The best charging stations and USB charging hubs you can buy
The best charging station overall
The best charging station with wireless charging
Anyone who has a phone with wireless charging (like the new iPhones and many Android phones) will love this charging station from Nomad. The black, circular puck has a wireless charging pad on top with a maximum output of 7.5W. Underneath, you'll find three USB-A ports and one USB-C port for charging up any other devices you have in your home.
I use this charging station in my home to charge my iPhone X wirelessly every day. When I need to charge it up a bit more quickly, I plug it into the lightning cable I've plugged into one of the USB ports. I also charge my Kindle and wireless headphones with a couple of Micro USB cables. Finally, I have a USB-C cable set up for new Android devices. It fits my needs perfectly.
The entire charging station has a maximum output of 30W to charge five devices at once — four with wires and one without. The USB-C port has a high-speed 3A output, two of the USB-A ports have a 1A output, and one USB-A port has a higher 2.1A output.
Essentially, that means devices that charge with the USB-C cable will charge the fastest, the one 2.1A USB-A port will charge the next fastest, and the other two USB-A ports will charge the slowest. Because of this, you'll want to plug your largest device (your phone or tablet) into the fastest charging port available and your smallest devices (AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, etc.) into the slower ones.
Subtle LED lights on the top of the puck indicate the charging status of your devices. Orange lights mean your devices are still charging, while a soft white light means they're all juiced up.
In the box, you get a 1.2-meter charging cable that supplies power to the entire charging station. You have to supply your own charging cables for your devices. 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).
Mid-length cables are perfect for this charging station because you can easily wrap them around the puck when they're not in use. The puck's cable management is very effective in keeping your cords untangled and out of the way.
The wireless charging top is a great bonus and it makes the entire charging station more practical. You no longer have wasted space on the top.
Pros: Charges five devices, wireless charger on top, USB-C and USB-A ports included, LED indicator lights are subtle, good cable management
Cons: Expensive, wireless charging puck needs more grip to prevent slippage
Buy the Nomad Wireless Charging Hub from Nomad for $79.95The best charging station for iPhone and Apple Watch
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 Target for $99The best charging station for Quick Charge devices
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 $35.99The best affordable charging station
If you have a lot of devices in your home, you need a charging station with lots of USB ports. However, having all those devices charging from one hub can get messy. Sometimes, you wish your cords were more separate from one another. The Vogek 6-Port USB Charger Desktop Charging Station does just that.
Its circular design keeps your cables and devices away from each other, so nothing tangles. However, you'll want to get short cables between 6-inches and 1-foot in length so the charger and your devices don't take up so much space. Since the charging station is circular, the cords stick out all around the circle just like sun rays in a kid's drawing of the sun.
Each port can charge at up to 2.4A, but if you're charging more than two devices at once, the speed may slow down because you only get 6A simultaneously. It doesn't support Quick Charge, either, but that's to be expected for a cheaper charging station. The silicon grip on the bottom means it won't slide around you a desk, counter, or table.
You will need to buy your own cables, though. 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).
Buyers on Amazon really like the Vogek charging station. Most of the reviews are positive, and those who are unhappy with it mainly complain that it charges slowly or doesn't work. Make sure that you use high-quality cables to get the best charging speeds. You can also contact the seller if you have a problem. Vogek offers a 12-month warranty in case of any issues.
Pros: Affordable, six ports, unique circular design, doesn't slip
Cons: Not as attractive as some, no Quick Charge support, some durability concerns
Buy the Vogek 6-Port USB Charger Desktop Charging Station on Amazon for $16.99-$17.99Popular Right Now
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