, workshop, home, school, and office settings where adapter bricks and odd-shaped plugs are the norm.
This is the pick for a household with power-hungry adapters, a 3D printer station, or a school charging cart where standard spacing wastes outlets. The trade-off: wide spacing makes the strip physically longer than a compact six-outlet model, so it needs a clear length of wall or bench to mount.
4. 1.77" Wide Spacing Power Strip with Mounting Brackets — Best Wall-Mounted Pick
Outlets: 8
Outlet Spacing: 1.77"
Individual Switches: Yes
Surge Rating: 1200J
Mounting Brackets: Included
Electrical Rating: 15A, 1875W
Cord: 6 ft
This model combines two features that rarely appear together: eight widely spaced outlets and included mounting brackets. The 1.77" spacing clears bulky adapters, the metal body and 1200J surge rating match the heavy-duty class, and the 15A/1875W ceiling covers a full bench of tools. The brackets let the strip hang on a wall or under a shelf, keeping cords off the floor and outlets at arm’s reach.
It’s the pick for a permanent shop, garage, or classroom setup where the strip stays put and outlets need to be reachable without bending. The trade-off: eight wide-spaced outlets and mounting hardware push this into the premium tier, so buyers on a tight budget can get similar protection for less by skipping the brackets.
5. Power Strip with Individual Switches (3-Outlet) — Best Budget Pick
Outlets: 3
Individual Switches: Yes
Surge Rating: 300J
Cord: 3 ft
Plug: Flat plug
Color: White
Extras: Baby-proof outlet cover, wall-mountable
This compact bar is a different animal from the metal workshop strips: three switched outlets, a 3 ft cord, a flat plug, and a 300J surge rating sized for light electronics rather than power tools. The included baby-proof outlet cover and wall-mountable body make it a natural fit for a nursery, bedroom, or desk where the goal is switching off a lamp or charger without unplugging. The white finish blends into home interiors better than a black metal strip.
It’s the pick for light-duty, indoor, family settings where three devices is enough and portability matters. The trade-off: 300J and three outlets are modest protection for high-value electronics, so buyers with a desktop PC, TV, and peripherals should choose a 1200J metal strip instead.
Before You Buy
- Outlet count: Count every device that will stay plugged in, then add one spare; switching to a strip with too few outlets defeats the purpose.
- Spacing: Measure the widest adapter brick in the setup; 1.77" spacing is the safe choice for wall warts and timers, standard spacing suits slim plugs only.
- Surge rating: Match joules to the load — 1200J suits tools and appliances, while a 300J bar is for lamps, chargers, and small electronics.
- Cord gauge and length: A 14AWG cord handles continuous draw better than thin leads; check that the cord reaches from the wall outlet to the mounting spot.
- Mounting: Brackets, keyhole slots, or a wall-mountable body decide whether the strip can hang under a shelf or on a bench back.
- Plug style: A flat plug is essential behind furniture and appliances where a standard right-angle head would block the neighboring socket.
- Housing material: Metal bodies resist dents and heat better in garages; plastic is lighter and cheaper for desk use.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does an individual switch on a power strip actually do?
Each switch cuts power to its own outlet, so one device can be turned off while the rest stay live — useful for tools, chargers, and lamps that don’t need to run constantly. -
Is a 1200J surge rating enough for power tools?
Yes. A 1200J strip paired with a 15A/1875W rating is the standard heavy-duty class and suits garage and workshop loads better than a low-joule desk bar. -
Why does outlet spacing matter so much?
Bulky adapter bricks and timers can cover two standard slots; 1.77" spacing gives each plug its own room, so no outlet goes to waste. -
Can these strips be mounted on a wall?
Several picks here are wall-mountable, and one includes mounting brackets; check the product name for bracket or wall-mount wording before buying. -
Is a 3-outlet strip with a baby-proof cover safe for a nursery?
It’s designed for that use, but the 300J rating and three outlets mean it should stay on light loads like lamps and monitors, not heaters or tools. -
What cord length is typical for these strips?
Most heavy-duty picks here use a 6 ft cord, while the compact budget bar uses 3 ft — measure the run from outlet to mounting spot before choosing.
Bottom Line
For most buyers, the Moutable Metal Power Strip Surge Protector is the best power strip with individual switches: eight switched outlets, a 14AWG cord, a metal body, and a 1200J rating cover garage, workshop, and home-office duty in one purchase. Buyers who need wide spacing or wall brackets should look at the 1.77" models, and light-duty desk or nursery setups are better served by the compact 3-outlet bar.
