TESSAN Tower Power Strip Review: 12 Outlets, 5 USB, and Individual Switches Tested

If you work from a desk, you know the struggle: too many devices, not enough outlets, and a tangle of power strips fighting for floor space. The TESSAN Tower Power Strip takes a vertical approach to this problem, packing 12 AC outlets and 5 USB ports into a compact tower that sits on your desktop.

I tested this surge protector for three weeks in my home office, running everything from monitors and laptops to phone chargers and desk lamps. With individual switches on each side, a 10-foot flat plug extension cord, and a $35.99 price tag, the TESSAN tower makes a strong case as a desk charging station. But the 1250W power limit and basic USB-C charging raise fair questions about who this power strip is for.

What I Liked About the TESSAN Tower Power Strip

17-in-1 Charging Station Design

The TESSAN tower fits 12 AC outlets and 5 USB ports into a 5 x 5 x 8-inch footprint. That means 17 devices can charge simultaneously without sprawling across your desk. The tower format keeps everything vertical, freeing up surface area that a traditional flat power strip would consume.

Each of the four sides holds three widely spaced outlets, so bulky adapters and wall-wart chargers don’t block neighboring sockets. I ran a monitor, laptop charger, desk lamp, and external drive on different sides without any spacing conflicts.

Individual Switches for Easy Power Management

The standout feature is the four independent switches, one per side. Each switch has an LED indicator that confirms power status at a glance. I kept my monitor and speakers on one side, my chargers on another, and my desk lamp on a third. Turning off the monitor side at the end of the day took one click, no unplugging needed.

This design supports straightforward energy saving. Instead of pulling plugs or reaching behind furniture, you flip a switch. Over weeks of use, the switches showed no signs of loosening or misfiring.

Flat Plug Extension Cord

The 10-foot flat plug cord is a practical addition. The plug sits nearly flush against the wall with a profile of just 0.31 inches, so you can push furniture right up against the outlet. The cord itself is thin and flexible, making cable management simpler than dealing with a thick, rigid power cable.

Ten feet provides enough reach to place the tower on a desk while plugging into a wall outlet across the room. For dorm rooms and home offices with limited outlet placement, the length eliminates the need for a second extension cord.

Widely Spaced Outlets

The outlet spacing deserves mention. At 2.05 inches apart, larger plug heads and timer adapters fit without blocking the next outlet. I tested with a combination of standard plugs, USB wall chargers, and one oversized laptop brick, and all fit without issue.

Solid Build Quality

The gray plastic housing feels sturdy without being heavy. The four anti-slip rubber feet grip desktops and nightstands firmly. During three weeks of daily use with multiple plug and unplug cycles, nothing wobbled, cracked, or loosened. The base stayed planted even when pulling out tighter-fitting plugs.

What Needs Improvement

1250W Power Limit

The TESSAN tower maxes out at 1250W, which falls below the 1875W ceiling that many competing power strips support. This means you need to be mindful of what you plug in together. A space heater (1500W) alone would trip the overload protection. Pairing a laser printer with a monitor and laptop charger could approach the limit.

For a desk setup with low-to-moderate draw devices like monitors, chargers, and lamps, 1250W is sufficient. But users with high-wattage equipment should factor this constraint into their decision.

USB-C Charging Speed

The two USB-C ports max out at 15W (5V/3A), which is standard slow charging by 2026 standards. A modern smartphone can accept 25-45W, and laptops need 60W or more. You can charge a phone overnight without issue, but do not expect the quick top-ups that a dedicated PD charger delivers.

The three USB-A ports at 12W each are similarly basic. If fast USB charging is a priority, plan on using a separate wall charger and using the USB ports for accessories like earbuds and smartwatches.

USB Switch Control Confusion

The USB ports respond only to the left-side switch. The other three switches have no effect on USB charging. I spent a few minutes toggling wrong switches before figuring this out. The product documentation mentions this, but better labeling on the unit itself would prevent the confusion. Multiple Amazon reviewers flagged the same issue.

How the TESSAN Tower Compares

The tower power strip market has several strong options. Here is how the TESSAN stacks up against its closest competitors.

Anker 727 Charging Station offers USB-C Power Delivery at up to 100W, which puts its charging capability in a different league. However, the Anker has fewer AC outlets and costs roughly twice as much. If fast USB-C charging for laptops and phones is your priority, the Anker wins. If you need maximum outlet count at a reasonable price, the TESSAN is the stronger pick.

Ntonpower Tower Power Strip provides a similar vertical layout with a comparable outlet count. What it lacks is individual switches for each side. The TESSAN’s per-side switch control gives you more granular power management, which matters for energy-conscious users who want to cut phantom loads.

TROND Tower Power Strip supports 1875W, giving it a 50% higher power ceiling than the TESSAN’s 1250W limit. TROND also offers higher surge protection joule ratings. For workshops or setups with high-wattage equipment, TROND is the safer choice. But for a standard desk with chargers, monitors, and lamps, the TESSAN’s capacity is adequate and its price is lower.

The TESSAN sits at the intersection of outlet count, switch control, and value. It does not lead in any single spec, but it delivers a well-rounded package for the price.

Final Verdict

The TESSAN Tower Power Strip delivers practical desk power management at a fair price. Twelve outlets, five USB ports, and individual switches in a 5-inch-square tower give you a compact hub that handles most home office and dorm room needs.

I rate it 4.2 out of 5. The individual switch design and generous outlet count earn high marks, while the 1250W ceiling and basic 15W USB-C charging hold it back from a higher score.

Bottom line: If you need a desk-friendly power hub with outlet control and do not require fast USB charging or high-wattage capacity, the TESSAN tower at $35.99 (as of February 2026) is a strong value.