Best Power Distribution Units of 2025
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Power Distribution Units, also known as PDUs, are essential components in modern data centers and server rooms. PDUs are designed to distribute power to multiple devices from a single power source, ensuring that all equipment receives the required amount of power. They come in a variety of types, including basic, metered, switched, and managed PDUs. Basic PDUs provide a simple and cost-effective solution for power distribution, while metered and switched PDUs offer more advanced features such as remote monitoring and control. Managed PDUs, on the other hand, provide the highest level of control and customization, making them ideal for large-scale data centers. Overall, PDUs are crucial for ensuring reliable and efficient power distribution in any IT environment.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Power Distribution Units
Tecmojo 1U Rack Mount PDU
The Tecmojo PDU is designed for efficient power distribution in standard 19-inch racks, making it a perfect solution for your AV, network, or server setups. With 16 outlets at the back and three in the front, it provides plenty of space for all your devices. The four USB ports allow you to charge multiple devices at once, enhancing your convenience. Additionally, the built-in 15-amp circuit breaker protects your equipment from overloads, ensuring your devices remain safe and functional. Its heavy-duty construction means you can rely on it for long-lasting performance in any environment.
Champion Power Equipment 201174 Power Distribution Box
The Champion Power Box is designed for high-capacity power needs, featuring a 50A twist-lock inlet along with six 120V GFCI-protected duplex outlets and a 120/240V 30A locking outlet. This setup allows you to safely power multiple devices, ensuring you have the flexibility for various applications. Each outlet is individually protected against overloads and includes ground-fault protection, giving you confidence while using your equipment. Built with a heavy-duty frame and a corrosion-resistant enclosure, this box is ready to tackle even the harshest environments, making it ideal for outdoor use.
LIFESTYLES WAREHOUSE 30A PDU
The LIFESTYLES WAREHOUSE Power PDU is a powerful 30AMP unit designed for effective power distribution, especially for ASIC mining setups. With its built-in real-time meter, you can easily monitor your power usage in amps and watts, helping you manage energy consumption efficiently. Additionally, this unit features surge protection and a breaker, ensuring your equipment remains safe from electrical surges. It offers a variety of outlets, including 6 C13 and 4 C19, making it versatile for connecting multiple devices. This robust design guarantees high performance and durability, giving you peace of mind during operation.
CyberPower Metered PDU with 14 Outlets and 1U Rackmount
The CyberPower Metered PDU is a 100-125V and 15A power distribution unit with a 15-foot power cord and 12 outlets, ideal for datacenters, servers, network devices and telecom equipment. The unit has a rugged industrial-grade metal housing with cord retention tray, horizontal and vertical mounting brackets, and a digital amperage meter. The unit is rack-mountable and has a derated capacity of 12A.
Tripp Lite Basic PDU with 20 Outlets
The Tripp Lite Basic PDU is a reliable power distribution unit with 20 total outlets. It is a safe and ideal no-frills basic PDU for high-density IT environments such as networking, telecom, security, PDU networking, and audio/video applications. With a switchless design, built-in circuit breakers, and a 1U metal housing, it can be mounted horizontally in 1U of EIA-standard 19 in. 2- and 4-post racks, as well as on a wall or workbench or under a counter. The product comes with a 5-year warranty and free tech support.
CyberPower Switched PDU with 8 Outlets
The CyberPower Switched PDU provides reliable power distribution to electronic equipment, servers, and network/telecom devices. It features 8 switchable NEMA 5-15R outlets, a multifunction LCD screen, and remote and local monitoring. The 1U rackmount design with durable metal housing saves space and the firmware is upgradable.
Tripp Lite Metered PDU, 15A, 16 Outlets
The Tripp Lite Metered PDU is a 15A single phase 120V power distribution unit with 16 NEMA 5-15R outlets. It features a two-digit lighted meter that reports combined total output current in amps, an attached NEMA 5-15P 15A 120V input plug with a 15ft line cord, and a 15A circuit breaker and lighted power switch inside a transparent protective cover. It is ideal for data centers, server rooms, and network wiring closets.
TRENDnet TPI-06 Managed PDU
The TRENDnet Managed PDU offers six controllable power outlets, allowing you to manage your devices efficiently. Each outlet can be turned on or off individually, which helps you optimize power usage for your specific needs. With its UL certification, you can trust that this unit meets safety standards, providing peace of mind. You can also monitor energy consumption through a user-friendly dashboard, giving you insights into how much power each outlet uses. Additionally, the included bypass outlet ensures that you have a reliable power source even during maintenance or outages.
Tripp Lite 20A PDU
The Tripp Lite PDU is a 20-amp power distribution unit designed to efficiently manage electrical power in various settings. With its vertical rackmount design at 36 inches tall, it fits neatly in tight spaces while providing 14 outlets for versatile connectivity. The 15-foot power cord offers ample length for easy setup, ensuring you can reach distant power sources without hassle. Additionally, the built-in circuit breaker enhances safety by protecting against overloads, giving you peace of mind while you distribute power from UPS or generators.
CyberPower PDU24001 Metered ATS PDU
The CyberPower Metered ATS PDU is designed to provide reliable power distribution for your servers and network devices. With its dual power cords, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having redundant power sources, ensuring your equipment remains powered even during outages. The ten rear outlets allow for efficient power management in demanding environments. Additionally, the selectable color LCD panel provides real-time monitoring of essential metrics like amperage and voltage, so you can stay informed about your power usage. This unit is perfect for anyone needing a dependable and user-friendly power distribution solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a power distribution unit do?
A power distribution unit (PDU) is a device used to control electrical power in a data center. It functions as a large power strip without surge protection, providing standard electrical outlets for data center equipment. However, basic PDUs do not offer monitoring or remote access capabilities.
2. What is an example of a power distribution unit?
A power strip is a common example of a basic power distribution unit (PDU). It allows multiple devices to be powered using a single power source, such as a wall outlet. Modern PDU units can also provide additional features like equipment, environmental, and power monitoring.
3. Do you plug UPS into PDU?
Yes, each PDU input cord is connected to an independent UPS, utility, or generator power source. The PDU then distributes power to equipment with redundant power supplies, ensuring each power supply has an independent power source.
4. What does a PDU plug into?
A PDU typically connects to a power source, receiving power from either a single-phase or three-phase power source. It provides power to multiple devices through its outlets, which can be configured as C13, C19, or other types depending on the equipment being powered.
5. Can you plug a PDU into a UPS?
Yes, a PDU can be plugged into a high-amperage outlet on a UPS system. The PDU then distributes the high-amperage input among multiple low-amperage outlets, allowing the UPS system to power multiple devices from a single outlet.
6. Do you need a PDU if you have a UPS?
Having a PDU is not always necessary, but it can provide additional power distribution and monitoring capabilities in a data center or server room. Depending on the specific requirements and setup, a PDU can be a useful addition alongside a UPS system.
During our power distribution unit research, we found 24 power distribution unit products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,271 customer reviews through our big data system to write the power distribution units list. We found that most customers choose power distribution units with an average price of $367.56.
The power distribution units are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of power distribution units, including Tecmojo, Champion Power Equipment, LIFESTYLES WAREHOUSE, CyberPower, Tripp Lite. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 65 consumers with an average rating of 4.3.
Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.