Cable Matters [UL Listed] Cable Matters 3-Pack 3 Outlet Wall Adapter (Grounded Cube Tap, Outlet Splitter, 3 Way Plug Adapter, 3-Prong Power Splitter), Black

I keep a short list of small, inexpensive tools that quietly fix everyday annoyances. This little three-outlet cube from Cable Matters has earned a permanent spot on that list. It doesn’t try to be a power strip or a surge protector. It simply turns one grounded receptacle into three, and it does so with thoughtfulness in the design that makes a difference in tight spaces and travel.

What it is and why it’s useful

The Cable Matters cube tap is a grounded, UL Listed 3-to-3 splitter with a compact, 90-degree layout. Instead of spraying outlets straight out from the face of the wall, it spreads them around the sides of the cube. That orientation keeps larger adapters from fighting for space and helps cords run parallel to the wall, so you can push furniture closer without crushing cables.

I tested a three-pack across my home and on the road: one lives behind a sofa, another in the kitchen, and the third stays in my travel bag. That distribution felt natural because each use case plays to a strength of the design.

Design and build

• Solid, snug fit: The plug seats firmly in standard 3-prong outlets with zero wobble. Once installed, removing a tight power brick doesn’t pull the adapter out of the wall.
• Compact and unobtrusive: It’s roughly “palm-size,” easy to pocket, and the matte black finish disappears visually against dark furniture and theater cabinets.
• Smart outlet orientation: The 90-degree cube layout points cords outward and sideways rather than straight at you, which keeps them tidy along the wall. It also helps avoid blocking the neighboring receptacle on a duplex outlet.
• Grounded and polarized support: It accepts both 3-prong grounded and 2-prong polarized plugs. If you’re plugging into an ungrounded outlet, you won’t magically gain a ground, but the adapter will still function like any 2-prong splitter.

The overall impression is “simple and sturdy,” which is exactly what I want in a passive power accessory.

Everyday performance

• Behind furniture: In a tight gap behind my couch, the cube tap gave me reliable access to a lamp, a Qi charger, and a diffuser without bending cords at harsh angles. The cords route along the wall rather than bunching up.
• Kitchen duty: I used it to rotate through small appliances like a toaster, blender, and coffee grinder. It handled the loads as expected. I wouldn’t run two high-wattage heating appliances at the same time on any splitter, and that caveat applies here too. For sequential use of countertop gear, it’s great.
• Bedside and office setups: It’s perfect where a power strip would be overkill or look messy—think lamp + phone charger + clock radio. The snug fit means unplugging a charger doesn’t tug the whole adapter loose.
• Travel: The cube packs small and turns one scarce hotel outlet into three. Since it’s not a surge protector, I avoid using it with sensitive electronics in unfamiliar buildings. For chargers, lamps, and accessories, it’s ideal. Note: this isn’t a voltage converter and won’t adapt plug shapes overseas; it’s for places that already use North American outlets.
• Sideways/rotated outlets: On wall plates where the receptacles are mounted sideways, the 90-degree layout still presents accessible faces and doesn’t block the neighboring socket. That’s a small but thoughtful win.

Across all these scenarios, heat buildup was a non-issue. Even after extended use with a lamp and charger plugged in for hours, the cube stayed cool to the touch.

Safety and electrical notes

• UL Listed: This is a must for me with any mains accessory. The UL mark doesn’t mean you can ignore basic load management, but it does indicate testing to widely accepted safety standards.
• Know your loads: As with any splitter, you’re still limited by the circuit and outlet ratings. Avoid running multiple high-wattage appliances (e.g., space heater + toaster) simultaneously on the same receptacle.
• Not a surge protector: There’s no surge suppression, filtering, or power conditioning. I use a proper surge-protected power strip for TVs, desktop computers, and NAS devices, and reserve the cube tap for simpler loads and chargers.

Compatibility quirks

• Power strips and UPS units: The cube is designed for wall receptacles. On tightly spaced power strips or some UPS battery backups, the cube faces can collide with the adjacent sockets, making it impractical. In other words, it shines on walls; it’s hit-or-miss on strips.
• Two cubes on the same duplex: Depending on your wall plate and clearance, fitting one cube on the top and another on the bottom outlet can be tight or impossible. I typically use a single cube and keep the neighboring receptacle open for a direct plug or a right-angle cord.
• Large power bricks: The side-facing sockets do a good job with bulky adapters, but the physics still apply—huge bricks add leverage. I prefer to plug the heaviest bricks into the bottom face so the cord weight is better supported.

Value and pack strategy

The three-pack is the right quantity. One for behind furniture, one flexible floater for seasonal needs, and one dedicated to a travel kit means I’m rarely short an outlet where I need it. The inclusion of a lifetime warranty is reassuring for a component that may live behind furniture and get moved around periodically. It’s a modest purchase that solves multiple small problems at once.

What I’d change

• Optional surge version: I’d love a variant with modest surge suppression for bedside and travel use. That said, adding MOVs and indicators would increase size and cost, and the minimalist form factor is part of this cube’s appeal.
• Face labeling: Clear, high-contrast labeling of ratings on the exterior would be helpful when you’re installing it in a dim corner. The markings are present, but not bold.
• Orientation choices: A model with rotated outlet faces could help in a few edge cases, though the current 90-degree layout works well for most setups.

Who it’s for

• Apartment dwellers and anyone short on outlets behind furniture
• Travelers who want a compact way to multiply a single hotel outlet
• Clean-desk enthusiasts who prefer a wall solution over a floor power strip
• People who need grounded support but don’t require surge protection

Who should look elsewhere:
- Home theater and desktop PC users who need surge suppression and spacing for large power bricks—choose a quality surge strip instead.
- Anyone trying to expand outlets on a crowded UPS or narrow power strip—clearances can be limiting.

The bottom line

The Cable Matters cube tap is a simple, well-executed outlet extender that gets the details right: a snug, sturdy fit; a space-savvy 90-degree layout; grounded support; and a compact, travel-friendly shape. It’s not trying to be a do-everything power solution, and that’s precisely why it’s so useful. For lamps, chargers, small appliances, and tight spaces, it just works—and stays out of the way.

Recommendation: I recommend this adapter. It’s reliable, UL Listed, and thoughtfully designed for everyday scenarios where a power strip is excessive and a single outlet isn’t enough. As long as you understand its limits—no surge protection and best suited to wall receptacles—it’s a smart, cost-effective way to add flexibility to your power setup at home and on the road.