A home theater system is undoubtedly one of the best ways you can have the ultimate audio experience while viewing movies and TV shows from the comforts of your home. However, it is not a flawless system, as it may be challenging to find enough outlets for so many speakers and gadgets. For this reason, today, we are going to talk about the best home theater power managers.
These power managers are the ultimate solution for home theater systems, as they are highly effective in protecting electronic appliances against voltage fluctuations. This is very important since home theaters are very expensive, and you do not want to damage these precious pieces of technology. Today, we will review some of the best you can find in today’s market, so without further ado, let us get right into it.
List of Best Home Theater Power Managers
1. Panamax MR4000 8-Outlet Home Theater Power Management
Coming from the Panamax store, this high-end power manager for home theaters is jam-packed with features necessary for the safety of your devices. It is a fantastic surge protector that everyone who owns a home theater should possess.
The MR4000 is a product specifically designed for top-of-the-line protection for sound systems and all of that without inducing any unnecessary noise. The surge rating of this device stands at 1350 Joules, meaning that protection is at a very high level and deserving of the top spot on our list.
It is also important to point out that MR4000 comes with a 120 V voltage rating, and you will find a total of eight outlets, which is enough to cover most home theater needs. You also get a lifetime protection policy for the connected equipment and a 1-year warranty.
- Excellent price/value ratio
- Stylish appearance
- Eight outlets
- 1350 Joules surge rating
- 120 V voltage rating
- Bulky
2. Furman PL-8C 15 Amp
Furman PL-8C 15 Amp is a perfect choice for anyone that looks for a great power conditioner with plenty of handy features. Furman is one of the leading brands when it comes to power conditioning products, and it will work perfectly for your home theater.
This product sports high-quality construction and advanced series multi-stage protection to keep your electronics intact. You also get dual pullout front panel lights for better visibility of your home theater gear. Moreover, this product offers superb line-filtering technology that offers top-notch safety for every piece of equipment from AC surges.
A 15 amp capacity ensures you will not have to worry about damaging your precious equipment, and since you get nine outlets, you will easily connect as many devices as you want. The bottom line is that Furman PL-8C 15 Amp filters the power perfectly and delivers clear audio at a very high level, which is, at this price point, a really good bargain.
- Nine outlets
- LiFT technology
- SMP technology
- Isolated power banks
- Voltage shutdown circuitry system
- No USB charging port
3. Pyle PC0860 Home Theater Power Manager
Pyle PC0860 is a fantastic power manager that comes with a whopping 19 outlets that can accommodate plenty of home theater gear. You are provided with three wide-spaced front panel outlets and 16 rear-facing power cable outlet plugs, which grant space for AC adapters and transformers.
This is a power manager packed with all the features you could wish for, and all of that for a fair price. You get an integrated switched front panel AC outlet and plastic cover encased power switch. Since there is a built-in 15-amp circuit breaker, you get superb protection from dangerous circuit overloads.
There is also a 15 feet long power cord so that you can supply power to the areas that are away from power sources. The materials used in the manufacturing process of this unit are very sturdy and built to last. Considering all the features that you get, the price is also more than fair.
- Nineteen Outlets
- Flexible rear outlets
- 15-Amp circuit breaker
- 15 feet long power cord
- Some users have reported issues with the built-in USB port
4. StarTech PDU Power Strip
StarTech PDU Power Strip is one of the most affordable power managers out there, but the price does not compromise on quality features and protection for your electronics in your home theater. Although it is a fairly simple unit, it will give you everything you require to protect your gear.
This product sports eight NEMA 5-15 outlets and 6 feet of power cable. There is also a rugged steel casing that is very durable and can take quite a lot of abuse. This device can easily fit on any 19-inch rack with four inches or more depth. You will also find two LED indicators on the front panel that grants you appropriate ground and power surge detection.
It is a simple and cost-effective power manager, and although it does not have many features or filtration systems, it will do a pretty good job of protecting your gear. Overall, it is a pretty good product with an exceptional price/value ratio and is well worth checking out.
- Cost-efficient power manager
- Rack-mountable design
- Durable steel casing
- Circuit breaker and reset switch for protection
- No filtration
- Lack of premium features
5. PANAMAX M5400-PM Home Theater Power Manager
The M5400-PM is one of the best units for power management from the Panamax store. It is rich in various useful features for protection, and its top-quality system and design are constructed to accommodate any type of need you have for managing power in your home theater.
This product features eleven outlets, with one on the front panel. There are also five isolated noise filter banks that effectively separate the outlets, which is great for preventing contamination from one to another.
M5400-PM uses AVM technology (automatic voltage monitoring) with two displays on the front panel and has a level 4 noise filtration system, which is one of the best in the business. You also get USB charging and extra ports, allowing you to use this unit for different purposes. It is a truly top-of-the-line product, and although it is a bit pricy, it is worth every penny.
- Top-quality design and system
- Five isolated noise filter banks
- AVM technology
- USB charging and extra ports
- Level 4 noise filtration
- Expensive
6. G5BLK 9-Outlet G-Type 15-Amp Power Conditioner
The next entry on our list is the G5BLK 9-outlet power conditioner, which is another top-notch unit for your home theater protection. As the name indicates, this is a product that offers nine outlets – eight on the rear side and one on the front.
This is a unit that provides commendable protection for your electronics and can absorb up to 3400 Joules of energy, which is very impressive. It also comes with a 1 U rack design, which is great for homes that have a 120 V electricity supply.
The product boasts a 15-amp circuit breaker, which ensures that all your home theater equipment stays intact and safe from surges. Although it is a bit more expensive than the rest of the entries on our list, the features that it comes with are definitely worth the cost.
- Excellent surge protection
- Great for homes that have a 120 V electricity supply
- 15-amp circuit breaker
- Minimalistic design
- Easy to set up
- The cable length could be longer
7. CyberPower CPS1215RMS Rackmount Surge Protector
CPS1215RMS is a cost-efficient power manager that offers twelve outlets – six on the rear and six on the front. It provides proper AC power distribution and is highly effective in protecting your electronics with its 1800 Joules absorption power.
It delivers 120 V and 15 A surge protection and great EMI-RFI noise filtration to safeguard your home theater system. This is a unit that is highly effective at absorbing spikes and fluctuations in energy, which is a standard for equipment protection.
You can see that manufacturers spent a lot of time on the tiniest details to make this product effective at its job. With versatile rack mounting options, you can mount the device both vertically and horizontally. It is also worth pointing out that industrial-grade metal housing is very sturdy and can take quite a lot of abuse, which is yet another testament to the product’s quality.
- Excellent value for the price
- Twelve outlets
- EMI-RFI noise filtration
- Versatile rack mounting options
- Durable metal housing
- Lacks some premium features
8. Soundavo PMX-6600 Professional Audio Power Conditioner
If you do not want to spare money on your power manager and want to get all the premium features you can think of; then the PMX-6600 might be exactly what you are looking for. This is a professional power conditioner but also a fantastic surge sequencer that is definitely worth every penny you will invest.
It is a unit designed to protect your home theater equipment from power problems and add extra outlets. This is a portable power conditioner and surge sequencer that provides a cleaner sound while also protecting your speakers and extending their lifespan. All modes at your disposal can be turned on and off instantly without the risk of any damage.
You will also find fourteen protected outlets (twelve on the rear and two on the front) and three zones. The device also features an LED voltmeter display and comes with two USB charging ports. PMX-6600 does much more than basic power surge protection, and even though it is a bit more expensive, it is absolutely worth the cost.
- Fourteen protected outlets
- EMI and RFI filtering
- Digital LED voltmeter display
- Two USB charging ports
- Premium features
- Bulky design
- Expensive
9. Belkin 12-Outlet Prof. 4320 Joules SurgeMaster
Coming from the Belkin store, this 12-outlet power manager is designed to protect your electronics from power surges at a very high level. Aside from being effective at its job, this product is also a great solution for anyone that does not want to spend much money on a power manager.
This unit sports a locking system and oversized metal oxide varistors that perform exceptionally at absorbing excess electricity. This is a product whose intelligent circuitry detects the needs of different devices and protects them effectively from overcharging and damage.
You also get LED indicators on this unit, which will let you know whenever the surge occurs. Your electronics will stay well protected from both surges and AC contamination while reducing electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences.
- Twelve outlets
- Pivoting outlet style
- Cost-effective
- LED indicators that let you know when a surge occurs
- Excellent circuitry
- No lifetime warranty
10. Furman Power Conditioner (SS6B) black
This power manager is a perfect choice for users that require only basic conditioners for their home theater systems. It is also a cost-effective pickup, so you will not have to break the bank when purchasing it.
SS6B is a basic six-outlet power manager in two variations – block and strip. It includes a surge protector and also offers basic-level EMI and RFI filters for your audio equipment protection. It does not reduce contamination at a very high level, but it does offer some basic features you would expect.
The bottom line is that the Furman SS6B power conditioner is the best choice for people who seek a non-expensive basic-level power manager. It will do its job and protect your electronics from surges, but not much else.
- Budget-friendly
- Great metal construction
- 15 feet power cable
- Decent clearance
- EMI and RFI filters
- No USB charging port
- Lacks premium features
Things to Consider Before Buying a Home Theater Power Manager
Much like any product on the market, power conditioners come in various shapes and forms, and not each can accommodate your needs. To help you make an educated purchase and get the best value for your money’s worth, we have assembled a brief list of guidelines you should follow when shopping for this product in the section below.
Surge Rating
As you went through our list of top picks, you surely noticed that each product has a different surge protection rating. This rating is measured in joules, and the more the power manager can absorb, the better. For example, if the surge protector you want to buy has 400 joules, it will be able to absorb 400 joules of energy before it breaks.
Voltage Rating
Voltage rating is a very important thing to keep in mind since, in some regions, you will get 240 V of electricity supply, while in others, you will get 120 V. We listed power managers that can accommodate both needs, so pay attention when you decide to order.
Cable Length
Cable length is another important thing to consider when buying your power management device. This is essential since some of these devices have a shorter power cord which can complicate setting everything up in your home theater. Make sure to measure the space where you want to put your power manager and order the cable accordingly.
Number of Outlets
As you have noticed by now, power managers come with a different number of outlets. Make sure to check how many devices you want to hook to your power manager and choose the product accordingly. It is best to look for a product that offers more outlets than you currently need in case you want to expand your setup and add more speakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are power managers necessary for home theater?
Absolutely. A power manager is a vital piece of equipment that filters out the “dirty” power and keeps your expensive electronics protected while allowing them to function more efficiently.
2. What is the difference between a surge protector and a power conditioner?
Surge protectors can only provide basic protection for your home theater electronic devices, while power conditioners provide full protection for them.
3. What do home theater power management tools offer?
They protect your electronic devices from surge and voltage spikes, fluctuating voltages and currents, and provide filtered power and noise cancelation.
4. Are home theater power managers expensive?
As with most products on the market, there are budget options and expensive options for power managers. However, even the most expensive power managers can be cheap when you think about the damage that can be done in case you do not own one. If not protected properly, your expensive gear might get damaged permanently, and you will have to pay a lot more money for it.
Final Words
Power managers are essential pieces of equipment that every owner of the home theater system should have. They are elementary protection devices that will save you thousands of dollars in equipment, so investing in one would be a very wise and economical move.
We hope you liked our guide and that you will find the power manager that will suit your needs among the products we have listed. In case you still cannot decide, revisit our top three picks, as they offer everything the home theater requires and then some.