Office Essentials: The Best Charging Stations for Phones, Tablets and Laptops
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We all have an increasing amount of devices piling up in our daily lives, and more gadgets means constantly keeping everything charged up. It’s at the point where one or two USB ports just isn’t going to cut it anymore, and having a central spot where they can all refuel (much like a power strip) is the best way to keep everything organized, easily accessible, and most importantly, having a full battery for when you need it most. That’s where a good multi-device charger (a.k.a, a charging station) comes into play. Shopping for the fastest multi-chargers for your devices? Read on for our complete shopping guide.
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What Are the Fastest Multi-Chargers?
A good multi-device charger (or just “multi-charger”) lets you power up multiple devices all at the same time. While a traditional power strip can look bulky, the newest multi-chargers all boast slim profiles and a ton of charging power, able to charge everything from phones to laptops. They all may seem pretty straightforward, but there are a ton of different makes and manufacturers out there to choose from. Here’s our breakdown of what to look for when shopping for the fastest multi-chargers online.
Speed: When a charger claims a fast charging speed of something like 100 watts, be aware that it doesn’t mean for all ports and devices at once. That number is often distributed to all the devices plugged in, and routed to whichever needs the most power. A laptop, for example, is going to eat up the top spot, while something like a watch doesn’t need nearly as much juice. Laptops work best in the designated “fast charge” ports, since they require the most, while smaller devices may be better in the less powerful USB-A ports. You may also notice the use of GaN, or gallium nitride in some multi-charger units as well. This is becoming more and more common, as it’s proving to be a better conductor than silicon, ultimately charging your devices faster with increased efficiency and way less power waste.
Power: Because these will be handling multiple devices, having built-in protection from things like over-heating is important. Most automatically adjust and lower their power output depending on which — and how many — devices are in use, meaning your bigger items may take a little longer, but the charging unit can safely operate. One thing that commonly gets overlooked is the cable – make sure your cable is capable of 100W charging if that’s what you’re using it for, or you’ll be wondering why your laptop isn’t charging up as fast as the multi-charger company claims it should be.
Organization: While getting a multi-charger itself is a great way to keep all your devices charging in one central place, some offer an extra step by including removable dividers. This is a great little addition for families, classrooms, or phones with thick cases and clips attached, eliminating the need to remove the case in order to squeeze it in. These also usually take up less space than the traditional bulky chargers that come with laptops.
1. myCharge Portable Charger
Having an AC wall plug built right in is a huge convenience here, as it refills devices while also charging up the bank's battery, plus its small size means it fully fuels in half the time of some others. The 10050mAh battery itself is a powerful source, and charges iPhones up to 75% faster than the conventional "cube" AC adapter alone thanks to Power Delivery and Quick Charge 3.0. It easily connects up to pretty much anything, and dishes out 3.4A to multiple devices simultaneously, while being simple to use and small enough to slip into a pocket.
myCharge Portable Charger
2. UGREEN Docking Station
For over a decade now, UGreen has created solid and speedy gear to accompany your home and remote media setups, and there's room for everything in this powerful pillar of twelve total ports. In front, an SD/TF card slot provides easy access and supports transfer rates of up to 104MB/sec, along with ports for USB-A and USB-C. Flip it around back to find two HDMI slots which can handle resolutions of up to 4K at 60Hz, a speedy Ethernet port, PD and DP, along with two additional USB-As. Multi-screen setups are no problem, and it's compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. And it still weighs in at under two pounds, ideal for carrying to class or in your travel bag.
UGREEN Docking Station
3. Hercules Tuff Charging Station
Six devices can effortlessly charge simultaneously here, with both USB-A and USB-C capabilities and handling everything from phones and tablets, to earbuds and e-readers. Four Lightning cables are also included. The dividers are spacious enough to fit a thick phone case into, and sturdy enough to handle multiple weighty items, like iPads in a classroom.
Hercules Tuff Charging Station
4. EXCITRUS Portable Charger Power Bank
This 20800mAh beast can handle multiple devices at once without issue. The unit features two USB-C ports, USB-A, and a built-in wireless MagSafe charging pad on top for a total of 103W. At just over one pound, it's still powerful enough to charge large items like a laptop or Switch while being small enough to pack in a carry-on. Theres a digital display for easily reading stats like battery level, and safety precautions are in place to prevent things like overheating too. This is built tough enough to handle the occasional drop, and covered with a nice fabric to absorb impact and reduce scratching your devices up as well.
EXCITRUS Portable Charger Power Bank
5. COSOOS USB Charging Station
With six ports total, there's enough space here for an entire family's arsenal of devices. The dividers on top are removable, which is really helpful for maximizing space and keeping everything organized. Plus there's room for smart-watches, earbuds and small wireless charging pads too. Charging is also fast, with one port infused with Qualcomm's 18W Quick Charge 3.0, and all ports are protected against short-circuiting and over-charging.
COSOOS USB Charging Station
6. EZQuest UtimatePower Wall Charger
EZQuest's mighty little charger is about half the size of some others, while still being strong enough to handle 120W. Plus it comes with a European plug adapter too, making it ready and perfect for travel plans or at home. It's a fast and efficient 12-ouncer, but safety isn't sacrificed here. The unit still features protections against over-heating, over-charging, and short-circuiting – both for your devices and for the charger itself. There are two USB-C ports as well as a USB-A, and the nylon-braided Kevlar wire inside is built to withstand bends and twists for years to come.
EZQuest UtimatePower Wall Charger
7. Baseus 65W Foldable Wall Charger
Sleek, slim, shiny and lightweight, this compact multifunctional hub from Baseus has a spot for everything: two HDMIs, Ethernet, SD/TF card reader, VGA, three high-speed USB-A 3.0 ports, USB-C, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack. The aluminum alloy shell guards against light damage, and the 100W charging refills devices quickly while keeping everything else running smoothly.
Baseus 65W Foldable Wall Charger
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