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Customer Ratings & Reviews

Customer reviews

Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars with 29 reviews

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83%
would recommend
to a friend

Customers are saying

Customers are satisfied with the V Series Power 8 Outlet/Omniport USB surge protector's build quality, robust surge protection, and well-spaced outlets, praising its premium feel and comprehensive safety features. However, some customers express disappointment with the USB charging speeds, finding them slower than expected. The relatively high price point is also a recurring concern for some buyers.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 29 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality, Surge protection
    Cons mentioned:
    Usb charging
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Gorgeous Outlet & Ultra Clean Power!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is by far the most premium feeling power outlet I've used. It's easily also among the best looking. In terms of performance, I've been using this Austere outlet for about a week to power a 1000 watt PSU gaming PC, a power hungry 1000 nits HDR gaming monitor + secondary monitor, multiple laptops, a phone, and a charging dock for work. It has not missed a beat under heavy power workloads. In the past I've used the standard inexpensive standard power strips that are prone to electromagnetic interference. I used to have an audio receiver that would cause my speakers to produce a humming noise. I knew that it was due to "dirty power" in my home but I didn't have a lot of money to spend on an expensive power conditioner. I really wish that I would have ran into a product like this back then. Austere claims that their isolated PureFiltration technology aids in isolating EMI/RFI noise from external power sources. They are also using MOV circuits and thermal protected outlets. Judging by the build quality of this power outlet and it's performance so far, I get the feeling that this provides a much greater level of protection and clean power than the run of the mill power strip. I also love the thoughtful design of the minimalist squared plug and the super flexible braided power cable. There's 3 blue LEDs on the unit that I had to do a bit of research to figure out what they indicate. The shield logo LED is very useful. This LED will turn off in the event that the 4,000 joules of protection have been used. If this turns off, the unit needs to be replaced. The other two are the Power LED (simply indicates the unit is on) and the Ground LED (indicates the unit is properly grounded when plugged in). This would have easily been a five star outlet for me had it not been for a small issue I ran into when trying to utilize the USB-C ports to fast charge my Galaxy S22 Ultra. Austere claims that both USB-A ports and the three included USB-C ports are capable of rapid charge. However, for whatever reason, I was only able to get both USB-A ports to rapid charge my phone. I tried using different USB-C cables on all three USB-C ports and I couldn't get rapid charge to work. For testing purposes, I would then take those same USB-C cables and plug them into my normal rapid charge brick and it would rapid charge with no issues. Overall, I'm very impressed with the build quality, the top end circuitry & components, and the technology used in this Austere outlet. I think that for those that take their home theatre/AV equipment seriously, this Austere high end power outlet certainly deserves some consideration. The same can be said for those with high end electronics in their home office. Top top things off, the fact that Austere provides a lifetime warranty makes this an easy recommendation!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Surge protection, Warranty
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    A Work Art Disguised as a Surge Protector

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This Austere - V Series Power 8-Outlet Surge Protector with OmniPort USB has to be most elegantly built surge protector power strip I've ever seen. Even the power cord is unlike any cord I've ever seen on a surge protector. It is what they call Woven Armor, providing incredible strength and durability. The Austere Surge Protector is packaged like a work of art and to be honest, it is a work of art. Beauty aside, we spend an inordinate amount of money on our electronics, so ensuring they are protected against power surges is important. Very important. This surge protector does more than just protect against spurious surges. Using Austeres PureFiltration technology, it cleans noise and artifacts which can travel through power lines, keeping your devices beyond well protected. You get 8 grounded plugs plus 5 rapid charging USB ports (what Austere calls OmniPort) - 2 USB A and 3 USB C, each delivering up to 2.4 Amps of charging power, while also fully protecting your low voltage devices. For audio and video devices, PureFiltration protects your devices from EMI/RFI (electromagnetic interference/radio frequency interference) which ensures no loss of data. If other devices are turned on nearby, nothing will impede the power supplied to the devices plugged in. In terms of surge protection, Austere ensures fire and power safety with flameless MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) which means it is a voltage dependent, nonlinear device which provides superior transient voltage suppression. I found it enlightening to learn that over time Surge Protectors lose effectiveness. This Austere Surge Protector comes with 3000 Joules. A Joule is used as a unit of work, energy and heat. When the Joules have been used up on this Surge Protector, the blue protection shield icon on the surge protector will stop illuminating so you'll know it is time to replace the device. Nice! Hopefully, that will be years from now. Sleek Design. Purpose built to provide superior protection for your expensive electronics. Beyond intelligent design and a lifetime warranty makes this a piece-of-mind purchase to ensure your devices are fully protected for the long term. The price of admission is worth it and them some.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Outlet spacing, Warranty
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Well-built, Nicely-Spaced Outlets, Great Warranty

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    TLDR: (that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read) 8 nicely-spaced outlets suitable for even larger adapters. 5 USB ports that can deliver up to 2.4Amps per and 6Amps total across all 5. Really nice braided cord and small flat offset power plug. Seems to have a lot of power protections and a great 5-year warranty for damage to anything plugged into it. Pros: * Long nice-braided cord with flat offset plug. * Well-crafted metal shell. * 8 widely-spaced outlets suitable for even large adapters. * 5 USB ports (2-A and 3-C). * Great power filtering and protection. Cons: * Ring around USB ports looks like it should light up but doesn’t. * Power button for unit looks like it should light up but doesn’t. * Minor nit- the icons for the protection lights do not line up exactly. Details - Setup: The braided power cord is really nice and flexible. The power plug is offset and flat so it doesn’t block the other outlet. There is a master power switch on the opposite end which turns the strip on and should illuminate the 3 LED status indicators for Power, Grounding and Filtering. There are 8 power outlets on the top of the unit that are widely spaced and suitable for larger power adapters. The 5 USB ports are on the end and easy to plug into. There are rubber strips on the back on the unit to keep it from sliding around too much. Details - Typical Usage: Not much too it. Plug in your stuff and this strip will do its best to provide clean, filtered power to everything. Keep in mind that the USB ports can support up to 2.4Amps per port but the group of 5 can output 6Amps max. They claim to have a 5-year warranty to replace anything plugged in to this strip if damaged due to power coming from the strip at any value. Nice! Conclusion: Really nice looking and well-crafted power strip that protects everything plugged into it. There’s plenty of room to fit up to 8 AC and 5 USB items. Excellent warranty and confidence in plugging in anything pricey and/or sensitive.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Surge protection
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    A Hard Sell

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Overpriced. That isthe intial reaction when I saw the asking price for this surge protector. And after looking at the luxery box, the obvious care put into the design of the box alone, I started to have second thoughts. Then opening the box to be greeted buy a lovely brickhouse of a power strip, I'm left wondering if I had clearly jumped the gun on my knee jerk reaction. Apparently, there's a lifespan to your surge protector. I didn't know that until I got this one. But it seems that they aare only fully effective for a year to two years before it's time to replace them. That is, if you care about your hardwae and whatever work you stand to lose it if there's an issue IE a surge.The V series surge protector is designed to keep you in the loop. To let you know if your surge protector needs to be replaced using the 3 LEDs that will indicate whether or not the surge protector is working properly.( Power, ground & protected.) simply put, the let you know if you're get optumal power, if you're properly grounded and if it feels you are completely protected from a surge. I don't know how accurate that is, but the fact that they took the time to try to make this a visible tool, makes me feel just a little more safe while using it with all of my equipment. It has 8 outlets, as the name explainss. I also has 3 USB-C ports on the side along with 2 USB-A ports. We all know how important these are considering the horrible fact that companies are slowing removing power bricks from their packaging to save on cost( OSTS) Allin all, I feel very safe using it, but at that price point I kinda feel like I could just mark my calendar or set a reminder to go buy a new surge protector every year or so. And I still feel like I'd be saving a lot of money. i do appreaciate that Austere has gone the exta steps to make my computing gaming a little safer from oblivion, but the cost to play in that world is just too high. I can't , in good faith, recommend this to my friends, but I can recommend it to businesses with a lot to lose and not enough time to think of that need to swap out for new protectors. That's why I give it 4 out 5. It's just oo high for consumers, but hits the sweet spot for business owners.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality
    Cons mentioned:
    Usb charging
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Fancy sure protector

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I own several surge protectors but this stands out from the rest especially in the way it looks. The Austere V series is not just a surge protector, it is a luxoruis type. From the packaging to the item itself you can notice this thing is high end. The surge protector itself is very well built, you can appreciate the details. Even the box looks fancy, it has this suede-like texture on the inside. By the looks and size you may think it weighs a lot but it is actually light. It has 8 outlets and 5 USB ports, 2 USB-A and 3 USB-C. Unfortunately the USB-C is not fast charging. I plugged in my Galaxy Note 20 and it was charging normally, not fast charging. On the bottom it has these two rubber strips that prevent the surge from slipping. The woven cable with that black and blue accent looks very nice. It does flex but is a little stiff at the same time. Something I really appreciate about this surge protector is that protection indicator. If the joules have been used the light will go off and that’s how you know you have to replace it.There are two additional indicators for a total of three. The other two are, one for the grounding and the other is for power. This specific strip is rated at 3000 joules and 1500 Watts input. Pretty much all the surge protectors do the same thing, but not all look as fancy and guarantee your components for 5 years regardless of their value. Overall if you appreciate details and you're looking for a surge protector that will give you peace of mind for at least 5 years, for its value this is a no brainer.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Outlet spacing, Warranty
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Protects all your electronics

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Austere’s V Series 8-Outlet Surge Protector with Omniport USB, is in my opinion a high end product, i’m not sure if it’s mostly made of aluminum but it feels like metal, along with high quality plastic parts. The power cable itself is long enough and braided for extra durability, that eight outlets are located on top while the five USB ports (2x USB-A, 3xUSB-C) are located on the side, and each rated at a super fast 2.4 Amps, basically strong enough to charge a tablet, and definitely fast enough to charge any smart phone. This search protector comes packaged nicely in a good quality box, the warranty on it is very good, lifetime guarantee for the surge protector itself, and a five-year warranty to replace any electronics that might have been damaged while using this product. It has pretty cool LED lights that light up, when lights up when it is turned on, another lights up when it is properly grounded, The outlets themselves are nicely spaced out to avoid clutter, it has screw holes in the back so we can be mounted on the wall if you so choose.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality, Warranty
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Protect your high end tech

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is for sure a luxury item. And I would say that no, not everyone needs this product. It’s for those who have higher end computers, TVs, sound systems, etc. If you have your average computer or TV setup, honestly, this is overkill. BUT if you have a high tech setup, maybe a gaming computer or surround system that use a lot of power, then this surge protector may well be worth the cost. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, especially when it came to the unboxing (see pictures). This is a quality, luxury product meant to accompany other luxury products and protect them. To be honest, I don’t feel like there’s a whole lot more to say about it. It’s a surge protector. You plug things into it, either through the electrical outlets, USB, or USB – C ports. It’s a heavy product, which again I’d say goes towards its level of quality. Plus, it offers a lifetime warranty, something totally unheard of for this type of product. Bottom line is this, if you have a high quality computer and or entertainment setup, this is a worthwhile product, and I’ve rated it according to that.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Great looking power strip

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    We've all been there - just brought home a new A/V Receiver or that big screen TV with the soundbar, looking for a place to plug all the shiny stuff in and all we have is an old plastic power strip that sticks out like a sore thumb. No more of that - Austere makes this amazing looking surge protector that is a great match to that High-end Hi-Fi setup! Not only it has 8 outlets for the regular components, but also 3 USB-A and 2 USB-C ports for devices like Chromecast or Fire Stick (anything that normally comes with that sticking wall adapter that consumes a ton of space - you don't need that wall wart anymore, just use one of the on-board ports!). Side note - this model is not really meant to fast charge USB devices like iPad, in fact - plugging in iPad won't even work, ports are 5V only 2A max (6A total = 30W) and can't output 9V or 20V needed for a high powered USB-C loads. There is a step up model of this surge protector that actually does have USB-C power delivery port on board. How well does it protect? Documentation says that it has 3000 Joules surge rating which is pretty high (good), and supposedly noise filtering is separate per each outlet, I could not verify that claim as it does not seem to be easy to open this device up for an inspection. Overall - it's an amazing looking and feeling surge protector, if you have A/V geek in your family - this would be a superb gift for sure!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Brilliant. Gorgeous.

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely gorgeous! My first take away is how heavy this was. A solid 5 pounds. It was obvious that this is a truly high quality device. The packaging is premium as one would would expect from a "luxury" item. The cardboard is thick and premium feeling, the plastic has a velvet feel and everything is tight. The brushed aluminum is as substantial feeling as it is eye-pleasing. Further, the braided cord has a high quality, heavy, re-assuring look and feel. No detail was overlooked. The plug into the wall is a 4 o'clock angle so it can be plugged into the outlet even while the other outlet is in use. The blue backlighting is rich and brilliant. The design is honestly as brilliant in effectiveness as it is gorgeous. The unit comes with 8 standard plugs, 5 USB ports [3 of which are USB C and 2 are USB A at 2.4 volts]. Overall voltage is 120 volts with Joule rating @ 3000, maximum continuous operating of 125 volts with a max voltage out @ 125 volts. The maximum output watts @1800 watts. This is a beefy unit. Additionally, it comes with a "Lifetime Warranty" [I'm sure there are many variables in that statement] and includes a 5 year replacement if any equipment is damaged in the first 5 years. That in mind, I went back and forth as to whether to place this in my office with all of laptops or in my family room with my 87" LG TV, my 9.2 Yamaha receiver and my Sony BluRay and Def Tech powered subwoofers. I can honestly say I REALLY hope I never need to test the warranty, but it's a nice option to know I have. In all, this is a truly brilliant, gorgeous, powerful, functional luxury item. If you have a need, this is very hard not to buy. I would [and have] recommend this to a friend. Great choice!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Amazing product I didn't know I needed!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Summary: I have seen all levels of surge protectors before from simple ones that cost a few dollars to more premium ones that come with a guarantee in the event your equipment is damaged but I don’t think I have ever seen such a premium one as the Austere VII series before. In addition, it is designed for the times with modern styling and support for USB-C. Pros: Looks cool! Braided cord USB A & USB C outlets (up to 45W) Cool blue lights Mounting ability Nicely spaced outlets Cons: None! Unboxing: One would think they are opening a high end Apple product when opening this thing. It comes in a really cool box with blue accents and faux velvet lining inside. Other than the device, there is not much else in the box other than a product guarantee booklet (registration) and a quick start guide. Setup: Not much to say for this one… plug it in, plug in your appliances and turn it on! Though it is advertised for home entertainment centers (due to EMI/RFI filtration), I plugged mine into the computer area for testing. Use: Since there isn’t much to do once it is plugged in here are my overall observations. There are three cool LEDs on the front. One is for Power, one for Ground and one for “Protected” showing it is doing its job. I shifted some of the things I usually plug in from a power brick to the USB outlets. There are two USB-A plugs and three USB-C plugs. One of them is for 45W using PD which is perfect for some phones and ultrabooks. I have mine hanging on the wall for easy use, especially for the USB outlets. The device comes with a lifetime guarantee for peace of mind. The braided cable is a nice touch and I imagine adding a little more EMI shielding but it is thick! The plug has a cool diamond accent too which doesn’t seem to have any practical use but sure looks cool!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    An elegant surge protector with great features

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    If you've ever had a power surge during a thunderstorm, you know how important a surge protected power strip is. You need to protect your electronics or they could get fried. The Austere 8-outlet V series looks like a very professional piece of hardware with its brushed aluminum housing and eight generously spaced outlet ports. I was drawn to the unit not only for its looks, but for the MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) surge/fire protection and the 5 year connected electronics warranty. If anything gets fried while connected to the power strip, it's covered under the warranty. And the unit itself carries a lifetime warranty for proper operation. Fortunately the Austere comes with 3 independent Leds letting you monitor protection, grounding, and power status at a glance; unlike most power strips with only 1 light. As an extra bonus you get a side embedded USB strip with 2 protected USB-A and 3 USB-C ports thus eliminating some adapters and freeing up outlet space. Added features to this unit is the protection from EM and RF interference giving your TV and audio connections "PureFiltration" for clean signals. To top it all off, you get a woven cord to protect from kinks and a right angle plug to utilize the top wall outlet spot without obscuring the bottom. A lot of thoughtful and useful considerations make the Austere V series the right choice for protecting sensitive equipment.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Cons mentioned:
    Price, Usb charging
    Best Buy Employee

    Rated 1 out of 5 stars

    THE WORST SURGE PROTECTOR!

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    Best Buy Employee
    Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I bought this to reduce the clutter of chargers for my desk and none of the type c ports on the surge protector will charge any of my devices. I attempted to reach out to the company for replacements but was ghosted. Buy any other surge protector than this overpriced junk.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Outlet spacing, Surge protection, Warranty
    Cons mentioned:
    Usb charging
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The Over Achiever of Power Strips

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Austere V Series Surge Protector features excellent construction, high-end build materials, a straight-up brilliant design, and performance to boot. Starting off, the attractive chassis is constructed with aluminum and is substantial, weighing in at 4.5 pounds. The permanently attached power cord is a generous 5’ long and is sheathed in braided Kevlar with a 45° flat plug, allowing the plug to tuck into tight spaces and avoid blocking other wall outlets. On top of the device, there are 3 status lights (power, ground, and protection) and 8 outlets. The outlets are side-facing and are widely spaced, allowing for large charging bricks to be placed side-by-side and not interfere with one another. The front face of the device features 2 USB-A and 3 USB-C ports. On the bottom, there are mounting holes, shaped to allow for horizontal or vertical mounting, along with rubber feet to avoid sliding on hard floors. From a performance standpoint, the device offers a heavy duty 15 amp and 1800 watt input rating. The USB ports offer up to 30W USB fast charging. Power filtration covers EMI and RFI to minimize noise in audio and video. And surge protection employs a flameless MOV (metal oxide varistor) which is rated for 3000 joules. This much surge protection is perfect for sensitive computers, gaming systems or high-end stereos. Austere includes a lifetime guarantee on the surge protector itself and 5 year replacement guarantee for devices connected to the strip, which adds an extra layer of peace of mind. A couple of points: The actual cord is frequently quoted as being 6’ in length. That’s actually the length of the full device. The cord by itself measures 5’. Also, I keep reading online that the USB charging is rated for 45W. However, the printing on the bottom of my device states the max is 30W. I don’t have the equipment to confirm which it is. At the end of the day, the Austere V Series is an attractive surge protector that delivers high-end performance. I never thought I could be excited by a power strip, but here we are.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great quality

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Great quality, looks, and functionality relative to the design.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Austrere Eight outlet surge protector power strip

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    |
    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This power strip search protector by Austere has been the best one I have used as of yet clears up the power the picture everything that you want to do and gives a clear stunning picture and sound quality for your home theater system when this one wears out I will buy another identical to this one

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality
    Cons mentioned:
    Price
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Mother of all surge protectors

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Always on the lookout for a decent power strip / surge protector with built in USB ports and found the new Austere V series power strip to try out. Unboxing and First Impressions; Now this power strip is not your typical power strip, it comes in a very nice company logoed box that’s something like what you would expect a good laptop to come in, not just hanging out like all the other one’s we’ve purchase. Inside there’s the power strip/surge protector and some literature, that’s it. This is like no other power strip I’ve seen, its body is solid aluminum, the end caps and 120v socket are is plastic, and it’s very large and pretty heavy, “built like a tank”. On the back there are key holes for mounting it on the wall if you so desire. The power cable is heavy duty, thicker than normal and has a woven armor wrap, making it very well protected. There’s a single power switch on the end where the power cable comes out and on the other end there are three USB C type plugs and two USB A. On top there are 8 “on this model” 120 power outlets and they are nicely spaced so you can easily fit power adapters with some room to spare. Using; This operates just like any other power strip / surge protector so it’s simple and basic that way. The company claims that this one will filter out noise and has “PureFiltration” that filters out unwanted back ground noise. To test this, our security cameras “they are wired”, have always had a white type noise in the background and since the DVR is near proximity to other electronic equipment I had the suspicion it was something there causing the issue. I ended up plugging everything into this new power strip and low and behold no hum in the background of my cameras, “woohoo” finally a solution that worked. I tried out the 48w USB C port on our Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 and it charges it like a charm and one of the other ports is hooked up to my Samsung wireless charger and it charges my S22 Ultra and Galaxy Watch 4 perfectly. Conclusion; If you want what looks like the best power strip / surge protector on the market and want one that has plenty of ports then this new Austere V is definitely the one to get. Yes it’s very expensive, but in this case you are getting exactly what you are paying for “a high quality device”. It also comes with a power protection warranty “good for 5 years” and will cover anything plugged into the strip if damage does happen to occur, the strip itself is covered with a lifetime warranty.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality, Surge protection
    Cons mentioned:
    Usb charging
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 3 out of 5 stars

    Amazing build quality, but disappointing features

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Austere V Series power strip is an absolute premier power delivery mechanism. At a price that is more than most consumer UPS’s, this might raise the eyebrows of most. After all, this is just a dumb power strip right? Not at all. You not only get a premium design, aluminum casing, well spaced outlets, braided cables, high current surge protection, and OCP, but also 5 USB (2 A, and 3 C) ports. While the price to entry is high, perceived built quality is quite high. The Austere is packaged like a premium product. The soft touch inside gives a luxury feel which seems a bit out of place for a power strip. The aluminum casing feels like an Apple product to be honest. Pulling it out of the box, the sheer weight and feel make this product something you won’t forget. The braided 6ft cable definitely makes it easy enough to route and plug in. I love the flat angled plug, allowing it to be used in either a top or bottom outlet without consuming the other port or sticking 4” out of the wall. Plugging the power strip in you’ll notice 3 LEDs light up that indicate Power, Ground, and Surge protection. This itself is pretty standard on power strips. The concept is that the surge light may go out as the product ages informing the consumer that the product is no longer providing protection as it was designed. The power strip has pretty standard features. You get OCP (overcurrent protection), which is pretty standard, Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV) for current clamping (again, pretty standard in the mid-high end range), and the PureFiltration EMI/RFI filtration. While it’s hard to measure and quantify the EMI filtration, I was able to test the OCP. I did get the OCP to trip, but at what I believe was a much higher wattage than the rated 1800w. OCP did function properly and prevent any heat build up, so I’m not overly concerned (It took a 1425w air fryer on high and an 1800w toaster oven on broil to trip OCP after about 45 seconds). Charging from the USB ports is effective and does deliver the 2.4 amps promised. Each port is rated to deliver 2.4 amps at 5v but disappointingly, the 5V DC output is only rated for 30w, so you can’t charge 5 devices at 2.4a, rather only 2 with some amperage leftover for the other ports. This is fine for most people’s use cases, but at this price point it would be nice to be able to claim to charge 5 iPads. Frankly at this price point I’d like to see USB-C PD at 45-60W. Unfortunately the unit's features are a pretty standard affair. While this is definitely a premium product, with excellent build quality, I have to admit that I’m unimpressed with the value for the money. I have no concerns with safety, or longevity, but I do worry that the aluminum housing is affording an extra $100 premium. Without tearing it apart to inspect the circuitry, I’m a bit hesitant to recommend this power strip on specs and build quality alone. The USB charging limited to 30w total is unfortunate (as 5 ports delivering 2.4a is 60w). My iPad Pro and MacBook Pro wouldn't even report any charging at all on any of the USB-C ports, leading me to believe they're not implementing even basic handshaking. That said, its bigger brother does support USB-C PD and is worth checking out for the premium it draws.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality, Outlet spacing, Surge protection
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The PERFECT surge protector!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I was not previously aware of Austere prior to obtaining this surge protector, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I have been nothing but pleased since placing this in my home. Anyone who knows me knows that while overall performance is a top tier benchmark for me, aesthetics run a close second. Austere has ticked both of these boxes. How stunning can a surge protector be? Well, just take a look at this product and you will see. It is almost a shame to hide this. You kind of want to put it on display. In fact, the USB charging ports make a strong case for not tucking this away in the bowels of your entertainment setup. Looks can only get you so far though right? Let's talk about build and performance. This is extremely well built, solid, well designed, and every detail has been thought out. Outlet spacing is gracious enough that you don't find yourself struggling to cram plugs together. It's almost calming. Each of those 8 outlets are standalone and offer thermal protection as well as protection against power surges. The same is true for each of the 2 USB-A and 3 USB-C ports. As you can see there are plenty of ports and outlets, with even more protection. But not only does this Austere surge protector offer protection and prevent damage, it has another feature not often seen. That is what they call PureFiltration. This system helps provide a more clear audio and video signal by insulating the incoming power signals. I have to admit, I did not notice any real improvement however I have a rather higher end setup. All in all this is a really impressive surge protector. Beautifully and thoughtfully designed, ample ports and outlets, top of the line protection, this has it all. Definitely will recommend to friends and family.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Build quality, Outlet spacing
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The Luxury Car of Power Strips

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I'll admit, I was completely blown away when I opened the shipping box and saw how big the packaging was inside. And inside that (very nice premium) packaging was the biggest, heaviest power strip I've ever seen. Around the 8 outlets is a solidly built brushed aluminum chassis with a thick braided cord and angled plug. The angled plug is awesome because it allows the Austere strip to co-exist with another plug if necessary. There are three understated lights that show status of your power and one one end are a set uf actually useful USB ports. Two are quick-charge USB A ports and three are USB-C ports including one Power Delivery port. Depending on the power requirements of your laptop there's a good chance you can plug directly into this port and not need your power adaptor. It will also fast charge most USB-C tablets like iPads and Galaxy Tabs or many Android cell phones. This frees up one of the 8 power ports for something else. This would be best used in a home theater or audiophile setup which requires clean power for best performance, and whose expensive components can benefit from extra protection from power spikes. While this comes with a higher price than most power strips, keep in mind that this conditions power for top performance from AV components and will protect them from lightning strikes. This may not be for everyone, but I feel confident that the gear I've plugged into it is protected from just about anything!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Cons mentioned:
    Price, Usb charging
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Study construction and plenty of plugin-in room

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is a sturdy and substantial power strip: It feels well made. Considering the size of the strip, it almost feels like there should be more; however each outlet provides plenty of room for larger power supplies. One of the bigger bonuses are the USB charging ports: three USB-C and two USB-A, each with 2.4 amps. It's a little disappointing that none of them offered faster charging capabilities. I also think it would have been a good idea for some degree of illumination for each USB port as a way to confirm whether or not they are charging. Fortunately there are other lights to indicate that surge protection is active, etc. I appreciate the signal filtering and Lifetime Guarantee, although I haven not yet had to need to experience either one. But it's clear Austere put some care into this product. It's performs well, it's functional, and it simply looks nice as an accessory - not that tired sort one usually sees from a power strip. But all of that comes at a price. It seems a bit on the expensive side, but if it truly protects one's devices and has the guarantee as advertised, it's probably worth it.

    I would recommend this to a friend
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