UPDATE: Sep. 22, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This shopping guide has been updated to reflect Mashable’s latest hands-on product testing.
To help you find the best charging station for your devices, we’ve been hard at work testing some of the most popular products in this category. Mashable shopping editors and product testers are constantly trying out new tech, and as a result, our desktops are overflowing with USB cables and chargers just begging to be organized. And we’re not the only ones.
Stop for a second and think about how many hours you spend each day using some sort of device that needs to be regularly charged. Between laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, and handheld gaming devices, most people’s answer would probably be “every waking hour” — and we say that with very little exaggeration.
For better or worse, that’s just the nature of modern life. We work on our laptops, socialize on our smartphones, entertain ourselves on our tablets, and exercise with our fitness trackers and wireless earbuds. With each one of those devices comes a soon-to-be-tangled cord, and it can be hard to keep all of our chargers straight (literally and figuratively). And when all of those cables gather near our electrical outlets — twisting, turning, and twirling around day after day — we’re eventually left with a grotesque jumble that rivals nature’s worst rat kings.
Testing popular charging stations for this review.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Fortunately, the best charging stations can completely transform your space. Even better, while device charging stations and hubs often looked, well, really ugly in the past, modern charging stations for multiple devices are also stylish enough to earn pride of place on your desktop.
After carefully researching wired charging docks, wireless chargers, and the best wireless charging stations, we’ve put together this guide. Our top picks have been hands-on tested over a period of several weeks (or longer), and they’re just what you need to declutter your desk.
Some of the charging products tested for this review.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
What’s a device charging station?
A device charging station is a hub where you can organize all of your mobile devices and electronics while they charge. There are different types, but each one provides some form of cord management to prevent your cables from getting tangled or, possibly even worse, falling out of your reach when you need them the most. These charging stations keep your charging cables close (or eliminate them altogether) so you can enjoy a clutter-free home or workspace.
Charging stations are not the same as power banks, which are designed for portability.
Unboxing the Anker Prime 6-in-1 Charging Station for this review.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Testing the Anker Prime 6-in-1 Charging Station.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
What types of charging stations can you buy?
There are three main types of charging stations: wired, wireless, and non-tech hubs designed purely for organization and cord management.
Each of these types comes in various shapes and sizes that cater to a range of devices. Some may have a special spot to charge small devices, like a smartwatch or earbuds; others will have ample space to accommodate larger tech like laptops and tablets, or a whole household’s worth of smartphones.
Wired charging stations have a mix of USB-A ports, USB-C ports, and AC power outlets to accommodate multiple charging cables. Some USB charging stations also have a series of dividers along the top where devices can be slotted in between like books on a bookshelf.
Wireless charging stations plug into a wall outlet for power delivery, but they wirelessly charge compatible devices for a cord-free experience.
Non-tech charging stations are aesthetically pleasing containers that can hide a power strip or surge protector inside their base. On top, there are slots to place your devices as well as holes to accommodate charging cables.
You can also find charger stations designed for a particular product ecosystem. For instance, the best Apple charging stations can help you wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. With the release of the iPhone 15, this could be the perfect time to invest in a 3-in-1 wireless charging station.
The top charging stations for every combination of devices
Below, we’ve gathered the best charging stations for Apple products, Android devices, and every combination thereof. Whether you need to charge a single device or keep your entire family’s tablets and smartphones powered up, we’ve found a solution for your charging needs.
How we tested
To bring Mashable readers the best selection of charging stations, we tested as many of these products as possible. One of our editors is in love with the Natural Bamboo Charging Station from Prosumer’s Choice. (Seriously, she said it was life-changing.) For this review, we also tested the Anker Prime 6-in-1 Power Station, the Tozo W1 Wireless Charger, Anker GaN Prime Charging Sticks (not included), the SIIG USB Charging Station, and the Courant Catch:3 charging tray.
Beyond that, we put forth hours of careful research to find a variety of multiple-device charging stations, and specifically sought out options to cater to different use cases.
First, we prioritized charging stations from well-known brands to come up with a list of options that are widely regarded to be dependable and well-made. We then narrowed down the field by focusing on items that were well-rated and had no glaring issues with their functionality (at least not that we could find among a large portion of user reviews). We also wanted to find solutions for the most popular products, such as the best charging station for iPhone users.
To ensure a varied range of options for different types of users, there were a number of factors that we took into consideration while researching and testing charging stations:
Capacity: When reviewing charging stations for multiple devices, we considered how many devices it could charge at once. We wanted to showcase choices for people who need to charge just a few devices for themselves, as well as those who need to charge devices for the whole family.
Cost: While most of these charging stations fall in the $40–$60 range, we wanted to include options for shoppers who were looking for a more budget-friendly (but still high-quality) item, as well as those who were looking to treat themself with a splurge-worthy item.
Style: A charging station is something that’s going to be sitting out in the open, so it should look nice. And at the very least, it should reduce the amount of clutter that the eye can see. So, we sought out charging stations made from quality materials with smart designs that make it easy to keep your cords and devices neat.
Technology: Does the charging station utilize the latest quick-charging technology or Qi wireless charging coils? Does it include built-in surge protection or other desireable smart features?
Credit: Source link
