9 Devices You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip

Power strips make life convenient, but they’re not designed to handle everything. Overloading one can damage appliances, trip breakers, or—worse—cause fires. I learned this lesson the hard way, and ever since, I’ve been much more careful about what I plug in. Here’s what you need to know, plus the list of devices you should always plug directly into a wall outlet.

First, Check the Power Rating
Every power strip comes with a maximum wattage capacity, usually written on the cord or label. To stay safe, add up the wattage of all devices you plan to plug in and make sure it doesn’t exceed the strip’s limit.

For example: if your strip supports up to 3500 W and you connect an oven (2500 W), a vacuum cleaner (800 W), and a kettle (250 W), that totals 3550 W—already over the limit. In cases like this, you must unplug one device to avoid a dangerous overload.