The best charging stations and USB charging hubs
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Don't fight over outlets — get a charging station to juice up all your devices at once. Of all the charging stations and USB hubs out there, the Satechi Charging Station is the best one for most people with its ability to quickly charge seven devices.
If you have a lot of devices or a big family, charging everything up each day can get out of hand real quick. You end up with tangled cords, arguments over who's been hogging all the outlets, and worse, devices that remain uncharged because someone unplugged them. There's only one way to end the pain, and it's not chucking your gadgets out the window. You need a charging station or a USB charging hub.
Charging stations and hubs come in all shapes and sizes. While most of them look like a mini power strip or battery pack with multiple USB charging ports, others take the shape of attractive docks, storage units, or device organizers. We've included different options to suit different needs and device charging specifications, so whether you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch, a Quick Charge Android phone, or a USB-C Android phone; we've got you covered.
As someone who reviewed mobile devices for five years, I've used a lot of different charging solutions to juice up all the gadgets that land on my desk. Some of them are invariably better than others, but these are the best ones. In addition to personal experience, these picks are based on expert and buyer reviews across the web. Read on to check out the best charging stations and USB hubs you can buy.
Although the Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock, the Anker Quick Charge 3.0 63W 5-Port USB Wall Charger, the Vogek 6-Port USB Charger Desktop Charging Station, and the bamboo FLECK 5-Port Fast USB Charging Station.
The best charging station overall
Why you'll love it: The Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock charges seven devices at once and holds them in place while they juice up.
Anyone who lives in a crowded household needs a charging station with a lot of ports, and the Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock fits the bill perfectly.
You get seven USB Ports, three of which are Quick Charge compatible, charging at rates of 2.4A and four of which charge at the standard 1A. Each port has surge protection, so you don't have to worry about your device getting fried by too much electricity.
The cables are not included, contrary to what you see in the product images on Amazon, so you have to buy your own cables. We recommend buying short 6-inch cords, so you don't have to wrap up the excess cordage. You should always get Apple MFI certified lightning cables and safe USB- C and micro USB cables (<— click on the links to get the best ones). If you already have cables and they're long ones, you can use the velcro straps Satechi includes with the charging station for cable management.
The charging station itself is sturdy and simple. It has seven slots with anti-scratch silicone pads that hold your devices in an upright position while they charge. Satechi's charging station measures just 7.4 x 5.5-inches, so it shouldn't take up too much space on your desk, shelf, or countertop.
To use it, you simply plug the USB end of the cords into the side of the charging station, set your device on its side with the charging port facing the cable, and plug it in to charge. It's a brilliant, simple solution that prevents tangled cables and clogged outlets. The charging station plugs right into the wall, taking up only one outlet to charge up to seven devices at a time.
Buyers on Amazon generally love the Satechi charging station, but some say that the spacing between dividers is too narrow for devices wearing thicker cases. Others point out that it's not the most beautiful thing to have on the counter, especially is you have long cords. However, most buyers still say it gets the job done and works very well.
Pros: Charges seven devices at once, holds gadgets in place, includes short cords for charging without tangled wires, affordable
Cons: Basic design, cables not included
Buy the Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock on Amazon for $49.99 (originally $59.99)
The best charging station for iPhone and Apple Watch
Why you'll love it: The Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock juices up both your Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time.
The Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock for Apple Watch and iPhone sat on my nightstand for several months while I was using an iPhone and Apple Watch every day. It looked gorgeous and got the job done without cluttering up my bedroom with wires and ugly chargers.
If you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch, this is the dock you want. It's less pricey than most dual iPhone and Apple Watch docks, but it has a lightning connector and an Apple Watch charging disc built into the design so you don't have any extra wires. you simply plug the Belkin dock in and pop your phone and watch in the dock to charge both up simultaneously.
The only real downside to the dock is that you can only charge one iPhone and Apple Watch at a time, so if the rest of your family wants to juice up, they'll have to go elsewhere. It's also expensive in comparison with the other charging stations in our guide, but that's the price you pay for good looks and concealed cords.
Pros: Great for iPhone and Apple Watch, attractive design, sturdy, built-in lightning and Apple Watch charging connectors eliminate wires
Cons: Only charges one iPhone and one Apple Watch at a time, expensive
Buy the Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock for Apple Watch and iPhone on Amazon for $89.99 (originally $99.99)
The best charging station for Quick Charge devices
Why you'll love it: The Anker Quick Charge 3.0 63W 5-Port USB Wall Charger can juice up five devices simultaneously in record time.
If you have Android phones in your house, chances are many of them have Quick Charge technology that allows them to juice up faster. The Anker Quick Charge 3.0 63W 5-Port USB Wall Charger will charge your devices at the fastest rate possible, so you can get moving more quickly.
You simply plug the power source into the wall, pop in your charging cables, and plug in up to five devices at a time to charge. The hub is a simple rectangle that looks like a small battery pack. It may not be the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, but it gets the job done and takes up very little space.
Unless you want to have lots of long cords around, we recommend getting shorter cables that are between 6-inches and 1-foot in length. You should always get Apple MFI certified lightning cables and safe USB- C and micro USB cables (<— click on the links to get the best ones).
Anker offers an 18-month warranty and customer service if you run into any problems. Buyers on Amazon are very enthusiastic about this charger, mainly because it actually meets Quick Charge 3.0 charging speeds. It's also quite affordable.
Pros: Five USB ports, Quick Charge 3.0 compatible, simple, affordable
Cons: Not that attractive, you need your own cords
Buy the Anker Quick Charge 3.0 63W 5-Port USB Wall Charger on Amazon for $30.99 (originally $89.99)
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