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APC · Power board / surge protector

APC

Good7/10

American UPS and surge-protection brand (SurgeArrest, Back-UPS), owned by France's Schneider Electric since 2007.

Founded
1981
From
United States
HQ
Rueil-Malmaison, France
Owned by
Schneider Electric (2007)
Made in
Mostly Asia
Also sold as
APC by Schneider Electric, American Power Conversion, SurgeArrest
www.apc.com

Power board / surge protector

Good7/10Mid-range

APC, owned by Schneider Electric, is a specialist in power protection, and its Essential SurgeArrest boards are a common pick for PCs and home theatre. They are plain and light on USB charging, but the surge focus and support are solid.

Good at

  • Specialist surge brand (also makes UPSs)
  • SurgeArrest models warn when protection is spent
  • Sold in AU/NZ, UK and US plug versions

Weak at

  • Plain designs with few USB-C charging options
  • Mostly sold through IT retailers, not supermarkets
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Essential SurgeArrestSurgeArrest Home/OfficeBack-UPS (UPS)

Best for: PC and AV setups that want a dedicated surge brand

nzauukushk (not sold)

Power board / surge protector brands in United States

APC is #2 of 2, best rated first.

#BrandRatingPriceDetails
1BelkinUnited States7/10GoodPremium
2APCUnited States7/10GoodMid-range

Researched September 2026 from public reviews, consumer groups and retailer listings, and summarised by hand — ratings are a judgement, not a lab score. Check current reviews and local retailers before you buy.