When owning an RV, it’s crucial to protect its electrical system from unstable campground power, which could cause expensive damage. A reliable RV surge protector is your first line of defense, absorbing harmful voltage spikes. This guide will help you select the perfect RV surge protector, considering key factors like amperage, voltage, and surge rating.
- Amperage: Choose a surge protector that can handle your RV’s electrical demand. Ensure it has the right amperage rating, typically between 30 and 50 amps, matching your RV’s requirements.
- Voltage Protection: Find a surge protector that guards against both high and low-voltage situations. A wide operating range, such as 90-140 volts for low voltage and 220-240 volts for high voltage, offers comprehensive protection.
- Surge Rating: Search for a protector with a strong surge rating, indicating its ability to absorb energy. A rating of 9000 Joules or more provides solid protection for your RV’s electronics during voltage spikes.
Best RV Surge Protectors In 2024 – Comparison
| Best RV Surge Protectors | Current Amperes | Voltage | Surge rating | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Industries RV Surge Protector | 50A | 120/240V | 1,650 joules | Check On Amazon |
| POWSAF RV Surge Protector | 50A | 240 V | 4100 Joules | Check On Amazon |
| Kohree RV Surge Protector | 30 A | 125 V | 8000 Joules | Check On Amazon |
| Power Watchdog RV Surge Protector | 30 A | 112 V | 3000 Joules | Check On Amazon |
| GEARGO RV Surge Protector | 50 A | 125 V | 9500 Joules | Check On Amazon |
| Camco RV Surge Protector | 50 A | 132 V | 4200 Joules | Check On Amazon |
| Zikopomi RV Surge Protector | 30 A | 125 V | 2100 Joules | Check On Amazon |
Best RV Surge Protectors Reviews
1. Progressive Industries RV Surge Protector
RV adventures with confidence, shielded by the reliability of Progressive Industries Surge Protectors. These guardians of your electronic companions offer robust protection against voltage fluctuations, power surges, and campground power issues, ensuring your journey remains uninterrupted by unexpected electrical challenges. It presents a range of surge protectors available in portable and hardwired options. Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or a weekend camper, there’s a perfect shield for your unique needs. Choose from 30-amp or 50-amp models, each armed with advanced surge protection technology capable of absorbing up to 1,650 joules a powerful defense against damaging jolts.
It introduces a suite of features including over/under voltage detection, open ground/neutral protection, reverse polarity detection, and surge failure indication. These intelligent safeguards proactively alert you to potential issues before they can harm your RV’s electrical system. These boast rugged construction, all-weather shield assembly, thermal protection, and a durable Lexan housing, ensuring reliable performance even in harsh weather conditions.
Choose the protection level that suits you best opt for the plug-and-play simplicity of portable models or the permanent safeguard provided by hardwired units. Some models even include a separate pedestal tester, offering an additional layer of security by allowing you to assess campground power quality before connecting your RV.
Key Features:
- Advanced Surge Protection (Up to 1,650 joules)
- Over/Under Voltage Detection
- Open Ground/Neutral Protection
- Reverse Polarity Detection
- Surge Failure Indication
- Rugged All-Weather Construction
- Portable and Hardwired Options
- Pedestal Tester for Power Quality Check
- Proudly Made in the USA
Pros:
- Reliable Defense Against Electrical Issues
- Diverse Model Options (30-amp, 50-amp)
- Intelligent Safeguards for Early Issue Detection
- All-Weather Durability for Harsh Conditions
- Portable Simplicity or Permanent Protection
- Bonus Pedestal Tester for Added Security
- Proudly American-Made Quality
Cons:
- Shorter power cord lengths.
2. POWSAF RV Surge Protector
POWSAF’s 50-Amp Surge Protector, a steadfast guardian against voltage fluctuations, power surges, and campground power anomalies. With an impressive 4100-joule surge absorption capacity, this protector ensures your RV electronics remain unscathed by lightning strikes and minor voltage fluctuations, saving you from costly repairs. It serves as a fault detective with built-in LED indicators, alerting you to wiring issues like reverse polarity and open neutral before they become problematic. Its weatherproof design, boasting an IP67 rating, confidently withstands rain, dust, and unexpected encounters with water, providing reliable performance in diverse conditions.
The surge protector’s three-level complementary surge protection circuit offers double-layer defense, ensuring faster and more reliable protection for your valuable equipment compared to single-level circuits. Backed by a 30-day return policy and an impressive 36-month replacement warranty, POWSAF instills confidence in your investment. Its compact 16-inch design facilitates easy storage during travel, leaving ample space for your camping essentials. Bright LEDs ensure clear visibility of indicator lights in low-light conditions for quick power status checks. Built with heavy-duty materials, this surge protector can endure the bumps and scrapes of life on the road.
Key Features:
- 4100-joule Surge Absorption
- Built-in LED Fault Indicators
- Weatherproof Design (IP67 Rating)
- Patented Easy-To-Use Handles
- Three-Level Complementary Surge Protection
- Compact 16-inch Length
- Bright LEDs for Low-Light Visibility
- Heavy-Duty Construction
Pros:
- Comprehensive Surge Protection
- Diagnostic Capability for Wiring Issues
- Weather-Resistant for Diverse Conditions
- User-Friendly with Easy-To-Use Handles
- Enhanced Surge Defense with Triple-Level Protection
- Confidence-Boosting 30-Day Return and 36-Month Replacement Warranty
- Compact Design for Easy Travel Storage
- Clear Indicator Visibility in Low Light
Cons:
- Initial setup might require some familiarity with RV electrical systems.
3. Kohree RV Surge Protector
Kohree 50 Amp to 30 Amp RV Adapter with Surge Protection, not only converts 50-amp campground power to a 30-amp RV connection but also extends your camping options, eliminating the hassle of searching for the right hookup. It swiftly absorbs harmful voltage spikes in a mere 1 nanosecond, providing a lightning-fast shield against potential electrical issues. The circuit analyzer employs LED indicators to inform you of the campground power’s correctness before plugging in. It’s a proactive safety feature, identifying potential faults like open ground, reverse polarity, and more.
Ease and safety are at the forefront, thanks to the ergonomic power grip handle that simplifies plugging and unplugging, even with gloves on. Crafted from high-quality copper and heavy-duty PVC, this adapter is fireproof, temperature-resistant, and built to endure the rigors of life on the road, ensuring longevity and reliability. With an impressive surge protection rating of 8000 Joules, the adapter can withstand serious jolts, providing robust defense for your valuable electronics. Operating in temperatures ranging from -40°F to +221°F, it excels in harsh climates, showcasing its resilience in diverse weather conditions.
Key Features:
- Converts 50-amp to 30-amp for RV versatility
- Built-in Surge Protection (8000 Joules)
- Circuit Analyzer with LED Indicators
- Ergonomic Power Grip Handle
- High-Quality Copper and PVC Construction
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (-40°F to +221°F)
Pros:
- Expands Camping Options with Adaptability
- Lightning-Fast Surge Protection
- Proactive Fault Detection with Circuit Analyzer
- User-Friendly Ergonomic Design
- Durable and Resilient Construction
- Impressive Surge Protection Rating
- Wide Operating Temperature Tolerance
Cons:
- Occasional challenges with plugging into older campground outlets.
4. Power Watchdog RV Surge Protector
Coming over to the next surge protector, this one is from Hughes Autoformer, which is well-known to provide highly affordable surge protectors.
That said, this 30 amps surge protector does come at a very attractive price point as well. Looking at the design, it’s a pretty simple plug-and-play design which makes it extremely easy to use. On the main unit, you get three LED indicator lights that can display information by flashing lights in several combinations, which are all mentioned on the front panel itself. It’s a small 14’ surge protector that only weighs around 3 pounds which means you can easily store and carry it with you without any problems.
Speaking of its power ratings, it’s ideal to use with 120V power connections. It uses a highly efficient spike module that can handle up to 2400 Joules of electricity. Apart from all the basic features, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity that makes it connect to your smartphone via an application. This can be handy if you want to check information about the connection directly on your phone. Moreover, the brand offers a 2-year warranty for this surge protector also.
Key Features:
- 30 Amps surge protector
- LED indicator lights
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Ideal for 120V supply
- Supports up to 2400 Joules
- Plug-and-play design
- 2 Year Warranty
Pros:
- Decent pricing
- Can connect with your smartphone via Bluetooth and Application
- Highly portable
Cons:
- Could be easily stolen
5. GEARGO RV Surge Protector
GEARGO’s 50 Amp RV Surge Protector, a robust shield against campground power surges and electrical woes. Boasting a formidable 9500-joule surge protection, it envelops your electronics in a secure bubble, effortlessly turning even lightning strikes into mere yawns for your TV and laptop. It doubles as a power detective with a built-in circuit analyzer. Pre-plug-in, handy LED indicators detect lurking wiring faults in campground power, signaling warnings for issues like open ground and reverse polarity. This proactive feature safeguards your RV’s electrical system, preventing potential damage.
Safety is paramount with GEARGO’s IP68 waterproof design, resilient against rain, wind, and sandstorms. Flame-retardant materials and FCC testing elevate peace of mind, while ergonomic power grip handles simplify plugging and unplugging, accommodating even the clumsiest fingers. GEARGO’s compact design and right-angle male connector ensure easy storage and protect your power source from accidental bumps. It comes with a generous 3-year warranty, providing the confidence to venture far and wide with your electronics in tow.
Key Features:
- 9500-joule Surge Protection
- Built-in Circuit Analyzer with LED Indicators
- IP68 Waterproof Design
- Flame-Retardant Materials and FCC Testing
- Ergonomic Power Grip Handles
- Compact Design with Right-Angle Male Connector
- 3-Year Warranty for Added Confidence
Pros:
- Robust Shield Against Power Surges
- Proactive Fault Detection for Wiring Issues
- All-Weather Resilience with IP68 Waterproofing
- Safety Enhanced with Flame-Retardant Materials
- User-Friendly Design for Easy Plugging/Unplugging
- Compact and Portable for Convenient Storage
- Generous 3-Year Warranty for Added Assurance
Cons:
- The right-angle male connector may be challenging to fit into tight spaces.
6. Camco RV Surge Protector
In contrast with the previous one, if you want a plug-and-play surge protector for your RV, Camco is the most popular brand that you can trust on.
We are placing this surge protector in the 2nd position in this list since it’s highly efficient and easy to use as well. It can significantly save your RV from dangerously high (above 132VAC), and low (below 102VAC) power surges. Since it features an automatic shut-off feature, it automatically disconnects your RV from the electricity until the conditions go back to a safe state. An LED indicator is also provided that flashes whenever faults are detected and reset itself after a time delay of 140 seconds.
On the other hand, it also provides your RV complete protection against any wiring issues, reverse polarity, open neutral, etc. Apart from that, this 50 amps surge protector works fine and can handle up to 4,200 Joules of electricity pretty easily. The installation process is pretty quick as well since it comes with 50-Amp male (NEMA 14-50P)/50-Amp female (NEMA 14-50R) input and output which you can directly plugin and use. In addition, it’s totally weather-resistant, so there’ll be no issues using it outdoors, especially when it’s covered under a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Key Features:
- 50 amps surge protector
- 4200 Joules of surge protection
- 50-Amp male (NEMA 14-50P)
- 50-Amp female (NEMA 14-50R)
- Weather-Resistant
- 140 Second Reset time delay
- Auto Shut-off and Reset
- 1 Year Warranty
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Ideal for outdoor use
- Comes with PowerGrip handles
Cons:
- Slightly Expensive
7. Zikopomi RV Surge Protector
Zikopomi Smart RV Surge Protector, a 30-amp guardian shielding against unforeseen electrical surges. Resembling a knight in shining armor, this protector becomes the stalwart defender of your precious appliances, utilizing a triple-layer protection system to intercept surges with the precision of three vigilant bouncers, ensuring only safe electricity enters your RV. It has power with built-in diagnostic LEDs, eliminating mystery trips to the breaker box. The protector signals potential issues like open ground and reverse polarity, allowing you to address them proactively and prevent larger problems.
Designed to brave the elements, this protector boasts a weatherproof cover safeguarding sensitive circuits from rain, shine, heat, and cold. Its rugged construction stands resilient against bumps and scrapes, ensuring durability on every road. User-friendly features include an oversized handle for easy plugging and unplugging, even with gloves on. Bright LED indicators, visible from any angle, provide constant awareness of your power status. Crafted with high-quality materials like rubber and copper, ZIKOPOMI instills confidence in their product with a reliable build.
Key Features:
- Triple-layer surge protection
- Built-in diagnostic LEDs
- Weatherproof and durable design
- Oversized handle for easy use
- High-quality materials (rubber and copper)
- Security features: Locking bracket, Lexan housing, Anti-theft ring
Pros:
- Affordable yet robust surge protection
- Proactive issue detection with diagnostic LEDs
- All-weather durability for reliable performance
- User-friendly design, even with gloves
- Trusted brand with high-quality materials
- Additional security measures for peace of mind
Cons:
- The anti-theft ring could be more secure with a reinforced design.
Buying Guide for the Best RV Surge Protectors
We understand maintaining a fully-equipped RV is not that easy. That said, if you frequently take your RV out for vacations, power stations present in the parking areas and campsites do not have a stable power output, so there’s always a risk of power surges. However, if your RV is protected with a decent surge protector, you can stay out of the risk and save thousands. In this buying guide, we will discuss some crucial factors that you should always check before buying a surge protector for your RV. Let’s start!
1. Type
First of all, you should know that there are two kinds of surge protectors available for RVs, Hardwired and Plug-and-Play models. The hardwired models are directly installed in the RV, but the installation is a bit tricky, so you might need to hire a professional for that. On the other hand, the plug-and-play design models attach between the connection line, which is pretty simple, and anyone can do it on their own.
Moreover, they are portable as well, so you can easily carry them, or even lend them to your friends in need. However, the plug-and-play models are more vulnerable to theft as anyone can simply unplug them and steal, which is not the case with hardwired models. So, both types of surge protectors have their own pros and cons.
2. Build Quality
Once you pick the right type, you should take a look at their build quality. Generally, the hardwired models are better here, since they are installed inside the RV, so they are less prone to damage. However, in the case of plug-and-play devices, you should check if the surge protector is weather-resistant or not. The surge protectors, which are weather-resistant, can be used in rain, storm, etc., while you can relax in your RV on the vacation. Otherwise, you will have to keep an eye on the weather all the time and use it cautiously.
3. Amps Rating
It depends on your RV, whether it uses a 50 amps connection or a 30 amps connection. So, depending on that, you can pick the right pick for your personal RV. In general, you can distinguish between a 50 amp and 30 amp surge protector by looking at their connection pins. The 50 amps surge protectors usually have a 4 pin connector where 3 of them are flat, and 1 is round. On the other hand, 30 amp devices come with a 3-pin connector featuring only 2 flat pins and 1 round pin.
4. Voltage Rating
You can easily find surge protectors that support 120V power supplies, as we have already mentioned a lot of good options on the list. However, at some places, you might find a 240V power supply. In that case, your 120V power surge protector might not work properly. Hence, the good choice to make here is to get a surge protector that can deal with both 120V and 240V power supplies.
5. Surge Rating
Next up, considering the surge rating is quite an essential factor while buying a surge protector for your RV. If you have a well-equipped RV trailer that boasts Air Conditioners, refrigerators, and a bunch of other appliances. You should spend your money on a good surge protector that is capable of handling around 4000 Joules of electricity for proper protection. Although such high spikes are very rare, you should not be playing risky here. On the other hand, if there are lesser appliances in your RV, you can consider other options with fewer Joules, such as a 2000 Joules one.
6. Warranty
Lastly, we always recommend checking for the warranty for any product you purchase. In the case of RV surge protectors; there are several brands that offer lifetime warranty while the others provide 1 or 2-year warranty. It’s always better to pick a surge protector which has a longer warranty period so that you can get a replacement easily if something wrong happens with the product.
RV Surge Protectors – FAQs
Ans: The best RV surge protectors are designed to withstand various weather conditions. Look for models with weatherproof or waterproof features to ensure reliable performance in rain, snow, or other challenging weather conditions.
Ans: Yes, it’s generally safe to leave your RV surge protector plugged in continuously. It acts as a continuous line of defense, protecting your RV’s electrical system whenever it’s connected to a power source.
Ans: Yes, many RV surge protectors offer protection against both high and low voltage scenarios. They monitor the incoming power and disconnect if the voltage falls below or rises above safe levels.
Ans: Yes, it’s generally safe to leave your RV surge protector plugged in during storage periods. It continues to provide protection, and leaving it connected ensures that your RV’s electrical system is safeguarded when you return to use it.
Ans: Surge protectors are designed to have minimal impact on overall power consumption. While they may draw a small amount of power, it is typically negligible and should not significantly contribute to your RV’s total power usage.
Conclusion
We hope you have liked this list of the best RV surge protectors. As you can see, we have included all kinds of options in the list, which have different prices as well. That said, there’s a surge protector for everyone on this list. By now, we assume you already have a few considerations in mind to get your hands on. However, if you are getting confused between all the good options, we have a few personal recommendations for you:
- If you are looking for a hardwired model, the Progressive Industries RV Surge Protector is one of the best options to pick. It’s a 50 amp option that comes with 5-mode surge protection. Moreover, it’s ideal for both 120V and 240V supplies and comes with a lifetime warranty.
- POWSAF RV Surge Protector ensures your RV’s safety with 4100 Joules of surge protection. With a reliable 3-level circuit, it guards against high/low voltages and wiring issues. Easy-to-use handles and weather-resistant design add convenience. Backed by excellent customer service, it’s another recommendation for RV enthusiasts, providing peace of mind on the road.
- In the 50 amps category, if you want to choose a plug-and-play design surge protector, there’s no better option than the Camco RV Surge Protector. It features 4200 Joules of surge protection and is completely weather-resistant as well.
