... would you mind explaining the "protector parts" and the numbers you recommend?
A power strip without protector parts has wires that connect each plug prong to each receptacle hole. Only a circuit breaker (and maybe a switch) is in-between those connections. That circuit breaker will safely disconnect power if too much current is drawn by the load (connected appliances), That is a safe power strip. It does not try to absorb energy. It either connects electricity safely to appliances or cuts off power.
UL tests appliances for human safety. So a power strip without protector parts may have a UL 1363 listing. Always read numbers.
Some manufacturers may including protector parts inside that $3 power strip. The most common part is called an MOV or varistor. An adjacent protector strip must either 'block' or 'absorb' surge energy. How much energy can it absorb? A protector strip lists a maximum joule number - typically hundreds or thousand joules.
Then a $3 power strip with ten cent protector parts are sold for $25 or $85. Note an obscene profit margin.
What happens when a potentially destructive surge (hundreds of thousands of joules) exists? Protector parts inside that power strip will 'absorb' too much energy. Protector parts may catastrophically explode or burst in flames.
A hundreds joule surge is safely consumed by electronics without damage. A surge too tiny to overwhelm superior protection inside appliances can destroy a 'near zero joule' protector strips. That promoted sales.
Fires from protector power strips have been routine. Starting in the early 1980s, UL tested power strips for their human safety threat - UL 1449. Any power strip that lists that number is a surge protector power strip. It contains ten cent protector parts to absorb surge energy.
Unfortunately, UL 1449 listed protector strips still created fires. UL has now revised the standard at least three times due to so many fires. APC recently admitted some 15 million of their strips must be removed immediately due to fires. Energy, too tiny to harm appliances, has even created fires inside 'near zero joule' protector strips.
Most who make recommendations did not learn any of this. Advertising calls it a surge protect
or. So a majority use junk science reasoning to assume it does surge protect
ion. It does absorb energy ... of a surge too tiny to damage any appliance. Or fail catastrophically. Catastrophic protector failure is completely unacceptable. But gets naive consumers to recommend it and buy more. Too many consumers ignore numbers.
Power strips with UL 1449 listing are power strip protectors. These must be protected by something completely different called a 'whole house' protector (if properly earthed). Power strips with a UL 1363 rating would not have protector parts. Power strips without any UL number are best suspect as a threat to human life.
Best power strip has no protectors parts and always has that 15 amp circuit breaker. Better ones also have a UL 1363 listing. Then that power strip has no parts that fail catastrophically - sometimes even create house fires.
Best protection for all appliances is a properly earthed 'whole house' solution. To even protect power strips with a UL 1449 listing.