Best power conditioners: Guard your gear from eletrical danger

Safe, clean power is one of the most under-considered aspects of good sound. So it makes sense that power conditioners are one of the most misunderstood types of gear. 

They provide different types of protection and notification against signal killers like voltage differentials, interference, and surge protection. They’re used in all types of situations, but are really common in recording studio, live sound reinforcement, and guitar/bass setups.

Let’s dive into what a power conditioner actually does, why you should consider adding one to your rig, and some of our favorite rackmount and floor models. 

Best power conditioner overall: Furman P-2400

Furman has a healthy grip on the industry  when it comes to power conditioners. You’ll find their products in all types of rigs, especially when it comes to touring artists. 

By accepting input voltages from 97V up to 137V the P-2400 delivers a steady 120V stream of AC power that protects against all kinds of electrical anomalies that could harm your equipment. It’s especially built for gear that needs a high current level, like power amps in a sound reinforcement system or big build outs in audio/visual environments.

By operating on a few of Furman’s proprietary circuits, like Linear Filtering Technology for the cleanest power, Series Multi-Stage Protection to guard against power surges and spikes, and Extreme Voltage Shutdown that detects irregularities to provide automatic power down of the unit and anything attached to it if it detects anything unsafe.

The P-2400 offers power protection like few other pieces. It will run you just south of $2,000 new, but think of it as an investment in protecting your gear. And when it comes to that category it’s one of the best investments you can make.

Best high end power conditioner: Black Lion Audio PG-2R

This 14-outlet high end power conditioner is one of the best all-around models available. All outlets are regulated and have Black Lion’s PG-99 Filtering Technology, so noise worries are a thing of the past no matter where you are.

All outlets are optimized to integrate into analog, digital, and high-current systems. This includes all AC outlets, dual XLR lamp connectors and USB chargers. Some AC outlets have a time delay to prevent pops.

LED status indicators display grounding, polarity, voltage irregularities, and noise filtering. If the PG-2R senses unsafe voltage levels an alarm sounds. Finally, the Voltage Regulation Stage display is an innovative way to monitor how much load the unit is taking.

It’s pricey, but worth it. A good amount of AC outlets and additional connections, one of the best metering systems, and next-gen features to control noise and voltage makes this our pick for the best high end power conditioner on the market.

Best midrange power conditioner: Furman PL-Pro C

Another rack unit from the kings of power conditioning at Furman comes at a much more convenient price point. Like the P-2400 it uses Multi-Stage Protection and Linear Filter Technology.

There are eight outlets on the back and one on the front, so cable organization is more of a consideration with this model. Three of the outlets are wide spaced to accommodate large transformers.

LED indicators let you know when the voltage is beyond normal ranges or something is a concern. And LED lights are retractable and offer a dimmer to give you the best amount of light regardless of the situation.

The biggest downside is that it doesn’t use a standard IEC power cord. To use it you’ll need Furman’s ADP-1520 Pro Series adapter cord. But it offers a good number of outlets and useful features that give you the peace of mind that your gear is protected with status indicators that prove it.

Best budget power conditioner: Livewire 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Distribution System

If you’re looking for a power conditioner that offers more outlets than most, this model from Livewire can regulate power for up to 11 different other units.

It’s an easy install into a standard rack and only takes up 1U in spacing. To provide the best view there are two retractable lights on the front.

All but one of the outlets are located on the rear of the unit, and a numerical indicator on the front panel displays the input voltage that’s easy to see even from a little distance. It’s affordable and built with longevity in mind from a manufacturer that really cares about protecting your gear.

Best power conditioner with metering: Furman PL-Plus C

When you’re dealing with electricity that’s unpredictable, or worse, that can damage your gear metering becomes critical. The PL-Plus C offers a segmented, ranged meter that gives you a much more specific readout than a standard “on/off” or “protected” LED.

It offers eight outlets on the rear and one on the front panel. Three offer a wide spacing to accommodate large power supplies. To keep everything isolated, the rear outlets are isolated and split into two banks. This minimizes signal interference. 

LED lighting is retractable with on, off, and dimmer controls. The back panel has a gooseneck connector for a lamp that can be switched from the front. Precise metering is the best thing about The PL-Plus C.

It’s a mid-priced power conditioner that offers a good number of outlets and different protection vectors to keep whatever is connected to it safe. And with the attention to detail that Furman puts into their gear, if you’re looking for something sleek and ergonomic it’s the perfect choice.

Best power conditioner for touring: Juice Goose SQ1500

Touring is one of the primary use cases for having a power conditioner in your rig. Moving from venue to venue and across countries it’s critical to know that the power that’s feeding your equipment is reliable, steady, and regulated.

One of its standout features is remote control operation – something very useful for working on large stage spaces. Seven outputs on the rear of the unit are grouped into three “Power Pods”, with two outputs to each.

One output is unswitched to accommodate certain types of gear. All outputs have high-quality surge, spike protection, and line noise filtering.

Convenient meter monitoring is important when gauging power levels, and LEDs on the front panel provide easy readouts.

Best floor power conditioner: D’Addario Power Base

A lot of power conditioners come in a rack format. But what if you don’t use a rack, or need something smaller that doesn’t sacrifice efficacy?

The Power Base is tour-ready, with five standard-spaced outlets and three with larger spacing for bigger adapters. And the low and wide design means it stays in place regardless of what’s plugged into it. A surge protection indicator lets you know that it’s doing it’s job to protect whatever is plugged into it. 

It’s not the best choice for everyone, but makes a great option for a pedalboard power supply. If you need something simple and effective it’s one of the most ergonomic and affordable options available.

FAQ

What do power conditioners do?

Audio equipment is delicate, especially high end professional and consumer gear.

Whether you’re a DJ, guitar player, or audiophile building the best listening system you can, fluctuations in power and electrical noise are two of the biggest concerns in audio systems.

A lot of power outlets don’t have a consistent voltage output. Power conditioners keep voltage steady, help to reduce electrical noise, and protect gear from power surges.

What makes a good power conditioner?

Depending on your needs, the different types of protection it provides, the right number of outlets, and how sophisticated the metering is. Other features like where controls are located and retractable lights are worth considering too.

What is the difference between a line conditioner and a power conditioner?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Depending on the model, line conditioners and power conditioners operate the same way. They regulate and provide consistent voltage, minimize electrical noise, and provide surge protection.

Surge protectors, on the other hand, only limit damage from power surges.

Do power conditioners work?

Absolutely. They’re one of the best investments you can make in protecting your gear. By regulating voltage, noise, and protecting from surges they provide a lot of utility in safeguarding your gear.