We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
Most people stay connected to the world around them with their smartphones and other devices, such as earbuds, smartwatches and tablets. That also means a lot of time is spent charging them, and it can be frustrating to do it one at a time with a standard wall plug charger.
Charging stations let you juice up all your compatible wireless devices simultaneously, and many have compact, portable designs so you can even charge on the go, provided you have a viable power source.
The best charging stations, such as the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station, feature dedicated charging zones for multiple devices and smart features that keep you in the loop on charging status.
BestReviews Tested
Connector Type: USB-C | Compatible Phones: Apple | Wattage: 25W | App Control: Yes
The Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station is one of the best charging stations with a durable, sleek design and three dedicated charging spots for your phone, smartwatch and earbuds. We tested it, and the team loved it for its impressive charging speed, build quality and safety features.
Its premium design was a hit in our testing lab. Our testers appreciated the polished metal arms, the 1.65-inch high-definition smart screen showing charging status and the adjustability. The MagSafe magnet is super strong, and the maximum charging power for iPhones is 25 watts.
Our testers had three devices charging simultaneously for hours without overheating, thanks to the advanced safety features. Plus, the included power plug is a nice addition if you want to switch to wired charging from time to time.
The premium build quality and smart features alone make this charging station a must-have for anyone who owns multiple Apple devices. It’s more expensive than standard charging stations, but it’s built to last and offers excellent charging speed, even when multiple devices are charging. Plus, you can monitor charging status through the Anker app.
Great Value
Connector Type: Proprietary AC | Compatible Phones: Apple | Wattage: 15W | App Control: No
If you’re looking for a basic yet reliable charging station for your iPhone or AirPods, the Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is an excellent value pick. It’s a wireless MagSafe charger that supports Apple’s fast-charging technology and can charge two compatible Apple devices simultaneously.
MagSafe charging technology keeps your phone upright and steady, and the charging pad below provides a convenient space for charging AirPods or AirPods Pro wireless earbuds. You can position your phone in landscape mode to watch videos as it charges, and it supports various Apple iPhones from the Series 12 models and on.
It’s not as comprehensive or as powerful as other charging stations, but it’s a fine choice for those who want something convenient for multidevice charging. It also has a sleek, space-saving design that makes it suitable for kitchen countertops, bathrooms, desks, TV stands and more.
Convenient Design
Connector Type: USB-C | Compatible Phones: Apple/Android | Wattage: 15W | App Control: No
A three-in-one charging station, the WAITIEE Wireless Charger is designed to charge up to three devices simultaneously and works with both iOS and Android smartphones. It also features a foldable design for portability, making it one of the best charging stations for traveling.
With multiple protective mechanisms to prevent overheating, this charging station offers the best in safe charging. The nonslip silicone design keeps it from sliding around, and the tilt-angle design lets you position your phone vertically or horizontally. There are three dedicated charging spots for your phone, earbuds and smartwatch as well as a touch-button sensor that indicates charging status.
Designed for traveling convenience, this charging station is a must-have for those who are constantly on the go. The breathing lights are a nice touch that let you know when your devices are charging optimally, and the three-in-one design is a plus for those who use earbuds and smartwatches just as much as their smartphone.
Best for Large Households
Connector Type: USB-C | Compatible Phones: Apple/Android | Wattage: 60 W | App Control: No
If you have a lot of people in your household or several devices that constantly need charging, the Slitinto USB Charging Station is a no-brainer. It offers charging for up to eight compatible devices connected simultaneously, and it works with Apple and Android devices.
It’s a 60-watt charging station, which allows it to distribute power evenly across all connected devices. It automatically detects devices and adjusts charging current for safe, optimal charging, and features an LCD to monitor each device's charging status. It features seven USB-A ports and one USB-C port and can be used to charge tablets, earbuds and other compatible devices.
Although it’s not a charging stand like some of our other top picks, this charging station has a surprisingly compact and portable design, allowing you to take it on the go in your backpack or handbag.
Best for iPads
Connector Type: USB-C, Lightning, Micro USB | Compatible Phones: Apple/Android | Wattage: 60 W | App Control: No
Whether you have tablets, smartwatches, earbuds or smartphones that need charging, you can power them all up at once with the SooPii 60-Watt 6-Port Charging Station. This 60-watt charging dock provides fast charging to compatible devices and is conveniently designed to accommodate multiple devices.
The upgraded two-in-one holder keeps your smartwatch and earbuds next to each other, and it includes seven removable dividers to keep charging devices separate and organized. The ActiveShield safety system prevents your devices from overheating, and an integrated sensor continuously monitors temperature. Plus, LED indicators keep you updated on charging status.
If you have an iPad or multiple wireless devices, the SooPii 60W 6-Port Charging Station is one of the best options for fast, convenient charging. It works with Apple and Android smartphones, and its space-saving design makes it suitable for any desk, shelf or workstation.
Charging stations come in a wide variety of form factors and designs, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the available options. Before you start exploring specific models, consider the following three questions. They’ll help you focus your search by eliminating all of the charging stations that don’t suit your needs.
This is by far the most important question to answer first because your answer will have a big impact on how much you can expect to pay. For example, the most affordable charging stations only charge one device at a time, which is fine for many people, but if you need to charge several devices at once, you’ll need to spend more money to get one that supports that.
USB standards have evolved and, unfortunately, we’re currently in between standards. If you have both newer and older devices, or a mix of Apple and non-Apple devices, chances are you use more than one charging standard. Before you start shopping, make a list of the devices you’ll be charging and note which ones require a charging station with USB-A or USB-C ports, and which support wireless charging. Consider the cross-section of devices you own, and make sure that the charging station you buy works with all of them.
Consider where your charging station will be located and how much room you have for it. If you’ll be using it on your desk or workspace, consider charging stations that allow you to see your devices’ screens, so you can use them to check the time or even just monitor charging progress. If you’ll be placing your charging station somewhere out of sight, you can look at the more utilitarian models and save a few bucks while you’re at it.
Power output is measured in watts (W) and directly affects how fast a charging station can charge your devices. Charging stations should offer at least 15 to 20 watts of power output to charge smartphones effectively. However, if you want to charge tablets, laptops or multiple devices simultaneously, it’s best to use a charging station with enough power to handle the load without significantly slowing charging times. At the very least, you should look for a station with at least 30 to 45 watts of power output.
Wireless charging is the future, and it’s much more convenient than charging with a cable. You just set your devices on a Qi wireless charging pad, and they instantly begin charging. Not all devices support Qi wireless charging, so you’ll need to check to see if any of yours fit the bill, but if they do, you’ll want a charging station that’s Qi-enabled so you can ditch your charging cables altogether.
Some charging stations only support the older USB-A standard, while others support newer devices that rely on USB-C. If you have devices that require different cables to charge, get a charging station that supports multiple standards and can work with every device you own.
Most charging stations are made of plastic and feature uninspiring designs, but if you’re willing to pay a little more, you can find ones made from premium materials like aluminum or bamboo. An elegant charging station can add a lot of class to any desktop, so keep your eyes peeled for charging stations that match your design sensibilities.
If you’re looking for a single-device charging station or a basic power brick with several ports, you can easily find one for between $15 and $40. There are definite deals in this price range, but if you want to be certain to find a good bang for your buck, scour user reviews for information about typical charging times – some models charge much more quickly than others.
Premium charging stations that are fancier and made of better materials can cost up to $250. Most of the premium charging station market is aimed at people who own multiple Apple devices, so if you’ve got an iPhone, an Apple Watch, AirPods, and an iPad that all need charging, you’ll find a lot to like in this price range.
Clean out the connection ports periodically with compressed air. The USB ports on your smartphone or tablet can get dusty and dirty over time, and that can lead to connectivity issues that can prevent your devices from charging properly. Make sure your wired connections are as stable as possible and use a can of compressed air on each device’s port to get rid of any excess dust or dirt.
Avoid using USB adapters with charging stations. It’s easy to find USB adapters for older cables to work with newer standards, or vice versa. For example, if you have a phone that only supports USB-C and a laptop that only has USB-A ports, you could in theory use a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter to connect them together. Adapters like this are plentiful, inexpensive and great for transferring data, but they can have spotty performance when it comes to charging. A poorly made adapter could even result in the risk of fire, so, in general, it’s best to plan on not using any type of USB adapter with a charging station.
Avoid USB cables from no-name brands. USB cables are cheap, and they’re everywhere, but they’re not all the same. USB cables from no-name brands often don’t work as well as their mainstream counterparts – they can make charging take longer or result in devices getting hotter than they should while charging. When it comes to the cables you use for charging your devices, stick with big brands you trust.
We explored various charging stations with different features, and tested the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station in our lab. We found that the best charging stations have multiple ports for charging devices simultaneously and compact designs for portable convenience. We also considered customer reviews surrounding charging speed and other features, such as app control and smart LED lights.
A. Yes. When you buy a smartwatch, it comes with a USB cable you use to connect it to a power source when it needs to recharge. If you’ve got a smartwatch, you can definitely use a charging station to keep it powered up, just make sure to get one with the right kind of USB port, and expect to bring your own cable. Some charging stations also have dedicated spots for wireless charging smartwatches.
A. Charging stations are dedicated to one task: charging the devices connected to it. They’re ideal for keeping multiple devices charged, but they don’t transfer any data, and they don’t connect devices to one another. In contrast, USB hubs are typically used for connecting multiple devices for data and power connectivity purposes. So, for example, many users have USB hubs connected to their laptops so they can transfer data from multiple devices like thumb drives. Where things get tricky is that some USB hubs also provide power through the USB ports, but not all of them do. The bottom line is, if you’re looking to centralize how you charge your tech, a charging station is the best option. If you want to connect multiple devices to a computer for the purposes of transferring data, get a USB hub.
A. It depends. Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few models, search the web for video reviews from actual users. These will tell you what real-world experiences are like. In general, it takes the average smartphone anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to completely charge, depending on the model.
