Are Treadmill Surge Protectors Really Necessary?
Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by Marc Edwards
Getting a treadmill to help you get into shape or to maintain a steady running routine is definitely a great investment. No gym membership and adverse weather conditions to worry about.
Treadmills are not cheap though, a decent model could easily create a dent in your bank balance.
And since you have spent so much on your prized treadmill, is it really necessary to get a surge protector to protect it from power spikes?
The answer is a resounding YES.
Treadmill surge protectors are usually a neglected purchase for most people who own treadmills.
As with any electronic equipment, treadmills are vulnerable to power spikes and household electrical transients. This expensive piece of running equipment might be severely damaged whenever a high-voltage power surge comes through the power line.
It could potentially damage the LCD console, circuit boards, or even the treadmill motor (and incline motor) which is the most important component of a treadmill.
The costs of repairing or replacement of internal components are definitely not cheap, far outweighing the cost of getting a reliable treadmill surge protector that safeguards your treadmill around the clock.
At this point, before you rush out to grab one immediately, let’s take a look at the key considerations and features you should be aware of when shopping for a surge protector for your treadmill at home.
Buying Guide for Treadmill Surge Protector: 5 Important Things to Know Before Buying
These days, making payment to online and offline retailers have become so buttery smooth that it has led to many impulsive purchases among consumers (myself included). Instead of going back to the store for product exchange or requesting refunds, below are some of the important considerations to be had before buying a surge protection device for your treadmill.
Power Strip or Wall Outlet
This is probably one of the most important decisions you have to make even before choosing a brand or model to buy. Do you need to get a power strip for your treadmill or will a wall outlet surge protector be enough?
If the location in which you are placing your treadmill comes with only a single wall A/C outlet, and you have other electrical appliances (standing fan, lighting pole, entertainment devices, etc) that you might want to use alongside the treadmill, getting a power strip will be your best bet.
If you are going with a power strip, another deciding factor would be the cord length of the power strip. If the A/C outlet is far away from the treadmill or other electrical devices, getting at least a 6-foot-long surge protection power strip is highly recommended. You will need one with an even longer power cord if the A/C outlet is at a far-flung location.
Warranty
The second most important consideration is definitely the warranty period. Some brand manufacturers offer decent warranties and support is usually just a phone call away.
A surge protector that comes with 24 months of warranty is highly recommended but those with 12 months warranty are acceptable too.
Joules Rating
If you are living near a lightning-prone area or in an old building with frequent electrical irregularities, getting a surge protection device that comes with high joules rating is an absolute must. The power rating of the surge protector will determine how many regular power spikes it is able to absorb before replacement is needed.
An average surge protector that has between 1500 to 2000 joules rating should be able to last for a good two years barring any unexpected faulty power grids and nearby lightning strikes that might trigger huge voltage spikes.
Auto-Shutdown Feature
Although this is not a must-have, it is definitely a good-to-have feature not commonly found in most surge protection devices yet. If you have a power strip at home safeguarding your treadmill and other plugged-in devices, the surge protector will perform an auto shutdown when it detects a huge incoming voltage along the power line.
When the surge protector is shut down, the electrical spikes that come along the power line will not be able to get into the surge protection device and cause damage to any of the plugged-in devices. If you are staying in a lightning-prone area or your current residential area has been experiencing high voltage spikes on a frequent basis, do ensure that the surge protector that you buy comes with such a built-in feature.
Lightweight and Portable
If you are a frequent traveler and would like to bring it along when you are not at home, you should obviously get one that is lightweight and portable. You might have to get a lightweight single or dual outlet model if you already own a power-strip model at home which is shared by your treadmill and other electrical devices.
Others
Depending on your needs for them, there are many features that might be useful if you have the need for them. For example, there are surge protectors that come with USB ports or smart features like programmable timers, and wireless and voice activation functions which are extremely useful if you have the need for them.
99% of the surge protectors come equipped with indicator LED lights, if the model you are getting does not come with one, you should probably give it a miss.
5 Surge Protector for Treadmills You May Like
Below is a few recommended treadmill surge protectors models (from a few popular brands) that we have personally tested and used.
Power Strips
[1] Belkin BV112234-08 Power Strip Surge Protector
Equipped with 4000 joules ratings and 12 outlets, this Belkin surge protector that comes with an 8-foot heavy-duty power cord is a must-buy if the electrical outlet is quite a distance away from the location of your treadmill.
If you have lighting, entertainment, and audio appliances that you will need to use alongside the treadmill, this 12-outlet Belkin surge protector will come in handy in safeguarding them against unexpected voltage spikes and electrical transients.
This white exterior surge protector comes with a 24-month warranty – a worthy investment when it comes to having peace of mind that your treadmill and other plugged-in appliances are in safe hand around the clock.
What’s to Like?- Plenty of Joules which means a longer life span
- Plenty of outlets
- 8-foot long heavy-duty power cord
- Versatile – can be used for almost electrical appliances
- Trusted brand and great warranty
- the price might be steep for some people
- No USB ports for charging of mobile devices
[2] APC P11U2 Performance Surge Protector with USB ports
Recommended
Besides having a decent amount of joules to safeguard against high voltage spikes, this APC surge protector is also capable of performing an auto shutdown [disconnection from A/C power] when an extremely high voltage spike is detected.
Just like Belkin BV112234-08, this 11-outlet APC surge protector is capable of connecting up all other appliances that are needed alongside the treadmill.
What really stands out is that it comes with 2 USB ports for charging up your mobile devices while you pound on the treadmill and it also comes with an awesome lifetime warranty.
What’s to Like?- Decent amount of power ratings at 2880 joules
- Plenty of outlets
- Auto-shutdown feature (in the event of very high voltage spikes)
- 8-foot long power cord with 90-degree space-saving plug
- Versatile – can be used for almost electrical appliances
- Trusted brand and lifetime warranty
- 2 x USB Ports
- Not suitable for appliances that require 24 by 7 operation
- Does not come with any ethernet ports
[3] Tripp Lite IBAR2-6D Isobar 2 Outlet Surge Protector
This 2 outlet surge protector from Tripp Lite is ideal for treadmills that do not require loads of other electrical devices connected with it. This 2 outlet surge protector comes with isolated filter banks, most useful for A/V equipment that has zero tolerance for internal interference when plugged in together with a treadmill.
This Tripp Lite surge protection device comes with 1410 joules which is a decent amount of power ratings for a 2 outlet surge protection device. If you are thinking of connecting up a TV for entertainment purposes in front of your treadmill while you pound away all the extra calories, IBAR2-6D is in my opinion a worthy long-term investment.
What’s to Like?- 1410 Joules is a decent amount for a 2 outlet surge protection device
- Isolated filter bank for blocking internal interference
- EMI/RFI noise filters against external interference
- Durable and fire-resistant metal housing
- conforms to UL1449 safety standards
- Lifetime limited warranty
- The price point is steep for a 2 outlet surge protector
- No USB ports for charging mobile devices
Wall Plug Models
[4] Tripp Lite Isobar 2 Outlet Suge Protector
Similar to the IBAR2-6D model, this ISOBLOK2-0 model from Tripp Lite has almost the same specifications except for the fact that it is a wall-plug version. This means that this surge protector is strictly for treadmills that are located very near to an electrical socket.
The absence of the power strip makes this surge protection wall plug travel-friendly and highly portable.
Weighing at only 13.6 ounces (385 grams), this lightweight surge protector for treadmills can also double up as a surge protection device for your travel gadgets and mobile devices when you are traveling.
This 2 outlet surge protector for treadmills also comes in black color.
- What’s to Like?
- 1410 Joules is a decent amount for a 2 outlet surge protection device
- Isolated filter bank for blocking internal interference
- EMI/RFI noise filters against external interference
- Durable and fire-resistant metal housing
- conforms to UL1449 safety standards
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
- Lifetime limited warranty
- The price point is slightly steep for a 2 outlet surge protector
- No USB ports for charging mobile devices
[5] APC Wall Outlet Plug Extender
If you own a basic to midrange treadmill at home, this highly affordable 3 outlet surge protection device might be the right pick to help safeguard your running equipment around the clock.
There are also 2 USB ports for charging up mobile devices when you are working out on the treadmill. And since this is a wall-plug surge protector, do not get this if the electrical socket is quite a distance away from the treadmill.
Again, this APC PE3WU3 can easily double up as a travel companion to protect your laptop and other travel gadgets if you are traveling and will not be using the treadmill.
What’s to Like?- 540 joules are sufficient for the protection of basic to midrange treadmills.
- 2 x USB ports for charging up mobile-devices
- Highly affordable price point
- Lifetime warranty
- 540 joules are barely enough for protecting high-end and high-wattage treadmills
- Can be flimsy if the center screw is not firmly mounted
- The “protected” indication LED can be very bright at night
