USB Wall chargers

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xpd

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#322843 28-Sep-2025 16:20

I'm fed up with having a draw full of cables and chargers that seem to be extremely picky if they're going to charge a certain device or not. So I want to bin them all, and buy a single decent wall charger, and associated cables.

Looking at something like : https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/PDUAKR215411/ANKER-Desktop-GaN-Charger-112W-6-Ports

Any +/- going down this route ?

Recommended brands/models ?

Don't mind spending $100 odd on it as it'll be saving me some time and angst :D

XPD / Gavin

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mdf

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#3419480 28-Sep-2025 16:28

Sensible plan. I have several similar ones deployed where children and devices congregate. GaN is the way to go. I'd subscribe to the Pbtech daily deal thing, they often come up there.

You do need to check the wattage if you're planning on charging laptops too. Almost anything will be fine for phones and the like, but some laptops need more wattage than some chargers provide. At the other end of the spectrum, if I'm charging something with a small battery overnight, I feel more comfortable doing it on a relatively low wattage charger. Probably no scientific basis for that but I seem to have issues with fast charging.

In terms of neatness, be aware that cables will proliferate even going to a single charger. There are various ways of mitigating (e.g. retractable or magnetic coilable cables) but I have yet to have success winning that discussion with my offspring.

Senecio

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#3419487 28-Sep-2025 17:15

I have done the same recently.

I used to swear by Anker but I've had three of these fail on me Anker 120W. Thankfully all accepted back for return from PBTech. These days I prefer UGreen and have a couple of these around the house in various locations where charge things UGreen 100W. These UGreen one are often on sale (like they are now) on Amazon AU.

Jase2985

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#3419491 28-Sep-2025 17:58

all depends on the devices you want to charge and if 30w will be enough. We charge a Chromebook and a laptop (slowly) on our charger, so wanted to ensure it could do the maximum 100w on one port, so it slows that down as you add more devices.

i use these ones: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TAABEL5788620/Belkin-BoostCharge-Pro-4-Port-GaN-USB-C-Charger-10

xpd

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#3419600 29-Sep-2025 06:40

It'll just be the smaller things such as phones, powerbanks, BT speakers etc.

Its only going to be for my use and I don't have a laptop (apart from work) so not worried at that level (and if any of the family touch this charger, there shall be words :D ).

XPD / Gavin

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robertsona

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#3419605 29-Sep-2025 07:59

As an aside, I use one of the four port Belkin ones when traveling and it's really handy in hotel rooms with various inaccessible or shortage of outlets. But the main advantage is not having the bulk of the charger hanging off the wall plug (and adapter).

xpd

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#3419613 29-Sep-2025 08:42

Decided I'll give this a go - most of my stuff is USB-A based still so having the 3 ports is handy.

Will buy some new cables as well.

Cheers

XPD / Gavin

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#3419750 29-Sep-2025 12:22

It may be that your devices are where the connectivity problem is. I have a tablet that only charges with one cable.

I too have a 4 port hub that serves as a charger for multiple devices.

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#3419791 29-Sep-2025 15:42

I have a 6-port desktop hub (3x USB-C and 3x USB-A) that can do up to 100w on the USB-C ports (although it does fall back to lower wattages the more things you plug into it) - works well for all my home devices. Not unusual for me to have 1x laptop, 1x power bank, 3x phones, and 1x medical devicees all charging at the same time -- and it does this without any issues.

I also have a 4 port travel adapter (2x USB-C and 2x USB-A) that can do up to 100w as well - also works well for laptops, phones, etc.

I don't have any other chargers -- the above two are all I need.

100w may be overkill (the 6-port shows how many watts its outputting on each port and generally never goes over 65w) but generally the 100w models are the higher specs ones overall so worth the investment IMHO. At best you get something that charges everything at full speed at worst you have the satifaction if knowing it'll charge pretty much anything.

jarledb

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#3419794 29-Sep-2025 15:51

xpd:

Looking at something like : https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/PDUAKR215411/ANKER-Desktop-GaN-Charger-112W-6-Ports

Been very happy with Anker, have several USB-A desktop chargers from them from before that I have had very good experiences with, and just got the GaN one you bought, and expect to be happy with that one too.

Love that I can easily swap cables on them, so I can use them when traveling in Europe without needing an adapter.

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xpd

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#3419806 29-Sep-2025 16:25

Will pick one up this week. Talking of cables now... any recommendations on brands ?

XPD / Gavin

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jarledb

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#3419811 29-Sep-2025 16:38

I have been buying braided Anker USB cables lately. They are decent. But not the cheapest cables. Haven't had them long enough to know if they will be worth the extra cost.

Have also gotten some Ugreen ones. But the braided cable is a little too thick for my liking.

Also have some braided Xiaomi USB-A to USB-C Cables that have lasted well. Bought them in 2019, and have been using them quite a lot without any problems.