The product name is the root of the confusion, and it's really important. A power strip simply gives you multiple outlets to plug into. Though it looks similar, many offer zero protection for your electrical devices. Even those with circuit breakers inside aren't really sensitive enough to prevent problems. Surge protectors do protect your devices, and that's what we're talking about here. Confusingly, some products are called “surge protector power strips” or “power strip surge protectors.” The key is in the wording – if it's got “surge protector” in there, then that's what you need, though it's still important to check the details.