SMALLRT Power Strip Surge Protector, 6.5 Ft Extension Cord with 12 AC Multiple Outlets 4 USB (1 USB C), SMALLRT Power Tower Desktop Charging Station

A desktop-friendly way to tame too many plugs

My home office has never been kind to flat power strips. Between a laptop dock, monitor, speakers, printer, desk lamp, and a rotating cast of gadget chargers, I need lots of outlets I can actually reach—and I want to stop crawling under the desk to plug in one more brick. The SMALLRT power tower has been an easy win: 12 AC outlets spread across four faces, a 6.5‑foot cord, and four independent power switches that let me control groups without constant plugging and unplugging. It’s not flashy, but it’s thoughtfully laid out and genuinely useful.

Design and layout

The vertical “tower” format makes more sense than I expected. Each of the four sides carries three outlets, and each side is controlled by its own on/off switch. The tower footprint is modest, about the size of a large coffee mug on a small saucer, and it disappears behind a monitor or on a nightstand. Because plugs radiate in four directions, it’s easier to accommodate bulky adapters compared with a flat strip where they overlap. That said, if you rely on extra-wide smart plugs or oversized wall warts, you’ll need to be deliberate about where you place them; some big adapters can crowd the neighboring outlet or sit close to the side’s switch. I found putting chunkier bricks in the middle positions—leaving the top and bottom for standard plugs—works best.

The 6.5‑foot cord hits a sweet spot for desks and entertainment centers: long enough to reach from a wall outlet to a work surface without coiling excess cabling on the floor. The jacket is flexible but not flimsy, and the strain relief at the base keeps the tower planted even when the cord gets tugged around.

Switching and everyday use

The four mechanical switches are the star. Each maps to one side of the tower, so you can group devices logically: computer gear on one side, lighting on another, chargers on a third, and “occasionals” on the last. The switches have a firm, positive action, and cutting power to a group is faster (and tidier) than yanking a plug. It’s also an easy way to trim standby power from chargers and wall warts. I’ve set up a routine where my “chargers” side is off during the day and my “lighting” side flips on at dusk; it’s a low-effort energy saver that also extends the life of power adapters that don’t need to idle 24/7.

The vertical orientation helps with cable management. Cords naturally drop down and away, which reduces the spaghetti effect on the desk. If you’re placing the tower behind a monitor or TV, give it a couple inches of breathing room on all four sides so every outlet remains usable.

USB charging: convenient, not a laptop replacement

Under the outlet array, the tower includes three USB‑A ports and a single USB‑C port. For phones, earbuds, e‑readers, and tablets, these ports are exactly what you want: plug a cable in once and stop hunting for spare bricks. Charging speed is snappy for typical mobile devices, and I had no trouble topping up a modern phone and a pair of earbuds simultaneously.

It’s important to set expectations, though. The USB‑C port appears to be a standard 5V output, not a Power Delivery port intended for laptops or high‑draw tablets. If your device expects 20V PD, plug its original charger into one of the AC outlets instead. Also, having only one USB‑C port feels a bit dated in 2025; two would better match the mix of modern devices. Still, the combination of three USB‑A and one USB‑C covers most households without adding clutter.

Protection and safety

This tower includes integrated surge and overload protection with an auto‑trip function. In day‑to‑day use, that translates to “plug it in and don’t worry about power blips.” I can’t simulate a surge event, but I did manage to trip the overload protection during testing by stacking a few high‑draw appliances on one side. The unit shut down gracefully and reset without drama once I cleared the load. That’s the behavior I want: stop a problem before it becomes a bigger one.

One thing I’d like to see is more transparent spec labeling. There’s no prominent joule rating on the unit I tested, nor a clear callout of certification marks in the packaging. That doesn’t diminish the usefulness for everyday loads, but if you’re protecting expensive studio gear or gaming rigs, you may want to verify the surge rating or look for a model with clearly published surge energy specs.

Real‑world set-ups it handles well

• Desk setup: With my monitor, dock, speakers, lamp, and printer connected, I still have room for a soldering iron or camera charger when needed. Cutting power to my “chargers” side at night keeps standby draw low and eliminates the warm transformer bricks under the desk.

• Entertainment center: Game console, streaming box, TV, soundbar, and a bias light fit cleanly, with one side left for guests to charge controllers via USB. The vertical format makes it easier to place behind the TV stand without blocking vents.

• Kitchen or craft area: The tower is handy where outlets are scarce. Being able to switch off a cluster (like a mixer, immersion circulator, or 3D printer peripherals) without unplugging everything is genuinely convenient.

During a brief power outage, everything connected came back up cleanly as power returned. The tower itself runs cool and silent—no buzz or transformer hum.

What could be better

• More USB‑C: One USB‑C in 2025 feels stingy. A second USB‑C (with at least one PD‑capable port) would make this a more future‑proof hub for modern phones and tablets.

• Outlet spacing tolerance: While the four‑sided layout reduces conflicts, extra‑wide smart plugs or large transformers can still crowd adjacent outlets or sit close to the side switch. A touch more clearance or offsetting the switch from the outlets would improve compatibility.

• Surge spec transparency: Publishing a clear joule rating and third‑party certifications would add confidence for users protecting high‑value equipment.

• Travel claims: The tower is stable and compact for a desk, but it’s not a travel accessory. If you’re on the go, a flat, two‑sided strip is the better bet.

Tips for getting the most from it

• Assign sides by function and label cords once. After a week, flipping the right switch becomes muscle memory.

• Put bulky adapters in the center outlets and keep the top/bottom for standard two‑prong plugs.

• Reserve the AC outlets for anything that needs fast or high‑wattage charging; use the built‑in USB ports for small devices to keep the AC outlets free.

• If you’re protecting expensive gear, add a primary surge protector at the wall with a known joule rating, then use the tower for distribution and switching convenience.

The bottom line

The SMALLRT power tower succeeds at the fundamentals: it adds a lot of accessible outlets to a small footprint, the 6.5‑foot cord reaches where a desktop needs it, and the four independent switches make everyday power management simpler and more efficient. The built‑in USB ports reduce charger clutter for phones and earbuds, and the overload protection behaves as it should.

It’s not perfect. One USB‑C port is limiting, there’s no laptop‑class USB‑C PD, and I’d like clearer surge specifications. But those are wish‑list items more than deal breakers for most home and office scenarios.

Recommendation: I recommend this tower for anyone who needs to power a dense desk, entertainment center, dorm room, or workshop without spreading flat strips across the floor. It balances capacity and convenience in a tidy package, and the per‑side switches are genuinely useful for reducing standby draw and simplifying your routine. If you need travel gear or high‑wattage USB‑C PD, pair it with a dedicated PD charger—or consider a different model—but for everyday multi‑device setups, this is an easy, practical upgrade.