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After comparing over 50 chargers, we bought the 12 best cell phone and USB device charging stations available today and tested them side-by-side to help you find the best. We rated and compared charging performance and speed with different devices and evaluated how well each charging station holds and organizes these devices. We also compared the overall aesthetics of each and their unique features. This review discusses which charger claims excelled in the individual metrics and why, and we share which models offer the best value.
Max # of Charging Devices: 10 | Includes USB Charging Cables: No
REASONS TO BUY
Lots of device holders
Provides an organized and efficient way to charge a ton of stuff at once
Handy nightlight and charging deck
REASONS TO AVOID
Slower charging if you have several high-consumption devices
Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
90W
# of USB ports
10
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
Yes
Included Cables
No
If you find yourself needing to routinely charge more than six devices at once, our top recommendation is the SIIG 90W 10-Port USB Station. The SIIG has 10 USB ports that are each capable of outputting up to 2.4 amps, and it pairs with vertical holders for up to eight tablets or phones. It also features a charging dock with a non-slip rubberized surface, which holds the ninth device in optimal viewing position. It's perfect for keeping an eye on your phone while it's charging; it's also a great way to minimize clutter and keep all your devices charged and organized in one place. This charging station has a fairly plain, minimalistic design with an eye-catching LED nightlight encircling the charging deck.
While the SIIG is a superb option for those with multiple devices to charge, it has a few flaws. There is no denying that it is one of the larger products of the group, and our judges were split on its visual appeal. If you have a larger device on every single port at once, the charging time will decrease slightly because it can only source a combined 18 amps total. The LED light also doesn't shut off, so those who like to sleep in a dark bedroom may be disturbed by it and want to keep it in another part of the house. Short charging cables aren't included, and we could imagine using longer cables could result in a giant tangle of USB cords. Even with these shortcomings, our testers noted, “this is an excellent option if you have many devices to charge at once and don't mind purchasing additional short cables separately.” For anyone who doesn't have quite so many devices to worry about or just doesn't want to deal with the hassle of picking up additional cables, the Quick Charge 3.0 by SooPii is another one of our top favorites for multi-device charging, and it sells for nearly half the price. While it's a little more delicate in material construction and will limit you to 6 devices in total, it will also do an excellent job keeping you fully charged and well-organized.
Max # of Charging Devices: 3 | Includes USB Charging Cables: N/A
REASONS TO BUY
Stylish
Simple
Efficient
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Only recommended for Apple devices
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
1.8W/14.9W
# of USB ports
0
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
Yes
Included Cables
Yes
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 is a well-designed charging device that will look good on a desk or the bedside table. Lead tester David Wise notes, “The Boost's design efficiently solves the problem of keeping your Apple products (iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods) powered up and easily accessible.” At the same time, the Boost looks good and allows the use of the phone and watch while on the magnetic charger. The charger delivers 15 watts to the phone, allowing one to keep the case on their phone while receiving a relatively quick charge. As such, there are no unsightly cables nor the annoying search for the right USB jack.
We have few complaints about the Boost. However, it is really expensive in comparison to its peers. This particular model is also specifically designed for Apple products, and even then, it is for the newer MagsSafe-compatible devices. So, if you have an older phone or watch, this device won't work for you. Despite these limitations, our testers were “thrilled with its simple, effective elegance.” As such, it will be worth the money, given it matches your electronic charging needs. If you are on a budget, the ZUBARR charging station is a far less expensive option that will still get the job done, and it won't restrict you to Apple products alone. On the flip side, it's made of less sturdy materials and will be slower to charge. It also won't look quite so attractive on your tabletop.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro is a high-end personal electronics charging station that ditches the cords and still delivers ~15 watts of power.
Max # of Charging Devices: 6 | Includes USB Charging Cables: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Organized holders for tablets and smartwatches
Great charging performance
Includes a variety of different charging cables
REASONS TO AVOID
Dividers are fragile
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
60W
# of USB ports
6
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
Yes
Included Cables
Yes
If you are searching for a top-tier product to charge all your devices and cut down on the clutter while doing so, then we highly recommend the Soopii Quick Charge 3.0. This charging station can charge up to six devices at once and creates a very organized all-in-one charging station. The Soopii has plastic dividers and includes short cables for various devices — even for an Apple Watch. Our lead testers noted, “It has excellent charging performance, with some of the higher current outputs per port that we have seen and a single Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 USB port, for charging specific devices — like a Samsung Galaxy smartphone — at the fastest possible rate.” It's also quite stylish with its futuristic look, in our opinion.
Our main issue with the Soopii is the plastic dividers can be fragile. Take care, as we would expect some breakage if the charging station got knocked off a table. Regardless, this is one of our favorite charging stations of all time, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a clutter-free and convenient way to charge various electronic devices at once. For top-tier performance and long-term durability in a multi-device charging station, you may want to consider upgrading to the 90-W 10-Port option by SIIG. Although it will cost you more than double, it is an efficient, well-constructed device that can handle up to ten total devices with speed.
The Soopi product is one of our favorites in the fleet, offering up exceptional performance.
Max # of Charging Devices: 6 | Includes USB Charging Cables: No
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Inexpensive
Good power output
REASONS TO AVOID
Devices usually get cluttered
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
60W
# of USB ports
6
Device Storage
No
Charge Indicator Lights
No
Included Cables
No
The Anker PowerPort 6 Wall Charger is a high-capacity USB power adapter that makes an excellent charging option. Although this charger is essentially a USB power adapter with six plugs, it makes a handy charging station if you're shopping on a budget and don't mind its bare-bones nature. It can charge up to six devices at once, with a maximum output of 2.4 amps per USB port and 12 amps total, making it an effective tool for recharging most USB devices at their maximum rate. It's available with either a white or black outer case and features a relatively basic and unassuming design that blends in well with most settings. Our testers noted, “It's an excellent option if you routinely charge lots of devices that wouldn't fit well into a tablet stand, such as smartwatches, drones, cameras, fitness trackers, etc.” On top of all that, it costs much less than many of the other multiple-device charging options, making it an attractive bargain option.
However, the biggest problem we found is this charger tends to create a lot of clutter. It doesn't include any built-in tablet or phone stands, so you usually end up with a spider web of devices with the charger at the center. If you use typical charging cables, this is made even worse because that could easily leave you with a combined 18'+ of USB cables when using all the ports — a situation that will inevitably lead to a tangled mess. To some degree, you can alleviate this if you buy short cables, but you're going to be hard-pressed to create the same compact and organized charging station that some other products offer off the shelf. The Anker PowerPort is a great budget option if you need a whole lot of USB ports, but it definitely can lead to a very cluttered charging station. For a more streamlined desktop setup, it's worth taking a look at our favorite budget multi-device charging station from SooPii, which can also handle up to six devices simultaneously with five USB-A ports and one 20-watt power delivery port.
The Anker PowerPort is a great bargain option for charging six devices simultaneously.
Max # of Charging Devices: 3 | Includes USB Charging Cables: N/A
REASONS TO BUY
Works with most phones
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Slow to charge
Low-quality construction
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
0.7W/5.0W
# of USB ports
0
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
Yes
Included Cables
Yes
The ZUBARR Wireless Charging Station is a great option for folks who don't want a device that costs an arm and a leg. This charger is compatible with non-MagSafe devices and accepts everyday carry devices such as phones, watches, and earbuds. A key feature of this device is upright orientation, which allows one to use their phone or watch while it's being charged. Additionally, the unit has three LED lights that alert users that their devices are actively charging.
While the ZUBARR charger is general in the devices it accepts and inexpensive to boot, it is not a high-quality device. The rubber supporting the watch charger peels easily, and the lightweight base makes the charger likely to tip if the user swipes too forcefully. Additionally, the phone charger only puts out 5 watts — a pittance compared to high-end models that rapidly charge with 15 watts. Nonetheless, lead tester David Wise notes the Zubarr is “competitively priced and will get the job done nicely.” And although this station is designed to charge Samsung products specifically, it is compatible with a number of Apple iPhone models. So, if you are looking for an option that will work across a mixed collection of electronics, it could be a good choice. If you are solely operating Apple devices, you will get a faster charge and a more attractive desktop accessory with the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 from Belkin, but it will cost you three times as much. Or, if you travel a lot with your Apple products, the wireless mobile charger by Iseyyox is priced somewhat in between and is easily portable.
The ZUBARR is an inexpensive alternative to higher-quality, quicker charging personal electronics charging stations. In the end, this device gets the jobs. Here we see the charging numbers for both the phone and the watch dock.
Max # of Charging Devices: 3 | Includes USB Charging Cables: N/A
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Convenient
REASONS TO AVOID
A bit spendy
Slow to charge
Geared toward Apple
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
1.7W/7.3W
# of USB ports
0
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
No
Included Cables
Yes
The Iseyyox Magnetic Wireless 3-in-1 Foldable is a great device for those on the move who value compact devices. While the Iseyyox folds to roughly 3 x 3 x 1 inches, it accommodates three devices (headphones, watch, and phone) nicely, keeping your Apple everyday carries powered up and organized. The device is well-built, too. The hinges between charging stations are heavy rubber and unlikely to crease or easily ware. Additionally, the magnets in the device hold it in its folded configuration, preventing it from rattling around. When deployed, the magnetic charging system ensures the best orientation for maximum wireless charging.
The Iseyyox left testers with little to complain about. However, we acknowledge that the device is on the more expensive side of the class. Additionally, we would have liked to see the charge be able to hold a phone upright. As it is, the Iseyyox will not support a phone so that it can be used easily despite having magnetic charging pads. Although it may function with certain other brands and devices, it is specifically designed for iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. So, anything else is a bit of a gamble. Finally, this charger is slow to transfer power as it only pumps out 7.3 watts. In contrast, higher-end models can deliver up to 12 watts to a phone. For just one iPhone, a single MagSafe from Apple will charge faster than both other options and is the perfect size to pocket while traveling.
The Iseyyox is a relatively inexpensive option in the foldable personal electronics charger category. The unit uses magnets to secure the devices but lacks the power to charge devices at a rate comparable to high-end wireless and plug-in chargers.
Max # of Charging Devices: 1 | Includes USB Charging Cables: N/A, wireless charger
REASONS TO BUY
Doubles as a phone stand
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Can only charge a single device at a time
Difficult to charge non-smartphone devices
SPECIFICATIONS
Max Power
5/7.5/10W
# of USB ports
0
Device Storage
Yes
Charge Indicator Lights
Yes
Included Cables
Yes
Looking for a charging station for a single phone? The Anker PowerWave wireless charging stand is a great option. It's one of our all-time favorite wireless chargers, and it's capable of charging most Qi-compatible devices at their maximum charging speed. It also doubles as an excellent phone stand with the ability to charge your phone in either portrait or landscape modes. Our testers noted, "It has a simple and clean look, and the base is entirely covered in a non-slip material to keep it from moving around when you don't want it to."
Of course, if you need to charge multiple devices at once, you'll need to look elsewhere. The PowerWave also offers a slower charge than many wired options, which typically outpace wireless alternatives. Additionally, it's not the most stable; we found it tipped forward fairly easily, and your smartphone can slide out when bumped, particularly if it isn't in a rubberized case, as there is no non-slip cushioning for your phone. The PowerWave stand is still a great bargain option if you want a compact and portable charging stand for a single Qi-compatible smartphone. For those juggling a small collection of devices from varied brands, the streamlined and reasonably priced ZUBARR station won't impress by charging with greater speed, but it will work well to keep up to three items organized and consistently powered.
The Anker Stand delivered some of the fastest charge times in our evaluations.
Credit: David Wise
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How We Test Charging Stations
We began our testing by charging all manner of USB devices with these docks, including low-power E-readers and wearables like smartwatches, large tablets, smartphones, and atypical devices like illuminated dog collars and cameras. We compared the charging performance of each product, measuring their maximum discharge rates using a dummy load, digital USB multimeter, and charge performance apps. We also looked at the number of devices each station can charge and the number of devices each product could effectively store and organize. We compared any additional features, and finally, we rated the visual appeal of each charging station.
Our testing of charging stations is divided across four different metrics:
Charging Performance (40% weighting)
Device Organization (30% weighting)
Number of Devices (20% of overall score weighting)
Aesthetics (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our USB charging station review was originally led by David Wise. David earned a B.S. in Robotics Engineering from MIT and possesses extensive experience working with digital circuits and lithium batteries, including years designing underwater autonomous robots. This expertise contributed to designing and implementing our side-by-side charging station testing regiment. He has also tested hundreds of tech products for GearLab, including portable battery banks, wireless chargers, and other battery-powered consumer devices.
In this most recent update, which saw the addition of everyday carry electronic device chargers, Nick Miley built on David's work. Nick is a research scientist with a Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Nevada, Reno, as well as a photographer and videographer, to name just a few of his bonafides. He has been testing consumer products and writing up his findings for nearly two decades. He's worked on many reviews for GearLab, including ourphoto printer, electric scooter, and laptop docking station reviews, to name a few.
We used a resistive load and USB multimeter to confirm these chargers could output what they claim to.
Testing chargers requires some speciality equipment and a lot of devices. We did the heavy lifting here so you know our assessments are accurate.
The number of devices each station can charge at once is one of our most important metrics.
How To Pick a Charging Station
We've compiled a list of important buying considerations to help narrow down your options and find the right charging station for you.
How Much Power Do You Need?
For those with lots of devices and more demanding charging needs, finding a charging station with adequate power is important. Consider stations with power output upwards of 50 watts and ports capable of 2.4 amps per port. Whether your workstation demands keeping an array of devices charged quickly or you need to make sure all your devices can be charged at once, consider stations that can handle your charging needs.
How Many Devices Do You Own?
Depending on the amount of devices you own, you may need a bigger charging station, while those with fewer devices can find more effective options, often at lower prices. Larger charging stations will provide more ports and more effective charging while trying to charge multiple devices at once. Ultimately the amount of devices you own will dictate what size charging station will be necessary.
A good place to start is determining how many devices you typically plan to have charged at a given time.
Credit: David Wise
Wired or Wireless?
Both wired and wireless stations offer advantages depending on your needs. Someone who might care less about the speed of their charge and wants to avoid cables will appreciate the convenience of wireless. On the other hand, if you value faster charging speeds and better compatibility, look for wired options.
How Much Space Do You Have?
While some folks have dedicated spaces to put a charging station on, such as their work desk or nightstand, others want to avoid the larger footprint associated with some charging stations. If space is a concern, consider plug-in wall options or foldable charging stations. These options are typically more travel-friendly as well and make for great accessories while away from home.
Analysis and Test Results
We grouped our test into rating metrics with the details of the best-performing charging stations in each discussed below. We evaluated and ranked each product's charging performance, organizational qualities, device capacity, and visual appeal.
What's the Best Value?
The Anker PowerPort is an excellent option if shopping on a budget. It provides plenty of USB ports with decent power output at a below-average price. However, it doesn't cut cable clutter or act as a device organizer. If you only want to charge a single device at a time, and it is Qi wireless charging compatible, the Anker PowerWave stand is a great budget choice. This charger doubles as a phone stand and can charge compatible smartphones in portrait and landscape orientation. Finally, the ZUBARR is a good choice for those looking for a decent-quality folding everyday carry charger.
Charging Performance
The charging performance metric focuses on the products' actual electrical and charging capabilities, looking at the time it took to charge a particular device, max power output per port or station, and maximum shared power output for all devices.
Starting with the wired chargers, the Anker PowerPort and the Soopii Quick Charge 3.0 excelled in this metric. According to the manufacturer, these chargers can deliver 60 watts of power. They can output up to 2.4 amps per port to fast charge even larger devices and have a shared output of 12 amps, so if you have six devices all drawing the maximum power at once, the maximum output per port will only drop to two amps. The Soopii also has a single Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 port, allowing maximum charging speed for certain devices.
Checking that a charger can actually output 2.4 amps.
Credit: David Wise
The Satechi Dock5 also excels in charging performance. It has a pair of USB-A ports that can output up to 2.4 amps each and a pair of USB-C Power Delivery ports, each with a 20W maximum. The wireless charging pad can also put out up to 10W, depending on the device's capabilities.
The four wired ports on the Dock5 have significant charging capabilities.
Credit: David Wise
The SIIG 90W 10-Port USB Station followed, also capable of outputting up to 2.4 amps per port. However, this unit can only source a maximum of 18 amps among its 10 USB ports, so the maximum output current will drop to 1.8 amps if using all the ports at once with high-power consumption devices.
We used the AccuBattery app to get a better idea of the charging performance of each station.
Credit: David Wise
The Hercules Tuff and Poweroni came in next, with almost identical charging stats. This pair both have a maximum power output of 50 watts, meaning a maximum current of 10 amps at the five-volt USB standard. They both can output a maximum of 2.4 amps per USB port if the device requests it, but this will drop to around 1.667 amps per USB port if all six are used by a high-current device.
Wireless chargers tend to be slower than wired chargers.
Credit: David Wise
For now, wireless chargers are slower to charge than wired devices. Yet, many will agree that it's worth the wait to get rid of cords. The Apple MagSafe and the Belkin BoostCharge Pro stand out as they can output 15 watts, significantly more than their nearest wireless competitors. Such performance nearly matches the output of an average wired charger.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro kicks out ~15 watts of power to the phone dock to ensure a speed recharge of your most important device.
Credit: Nick Miley
Device Organization
After comparing the charging performance of the charging stations, we took an in-depth look at how easy it is to keep the devices organized and securely connected to the chargers. We looked at the types of devices each product could comfortably hold, whether it is easy to keep the cables neat, and if the devices are held securely and stably.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro and ZUBARR lead the class in this assessment. First off, these products charge wirelessly, so there are no cords to keep organized or match with devices. Moreover, these devices use magnets to secure devices to the charger, which ensures the best position for delivering maximum charge to a device. The BoostCharge Pro and ZUBARR also hold the devices in an orientation that promotes their use while charging. Few other chargers can make such claims.
Simple, easy, and effective -- that's what makes the everyday carry charing devices so appealing
The BoostCharge Pro's simple and effective design makes charging your Apple devices a breeze.
Of the more traditional plug-in devices, the Soopii Quick Charge 3.0, Poweroni 6-Port, Satechi Dock5, and Hercules Tuff lead the pack. These products can comfortably hold most smartphones and tablets, even having high enough dividers to keep a full-size Macbook in place, though somewhat tenuously, as the entire unit might tip over from the weight if you use any of the outer slots.
The included cables of the Poweroni cut down on clutter.
Credit: David Wise
The Soopii, Poweroni, and the Hercules Tuff all include short (8 "-10") charging cables, which go a long way to keep the charging stations from getting cluttered. Even carefully managed, typical 3'-6' charging cables create a giant tangle and an eyesore with large devices. The Soopii sets itself apart slightly by having a dedicated holder for an Apple Watch.
The integrated Apple Watch stand on the Soopii is a handy feature, though it doesn't include a charging cable for it.
Credit: David Wise
Unfortunately, the Satechi Dock5 does not include charging cables, which means you'll have to purchase your own. However, we like the non-slip rubber on this model more than many others, feeling like it provides a more secure grip for your devices.
The integrated dividers on the Satechi keep your devices organized.
Credit: David Wise
Of the multi-device wired chargers, the SIIG does a great job organizing many devices, provided you purchase the appropriate amount of short charging cables. In terms of stability, it doesn't fare as well. The dividers on this charger are triangular, with taller devices prone to tipping forward if they aren't slid in all the way and bumped from the back. There isn't any non-slip material inside the slot, making it much easier for your tablets and phones to slide around. However, the charging deck does a fairly good job of keeping a smartphone in place while plugged in and letting you easily see the screen.
The SIIG can power a whopping 10 devices at a time.
Credit: David Wise
Number of Devices
In this metric, we compared the number of devices a charging station can accommodate. Given this assessment's bias towards larger charging stations, this will be an important section for business owners, schools, and large households to pay attention to. Additionally, these devices often do better with larger devices such as cameras, tablets, and readers.
The SIIG 90W 10-Port USB Station took the cake in this assessment. As its name suggests, this product has 10 USB ports — the most out of any product we've tested. Even better, it has dedicated spots for eight tablets or phones and a charging deck for an additional phone or smaller device. Such a dock will keep all your electronics charged while using as little space as possible on a surface. However, we wish the SIIG came with short USB cables rather than requiring us to use our own.
The Soopii Quick Charge 3.0, Poweroni 6-Port USB, and the Hercules Tuff 6 Port can charge six devices simultaneously. These stations feature integrated stands and storage for various devices.
The Sacrack is a decent device for those looking to plug in multiple devices. Be warned though, it only delivers 20 watts of power so it will be slow going with multiple devices plugged in.
Credit: Nick Miley
The Satechi Dock5 is limited to charging five devices. Despite the reduced number of bays, we like the non-slip integrated device holders on this device more than those found on other models. We also like that this charging station has a wireless pad on the front for Qi-compatible devices like headphones.
The Satechi Dock5 can charge wired and wirelessly.
Credit: David Wise
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is in the eye of the beholder. Yet, most will agree that a nest of cables and stacked devices on a countertop isn't the look they are going for with a charging station. With this in mind, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro's simple, magnetic stand for phones, watches, and headphones sets the standard. Add timeless stainless steel and black rubber for the base to the minimalistic design, and you have a device with good looks that are hard to beat. Moreover, the charger is utilitarian, further enhancing the appeal of its sleek design.
The BoostCharge Pro looks sharp anywhere, from the office to your nightstand.
Credit: Nick Miley
The SIIG 90W , Satechi Dock5, Anker PowerWave, and Apple MagSafe came out just below the Belkin where looks are concerned. These devices differ quite a bit in appearance, but all offer users a clean design with few impediments between charging and device organization. The Apple MagSafe stands out for its pared-down, minimalistic design. However, you can't comfortably work on your device while charging.
The Satechi and the SIIG have integrated dividers that give them a cleaner, more minimalistic look than the models with the snap-in options. We like this neat aesthetic considerably more, and the SIIG even has an accent LED light around the charging dock, giving it a nice touch.
The new class of chargers offers consumers a lot of options for powering up their personal devices.
Credit: Nick Miley
Conclusion
We hope that this assessment of charging stations has been a useful tool for sorting the current charger station market. There are several different charging station styles, each appealing to the various user priorities. Whether you want a basic, budget option for just a few devices or a top-tier heavy-duty charger that can handle your family's entire collection of personal electronics, we tested the best chargers in those categories. If you're looking to build a complete wired charging kit, we've also reviewed lightning cables and top-rated USB-C cables to accompany your new charging station.
