What joule rating should I look for in a surge protector?

Community threads on r/LinusTechTips and r/pcmasterrace generally suggest higher joule ratings absorb more energy before the protective components wear out, with above-average strips landing in the 3,000–4,000+ joule range. Reviewers caution that joule rating is a measure of absorption capacity, not a guarantee, and that the connected-equipment warranty backing the rating matters too.