CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip

CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip — image 1
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CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip — image 6
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CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip — image 9
81%
19%
92%
Build Quality
78%
Surge Protection Effectiveness
91%
Outlet Spacing & Usability
88%
Wall Mount Design
84%
Cord Quality & Length
86%
Value for Money
74%
Safety Certifications
89%
Ease of Installation
82%
Master Power Switch
81%
Heat & Thermal Management
79%
Outlet Count & Configuration
77%
Dimensions & Form Factor
71%
Packaging & Unboxing
68%
Cable Management Compatibility
More

Overview

The CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip stands apart from the crowd of cheap plastic alternatives by being built around a solid aluminum alloy shell — a meaningful choice for anyone using it in a garage, workshop, home office, or school setting. Most strips at this price tier feel disposable; this one does not. The SGS safety certification adds a layer of credibility, though it is a third-party quality mark rather than a UL listing, so keep that context in mind. What really distinguishes it is the wall-mount design with four pre-drilled holes — a practical detail that turns a desktop strip into a semi-permanent fixture wherever you need reliable, surge-protected power.

Features & Benefits

The 2100J surge protection with a built-in auto-shutdown fuse handles everyday voltage fluctuations well — think rogue spikes from power tools or HVAC kick-ons. It is not the highest rating on the market, but for a workshop or home office it is a reasonable safety net. Eight outlets spaced 1.68 inches apart means bulky wall adapters sit side by side without crowding each other out, which is rarer than it should be. The 6-foot, 14AWG cord has real heft, and the flame-retardant jacket is a genuine bonus in dusty or warm environments. A single master switch cuts power to the whole strip at once — simple, but genuinely useful at the end of a workday.

Best For

This surge-protected strip shines in environments where most power strips do not belong. Garage and workshop users will appreciate the metal body and the ability to bolt it to a wall or workbench — no more strips sliding off shelves or getting kicked across the floor. In a home office, it keeps multiple devices on one managed circuit with the peace of mind that a surge will not fry your monitor or laptop. Schools and shared spaces benefit from the wall-mount option for a practical reason: fixed strips get damaged far less often. One honest caveat — if you need USB charging ports alongside your AC outlets, this metal power strip does not offer them, and that gap matters for some setups.

User Feedback

Buyers consistently highlight the solid aluminum body as the first thing they notice — it feels like it costs more than it does. The wide outlet spacing earns specific praise from people who have dealt with transformer bricks blocking half a standard strip. On the critical side, a few users mention that the cord feels stiffer than expected, and the absence of USB ports comes up repeatedly as a real omission when many competitors at this price include at least two. The surge protection rating earns measured confidence rather than enthusiasm; buyers seem to regard it as adequate rather than exceptional. With over 600 ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5, the overall response is solidly positive.

#Power Strips
#Power Strips & Surge Protectors
#Accessories & Supplies
#Electronics

Pros

  • Aluminum alloy body feels noticeably more durable than any plastic strip in this price range.
  • Eight outlets with 1.68-inch spacing means bulky wall adapters finally have room to coexist.
  • Wall-mount hardware is included in the box — no separate hardware run required.
  • The master power switch makes shutting down an entire workstation or workbench a one-step process.
  • SGS certification provides third-party safety validation that many no-name imports lack entirely.
  • A 6-foot, 14AWG cord gives real reach and handles sustained high-load use without strain.
  • The flame-retardant shell adds a passive safety margin that matters in dusty or warm shop environments.
  • Mounting to a workbench or wall converts this surge-protected strip into a semi-permanent, stable installation.
  • Buyers replacing worn-out plastic strips consistently describe the build quality as a meaningful upgrade.

Cons

  • No USB-A or USB-C ports, a real omission when most competing strips at this price include them.
  • The 2100J surge rating is mid-range at best — not adequate for protecting high-value sensitive electronics.
  • The power cord is noticeably stiff, which makes routing it cleanly in tight spaces genuinely awkward.
  • No per-outlet switching means always-on devices like routers cannot be isolated from the master switch.
  • SGS certification is less universally recognized than UL or ETL, which matters in professional or institutional installs.
  • No drywall anchors included, so wall installation requires a separate hardware purchase in many homes.
  • No integrated cable management features, leaving cord organization entirely to the buyer.
  • The strip shifts and tips on flat surfaces when used unmounted, making secure placement tricky without screws.

Ratings

The scores below for the CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip were generated by AI after systematically analyzing verified buyer reviews from multiple global markets, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. Across hundreds of real-world assessments from garage builders, home office workers, and classroom managers, both the standout strengths and the recurring frustrations are reflected here with no sugarcoating.

Build Quality
92%
The aluminum alloy shell is the single most praised aspect across all reviewer segments. Buyers coming from plastic strips consistently describe a noticeable jump in perceived durability — it does not flex, rattle, or feel hollow. Workshop users especially appreciate that it survives being bumped by tools or mounted in high-traffic areas without showing damage.
A small number of reviewers noted that while the shell itself is robust, the outlet sockets feel slightly looser than expected for a metal-bodied unit. For most use cases this is a minor observation, but users plugging and unplugging adapters frequently may notice it over time.
Surge Protection Effectiveness
78%
22%
The 2100J rating with an auto-shutdown fuse gives buyers reasonable confidence for protecting monitors, printers, and office equipment from everyday voltage irregularities. Users in areas with unstable grid power specifically called out the auto-shutdown behavior as a reassuring safety layer they actually trust.
Compared to competing strips offering 3000J or higher at a similar price, the 2100J rating leaves some buyers feeling underprotected for high-value electronics like gaming rigs or audio workstations. It is a solid mid-range rating, not a top-tier one, and buyers with sensitive or expensive gear should factor that in honestly.
Outlet Spacing & Usability
91%
The 1.68-inch gap between sockets is genuinely practical, not a marketing bullet. Buyers who have wrestled with large transformer bricks blocking neighboring outlets on standard strips describe this spacing as an immediate relief. Eight outlets with room to breathe means fully loaded strips are actually usable rather than half-blocked.
The strip does not include any USB-A or USB-C ports, which is a real gap when most competing strips at this price now offer two to four USB charging slots. Buyers who expected USB ports based on category norms frequently flag this as a missing feature, especially in home office and classroom contexts.
Wall Mount Design
88%
Four rear mounting holes with screws included is a practical detail that transforms this from a desktop strip into a fixed installation. Workshop users describe bolting it to a pegboard wall or under a workbench and never thinking about it again — exactly the kind of set-and-forget reliability that earns long-term satisfaction.
The mounting hardware is basic, and a few buyers noted that the screw holes require precise wall anchor placement to sit flush and stable. Without drywall anchors — which are not included — mounting to drywall alone is less secure than mounting to wood studs or a solid workbench surface.
Cord Quality & Length
84%
The 6-foot, 14AWG cord gives enough reach for most under-desk or wall-to-workbench runs without needing an extension. The heavier gauge wire is noticeably thicker than cords on cheaper strips, and buyers who care about sustained high-load use see that as a direct safety and reliability benefit.
The cord's stiffness is one of the more consistent complaints in the review pool. A thick, flame-retardant jacket is the trade-off for that durability, but in tighter spaces or desktop setups where routing flexibility matters, the rigidity becomes genuinely inconvenient during initial installation.
Value for Money
86%
At its price point, a metal-bodied surge protector with eight spaced outlets, wall-mount hardware included, and a respectable surge rating represents strong practical value. Buyers explicitly comparing it to plastic alternatives at similar or higher prices frequently conclude it is the smarter purchase for any non-temporary install.
For buyers primarily needing USB charging alongside AC power, the value equation shifts — they end up buying a separate USB charger anyway, which erodes the cost advantage. The price-to-joule ratio is also slightly weaker than a handful of competitors if maximum surge protection is the primary purchase driver.
Safety Certifications
74%
26%
The SGS listing signals that the product passed independent third-party testing, which matters in a category full of uncertified imports. Buyers who prioritize verified safety compliance over brand recognition treat the SGS mark as a meaningful checkpoint before installing in schools or shared workspaces.
SGS certification, while legitimate, carries less universal recognition than UL or ETL listings, which are the benchmarks most North American electricians and facilities managers look for. A portion of professional buyers noted they would have more confidence with a UL-listed alternative, even at a slightly higher cost.
Ease of Installation
89%
Mounting hardware is included in the box, which removes a common friction point. Buyers report the whole installation process — locating studs or anchor points, drilling, and screwing in — takes under fifteen minutes. For a product aimed at non-technical DIYers, that simplicity lands well.
The instruction documentation is minimal, and buyers who have not mounted a power strip before occasionally report uncertainty about the recommended screw depth and anchor type for different wall materials. A brief illustrated guide would reduce the small but real friction some first-time installers experience.
Master Power Switch
82%
18%
A single switch that cuts power to all eight outlets at once is genuinely convenient in daily use. Workshop users describe flipping it off at the end of a session as a quick energy-saving habit, while office users appreciate being able to fully de-energize a multi-device setup without unplugging anything.
There is no individual outlet switching, which is a limitation buyers only discover after purchase if they assumed per-outlet control was included. For setups where some devices need to stay powered — a NAS drive, a modem — the all-or-nothing switch means working around it rather than with it.
Heat & Thermal Management
81%
19%
The aluminum body passively dissipates heat more effectively than plastic housings, and buyers running the strip at sustained high loads — space heaters, multiple monitors, shop vacuums — report it stays warm rather than hot. The flame-retardant shell rated to over 1300°F adds a credible margin of passive fire safety.
Under sustained near-maximum loads in warm environments like closed garages in summer, some buyers noted the strip gets warmer than they expected. It never reached concerning temperatures in reported cases, but buyers running continuous heavy loads should ensure the mounting location has reasonable ambient airflow.
Outlet Count & Configuration
79%
21%
Eight outlets cover the vast majority of workbench, desk, and classroom scenarios without requiring a second strip. The linear layout keeps cable management straightforward, and the consistent spacing means no awkward corner outlets that are harder to reach.
All eight outlets are AC-only with no switched subgroups or always-on zones, which limits flexibility in mixed-use setups. Power users managing a combination of always-on and switchable devices will find the configuration less adaptable than strips with grouped or individually controlled sockets.
Dimensions & Form Factor
77%
23%
At just over 17 inches long and under 1.7 inches wide, this surge-protected strip fits standard wall-mount spans and does not dominate a workbench visually. The slim profile works well under desks or along baseboards where a bulkier housing would be obtrusive.
The narrow profile means the strip is not the most stable unit when used flat on a surface without being mounted. A few buyers noted it tends to shift or tip when plugging in heavy adapters unless it is secured, which reinforces the case for mounting it rather than leaving it loose.
Packaging & Unboxing
71%
29%
Mounting screws are included and packaged accessibly, which is a small but appreciated detail. The strip arrives with protective covering on the outlets, and buyers generally describe it as arriving undamaged with adequate packaging for the product weight.
The packaging is purely functional with no setup guide beyond bare-minimum labeling. Buyers expecting any form of visual installation guide or product documentation beyond a basic spec sheet will find the box contents underwhelming, particularly for a product that requires wall-mounting to realize its full value.
Cable Management Compatibility
68%
32%
The fixed mounting position and slim housing make this surge-protected strip reasonably compatible with standard cable clips and raceway channels. Buyers who plan their cable routing ahead of installation report clean, organized results when paired with basic cable management accessories.
No built-in cable routing guides or tie-down points are included on the housing, which means cable management is entirely the buyer's responsibility. In busy workshop or multi-device office setups, the lack of any integrated wire organization features becomes a noticeable inconvenience compared to strips that include basic management slots.

Suitable for:

The CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip is a strong fit for anyone who needs a power strip that can actually handle a demanding environment without falling apart. Garage and workshop users will get the most out of it — the ability to bolt it directly to a pegboard wall or workbench edge means it stays exactly where you put it, even in a space where things get knocked around regularly. Home office workers managing a cluster of devices like a monitor, printer, laptop dock, and desk lamp will appreciate having eight well-spaced outlets on a single managed circuit with a master kill switch for end-of-day shutdown. It also makes practical sense in school classrooms or shared maker spaces, where a wall-mounted strip is far less likely to be tripped over or pulled loose than a desktop unit. Anyone who has been frustrated by bulky transformer bricks blocking half the outlets on a standard strip will find the wider spacing here a genuine quality-of-life improvement worth paying for.

Not suitable for:

The CFMASTER 8-Outlet Metal Surge Protector Power Strip is not the right call for buyers who need USB charging ports alongside their AC outlets — this strip offers none, and in a world where phones, tablets, and earbuds charge over USB, that gap is real enough to send many buyers elsewhere. It is also not ideal for protecting high-value or sensitive electronics like audiophile equipment, professional workstations, or home theater setups, where a 2100J surge rating starts to feel thin compared to purpose-built surge protectors offering 3000J or more. Users who want per-outlet switching to keep some devices always powered — a NAS drive, a router, a media server — will find the all-or-nothing master switch limiting in mixed-use setups. And if you are a renter or someone who genuinely cannot or will not mount the strip, you lose the feature that most distinguishes it from cheaper alternatives, leaving you paying a slight premium for a benefit you will never use.

Specifications

  • Outlets: The strip provides 8 AC outlets, all spaced 1.68 inches apart to accommodate both standard plugs and large wall-wart adapters without blocking adjacent sockets.
  • Surge Protection: A built-in 2100J surge protector with an auto-shutdown fuse guards connected devices against voltage spikes and over-current conditions.
  • Max Power: The strip is rated for a maximum load of 15A at 125V, supporting up to 1875W of continuous draw at 60Hz.
  • Cord Length: The power cord measures 6 feet in length, providing enough reach for most wall-to-workbench or wall-to-desk installations without an extension cord.
  • Cord Gauge: The cord is constructed from 14AWG, 3-conductor wire encased in a flame-retardant PVC jacket for durability and sustained high-load safety.
  • Body Material: The housing is built from flame-retardant aluminum alloy, rated to withstand temperatures up to 1382°F, offering a significant durability advantage over standard plastic housings.
  • Dimensions: The strip measures 17.32″ long by 1.65″ wide by 1.42″ tall, making it compatible with standard wall-mount spans and under-desk installations.
  • Weight: The unit weighs 1.72 pounds, reflecting its metal construction while remaining light enough for single-person wall mounting.
  • Mounting System: Four rear-facing mounting holes are pre-drilled into the housing, and four mounting screws are included in the package for wall, desk, or workbench installation.
  • Power Switch: A single master on/off switch controls power to all eight outlets simultaneously, allowing the entire strip to be de-energized with one action.
  • Certification: The strip carries an SGS listing, indicating it has passed independent third-party safety and quality testing by the SGS certification body.
  • Rated Voltage: The strip operates at a rated voltage of 125V AC at 60Hz, designed for standard North American household and commercial electrical systems.
  • Adaptable Voltage: The unit is rated for use across an adaptable input range of 110–240V, providing flexibility for use in various regional electrical environments.
  • Outlet Spacing: Adjacent outlet centers are spaced 1.68 inches apart, a wider-than-standard gap designed specifically to fit bulky transformer bricks side by side without overlap.
  • Flame Resistance: The aluminum alloy shell is rated flame-retardant to 1382°F, adding a passive thermal safety margin in workshop, garage, and industrial environments.
  • USB Ports: This strip does not include any USB-A or USB-C charging ports; all eight ports are AC outlets only.
  • Color: The strip is available in black, with a matte aluminum finish consistent across the housing and switch assembly.
  • Package Contents: Each package includes one metal power strip and four mounting screws; no wall anchors or additional mounting accessories are included.

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FAQ

You can mount it to drywall, but you will need to use drywall anchors, which are not included in the box. The four screws provided work well when driven into wood studs or a solid workbench surface. If you are mounting to drywall only, pick up a set of appropriate anchors separately to make sure it sits flush and holds weight over time.

It handles large adapters well. The 1.68-inch spacing between outlet centers is noticeably wider than most standard strips, so a typical transformer brick plugged into one socket will not physically block the sockets on either side. Most users with bulky wall-warts report being able to fill all eight outlets without any overlap issues.

For a typical home office or workshop setup — a desktop PC, one or two monitors, a printer — 2100J is a reasonable level of protection against everyday voltage spikes and short surges. That said, if you are protecting high-value or sensitive equipment like professional audio gear or a workstation with expensive components, you may want to look at strips rated 3000J or higher for additional headroom.

No, this strip is AC outlets only — there are no USB-A or USB-C ports included. If USB charging is important to your setup, you would need a separate USB charger or a different strip model that combines AC and USB outputs.

It is all-or-nothing. The single master switch controls power to all eight outlets at the same time, so you cannot independently switch individual sockets. If your setup includes devices that need to stay powered at all times — like a router or a NAS drive — you would need to plug those into a different outlet rather than relying on the master switch to manage them selectively.

The cord is noticeably stiffer than cords on lighter plastic strips, which is a trade-off of the heavier 14AWG gauge and flame-retardant jacket. In open installations — mounting to a garage wall or running along a workbench edge — it is not a problem. In tighter spaces where you need to bend the cord at sharp angles, the stiffness can make clean routing a bit more effort than expected.

SGS is a legitimate, internationally recognized third-party testing and certification organization, so the listing is a real safety credential rather than a marketing label. That said, UL and ETL are the certifications most commonly referenced in North American electrical standards, and some facilities managers or professional installers specifically look for those marks. For home, garage, and general office use, the SGS listing provides a meaningful level of verified safety assurance.

It will sit on a desk, but it is not the most stable platform when left loose. The slim metal body tends to shift or tip slightly when you plug in a heavy adapter, especially on a smooth surface. The strip is clearly designed with mounting in mind, and it performs best when screwed into a fixed surface. If you absolutely need a desktop-only setup, pairing it with a non-slip mat helps.

The auto-shutdown fuse is a built-in protection mechanism that cuts power to the strip if the current draw exceeds safe limits or if a severe surge event occurs. It is designed to protect your connected devices by sacrificing the strip rather than letting dangerous current pass through. In most minor surge events the strip continues operating normally; the fuse is a last-resort failsafe for more serious electrical events.

Yes, and it is arguably one of the better power strip choices for that environment. The aluminum alloy housing is more resistant to physical wear and accidental impacts than plastic, and the flame-retardant shell provides a safety margin in spaces where sawdust or debris could be present. Just make sure to mount it in a location where it will not be directly exposed to water or excessive moisture, as it is not rated for wet or outdoor conditions.