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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallUnplugging devices can reduce electricity use when they draw standby power, but there is no verified bill saving—or confirmed list of seven devices—behind the original personal claim. Whether your bill changes depends on what each device draws while idle, how long it stays disconnected, and your electricity rate. A practical approach is to measure the loads you can safely switch off and estimate the result before treating it as a saving.
What does “off” mean when a device is still plugged in?
A device can appear switched off yet continue to use electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) defines standby power as the lowest power consumption while a device remains connected to mains. That draw may support features such as remote readiness or a display, so disconnecting a device can trade convenience for lower use. DOE explains the issue in its renter energy-saving guidance.
Standby use is not the same across all products. DOE’s technical summary of standby-power measurement distinguishes stable from fluctuating consumption; fluctuating loads need to be measured over time to calculate an average. The total you can avoid therefore depends on the actual devices and their off or standby states—not simply how many items are plugged in.
Which devices are worth checking?
The available evidence does not identify the seven devices in the headline or establish that any particular seven are the biggest household standby loads. Instead of assuming a universal unplug list, check devices that remain connected when you are not using them and determine what they draw in that state.
#1 Best Overall
- Surge protection: ETL-certified surge protection shields sensitive electronics and appliances from sudden power surges.
- Look for equipment that stays ready for a remote, keeps a display on, or otherwise remains available while it seems off.
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions before cutting power: a device may need continuous power for network access, clock retention, charging, or scheduled operation.
- Prioritize only loads you can disconnect without disrupting a feature you rely on. A device that draws little in standby may not be worth the inconvenience.
DOE’s quiz repeats a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory attribution that a typical American home has 40 products constantly drawing power, together amounting to almost 10% of residential electricity use. The quiz does not state when that finding was published, so it should not be read as a current measurement of every home or as evidence about your own bill: DOE’s Home Energy IQ quiz.
How to estimate whether unplugging could affect your bill
Measure the device in the state you plan to change—such as standby or switched off but still plugged in. For a steady draw, note its watts. For a fluctuating load, use a suitable electricity monitor over a representative period and divide the energy measured by the hours monitored to find average power, consistent with DOE’s guidance.
Rank #2
- 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟗 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Connects and surge protects 6 individually controlled smart AC outlets and 3 always-on USB ports (5V 2.4A) for simultaneous, smart power across home or office setups.
- 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐔𝐬𝐞 & 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 - Monitor energy consumption for each AC outlet with comprehensive insights, and save money by scheduling devices to turn off during inactive hours.
- 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 - Features a flush-fitting plug for discreet placement behind furniture, including couches, and a 3-foot power cord for space saving placement.
- 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Automatically shuts off the outlet when your device/s are fully charged, preventing overcharging and extending battery life.
- 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 - Matter-certified devices, regardless of brand, can work together and are can be controlled through most major smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings.
- Record average standby watts for the device, or measure energy over time if its draw fluctuates.
- Estimate avoided energy with this calculation: average watts × hours disconnected ÷ 1,000 = estimated kWh avoided.
- Multiply the estimated kWh by the electricity rate that applies to your account to estimate the cost difference.
- Compare actual bills only after allowing for the billing period and other changes in household use; the calculation alone is an estimate, not proof that a bill fell by that amount.
A plug-in electricity usage monitor can help measure an individual load, but buying one does not itself establish savings. No universal dollar amount or percentage follows from unplugging: the result depends on measured average power, time disconnected, and the applicable rate.
Power strip or smart plug: which makes more sense?
| Option | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Switched power strip | Several devices normally used together, when one switch can disconnect them as a group. | Confirm that none of the connected devices needs continuous power, network availability, clock retention, charging, or scheduled operation. DOE and ENERGY STAR recommend power strips as a central way to turn off equipment that does not need to stay powered. |
| Smart plug | Individual outlet control, including schedules or remote switching where supported. | Check the device and plug instructions, load rating, features, and whether the control plug’s own standby use affects the result. DOE lists smart plugs as an option in its renter guidance. |
ENERGY STAR describes plug-load monitors and controls, including smart plugs and strips, in its Smart Home Energy Management Systems criteria. Those criteria concern qualifying packages and service platforms; they do not mean every standalone plug or strip is ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR also recommends using a power strip as a central off point in its home energy-saving tips.
Rank #3
- EASY SETUP: Start usage in minutes by plugging in the smart extension cord and connecting via the Alexa app
- CONTROL ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Manage your electronics from afar with the power strip with USB features; schedule appliances to turn on/off automatically or remotely to fit your lifestyle
- VERSATILE CONTROL OPTIONS: Use the multi outlet extension cord to control 6 outlets independently or group them for unified operation
- HUB-FREE SMART FUNCTIONALITY: Seamlessly integrate with Alexa using this smart power strip WiFi, create routines and schedules with ease using the Alexa app, no need for a hub. 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports
What the bigger electricity-use figures do—and do not—show
ENERGY STAR attributes to the Consumer Technology Association an estimate that 3.4 billion consumer electronic devices used about 143 TWh in 2017, approximately 10% of residential-sector electricity consumption. That figure describes total use by those devices, not electricity wasted in standby; it cannot tell you how much a particular household would save by unplugging them.
Likewise, DOE’s federal purchasing guidance says agencies must buy products with standby power at or below 1 watt when compliant models are available. This is a federal procurement requirement, not a household rule or a consumer label; see DOE’s Low Standby Power Products guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 8-OUTLET SURGE PROTECTION: Safeguard your valuable electronics with 8 outlets, including 6 smart outlets for individual control and 2 always-on outlets for essential devices.
- 1200 JOULE SURGE PROTECTION: Rest assured that your devices are shielded from damaging power surges with surge protection up to 1200 joules.
- SMART CONTROL AND AUTOMATION: Conveniently control your smart outlets from anywhere using the Geeni app or voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
- EXTENDED POWER REACH: A 6-foot cord provides ample reach to connect your devices, ensuring convenient placement and eliminating cord clutter.
- NO HUB REQUIRED: Seamlessly integrate the Surge Ultra into your smart home ecosystem without the need for a hub. Simply connect to your home Wi-Fi and start managing your devices right away.
Rank #4
- 【Multi-Function Smart Power Strip(2.4G WIFI ONLY)】: 8 AC outlets with 4 smart outlets and 4 always on outlets, the 4 Alexa smart outlets works with Alexa or Google Assistant for Voice Control, Remote Control Your Home appliances from Anywhere, NOTE: Please make sure you have 2.4G WiFi before buying, this product does not support 5G wifi network and not work with encrypted WiFi networks, or open end public networks with no password.
- 【Voice Control with Alexa & Google Home】: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google home assistant , control your home appliances with the smart plug by simply giving voice commands to Alexa or Google Assistant.
- 【Set Schedule & Timer with APP (smart life) Control】: Remote Control Your Home appliances from Anywhere, Schedule the Smart Plug to automatically power electronics on and off as needed, like setting lights to come on at dusk or turn off at sunrise. You can create a group for all of your smart devices and control them all with just one command. With the countdown timer feature, simply set a timer for the Smart Plug to turn off its appliance automatically. Each of the plugs can be controlled.
- 【Surge Protector Outlet and USB Charging Station】：the AC outlets built-in surge protector 1680 Joules, 4 USB ports. It can charge almost any USB device (smartphone, tablet, Amazon Kindle, fire stick, e-reader, bluetooth headphones, portable speaker etc). NOTE: the USB ports and the 4 always on outlets will be on once the outlet is plugged in, they are not controlled by the app.
- 【Our After Sale Service】: ETL Certified, Our friendly and reliable customer service will respond to you within 24 hours. You can purchase with confidence, with our 30-day return and 12-month Warranty.
How to turn this into a safe household routine
- Choose a small group of devices that are used together and do not need to remain powered.
- Read their instructions and identify any features that would stop working when power is cut.
- Measure standby use if you want an estimate rather than assuming every connected device is a meaningful load.
- Use a switched strip for suitable groups or a smart plug for individual control, and check ratings and features before connecting equipment.
- Track your own usage and bills over comparable periods if you want to determine whether the change made a noticeable difference.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
