Nov 10, 2013, 7:18 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: gfunkdave

Mod note: this thread is closed. The wiki is kept here as a static article.

This thread is about USB chargers, at least four ports, at least 4A.

Currently, the following chargers are in the contest of being the best:

Monoprice 21W 3.5" x 2.1" x 1", 100V-240V, the plug rotates, several of us have this, seems a good choice.
Anker 25W / 5 port this one requires an IEC C7 ("figure 8") AC cord, same as many laptops, 3.8" x 2.4" x 1".
iXCC 30W quite high amperage, "figure 8" cable. Noone has tried it yet. Note that figure 8 cords can be replaced by a plug adapter (L-shaped and straight and even a foldable plug is available), however it's an unknown whether the adapter and the outlet can hold the weight of the adapter + cables. However, the laptop power adapter Chargesource originally sells the foldable plug for is also 5 oz -- the Anker 5 port is 0.5 oz heavier, the IXCC is 0.5 ligher, so roughly the same, so it's reasonable to believe that the Chargesource plug should work. Alternatively, a very short cable is available.
Anker 36W USB Quad-Port Very high amperage and 3.3" x 2.5" x 1" size would make it great but the fixed plugs raises concerns.
USB SuperCharger 42W this is a beast with 8.2A, but it's a giant of 4.7" x 2.4" x 1.4" size and has a fixed cord and can only work from 100-120V.
Portapow 4 port is quite nice with interchangeable molded plugs that clip on for international use. (Amazon USA link)
Anker 40W 5V / 8A 5-Port charger is a new Anker product, slightly smaller than the Anker 25W that also requires an IEC C7 AC cord, has 5 USB ports, and uses smart port technology, so you don't need to worry about whether you're plugging an Apple or Android device into a particular port. Maximum 2.4A per port. If there's a criticism, it's spotty availability, but that may be easing.
Bolse 7 port, 60 watt, 12 A. The current highest capacity charger with smart ports that automatically provide as much juice as the device wants
sabrent 10 port, 12 amp (60 watt) charger: lots of ports but too bulky for the amperage you get.
new Anker 4 port, 40 watt/8amp looks like it does it all: high power, small size, and foldable plug

Instead of a simple figure 8 cable you can also pick up this cord: it gives you two NEMA 1-15R (ungrounded USA / Japan power outlets) as well.

I have found the ultimate charger solution!

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Mar 13, 2015, 8:14 am

#451

tentseller

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dtsm

My order arrived, plugged in and for some strange reason, every device worked except for the apply 30 pin usb cable for older iPads and iPhone 4s. I tried 3 different cables, both at home and in office and not one initiated a charge

Anyone else have this device as I like the setup. Was hoping to keep at office and use the spare ports for colleagues needing a quick charge.

Maybe it is the individual outlet draw vs the total. 12A/10outlets = 1.2A/outlet averaged out.

I can see minimum 1A per outlet so that would translate into 8 outlets at 1 A and 2 at 2A. If this is the logic then the third outlet demanding 2A will not get 2A?

That was my thinking which prevented me from pulling the trigger on this deal to add to my USB arsenal in this arms race.

Mar 13, 2015, 8:29 am

#452

dtsm

Join Date: Jun 2005

Location: Tri-State Area

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tentseller

Maybe it is the individual outlet draw vs the total. 12A/10outlets = 1.2A/outlet averaged out.

Nope, didn't work even by itself. I currently have the Boise 60W 7 port that ScottC recommended and not a problem using every port, three iPads, 5s, 5 and two androids.

Mar 13, 2015, 9:45 am

#453

lordsutch

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: MCN

Posts: 179

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakuda

I am a little concerned (but not much) about the new USB 3.1 plug. I have all these USB 3.0 chargers (including 4 anker 40W). In a couple years, I might have to replace them. OK, maybe in like 4 years.

I expect that USB A-to-C cords are going to be common for years to come; indeed they're probably what are going to come in cell phone boxes instead of A-to-micro B cords when phones start to get C sockets - and that's probably going to have to wait until the EU and China regulators actually approve moving away from micro B.

The only stuff I think the current multiport chargers are going to be "obsolete" for anytime soon are laptops, but almost no laptops before the new Macbook and Chromebook Pixel were charging over USB anyway.

Mar 13, 2015, 9:50 am

#454

tentseller

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dtsm

Nope, didn't work even by itself. I currently have the Boise 60W 7 port that ScottC recommended and not a problem using every port, three iPads, 5s, 5 and two androids.

I travel with Boise 7 and Anker 5 for 12 ports; it was an upgrade from 2 Anker 5 ports.
One at the desk and one at bedside in hotels.

Mar 15, 2015, 10:03 pm

#455

TIGA31328

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I love the new Anker ones at 28,000mah. With auto-sensing ports so you don't have to chose one in the dark, and they made it where you cannot turn on the LED light so easily like their older models.

-Patrick

Mar 21, 2015, 5:25 pm

#456

gfunkdave

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Monoprice 4.2A charger?

Question about the 4.2A Monoprice charger. I plugged my Charger Doctor into it and all four ports can deliver 2A (well, 1.92 apparently). What's the difference between the "for Apple" and "for all" ports, then?

Mar 23, 2015, 11:55 pm

#457

chx1975

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Here's a 7 port one http://www.amazon.com/inStream-Intel...dp/B00T5GL7UM/ . It says that each port can go up to 3A -- the total is only 9A which is not great for 7 ports but oh well

The physical size is very agreeable for this many ports.

If you have a ton of 2A devices, here's a really compact 6 port, 60W (!) http://www.amazon.com/CyberTech-Inte.../dp/B00RL2EW7M device.

Mar 25, 2015, 1:45 am

#458

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This isn't a charger, but for anyone else who struggles with carrying multiple cables, or often has access to only one USB port, this new Kickstarter project is fantastic.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...imited-devices

It allows you to daisy chain multiple USB cords. Looks great, and stores neatly. Seems ideal for travel, and for those with related charging issues.

Mar 25, 2015, 3:44 am

#459

chx1975

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JK

It allows you to daisy chain multiple USB cords. Looks great, and stores neatly. Seems ideal for travel, and for those with related charging issues.

I am a bit torn. When chargin, the port has a limit on how much you can pile on it -- sure, you can plug in two lower amperage devices into a 2.4A port. However, you can do that with a cheap micro USB splitter just as well. And you can daisy chains these too.

However, on second look it has female USB and this means that both my keyboard and mouse could pile on a single port on the laptop ... and even have the Kobo ereader join the lovefest. That's interesting

However, the price is

Last edited by chx1975; Mar 25, 2015 at 3:57 am

Mar 25, 2015, 4:18 am

#460

Join Date: Jan 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chx1975

However, on second look it has female USB and this means that both my keyboard and mouse could pile on a single port on the laptop ... and even have the Kobo ereader join the lovefest. That's interesting

However, the price is

Exactly the same thought I had! My laptop only has one USB port, so an aesthetically appealing solution like this is welcome, in my book. The female USB is a nice idea too. Fully appreciate my laptop will limit the output, so agreed there will be limitations on use based on the device you plug these into. That said, for general connectivity, I really like these.

Price - agreed, not entirely welcoming!

Mar 25, 2015, 1:22 pm

#461

freecia

Join Date: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,304

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK

I've had something like this for years... < $3 pre-shipping now.
I don't have it on hand but I think the cable is around 5 inches. If people are curious, I can take a few photos with it and plugged into various devices.
http://centralcomputer.com/p-46870-y...teproduct.aspx

I think Unitek is the original manufacturer

USB
http://centralcomputer.com/p-46868-y...teproduct.aspx
Mini
http://centralcomputer.com/p-46869-y...teproduct.aspx
Micro
http://centralcomputer.com/p-46870-y...teproduct.aspx
non-Lightning Apple
http://centralcomputer.com/p-46872-y...teproduct.aspx

Been a Central Computer physical store customer for years. They're legit and serve a niche in Silicon Valley.

Mar 25, 2015, 10:00 pm

#462

ScottC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freecia

Just another example of a Kickstarter scammer - take a relatively unknown product purchased abroad, then start a campaign to sell it as some kind of revolutionary new product.

Mar 25, 2015, 10:14 pm

#463

tentseller

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottC

Just another example of a Kickstarter scammer - take a relatively unknown product purchased abroad, then start a campaign to sell it as some kind of revolutionary new product.

Agree with the scammer misusing kickstart.

However the bigger issue are some of the lower cost genuine new ideas being plagiarized and knocked off in China before the kickstarted product's funding period ended.

Last edited by tentseller; Mar 25, 2015 at 10:26 pm

Mar 25, 2015, 11:44 pm

#464

freecia

Join Date: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,304

Mu is crowdfunding their latest flat-ish charger with interchangeable plugs
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/m...tional-charger

Might be useful for those who travel light or want this specific form factor (for handbag or slim tote).

ChargeTech has supposedly started to ship based on comments so I placed my order earlier this week as I was looking for a small charger that can fit into desk/lamp/bedside outlets in Japan and North America. I'd expect earlier backers orders to be fulfilled first.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/c...etech#comments

Mar 26, 2015, 12:32 am

#465

chx1975

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freecia

I think Unitek is the original manufacturer

https://www.facebook.com/20807504256...1868926520657/ yes they are. I tweeted to Kickstarter, we will see. And to think I almost bought a five pack last night -- just the price was so, so high. I have pledged and cancelled to be able to leave and left a comment with this pile of links especially with the Facebook photo showing the product more than three years ago.

Edit: the IF award does exist http://exhibition.ifdesign.de/entryd...itrag_id=59287 so who knows what's up really.

Edit2: the caseless USB plugs are a horrid design anyways, they are lose and you never know whether it's upside down. The old cheap Unitek design is normal plugs.

Last edited by chx1975; Mar 26, 2015 at 3:36 am