The Best Charging Stations of 2024

Get charged up at home, on the road, or in the office

By
Emmeline Kaser
Emmeline Kaser
Writer
  • Sarah Lawrence College
  • University of Michigan
Emmeline Kaser is a tech writer and former editor for Lifewire. She writes and edits commerce content about consumer technology for Lifewire.
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Updated on February 29, 2024

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Most people should buy the SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station. Why get this one? It can charge ten devices simultaneously, which is enough for most people and families.

in this article

Best Overall

SIIG Smart 10-Port USB Charging Station

SIIG Smart 10-Port USB Charging Station

Amazon
View On Amazon $70 View On Walmart $59 View On Office Depot $85
Pros

  • Lots of ports

  • Streamlined look

  • Non-slip deck

Cons

  • No Qi charging

  • No cables included

  • Narrow slots

SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station Review

This got our top pick because people have more than one device nowadays. And if you have a family of three or more, you already know how many devices need to be charged at any given time. The SIIG has eight slots for a smartphone or tablet, a non-slip deck for a phone or smartwatch, and 10 USB ports.

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 an excellent job of holding phones, tablets, and small laptops.

Number of Ports: 10 | Power Output: 5V/2.4A | Type of Ports: USB-A

SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station

Lifewire

Best for Mobile Devices

Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station

Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station

Amazon
View On B&H Photo Video $60 View On Satechi.net
Pros

  • Small footprint

  • Smart charging chipset

  • Built in Qi charger

Cons

  • No included cables

  • Pricy

The Satechi Dock5 Charging station is one of our favorites on this list. There aren't a lot of ports, but the ones it has are powerful. You'll get 10W of wireless charging on the Qi pad in front. Each USB-A port outputs 12W of power, and the USB-C port's output is 20W of power delivery. That's a lot of juice for this tiny station. It also has a small footprint, so it doesn't take up a lot of room. This charging station does not include cables, which we'd like to see considering how expensive it is.

Number of Ports: 4 | Power Output: 10W/12W/20W | Type of Ports: USB-A, USB-C, Qi wireless charging

Best Secure Charger

Apple MagSafe Charger

Apple MagSafe Charger

Amazon
View On Amazon $34 View On Walmart $34 View On Best Buy $34
Pros

  • Secure connection

  • Qi charging works on any wireless accessory

  • Support 15W Fast charging

Cons

  • Does not come with a charging brick

  • Some cases affect Magsafe

  • Expensive for what it is

Apple MagSafe Charger Review

MagSafe chargers snap onto the back of an iPhone and charge the device. They're small and easily portable.

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 just a Qi charger with magnets. At about $40, it's pretty expensive for what it is. But this is a good pickup if you don't mind paying the "Apple Tax" and need a wireless charger for your iPhone.

Number of Ports: 0 | Power Output: 15W | Type of Ports: Qi

Apple’s MagSafe Charge

Andrew Hayward / Lifewire

What to Look For in a Charging Station

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.

Specialty vs. Generic

If you only expect to charge a few devices at a time—like an iPhone and an Apple Watch—it’s worth checking out options that look great, too. If you want more versatility, opt for a more generic model capable of holding several different-sized devices with many charging ports.

Quick Charge

Look for a charging station that supports Quick Charge if you have an Android phone capable of taking advantage of the extra power. If you have an iPhone that supports fast charging via USB-PD, many 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, investing in a charging station that does could pay off. If this seems like an exciting feature, choose a model with a variety of traditional charging ports and a wireless charging pad.

FAQ
  • What cables can you use with a wireless charger?

    While USB-A (the rectangle) is the most common, more charging stations are adopting the faster and more versatile USB-C connector (the flattened oval). 

  • Is wireless charging harmful?

    You do have to wonder how all that power gets sent to your phone without a cable, but rest assured that wireless charging is completely harmless to humans and other electronic devices. Yes, wireless charging uses electromagnetic radiation, but the fact of the matter is virtually all modern electronics, even sensitive ones like pacemakers are shielded against the relatively low levels of electromagnetic radiation that wireless chargers give off.

  • How quickly can your device charge with a charging station?

    This depends on the type of connection you use as well as the device you're charging, a phone typically won't take as long to top off as a tablet (smaller battery, faster charge). And micro-USB won't charge a device as fast as USB-C or Lightning connections.
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