The 9 Best Charging Stations of 2021

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.

Best for Multiple Devices: Vogek Charging Station 5-Port

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The Vogek Charging Station is a 5-port USB charging station that comes with a total of 8 cables to charge smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, AirPods, and more. It comes with four Lightning cables, two micro USB cables, and two USB-C cables, allowing it to charge up to five devices at once. The cables are short, reducing clutter and allowing you to neatly arrange your devices.

The total power output is 50W, with 10A output for fast charging and each port can output 2A. The charging station can also automatically identify the device connected and their charging requirements, delivering the right amount of power without overvoltage or overcharging.

Best Style: 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 Versatility: intelliARMOR PowerHub Wireless Charging Station

4.5

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The Intelli PowerHub is a wireless charging station that provides a number of ways to keep all of your devices powered up. It’s built around a wireless charging cradle that props your phone up at a convenient viewing angle, and it also has charging ports for other devices. It’s positioned somewhere between a basic wireless charging cradle and a power strip style device, providing a nice amount of flexibility as a desktop charging unit.

The PowerHub is built around a wireless charging cradle that works with Qi-compatible phones. When placed on the cradle, your phone sits at about a 65-degree angle, making it easy to keep an eye on notifications and charge level. It also includes two low-amp USB-A charging ports, a high-amp USB-C port for fast charging, and two AC power outlets for additional utility. If you need to power up a device like a laptop that can’t take a charge over USB-C, the AC power outlets can handle that.

If you’re looking to keep your phone and a few other devices charged up in a convenient form factor, the Intelli PowerHub is more than equal to the task. The wireless charging cradle is a particularly well-done feature, with a convenient charging angle, ease of use, and fast charging, and the other ports provide a nice selection of options for other devices.

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 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 Wireless 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 Secure Charger: Apple MagSafe Charger

3.7

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MagSafe is one of the biggest new innovations to come from the release of the iPhone 12. Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are compatible with the new charger. The charging puck has a magnetic attachment that aligns with the one present on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. You can securely snap your phone onto the charger and rest assured that it's properly aligned and charging. The MagSafe Charger provides fast wireless charging at 15W and requires a 20W USB-C adapter that's sold separately.

The MagSafe Charger's magnetic attachment only works with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, but the Qi wireless charging is compatible with the iPhone 8 and later, as well as the AirPods with a wireless charging case.