Let’s start with a scary bit of home maintenance you’ve probably been ignoring: that beige power strip under your desk. Did you know you’re supposed to replace your surge protectors every three to five years?

It’s true. Most people think they last forever, but the protective components inside—specifically Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs)—wear out. Every time your power flickers or you experience a minor surge, those MOVs take a tiny hit, sacrificing a bit of themselves to save your PC or TV. After a few years (or one big lightning storm), their protective capacity is gone. They become little more than a dumb extension cord, and in a worst-case scenario, a potential fire risk.

If you’re now nervously side-eyeing that dusty old strip, Govee is sliding in with a timely, and frankly, much better-looking, replacement.

The new Govee Smart Plug Outlet Extender, which is expected to officially launch today, October 31st, 2025, is a clever solution that aims to de-clutter your floor and add a dose of smarts to your wall. Amazon already has it up for pre-order at $36.99, and it packs a lot of function into its compact frame.

Instead of a clunky plastic brick connected by a cord, the Govee extender plugs directly into your wall’s standard duplex outlet. Its most thoughtful physical feature? A long screw that replaces your outlet’s existing faceplate screw, anchoring the entire unit securely to the wall. This is a bigger deal than it sounds—it means the extender won’t sag or pull out just because you’ve loaded it up with clunky, oversized power adapters.

The smart, the “dumb,” and the colorful

Govee calls this an 8-in-1 device, but here’s the breakdown of what that really means for your daily use.

First, the “smart” part. On the front, you get two grounded AC outlets. These are the main events. You can connect them to the Govee Home app to set timers and schedules—think turning on a lamp at dusk or starting the coffee maker at 7 am. Naturally, they also tie into the wider smart home ecosystem, letting you use voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to turn things off and on.

But here’s the first catch: the other four AC outlets, two on each side, are “always on.” They are also non-grounded, meaning they’re only suitable for two-prong plugs. These are, essentially, “dumb” ports. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker—they’re perfectly fine for devices that you always want powered on, like a router, a clock, or a smart speaker hub. But if you were hoping to gain smart control over six different devices, you’ll be disappointed.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Govee product without some RGB. The top of the extender features a full-color LED light. This is where Govee’s expertise shines. Through the app, you can adjust the color, brightness, and set schedules, effectively turning the accessory into a high-end, customizable nightlight. It’s a fantastic two-for-one that can add a nice ambiance to a hallway or bedroom.

That said, the light has one notable omission: there’s no motion detection. You can schedule it to turn on from sunset to sunrise, but don’t expect it to light your way automatically when you stumble out of bed for a midnight snack.

Those USB ports

The final two “ports” in this 8-in-1 solution are one USB-A and one USB-C port, located on the bottom. In theory, this is great—it saves you from using a charging brick.

In practice, this is the extender’s biggest weakness.

The USB-A and USB-C ports output a combined total of just 15W.

Let’s be clear about what that means in 2025. This is not for your laptop. It will not power a MacBook Air, a Dell XPS, or any modern portable workstation. It will, at best, dramatically slow down the battery drain. This 15W output will slowly charge your smartphone or earbuds overnight, but it’s a far cry from the 45W, 65W, or 100W fast-charging speeds we’ve become accustomed to. For a $33 device, this feels like a missed opportunity.

So, who is this for?

If you are a “power user” who needs to fast-charge a laptop and phone while running a space heater, this isn’t it. You’d be better off with a dedicated GaN charging strip.

However, if you have already bought into the Govee smart-lighting ecosystem, this extender is a fantastic and logical addition. It’s perfect for a bedroom or living room, where the “smart” outlets can control a lamp and a fan, the “dumb” outlets can power your TV and speakers, and the beautiful RGB nightlight can be synced with the rest of your Govee gear.

As a replacement for that 5-year-old fire hazard under your desk, the Govee Smart Plug Outlet Extender is a sleek, secure, and convenient upgrade. It cleans up your cable mess, gives you smart control over your most-used items, and throws in a best-in-class nightlight as a bonus. Just be sure to bring your own laptop charger.