The 9 Best Charging Stations of 2020

Best Overall: SIIG Smart 10-Port USB Charging Station

4

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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.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: G.U.S. Eco Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station

3.5

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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). 

Best for Mobile Devices: Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Dock

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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.

Best for Big Households: Simicore USB Smart Charging Station Dock & Organizer

3.8

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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. 

Best for Desks: EasyAcc Multi-Device Organizer USB Charger Docking Stand

2.8

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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). 

Best Wireless Charger: Anker 3-in-1 PowerWave 10 Stand

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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.

Best Wireless Charging, Apple: Belkin Boost Up Wirelesss Charging Stand

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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. 

Best Fast Wireless Charging: RAVPower Wireless Charging Stand

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The RAVPower Wireless Charge Stand is one of the fastest wireless charging options on the market. Like Anker, RAVPower is a company that's focused on selling high-quality accessories for reasonable prices and this charging stand is no exception. It uses RAVPower's "HyperAir" technology to boost wireless charging speed to 7.5W to the iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus, and 10W for the Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, S8, and Note 8. This is more than twice as fast as most wireless chargers that usually range between 3.5W to 5W.

Included with the charging stand is a Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 power adapter to ensure you get the speeds you need. The charging stand has a dual coil design, meaning you can charge your phone in landscape or portrait orientation. That typically results in more heat, but the charger has temperature controls and protections against overcharging, over-current, over-voltage, and overheating all built-in.