🔌 📺 💀 My Apartment Fried Two TVs and Exploded My AC — Here’s the Budget Tech That Saved Everything Else
Two TVs fried. One AC unit exploded. And somehow, that still wasn’t enough to make me buy a UPS… until now. From backup batteries to power banks that don’t catch fire, here are 5 power picks that actually protect your tech — with some unhinged wisdom along the way.
Let me paint you a picture: you're relaxing at home, minding your own business, and suddenly — pop. Wait, what just popped? Was it my bones because I'm growing older? Was it Sling using some newly-styled Morse code to tell me something? Is the volume different now? Ghost? Ah, yes, ghosts. Must be.
A week later, you're relaxing at home again (still), minding your own business again (still), and suddenly again – pop pop. The top third of the TV screen is now darker than my soul during a Monday morning outage.
....And that was the first of two TVs and one air conditioning unit this year, fried by power surges. The TVs were plugged into surge protectors, which I thought were enough.
Spoiler: they aren't always enough.
Whether you rent, live in an older building, or just don’t want your gear zapped into oblivion, we'll walk through the budget-friendly power banks, UPS units, and surge protection gear that can save your tech (and your wallet).
Before we get into the tech, here’s more of why I started caring about this stuff at all:
- My first TV died — loud pops, top third of the screen went out, and eventually it wouldn’t turn on at all.
- I replaced it. Second TV? Same story.
- Then the outdoor AC unit exploded. Like, actual black-char mark, maintenance-guy-in-shock, electrical-fire hazard exploded.
- When he flipped the AC breaker in my power box, it popped and hissed, and my lights flickered like a horror movie while we stared at each other, aghast.
- A few days later, he acted like it was fine. (It was not fine.)
- I bought my own outlet tester. It said “yeah this outlet’s haunted” (okay not in those words, but it lit up warning indicators).
- Now my UPS units regularly show the voltage fluctuating — 118, 119, 120, 121… often jumping much higher to 147v.
I wish I were joking. Hell, I wish it had been a ghost so we could negotiate.
But no, after replacing one too many electronics, I knew I wasn't just being paranoid and finally gave in and got serious about power protection. After all, the power in this apartment is apparently wildly unstable, and standard surge protectors did nothing to stop the damage. That’s when I learned what a UPS is, what it actually protects against, and why I should’ve bought one before I ever moved in.
📚 Table of Contents (click to expand)
- So Wait... What Even Is a UPS Anyway?
- Recall Watch: Is Your Power Bank a Tiny Fire Gremlin?
- YouTube Short: TV Fried. AC Exploded. This Could’ve Stopped It.
- APC BE600M1 UPS
- APC BX850M UPS
- INIU USB-C Power Bank
- Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector
- Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip
- Smart vs. Sturdy: Which One Do You Actually Need?
- Power Up: Compare the Chaos
- Final Thoughts: Stay Charged, Stay Chaotic
⚡ So Wait... What Even Is a UPS Anyway?!
If you’ve never heard of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) before your TV got zapped or your AC unit went full Michael Bay — same. I thought surge protectors were enough. Turns out, they’re not even in the same league.
A UPS is like a power filter, surge blocker, voltage stabilizer, and mini backup generator in one box. It's like a bodyguard for your electronics.
When your home’s power starts doing unpredictable things — like flickering, spiking to 147 volts, or just cutting out entirely — the UPS jumps in like a tiny electrical ninja. Instead of frying your electronics or cutting them off mid-process, it:
- ⚡ Absorbs sudden surges (like your apartment jumping from 121V to 147V)
- ⚠️ Stabilizes voltage so brownouts don’t slowly destroy your gear
- 🔌 Switches to battery power during short outages so you can save your work, pause your game, or shut down safely
😬 But Don’t Surge Protectors Already Do That?
Nope, apparently not. And here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
Surge protectors clamp spikes — that’s it. They’re great at stopping short, sudden jolts, but they don’t regulate voltage, they wear out silently, and they can’t handle ongoing chaos like:
- Dirty power from old wiring
- Brownouts and slow sags
- Wild voltage swings
- Line noise or ground faults
💡 Think of it like this:
Surge protectors are umbrellas. UPS units are flood barriers, storm shelters, and a backup generator rolled into one.
⚠️ Common Surge Protector Myths (Busted)
Voltage Regulation ≠ Surge Protection
Even good surge protectors don't regulate power. If your voltage regularly runs high (like 140–147V), you're out of luck unless you have a UPS with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation).
They Can’t Handle Ongoing Dirty Power
Brownouts, spikes, and unstable power slowly kill electronics. It’s not always a single surge — sometimes it’s a death by a thousand dips.
They Wear Out Quietly
Most use MOVs (metal oxide varistors) that degrade over time. No indicator, no warning — one day it’s just a fancy extension cord.
Low Joule Ratings = Weak Protection
Many strips have just 200–400 joules. A serious surge will blow right past that.
💡 Pro tip: Look for surge protectors with 1,000+ joules and listed clamping voltage.
They Don’t Regulate Fluctuations
If your voltage bounces between 118–121V all day (or worse), your surge protector won’t help. Your UPS clicking? That’s AVR working its magic.
They Don’t Always Protect HDMI/Coax
If one device is surge-protected but others in the chain aren’t? The surge can sneak in sideways — especially through HDMI or coax.
Even "Good" Strips Have Limits
Unless they include:
- Voltage regulation (rare)
- High joule ratings (over 1,000)
- Full cable/port protection
💡 Final Note:
And the loud clicking from the UPS? That’s not phantom popping sounds or PTSD from watching your various electronics die in front of your eyes. It's your tech's guardian flipping between line power and battery power like a tiny electrical ninja. It's handling the chaos for you — and not-so-silently judging your landlord in the process.
UPS units don’t just protect your electronics. They give you time — to save your progress, shut down cleanly, or simply not panic in a power flicker.
Some even display the voltage in real time, so you can see just how wild your wiring really is (while continuing to judge your landlord accordingly).
⚠️ Recall Watch: Is Your Power Bank a Tiny Fire Gremlin?
This isn’t a joke: several popular power banks — including models from Anker, Casely, and others — have been recalled for things like overheating, melting, catching fire, and turning into surprise hand warmers (the bad kind).
If you've had a power bank for more than a couple years, now's a good time to double-check it’s not one of the spicy ones.
🔥 Anker PowerCore 10,000mAh Recall (Model A1263)
- Over 1.15 million units recalled in June 2025
- Sold between 2016–2022
- Reports of fires, melting, and explosions (seriously — one even caused $60K in damage)
👉 Check if yours is affected on Anker’s recall site
🔥 Other Recent Recalls
- Casely Power Pods (Model E33A): 429,000 recalled after 51 overheating incidents
👉 AP News Article - VC Group 5,000mAh MagSafe Packs: Nearly 90,000 recalled for potential fire risk
👉 VC Group MagSafe Recall Page
🧯 TL;DR
If your power bank is older, gets hot when idle, or looks a little puffy — stop using it immediately. Don’t toss it in the trash (it's e-waste + flammable). Instead, bring it to an electronics recycling center, or follow the brand’s return instructions.
We only feature safe, non-recalled models in this post — but if your old power bank is sketchy, it’s time to upgrade before your nightstand becomes a cautionary tale.
📺 Watch the YouTube Short:
1️⃣ APC BE600M1 UPS Battery Backup (600VA)
💵 Price: ~$82.49
📦 View on Amazon →
https://amzn.to/3SUZjZP
A while after moving into my current apartment, I heard a quiet pop, figured it was an oven (or ceiling) ghost, and hoped the ghost was of the friendly variety.
A few days later, more pops, followed by my TV screen going darker than my soul during a Monday morning outage. And it wasn’t a one-time thing — the wiring here seems to run on chaos and hope. After losing not one but two TVs, I decided it was time to fight back with actual gear.
Enter the APC BE600M1 — a compact, affordable UPS that delivers more peace of mind than a lavender candle and a therapy session. It's perfect for routers, streaming boxes, monitors, or even your Raspberry Pi projects. You won’t power your entire apartment with it, but when the lights go out, your connection doesn’t have to.
⚙️ Features:
- ⚡ 600VA / 330W backup power supply with automatic voltage regulation
- 🔋 5 battery backup outlets + 2 surge-only outlets
- 🔌 1 USB charging port (handy for phones during outages)
- 🧠 Audible alerts for power events and low battery
- 📦 Compact design fits neatly on a shelf or under a desk
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Compact and budget-friendly
- 🎯 Keeps essential gear powered (router, monitor, etc.)
- 📈 Real-time power monitoring + alerts
❌ Cons:
- ⚠️ Limited runtime (~5–10 mins depending on load)
- 📏 Won’t power full desktops or gaming setups
- 🔌 Only one USB port (not USB-C)
🙋 Who it’s for:
- 👩💻 Remote workers who need internet during short outages
- 🎮 Gamers who don’t want save files lost mid-match
- 📡 Anyone in an apartment or older building with questionable wiring
- 📦 Raspberry Pi hobbyists or home server users
2️⃣ APC BX1500M UPS Battery Backup (1500VA)
💵 Price: ~$179.99
📦 View on Amazon →
https://amzn.to/3HJdNcT
Ahem. This isn’t just a UPS. This is The UPS — the chunky, square-jawed hero you call when the lights flicker and you hear something crackle behind your wall like a squirrel chewing live wires.
After two TVs ascended to electronics heaven and my AC unit tried to achieve sentience via combustion, I decided to go big. The APC BX1500M doesn’t play. It has enough battery backup to let you save your work, shut down your gaming rig, and still sit there judging your landlord while sipping tea.
This unit doesn't just beep — it speaks in full voltage readouts. It tells you when your power is being weird, when it’s compensating, and when it's done saving your bacon again. It’s like having a miniature power engineer under your desk… who occasionally clicks loudly to remind you it’s doing all the work.
⚙️ Features:
- ⚡ 1500VA / 865W capacity with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation)
- 🔋 10 battery-backup outlets + 5 surge-only outlets
- 🔌 2 USB ports so your phone doesn’t die mid-doomscroll
- 📺 LCD screen that literally shows you how much chaos it’s absorbing
- 🛜 Dataline protection for network or phone lines (remember landlines?)
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Handles full setups: desktop, monitor, modem, extra nonsense
- 🎯 Real-time voltage display = instant landlord judgment mode
- 📈 Built like a brick — the good kind
❌ Cons:
- ⚠️ Thicc. Will definitely eat desk space and not apologize
- 💵 Pricey, but cheaper than your next fried TV
- 📦 Heavy. This is not a wall-mount kind of friend
🙋 Who it’s for:
- 🧠 Anyone who’s ever said “My power’s probably fine” and lived to regret it
- 🎙️ Creators mid-recording session who can’t risk a power blip
- 🛠️ Makers with temperamental 3D printers, NAS setups, or electrical trauma
- 🏠 Apartment dwellers with mystery surges and suspicious breaker boxes
3️⃣ INIU 10,000mAh USB-C Power Bank w/ LED Display
💵 Price: ~$15.98
📦 View on Amazon →
https://amzn.to/43Wgz60
Pop quiz: Is that fire popping from your bag cute or a disaster about to happen? Let this be your hero.
Some power banks just charge your phone. This one says, “I got you, bestie,” and tells you exactly how much juice is left — in numbers, not vague blinking lights like it’s sending Morse code from 2009.
The INIU 10000mAh USB-C power bank is small, sassy, and delightfully competent. It fits in your hand (or pocket), charges phones and earbuds at the same time, and shows a little digital percentage readout so you know exactly when it’s time to recharge it — not guess based on vibes.
Also: it's not one of the recalled, flamethrower-in-disguise power banks, which is more than we can say for a few million others.
🏆 INIU’s got the goods — People magazine named it their "best overall" power bank, calling it compact, capable, and a champ at charging multiple devices.
(And People usually only say that about Taylor Swift and golden retrievers, so… this thing’s in elite company.)
⚙️ Features:
- 🔋 10000mAh capacity — full phone charge (or two) in your pocket
- ⚡ USB-C input/output, plus dual USB-A ports
- 🔢 LED digital display that shows exact % remaining
- 📦 Slim and lightweight — fits in a tech pouch or jeans pocket
- 🔒 Surge + short-circuit protection baked in
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Extremely portable and not a fire hazard — win-win
- 🎯 LED readout = no guessing whether “two blinks” means 20% or “you’re doomed”
- 📈 Can charge 2–3 devices depending on size and sass
❌ Cons:
- ⚠️ Doesn’t fast charge large tablets/laptops
- 📏 May be too slim to impress the “bigger battery = better” crowd
- 🥤 You’ll wish you bought two (ask me how I know)
🙋 Who it’s for:
- 📱 Travelers who need backup power without bulk
- 📸 Creators using phones for shoots, vlogs, or B-roll
- 🎒 Students and commuters with long days away from outlets
- 🧃 Anyone tired of carrying a 2-pound bank that’s 5% charged and gaslighting them
4️⃣ Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector w/ USB-C
💵 Price: ~$27.95
📦 View on Amazon →
https://amzn.to/4018nA3
Some surge protectors are glorified extension cords with a complex about it. This one? This one rolls in with 12 outlets, USB-C power delivery, and a 4,000-joule shield like it’s here to fight Zeus himself. The Belkin 12‑Outlet Power Strip is what happens when cable chaos meets design therapy and says, “Yeah, we can coexist.”
You get fast-charging USB ports built in (yes, including USB‑C), outlets spaced like they’ve heard of those comically huge power bricks, and built-in fire-resistant construction that quietly whispers, “I’ve got this,” every time your fridge kicks on. Is it dramatic? Absolutely. Is it essential? Also yes.
⚙️ Features:
- 🔌 12 AC outlets with wide spacing for obnoxiously large plugs
- ⚡ 2 USB-A + 1 USB-C (20W Power Delivery)
- 🔥 4,000-joule surge protection — aka, actual protection
- 🔒 Fire-resistant shell, overload protection, grounded indicator
- 🪛 Mounting slots for wall or desk
- 📏 6 ft heavy-duty cord that doesn’t feel like spaghetti
✅ Pros:
- ✅ USB-C charging without needing an extra brick
- 📈 Can handle your entire setup, even the stuff you forgot was plugged in
- 🔌 Spacing that respects bulky plugs for once
- 🧠 Doesn’t look like a haunted noodle tangle
❌ Cons:
- ⚠️ No app or smart control — it’s all business, no Siri sass
- 📦 Larger footprint than a basic strip
- 🧼 Doesn’t come with built-in cable management (but you can fix that)
🙋 Who it’s for:
- 🎮 Gamers and desk-goblins with an army of power-hungry devices
- 🎙️ Creators and streamers who have just one more thing to plug in
- 🖥️ Remote workers with a battalion of chargers and zero patience
- 🔋 Humans who learned the hard way that joules actually matter
5️⃣ Kasa HS300 Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
💵 Price: ~$43.99
📦 View on Amazon →
https://amzn.to/4jUpnPP
Ever wanted to yell "TURN OFF THE LAMP" at your power strip? Now you can — and it’ll listen. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Surge Protector lets you control six individual outlets and three USB ports with an app, your voice, or your chaotic energy. No more crawling under the desk to unplug the air fryer you regret buying.
It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Kasa app — so you can automate your charging schedule, create routines, and shut things off while you're halfway to the grocery store wondering if you left your mic preamp on. Is it the most powerful surge protector out there? No. Is it the sassiest? Absolutely.
⚡ The four-outlet strip made its debut in our $50 Tech Club — and yes, it still slaps.
⚙️ Features:
- 🔌 6 individually controlled AC outlets
- ⚡ 3 always-on USB ports (5V/2.4A combined)
- 📡 Wi-Fi enabled — works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Kasa app
- 📲 Create schedules, timers, scenes, and routines
- 🧠 Surge protection up to 1,710 joules
- 🔒 UL certified and fire-resistant housing
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Remote control for outlets from your phone or voice assistant
- 🧠 Smart scheduling = save power (and a little dignity)
- 🕹️ Each outlet can be controlled individually
- 🔗 Plays nice with most smart home setups
❌ Cons:
- ⚠️ Lower surge protection than traditional heavyweights
- 📶 Requires stable Wi-Fi for smart features to work
- 🔌 USB ports are always on — can’t control those remotely
- 👻 You will forget which outlet is which and turn off your monitor mid-Zoom
🙋 Who it’s for:
- 🧙♀️ Smart home lovers with strong opinions about automating everything
- 📱 People who whisper “hey Google” more than they call their parents
- 🛋️ Apartment dwellers who want to control holiday lights like a wizard
- 🎮 Desk gremlins who want to shut off RGB towers and printers on command
🧠 Smart vs. Sturdy: Which One Do You Actually Need?
If you're wondering, “Should I get the smart one or the sturdy one?” — the answer is yes.
Both types of surge protectors have their strengths, and it all depends on how much power weirdness you’re dealing with… and how much control you want over your outlets.
| Feature | 🧱 Belkin Sturdy Surge Strip | 🤖 Kasa Smart Wi‑Fi Strip |
|---|---|---|
| 🔌 Outlet Count | 6–12 standard outlets | 6 smart outlets + 3 USB |
| ⚡ Surge Protection | High joule rating (1000+) | Mid joule rating (540 J) |
| 💬 Voice/App Control | Nope | Yep (Alexa/Google) |
| 📊 Energy Monitoring | No | Yes (per outlet) |
| 🔥 Fire Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| 🧠 Automation | No | Yes — scheduling, grouping |
| 💸 Price | ~$27.95 | ~$43.99 |
| 🧰 Best For | High-power setups, home office rigs, gaming gear | Smart home nerds, aquarium keepers, energy hawks |
🛠️ TL;DR:
- Want serious protection and peace of mind? Go with the sturdy one.
- Want to yell “Alexa, turn off the ghost lamp” without moving? The smart one’s your new bestie.
- Honestly? If your power is truly sketchy — layer up. Use a UPS for your expensive gear, a surge strip for peripherals, and a smart strip for the vibe.
🧯 Because nothing says “budget tech enthusiast” like not setting your apartment on fire.
⚡ Power Up: Compare the Chaos
| 🔌 Product | 🔋 Type | 💡 Key Features | 💰 Price (Approx.) | 🔗 Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC BE600M1 | UPS Backup + Surge Protector | 600VA / 330W, 7 outlets (5 battery + surge), 1 USB port, compact build | ~$82.49 | 📦 View on Amazon |
| APC BX850M | UPS Backup + Surge Protector | 850VA / 450W, LCD screen, 10 outlets (5 battery + 5 surge), updated & reliable | ~$179.99 | 📦 View on Amazon |
| INIU USB-C Power Bank | Portable Battery Bank | 10,000mAh, USB-C + dual USB-A, LED % display, charges two devices at once | ~$15.98 | 📦 View on Amazon |
| Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector | Surge Protector Power Strip | 12 outlets, 8-foot cord, 3,940-joule rating, sturdy & reliable build | ~$27.95 | 📦 View on Amazon |
| Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip | Smart Surge Protector | 6 smart outlets (individually controlled), 3 USB ports, voice control | ~$43.99 | 📦 View on Amazon |
📌 Affiliate Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!
⚡ Final Thoughts: Stay Charged, Stay Chaotic
From brownouts to blown fuses, the modern power grid feels like it’s running on fumes and duct tape. But you don’t have to.
A solid UPS can save your sanity (and your spreadsheet) when the lights go out. A good surge protector guards your precious tech babies from surprise zaps. And a compact power bank that isn’t plotting to become a pocket-sized flamethrower? Honestly, that’s the dream.
Smart strips. Safe backups. Sass-filled chargers with actual percentages instead of cryptic blinking lights from the year 2007.
So whether you’re protecting a gaming setup, a work-from-home battlestation, or just your late-night YouTube rabbit holes — charge smarter. Protect better. And maybe check under your kitchen sink to see if you’ve already subconsciously prepared for all of this. (Yes, I do now wonder about the fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink.)
