Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
We all have an increasing amount of devices piling up in our daily lives, and more gadgets means constantly keeping everything charged up. It’s at the point where one or two USB ports just isn’t going to cut it anymore, and having a central spot where they can all refuel (much like a power strip) is the best way to keep everything organized, easily accessible, and most importantly, having a full battery for when you need it most. That’s where a good multi-device charger (a.k.a, a charging station) comes into play. Shopping for the fastest multi-chargers for your devices? Read on for our complete shopping guide.
What Are the Fastest Multi-Chargers?
A good multi-device charger (or just “multi-charger”) lets you power up multiple devices all at the same time. While a traditional power strip can look bulky, the newest multi-chargers all boast slim profiles and a ton of charging power, able to charge everything from phones to laptops. They all may seem pretty straightforward, but there are a ton of different makes and manufacturers out there to choose from. Here’s our breakdown of what to look for when shopping for the fastest multi-chargers online.
Speed: When a charger claims a fast charging speed of something like 100 watts, be aware that it doesn’t mean for all ports and devices at once. That number is often distributed to all the devices plugged in, and routed to whichever needs the most power. A laptop, for example, is going to eat up the top spot, while something like a watch doesn’t need nearly as much juice. Laptops work best in the designated “fast charge” ports, since they require the most, while smaller devices may be better in the less powerful USB-A ports. You may also notice the use of GaN, or gallium nitride in some multi-charger units as well. This is becoming more and more common, as it’s proving to be a better conductor than silicon, ultimately charging your devices faster with increased efficiency and way less power waste.
Power: Because these will be handling multiple devices, having built-in protection from things like over-heating is important. Most automatically adjust and lower their power output depending on which — and how many — devices are in use, meaning your bigger items may take a little longer, but the charging unit can safely operate. One thing that commonly gets overlooked is the cable – make sure your cable is capable of 100W charging if that’s what you’re using it for, or you’ll be wondering why your laptop isn’t charging up as fast as the multi-charger company claims it should be.
Organization: While getting a multi-charger itself is a great way to keep all your devices charging in one central place, some offer an extra step by including removable dividers. This is a great little addition for families, classrooms, or phones with thick cases and clips attached, eliminating the need to remove the case in order to squeeze it in. These also usually take up less space than the traditional bulky chargers that come with laptops.
