re: Surge Protector/ Power Strip for Home office recommendations?

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What number defines quality? Clearly not price.

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What defines quality? A UL listing or other NRTL listing. Specifically UL 489 & UL 1449.

IEEE C62 indicates that for most, the largest surge that can enter your service is 10kA. Going above this rating won't necessarily give you better protection.

SPDs degrade with every hit they take. So a 10kA SPD will wear out faster than a 100kA device. As long as you can find a 10kA device with status lights that alert you to when protection has degraded, I would just go that route and replace as necessary. One thing you can do to help a basic 10kA SPD last longer is install 2 of them to split the loads.

Lookup your electric panel information. Your panel manufacturer should offer a basic 2-pole (for 240V, single phase services) 10kA SPD device that mounts in 2 breaker slots for a reasonable price ($60-$100). It would be a very quick and easy install and now every power wire in your house is protected from a service side surge. Some manufacturers will offer ratings of 36kA or more for not much more $.

Ideally you can find one with an MCOV rating of 320+V Line-Line rating. Definitely stay at or above 300V L-L.