This Anker Prime GaN Charger, with 200W max power delivery, 4x USB-C PD ports, and 2x USB-A ports, is on sale right now, for $70 at Amazon.
I bought 2 of these when they went on sale for Prime Day in July, and they’ve been very convenient. I’d buy them again without hesitation.
Why I Bought it
At the time, I had a lot of single-port USB chargers, but just 2 dual-port chargers, one of which was always in use.
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Charging multiple devices proves to be a challenging spectacle where I’d jam a whole gaggle of separate chargers into a power strip, either on my benchtop or the floor. It always took up a lot of space.
Sometimes it didn’t matter. But other times, it was a mess.
I wanted a desktop charger, rather than a large plug-in adapter, and I wanted at least 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A. This one over-delivered on that.
Anker has other options, but this one seemed the most appealing for a stationary solution. Many other models seem focused on being compact for travel.
I also didn’t want the added bulk of built-in AC outlets.
Any Problems?
None so far. I decided to change over from USB-A cables as well, and purchased a few USB-C to micro or mini cables for use with legacy equipment.
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I still have a couple of proprietary chargers, such as for my watch and Olight flashlights, and so the USB-A ports still get used.
So far, I have used this to charge tools, electronic devices (mainly tablets), and also other gear with built-in batteries (such as wireless microphone sets).
How’s the Price?
I spent a little less for Prime Day. While $70 saves you a chunk off the regular price ($80?), I’d say there’s a chance of further discounts on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Scott K
Every Anker product I’ve bought has worked very well and held up nicely. I have some charging cables, wall blocks, and power banks – I typically look at Anker first when it comes to these things.
Marc
Yep, Anker products are very high quality. Pretty much all I will buy for cables and cable accessories. More expensive but worth the higher quality product.
Frank D
I have only had trouble with one usb-a 4c charger, which developed an electric buzzing sound, after a number of months. It was promptly replaced under warranty.
MKY
Stuart –
“ Charging multiple devices proves to be a challenging spectacle where I’d jam a whole ***of separate chargers lot ***into a power strip…”
Stuart
Thanks! Not sure what happened there. Removed “lot” and added “gaggle.”
Mopar4wd
I have a number on Anker bricks they work great. Last year I decided that the end table in our family room needed a better solution then multiple bricks in a power strip. So I bought the 67 watt Anker Nano as I needed a flat plug and a 120 vac outlet for my wife’s laptop or if I needed to charge my work laptop at home (neither have USb C charging). It works great most of time it only has one or two ports taken up with a laptop or phone. But if more people needs a plug it works still just slower. It Charges mine and my kids chrome books in similar time as the larger (100 W)factory chargers.
Mike K
If you have devices that just use USB for charging, you can get some magnetic charging cables to improve the charging station even more. The inserts will fit into lightning, USB-C, micro USB ports, and then you won’t have to swap cables either. Can probably use fewer ports then, too.
Stuart
I sometimes need to charge 3-5 different devices at the same time. Swapping cables hasn’t been a problem for me.
I had more USB-C cables for certain devices than USB-C charging ports, and figured I’d eliminate the need for USB-A micro and mini cables while I was it.
Dave P
I put in several new outlets that each have 2 usb outlets in addition to normal 110v and I’d bet they’ll be working far longer than these boxes and don’t clutter up my countertops.
Those may be a good option for someone who’d have to call an electrician…
Robert
I’ve considered those as a neater solution, but what happens if there is a USB-D or some other upgrade in the future? It’s easier to buy new stand alone chargers than outlet USB units.
Dave P
You chance them out. Simple….
Derek
If you have to change them out why do you care if they’ll last longer?
I’m confused why you think the outlets will last longer than one of these charging stations?
Not saying one is better than the other or there aren’t situations where a wall outlet doesn’t make more sense.
My Anker charging station will be 10 years old in January and still works just fine. We keep the box under our desk and have the cables on the desktop held in place with a magnetic cable holder. Only a few inches of cables are on the desk and we can pull more out if we need to.
will
I think usb c is perfect. Much sturdier then micro and mini and much smaller than A without need to worry aboit orientation of the plug. Also with the EU and now apple for the above reason have adopted usb c I don’t think we’ll have an improvement for a very long time. Usb C is perfect imo, and I think it’s sturdy enough thst we won’t have issues like I did with some micro usb ports wearing out within a few uses (ps4 controllers), ah and did I mention no need to worry about orientation of plug.
Stuart
One would hope so. I’ve heard about high failure rates in the past, and that has led me to avoid them.
And, all of the UL-rated ones I’ve seen have just 2 ports. Having to plug multiple small devices into multiple AC outlets, rather than having everything on a benchtop seems awfully clunky. Desktop placement was the reason I bought these.
USB receptacles seem better suited for charging a phone or tablet on a bedside nightstand or similar, or maybe kitchen island.
There’s also the issue of changing standards, but I think USB-C is mature enough where things aren’t going to change in dramatic ways for a few years.
It might be time to give USB wall outlets a chance, but they’re still unsuitable for a lot of my own needs.
TomD
I have three higher end ones that I installed a few years ago and they’re still going strong.
Wayne R.
I put in a couple of them, Leviton, I think, 5-6 years ago. Not a lick of trouble.
Wayne R.
I picked up an Anker 5-port USB-A charger a long time ago. I ended up with the in-wall models as we found a bunch of devices, their cables, with another device and its cable to be less than ideal. With the in-wall types, her stuff is in one location, mine in another, and less mess.
jake
This desktop charger looks very useful. Thank you.
What USB-C to micro USB and USB-C to mini USB cables did you end up selecting? I think doing that would be very convenient!
Stuart
Cable Matters 3.3ft and 6.6ft for USB C to micro – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UUBRX0Y/?tag=toolguyd-20
Cable Matters 6.6 ft USB C to mini – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UUBPYTQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
I might get more of the micro’s. I’ve also purchased Ikea cables, but it’s a bit out of the way.
I bought Anker USB-C to USB-C and to Lightning in the past, and they’ve held up well.
William B.
Stuart, I always appreciate your posts. This is a must have type of tool in my home. I have three kids and the nightly check in for devices created a charging station need. So I bought one of the 65Watt four port models from anker https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098WQRGNQ . Has served me well over the last 12 months. Read some online complaints that 65 watts only available under certain charging scenarios. But its surprising fast and none of that has bothered me. And easily charges my power hungry USB-C laptops also. For 40 bucks, great lower priced option for those that don’t need the large 6 port.
Stuart
Thanks, I appreciate it!
I looked at that model too, but the 2x USB-C ports seemed limiting. There are often times when I really need 3 and even 4 ports simultaneously. The one you linked to has a smaller size which should be nice for travel or use in family spaces.
This one looks like an upgrade for a little less money right now – https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Charging-Station-Included/dp/B0CM6V5GL2/?tag=toolguyd-20 , although it’s bulkier.
A lot of these multi-port chargers have complex power distribution charts where specific ports need to be used for max power configurations.
I also bought the wall-pluggable 3-port model – https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Compact-MacBook-Pixelbook/dp/B0C4YTB56H/?tag=toolguyd-20 , and have Apple and Anker (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/best-usb-c-charger-for-most-devices/%3C/a%3E%29 dual port chargers, but they’re not very kid-friendly. The last thing I want is for them to leave tablets on the floor.
MandM
Down to $56 starting today – Black Friday week.