Philips 6-Outlet Extender Review: Worth It? 9/10
A verified buyer on Amazon summed up the appeal in one line: “modern and nicely designed. doesn’t stick out far. works great!” That simple reaction mirrors the larger pattern across platforms: the Philips 6-Outlet Extender Surge Protector, 2 Pack, White is widely viewed as a tidy, wall‑hugging way to turn a cramped outlet into a real charging hub. Verdict from the collected feedback: highly liked for everyday expansion and cable cleanup, with a few practical fit-and-stability caveats. Score based on sentiment volume and consistency: 9/10.
Quick Verdict
Yes — with small caveats about fit on some outlets and using bulky plugs.
| What Users Liked/Disliked | Evidence from Users | Who It Matters To |
|---|---|---|
| Compact, space‑saving wall tap | A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “sleek and modern, fits nicely to wall.” | Apartment dwellers, TV/desk setups |
| Cleans up cord clutter vs floor strips | A verified buyer on Amazon said: “really cleaned up my areas with a lot of plugs.” | Home office users, cable‑management focused |
| Outlet spacing generally generous | A verified buyer on Amazon wrote: “the spacing of the outlets is generous.” | People with mixed plug sizes |
| Stable enough for many, but can wobble on some walls | A verified buyer on Amazon warned: “it can rock a little from side to side.” | Older/out‑of‑flush outlets |
| Not always flush due to rear plastic pin | A verified buyer on Amazon said: “plastic piece on the back that stops it from being flush against the wall.” | Users needing fully flush installs |
| Some outlets blocked by big plugs | A Staples customer noted: “some of the ‘smart’ plugs are so big that they block...” | Smart‑plug users, large bricks |
Claims vs Reality
Philips markets this as a “space‑saving design” that turns two grounded outlets into six. Digging deeper into user reports, that promise largely holds up in real rooms. A verified buyer on Amazon described how it “doesn’t stick out far” and another added it “lay fairly flat against the wall,” highlighting that for people replacing a bulky strip, the wall‑tap format feels like a true upgrade. On Staples, one shopper framed the same win as “a better fit than a floor cord extension,” suggesting the claim is most tangible when you’re trying to get power off the floor and behind furniture.
The second major claim is 900‑joule surge protection with a protected indicator LED. Users don’t test joules directly, but they repeatedly mention the LED as reassurance. A verified buyer on Amazon pointed out: “there is an led light that lets you know the surge protection is working.” Reddit user Sharvibe (no username provided in data) echoed the peace‑of‑mind angle, writing that the “tiny led light… when it’s on, i know my gadgets are safe from power spikes.” While the marketing focuses on protection, user reality focuses on confidence cues — people value being able to see that it’s active.
The last recurring marketing idea is being a clean “charging station.” In practice, people use it exactly that way, but with an important caveat: plug size affects how many of the six ports feel usable. Staples reviewers talked about larger plugs blocking neighbors, and one even bluntly said: “can’t use the middle outlet.” Another Staples customer put it more gently: “some plugs are big and because of that, you may not be able to use all the 6 points.” So while the claim of six outlets is accurate on paper, multiple users imply the effective outlet count can dip depending on what you plug in.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring pattern emerged around design and how little visual and physical space the tap takes. Many Amazon reviewers chose it specifically because it looks better than competitors. A verified buyer on Amazon said: “this was the best designed plug adapter and i shopped this hard… sleek and modern.” Another added: “unlike some of the competitors’ products, i selected this one because it looked great.” For users with visible outlets — living rooms, bedrooms, home offices — the unit isn’t just functional; it’s intentionally unobtrusive. Reddit’s longform community post reinforced that aesthetic win, describing it as blending into white walls so well “guests don’t even notice it.”
The second universal theme is cable management and replacing traditional power strips. People weren’t buying this for surge math; they were buying it to stop cord sprawl. A verified buyer on Amazon described using it behind a wall‑mounted TV, saying it helped “hide the wires behind my tv” and also clean up a desk area. Another Amazon reviewer framed the same before‑and‑after: “definitely reduced cord clutter… compact to the wall and not too visually intrusive.” Staples customers made the same point in shorter form, calling it “perfect size and not messy cables!” and praising that it “remove[s] the big bulky surge protector.”
Users also consistently appreciated having enough outlets in one vertical wall footprint. The “turn two into six” concept shows up in stories from small homes, craft rooms, and even campers. A Staples customer said it was “nice solution to our multi cord problem… works perfect for all our needs… tv, dish, game system with extra room for more!” Another Staples reviewer using it socially liked that “when i have company over… i have them all plug their phones on the same outlet.” Reddit’s post described a similar multipurpose setup, calling one unit a “hidden charging hub” and the other a way to organize a home office.
Common Complaints
Even among mostly positive reviews, fit and stability issues surfaced. Several users noted that the rear plastic grounding pin — meant to steady the tap in the second outlet — can prevent a perfectly flush wall contact. A verified buyer on Amazon called this out plainly: “did not know there is a plastic piece on the back that stops it from being flush against the wall.” Another Amazon reviewer explained the tradeoff: they liked the pin because it avoids using a screw into the wall plate, but “it feels like if i were to try and unplug one of my cables it would pull the entire unit off.” For renters and anyone with slightly protruding outlets, this wobble concern is the main friction point.
A second complaint is outlet blocking from large plugs. This shows up more on Staples, where one customer said: “can’t use the middle outlet,” and another noted that the prongs “should have little more distance” because bigger plugs can make “you may not be able to use all the 6 points.” The same issue appears in a Staples review mentioning oversized smart plugs that “block th…” (truncated in data). For smart‑home users or people with chunky power bricks, the six‑outlet promise can feel conditional.
Some users were also bothered by the indicator light, though less intensely than fit issues. An Amazon reviewer called it “(dim) blue” and said it was the only visual intrusion. A Revain reviewer complained more strongly about “the annoyingly brightest blue led,” even saying it still shines through tape. That suggests light sensitivity is niche but real, especially for bedroom or low‑light setups.
Divisive Features
Stability is the clearest split. Many users say it stays put and feels solid, like the Amazon reviewer who described it as “solid and sturdy even when all plugs used.” Staples feedback also includes “stays in the outlet without falling out.” But others report movement during plug/unplug actions. One Staples customer advised that you “must use one hand to keep it pushed into outlet and use other hand to plug item in.” The difference seems to hinge on outlet condition and wall plate flushness, creating two parallel experiences: rock‑steady for some, slightly fussy for others.
Finish and color expectations are another smaller divide from Revain. One reviewer complained that a turquoise unit was “shiny, not matte,” saying photos implied matte. Another was annoyed by the glossy feel even though “it works fine.” These aren’t performance issues, but for users buying it partly for looks, the finish mismatch mattered.
Trust & Reliability
The strongest long‑term durability story comes from Reddit’s community post, which described six months of daily use with “no overheating, no loose plugs, just reliable power expansion.” That kind of mid‑term check‑in aligns with Staples shoppers who bought multiples over time; one said: “you know you’ve found a good product when you end up getting more than one!” Amazon sentiment similarly suggests repeat‑buy confidence, including a Spanish note: “son muy útiles ya he comprado varias veces” (translated: very useful, I’ve bought several times).
Scam or legitimacy worries don’t show up strongly in user content here. The only trust‑leaning friction comes indirectly from Revain’s low aggregate rating and its mix of harsh language about packaging and fit, plus a vague “not everything is as good as it says.” Those complaints focus on cosmetic or fit disappointment rather than counterfeit alarms. Overall, the cross‑platform tone leans toward “reliable enough to scatter around the house,” rather than suspicion.
Alternatives
Only a few competitors appear in the data, and the contrast is mostly about format. Storables positioned the Philips wall tap as “best overall,” while also listing KMC and GE power strips. The KMC 6‑outlet strip 2‑pack is described as a basic corded strip with a 4‑foot cable, which Storables notes may feel short for some setups. By implication, Philips wins for people who don’t want cords at all. GE’s 6‑outlet strips are framed as reliable and corded, with some users elsewhere noting “cords are a bit short” and outlets close together. The tradeoff comes down to use case: wall‑tap Philips for tight spaces and cable cleanup, corded strips like GE/KMC for reaching distant sockets.
Price & Value
On Amazon, the 2‑pack wall tap is listed around $14.29, or roughly $7.15 per unit. Users repeatedly call the value strong. A verified buyer on Amazon said it was a “great price point,” and Staples shoppers echoed that it solved expansion plus surge needs “at a very reasonable price.” The two‑pack itself is also highlighted as cost‑effective for multi‑room setups; Reddit’s post called it “clutch” for splitting between TV and office.
Resale/market signals from eBay listings show similar mid‑teens pricing for Philips 6‑outlet surge products, suggesting the retail price is already close to what people expect to pay in secondary markets. Community buying tips are simple and practical: buy multiples for small homes, offices, or travel rigs. Staples’ camper user story — “lack of outlets… this gave us so many more places to plug things in” — makes the value case for RV and travel users especially clear.
FAQ
Q: Does this wall tap really stay flat against the wall?
A: Mostly yes, but it depends on your outlet. A verified buyer on Amazon said it “fits nicely to wall,” yet another noted a rear “plastic piece… stops it from being flush.” Users with older or protruding outlets report slight rocking.
Q: Can you actually use all six outlets?
A: Often, but large plugs can block neighbors. A Staples customer said they “can’t use the middle outlet,” and another mentioned big plugs reducing usable ports. For slim chargers and standard cords, users report generous spacing.
Q: Is the surge protection indicator useful or annoying?
A: Many like the reassurance. A verified buyer on Amazon noted the LED shows “surge protection is working.” A smaller group finds the blue light too bright for bedrooms, with Revain users calling it “brightest blue led.”
Q: Who is this best for — TV setups or office desks?
A: Both. Amazon reviewers used it to hide TV wires and clean desk clutter, and a Staples user preferred it over a “floor cord extension.” It’s especially valued where cords on the floor or behind furniture are a problem.
Q: Is the 2-pack worth it?
A: Users generally say yes. Reddit’s post praised splitting the two units between rooms, and Amazon reviewers liked the cost per piece. If you need expansion in more than one spot, the 2‑pack fits that pattern.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a renter, home‑office worker, or TV/entertainment setup owner who wants a compact surge‑protected outlet extender that cleans up cords. Avoid if your wall outlet sits crooked or you rely on multiple oversized smart plugs in one spot. Pro tip from the community: treat it like a wall‑mounted power strip — one Amazon reviewer advises steadying it with a hand when plugging/unplugging if your outlet isn’t perfectly flush.
