Voltage Regulators/Surge Protectors

Question - Several years ago I read that it was wise to have voltage regulators to protect sensitive electronic equipment. What's the current opinion regarding the need for regulators (as opposed to surge protectors). Especially interested in information about refrigerators - I had previously read that they do not do well when voltage drops...

Thanks in advance.

I only have one voltage regulator that I use for my clothes dryer as the voltage fluctuations was harming the motherboard according to the repair guy. I don't have one for any other appliance and have never had a problem in Ajijic centro in 10 years. I do use the cheap surge protectors for my TV's and stereo equipment.

I only use voltage regulators (offer some surge protection as well), however they only function if you have a properly grounded receptacle.

That "properly grounded receptacle" is the absolute key to all things electrical here in Mexico. Do not assume that ANY three pronged receptacle is automatically grounded.
You can easily check for yourself with a surge protector that has lights which show "protected" and "ground fault". Just plug it into the outlet and, if the ground is missing, the protected light doesn't light up. Koblenz has surge protectors that do this.
The electricity doesn't go off nearly as frequently as it used to but it can and does often when you are not at home or in the middle of the night. It is the start up surge which can damage sensitive electronics.
That's why I use BOTH. A voltage regulator which is plugged into a properly grounded outlet and then a surge protector plugged into the voltage regulator. All the sensitive electronics are then plugged into the surge protector.
Have never lost any equipment in twenty five years of living in Mexico. YMMV.

The newer refrigerators are packed with electronic 'gadgets'. In 17 years, we've replaced 4 refrigerators. The last one could have been fixed.....just replace the motherboard.....for 2/3 what the fridge cost new. I've learned not to get too attached to an icemaker. I won't buy a high priced fridge (seen some I'd love to have) because I know it will be a victim of a storm, transformer, truck pulling the line down, or my own generator malfunctioning. Been there, done all of that.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31mkaBKIdkL._AC_SY1000_.jpg

How to check your receptacles.