The first time you ever try to plug a bulky AC adapter into a conventional power strip, it hits you: this is not the right tool for this job. Some hefty adapters will cover up as many as three of your precious outlets — an unacceptable amount in any power-hungry area. A few gadget manufacturers have, uh, adapted their adapters so their bulk is shaped "horizontally," making it jut out to the side instead of covering up the next outlet down, but such tweaks can only get you back so much space on a closely-packed strip.

So it was with much excitement I unpacked my PowerSquid. Made by Flexity, the PowerSquid is a surge protector like no other. Looking like a multi-tentacled sea creature, it sports six cables with six outlets instead if a single flat strip. Since each outlet has its own tether, you're free to attach the biggest power adapter in the world and still not crowd your other gear. On the white-colored PowerSquid Surge 3000 Calamari, the model I reviewed, the outlets on the two longest cables emit an ice-blue glow, a handy feature in shady corners. Clearly the PowerSquid is a highly evolved cable hub, but its many advantages over more primitive strips bring with them a few weaknesses as well.

One obvious one is size. The PowerSquid is definitely a big 'un as surge protectors go. It's not unbelievably huge, but you'd have a pretty easy time re-enacting parts of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with a regular power strip standing in for Captain Nemo's Nautilus. The size makes it take up a bit more floor space than your average strip from Target, though it has rubber "feet" on its backside for gripping the floor so it generally stays put. Nothing wrong with that, though precise placement of a surge protector is something I've never really worried about.

Beyond its primary feature of giving you all the space you want for big plugs and adapters, the Calamari's few perks are suited mainly for hardcore users. How can you be a "hardcore user" of a surge protector, you ask? Try wall mounting. Slots in back make it easy to proudly display your electrical cephalopod on a wall, which actually lets you take best advantage of the hanging "tentacles." On the floor, it's really not a hell of a lot better than a regular ol' strip, since you still have to kneel down and reach behind things to do any plugging or unplugging.

Connectors for your cable box and phone line are nice to have, as they extend the PowerSquid's impressive surge protection (rated at 3,240 joules) to more of your gear. I still wouldn't chat too long on my landline during a lightning storm, but the extra shielding can't hurt. Two other great bonuses: the good and long (8-foot) cord attached to the "head" and the rotating plug at the end of it. Seriously, every plug on every piece of equipment ever built should be designed like the PowerSquid's: not only does the rotating head ensure you'll never cover up any other outlet on your wall, but it sticks out less than half an inch when plugged in! Yes, I'm exclamation-point-excited about this.

There's certainly lots to recommend about the PowerSquid Calamari, but there's one thing that's tough to swallow: the price. At $80, it costs twice as much as "high-end" surge protectors like Belkin's PureAV protectors or APC's SurgeArrest line, both of which space out their outlets to better accommodate AC adapters. The Calamari justifies its large price tag with a high joule rating and other esoteric features that will appeal only to energy wonks. If that's you, congratulations — you've found something to get yourself for Christmas. If it's not, Flexity makes more affordable PowerSquids, sans the perks, if you still want a taste of those tentacles. But you'll really miss that rotating plug.
— Peter Pachal