Most people should buy the SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station. Why get this one? It can charge ten devices simultaneously, enough for most people and families. Some things to look for in a charging station include the number of charging ports available, the types of ports, and the number of slots to hold your devices. All those cables can get messy, so a built-in storage area for cable length is also good. Also, pay attention to the available finishes so that the charging station can match your decor. Now, there’s no wireless charger in here, which is a real miss, and the slots are a bit narrow, so if you have a fat case around your phone there’s a chance it won’t fit (and any AirPods case won’t fit, either). That said, our testing found the slots do a good job of holding phones, tablets, and small laptops. Number of Ports: 10 | Power Output: 5V/2.4A | Type of Ports: USB-A Number of Ports: 4 | Power Output: 10W/12W/20W | Type of Ports: USB-A, USB-C, Qi wireless charging On the back, you have two additional USB-A ports so you can charge two other devices as well. The smart chip also protects against overcharging and over-current while charging. All this charging capability keeps things in a small footprint so it doesn’t take up too much space at all. We’d like to see a USB-C port here in 2021, and the power brick on the cable is a little larger than we’d usually like. This is a small device that lets you work with your phone while it’s charging, and we dig that. Number of Ports: 2 | Power Output: 12W | Type of Ports: USB-A The magnets secure the MagSafe charger to the back of the phone so you can’t accidentally knock it off the stand. Plus, it uses Qi, so you can use it on any phone that accepts wireless charging (though there are no magnets to align the coils on other phones). That’s all pretty cool, but the MagSafe charger is really just a normal Qi charger with magnets. At $40, it’s pretty expensive for what it is. But, if you don’t mind paying the “Apple Tax” and you need a wireless charger for your iPhone, this is a good pickup. Number of Ports: 0 | Power Output: 15W | Type of Ports: Qi
Quick Charge
Look for a charging station that supports Quick Charge if you have an Android phone that’s capable of taking advantage of the extra power. If you have an iPhone that supports fast charging via USB-PD, a lot of great options also support that standard. Before you buy, check to see if a unit’s capabilities fit your needs.
Wireless Charging
Even if none of your devices support wireless charging just yet, it could pay off to invest in a charging station that does. If this seems like an interesting feature, choose a model that has a variety of traditional charging ports in addition to a wireless charging pad.
About Our Trusted Experts
Jeremy Laukkonen has been writing for Lifewire since 2019. He has a background in trade publications and auto mechanics, and he’s reviewed a wide range of devices for Lifewire including phones, laptops, speakers, TVs, and more. He liked the SIIG charging dock for its numerous ports and even distribution of power, but he did wish it offered wireless charging. A former editor of Lifewire product round-ups, Emmeline Kaser has years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech, including charging stations like the ones featured on this list. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006.His areas of expertise include smartphones, and he reviewed the Apple MagSafe Charger on this list. Adam Doud has been writing in the technology space for almost a decade. When he’s not hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast, he’s playing with the latest phones, tablets, and laptops. When not working, he’s a cyclist, geocacher, and spends as much time outside as he can.
