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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May 29, 2015, 12:12 pm

#496

lwildernorva

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JK

Very good point, thank you. Going to do exactly this - seems most logical, compact, and likely cheapest too (though I'd gladly pay a premium for one cable that covers all regions, nicely).

I've purchased UK and Euro cords from http://www.cablewholesale.com/produc...ower-cords.php. I've found their products reliable and reasonably priced. No one-fits-all solution though, but as long as I'm not jumping between areas with different power outlets, I've found this solution works well.

May 29, 2015, 1:03 pm

#497

ScottC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robroy90

Well that's just great. I just bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o04_s00

And it seems to be working so far, my Note 4 recognized it as a "fast" charger with a pop-up window I could dismiss. It seems to work as advertised. Perhaps even if a knock-off/not really certified it is a clone that works just the same?

The Aukey I got that isn't working right is a desktop charger with 2 QC 2.0 ports. The Getwow is their 2 port car charger.

May 29, 2015, 1:45 pm

#498

freecia

Join Date: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,304

IEC C7/C8 figure 8 plugs

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK

Very good point, thank you. Going to do exactly this - seems most logical, compact, and likely cheapest too (though I'd gladly pay a premium for one cable that covers all regions, nicely).

While not a single cable with multiple plug points, I use this 1 foot cable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1ft-IEC-C7-t...item3cef52dd24
and an Apple World Plug kit as they also fit my macbook power brick and spare iPad charger.
I find 1 foot long cord long enough for wall outlets near the floor so the Bolse sits on the floor. A counter/desk outlet is even better. It might be too short to use with a high bathroom wall outlet but I tend to avoid using that plug for charging.

A few other options from the same seller
Kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Quality-...item3a857488ea

Longer ~ 6 ft cord
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-European...item3a82425b30

Just the plug heads
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Notebook-tra...item3ceff8c8dc

May 30, 2015, 6:07 am

#499

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freecia

That kit will do perfectly! Thanks so much. I have the Apple kit too so going to see how I could use the same heads.

May 30, 2015, 7:44 am

#500

tentseller

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freecia

...
A few other options from the same seller
Kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Quality-...item3a857488ea
...

I have physically seen and looked at these in a HK electronics market/arcade/mall.

They are good quality but for the cost of the kit (80HKD)with the four different head I got four one metre cables with the four intl wall plugs for 15HKD each.

Most of the travel bulk is the UK style plug. There is a UK electrical authority approved folding plug but it would cost 35 quid to get one of their cord with figure 8 end sent to me.

May 30, 2015, 7:56 am

#501

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tentseller

The issue I have is that if I'm not careful, my charging components case is going to end up bigger than my actual suitcase! I already travel with a Mophie, Apple 12v charge, micro-usb charger with built-in cable, several USB cables, adaptors and all sorts of other junk... I really just would love one multi-USB port charger, where the cable to the outlet has the ability to rapidly and minimally change the plug point... It needs to have a cord between the outlet and the box so the USB cables themselves needn't be too long. And be high-output (up to 2.4A per port etc)

So far, I've just found nothing! If I was any good at designing stuff, I'd be all over Kickstarter already! Ha! I backed this thing called a Skiva Octofire on KS a little while ago - but even that is not going to fulfil my needs.

May 30, 2015, 9:55 am

#502

tentseller

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JK

I have Anker 5 port with 2A per port; I carry 3 6in and 3 1ft usb cable to go with that. There is also a Lenovo travel powerbrick.
I carry a 6ft/2m cord plus a splitter: figure 8 male in and 2 12in figure 8 female to connect these two to the wall outlet.
These are packed into recycled amenity kit pouches.

That is for trips without the camera and lenses.

The folding UK plug approved cord is 14.99GBP with free shipping to UK. Oversea shipping is 20GBP.

UK plug is the standard in HK, Singapore and Malaysia.

Jul 20, 2015, 5:47 pm

#503

freecia

Join Date: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,304

Quote:

Originally Posted by freecia

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

My ChargeTech finally arrived last week, about four months after they were estimated to ship. Now I own both Aukey and ChargeTech two port chargers. Based on a visual inspection, it looks the same as the Aukey two port charger except ChargeTech is powder coated on sides and has green ports. Of course, that doesn't rule out what internal component quality is compared to casing (apple oem vs clone for example) but I'm not about to tear them down after waiting so long. I usually plug them in "upside down" in wall outlets so the folding prongs flip down from the top or the space saving groove can cause the charger to wobble.

Aug 4, 2015, 10:17 am

#504

gfunkdave

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Just saw this new Anker 4 port, 40 watt/8 amp with foldable plug. Looks like a new and improved version of their 36 watt 4 port without the folding plug. On the new one, each port can put out 2.4A.

http://amzn.com/B00VH8G1SY

Also looks like Anker is selling it for $19.99 win code HAVU6J9T at checkout.

Aug 4, 2015, 3:01 pm

#505

ScottC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gfunkdave

No QuickCharge 2.0

Aug 5, 2015, 9:07 am

#506

pseudoswede

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Need to charge 10 devices @ 2.4A?

Amazon

$45 after code XC6HDJFC

You could also probably boil some water at the same time.

Aug 5, 2015, 12:12 pm

#507

wco81

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Too big for travel.

Aug 6, 2015, 11:31 am

#508

Letitride3c

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gfunkdave

Just saw this new Anker 4 port, 40 watt/8 amp with foldable plug. Looks like a new and improved version of their 36 watt 4 port without the folding plug. On the new one, each port can put out 2.4A.
http://amzn.com/B00VH8G1SY
Also looks like Anker is selling it for $19.99 win code HAVU6J9T at checkout.

Nice for anyone planning to get one but w/o Quick Charge 2.0 - I see minimal reasons to upgrade yet, maybe as another spare (too many chargers all over already). It is solidly built & very compact, just slighty bigger than the TP-Link nano travel router.

Been carrying & using the 36 watts model for a while with 7.2A output max (2.4A per port max) - which is plentiful for a single device to power the ipad, my Nexus 7 tablet and N5 smartphone (and, the latest addition, unlocked iphone 5S - instead of Ms. L's smartphone when we do our leisure travel)

For redundancy, always carry my standalone USB battery pack & fast charger - OEM Blackberry one - will charge my N5 anywhere from 30% to 60% to 100% in about an hour or so, good enough for the rest of the day into the late night

Aug 6, 2015, 7:59 pm

#509

gfunkdave

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What's the benefit of quick charge 2? It seems just for selected Android phones, right?

Aug 6, 2015, 10:44 pm

#510

ScottC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gfunkdave

What's the benefit of quick charge 2? It seems just for selected Android phones, right?

Yes, select Android phones with Qualcomm processors. It bumps the charging voltage up to 9 or 12V, which allows me to charge my Nexus 6 from almost empty to 50% in around 25 minutes. I wouldn't ever go back to a phone without it.