Power strips and extension cords serve different purposes.

They are not interchangeable. Use the wrong one and you risk a fire or fried electronics.

A power strip gives you multiple outlets, often with surge protection. It’s for plugging several devices into the same wall outlet—laptop, monitor, lamp, phone charger. Keep it visible, don’t hide it under a rug.

An extension cord is for reach, not multiplication. It’s one cord with one or two outlets at the end, meant to bring power to a spot far from the wall. Think: Christmas lights, a vacuum in the middle of the room, a power tool in the yard. No surge protection. No daisy chaining.

The dangerous mistake is plugging a power strip into an extension cord or another strip. That’s how you overload circuits. Also, cheap extension cords with thin wire can overheat under heavy loads.

Rule of thumb: multiple devices close together? Power strip. Single device far away? Extension cord. Both? Buy the right length cord, then plug the strip directly into the wall.

Don’t daisy chain or hide them under furniture.