Belkin Conserve Surge Protector (8-outlet)

The idea behind Belkin's Conserve surge protector is pretty simple. Instead of having your electronics sit there in standby mode and each sip a little bit of power, the Conserve lets you completely shut down components so power drain is cut to zero. At the same time, it leaves two outlets active for those products that you indeed want to keep on (or leave in standby mode)--items like DVRs, wireless routers, fax machines, and cordless phones.

Two models are available: a shorter strip with a total of eight outlets and a longer one with a total of 10 outlets and a coaxial RF input/output for cable and satellite TV feeds. Both models have 4-foot cords, and all outlets have a sliding safety switch that closes off the socket when not in use, which is good if you have small children or pets. The Conserve protectors are covered by a lifetime $100,000 connected equipment warranty as well.

Both Conserve models also come with a light-switch-style wireless remote control that allows you to turn off your components with a flip of a conveniently placed switch (rather than having to bend down underneath a desk and hit an on/off switch on the surge protector itself). The remote is wall mountable and can also control multiple Conserve protectors, so you can shut everything down in your house at once. Belkin says the range on the remote is about 60 feet (line of sight is not required) but we only managed to have it work properly within a range of about 30 feet. Additional remotes will soon be available for $13 each.

We hooked up a PS3, a 50-inch LCD TV, and an AV receiver to the Conserve along with an iHome clock radio that we wanted to leave fully powered. With a flip of a switch (the remote is wall-mountable like a light switch, with screws or a sticky pad--both included), the PS3, TV, and AV receiver all went completely dark. We flipped the switch again, and they returned to standby mode.