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If you have multiple phones and tablets in your home, chances are you have chargers plugged in all over the place. Or worse, you have a charging cable “nest” — a terrible tangle of wires in a corner that you get to sort through every time a battery dies. That’s when a charging station can come in handy. They eliminate dangling cables and precariously-balanced smartphones and replace them with an organized, tangle-free cord setup that makes your devices easy to find and charge.
Some stations are purely pragmatic, designed as a single platform with slots for different devices and a row of charging cables. Others look more like desk accessories, giving your phone a stylish place to sit while it’s plugged in. Extra features can include wireless charging pads, fast-charging capabilities, and additional compartments for unused cables. So say goodbye to that nest of cords — we’ve done the research to find the best charging stations out there for however many devices you need to power up.
For charging stations that don’t come with their own cords, you can check out our recommendations for the best Android and iPhone charging cables.
10 charging ports
Speedy simultaneous charging
No wireless charger
Cables not included
This charging station from SIIG has a streamlined design and USB ports for up to 10 different charging cables. These ports can detect the optimal power output for your different devices and automatically shut off once they’re fully charged. Our reviewer also notes that the power output doesn’t slow down when multiple devices are connected, which is a big plus. There are eight soft silicone slots to hold phones, tablets, ereaders, and any other devices that are less than 0.75 inches thick. (If you or anyone in your house has a PopSocket or bulky rugged case, you’ll want to make sure those dimensions work for you.) For devices like smartwatches and wireless headphones, the SIIG also has a non-slip charging deck on the end with an ambient LED light that can be toggled on and off. Unfortunately this station doesn’t come with its own charging cables, so you can use your existing ones or purchase a set of short USB cables to eliminate dangling wires.
"The blue LED light that surrounds the non-slip deck is a nice touch, especially for anyone who wants to use this charger on a bedside table." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester
Looks great
No need to buy new charging cables
No built in charger or USB ports
Unlike some of the other devices on this list, the GUS Eco Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station does not contain any USB ports or internal power sources. It is simply a stylish organizer that consolidates and hides your charging cables. The advantage is that you don’t need to go out and buy special short charging cables — you can just use what you already have. The disadvantage is that you’ll still need to plug each cable into a power source, whether that’s the wall behind the station or a small USB charger hidden inside the station itself. The bottom is actually a hollow compartment with built-in elastic straps that allows you to tuck away the extra length of cord and leave just the end poking up through the top of the station. There is room for five different charging cables, with three vertical slots for phones and two larger slots for tablets or laptops (though our reviewer noted that large laptops may cause it to tip over backwards).
"This is a solidly-built charging station, and it’s put together well enough to stand up to daily use and even some inadvertent abuse." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester
Compact footprint
Built-in surge protection
No USB cables included with the package
This sleek-looking station from Satechi features seven USB ports for simultaneous charging of all your mobile devices. There are four 5V/1A ports optimized for smartphones and three 5V/2A ports for tablets and laptops, all of which have built-in surge protection. Note that charging cables are not included. The base measures 7.4 x 5.5 inches (a compact footprint for a station with this many ports) and features seven 0.75-wide slots with clear plastic dividers. This should be wide enough for the majority of phone cases, but you may want to double-check if you have an especially bulky case or PopSocket. Each slot has non-slip silicone grips on the bottom to prevent your devices from sliding around or getting scratched. Unfortunately it does not include a wireless charging pad.
Includes a variety of charging cables
Automatic adjusts for optimal power output
No wireless charging pad
Can heat up
This charging station from Simicore has a compact 7.3 x 5.1-inch footprint that can instantly consolidate a mess of charging cables and plugs. It features six USB ports that support simultaneous charging and have internal “smart” circuitry that automatically adjusts to your device’s optimal amperage. The best part: this charging station actually comes with its own cables. Many comparable charging stations have USB ports but leave it up to you to use your existing cables (that are probably much longer than they need to be) or to buy new, shorter cables that fit the station. The Simicore actually has the right-sized cables in the box, including three Apple Lightning cables, a Type-C cable for Android, and three micro-USB cables to support all the wireless and mobile devices in your home. The station has six 0.75-inch device slots with clear plastic dividers that illuminate to show you the charging status of the connected device. Each slot has a silicone base to prevent slipping and scratches.
"The Simicore Smart Charging Station has an attractive aluminum-like finish, and clear dividers, giving it a modern look that fits well in a lot of home and office spaces." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester
Extra storage
Hidden power bank compartment
Flimsy build
No included charger
If your desk is covered in cords, power banks, and charging devices, it might be time to invest in the EasyAcc charging station. This is a desk organizer rather than a charging hub, so while it doesn’t have any built-in USB ports, it does give you a place to prop up your devices and conceal that mess of cords. It includes two hidden compartments to stash a power bank and all your extra cables — tuck a charger of your choice into the upper compartment and thread through your existing charging cords. The EasyAcc station measures 10 x 5.2 x 8.9 inches and has room for two phones and two larger devices like a tablet or laptop. There’s also a built-in pen cup and a second drawer on the bottom that’s perfect for extra cables or loose office supplies. The whole organizer is covered in black faux leather that looks good but is a bit flimsy in terms of construction (about par for the course for this price range).
"The dock has two slots for vertically oriented phones on the front, so setting your phone down will let you see the screen at a glance." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester
Very compact
Supports both USB and wireless charging
Fast charging capabilities
Doesn’t conceal cables
Wireless charging works with slim cases only
If you have a smartphone that supports wireless charging, the PowerWave 10 from Anker combines a state-of-the-art wireless charging stand with two additional USB ports for powering up your other devices. The wireless charger supports standard 5W charging and fast charging for certain models of iPhone and Samsung phones, delivering 7.5W and 10W respectively. If your phone case is less than 5mm thick, you don’t even have to take it off for the device to charge. The PowerWave protects against both over current and overheating, making it a safer (if slightly pricier) alternative to ultra-cheap wireless chargers. For your other devices, the stand includes two additional USB-A ports on the back. It won’t conceal your cables, but the stand’s footprint is very small with a 3.3 x 2.9-inch base and can fit unobtrusively on a nightstand or desk.
Built-in Apple Watch charger
Minimalistic design
Only one additional USB port
If you have an Apple Watch and an iPhone that’s compatible with wireless charging, the Belkin Boost Up dock can meet all your charging needs with a single device. This minimalistic charging stand looks great set out on a desk or bedside table and has a relatively small footprint at 7.2 x 4 x 4.9 inches. The larger stand provides 7.5W wireless charging (the fastest speed for iPhones) and 5W charging through the smaller magnetic pad. It also has a single USB-A port on the back for charging up an additional device like a tablet or speaker. It won’t do anything to conceal that cable, but it’s an elegant solution for simultaneous wireless charging for your Apple products.
The SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station provides plenty of connection ports and a durable, streamlined design, making it a great choice for households with lots of devices. If you just need a nice-looking stand to conceal those wires, then we’d recommend the GUS Eco Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station, which combines versatile style and straightforward cable management.
Jeremy Laukkonen has been writing for Lifewire since 2019. He has a background in trade publications and auto mechanics, and he's reviewed a wide range of devices for Lifewire including phones, laptops, speakers, TVs, and more. He liked the SIIG charging dock for its numerous ports and even distribution of power, but he did wish it offered wireless charging.
A former editor of Lifewire product round-ups, Emmeline has years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech.
Specialty vs. generic - If you only expect to charge a few devices at a time — like an iPhone and an Apple Watch — it’s worth checking out options that look great, too. If you want more versatility, opt for a more generic model that’s capable of holding several differently-sized devices and comes equipped with a bunch of charging ports.
Quick charge - Look for a charging station that supports Quick Charge if you have an Android phone that’s capable of taking advantage of the extra power. If you have an iPhone that supports fast charging via USB-PD, a lot of great options also support that standard. Before you buy, check to see if a unit’s capabilities fit your needs.
Wireless charging - Even if none of your devices support wireless charging just yet, it could pay off to invest in a charging station that does. If this seems like an interesting feature, choose a model that has a variety of traditional charging ports in addition to a wireless charging pad.