Home Batteries and Chargers

FuelBox will charge your devices when you’re home or on the go

FuelBox looks like a good device charging solution that can be used at home as well as when you’re mobile. It plugs into an existing wall outlet but still allows the use of two 3-prong AC power sockets on the front of the FuelBox charger. 

The surge protected power station has two modules. There’s the main charger unit, which plugs into the wall and provides a micro USB cable and a certified lightning cable, and there’s the removable BoostPack that you can take with you.

Magnets hold the BoostPack in place to charge its built-in 5,200 mAh battery while it’s on top of the FuelBox charging dock.

The BoostPack features rapid charging technology and has enough juice to recharge your device 2-4 times.

The FuelBox and BoostPack are available in gray or black versions for $99.95. You can read more about the Fuelbox at myfuelbox.com and you can order one from The Grommet or Amazon.

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FuelBox will charge your devices when you’re home or on the go originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Orico DUK-10 10-port USB charging stand review

Everyone has devices of some sort today. Whether it’s the shipping crew in your warehouse or the executive team meeting in the boardroom, they all have phones, tablets, and wireless earbuds that frequently need a power bump during the day. Students hover around outlets between classes and in the cafeteria. I was at a baseball game a few weeks back, and a young lady spent the better part of 3 innings sitting on the floor between the restrooms, with her phone plugged into an outlet. I have worked with several companies over the past few years, and have seen this need only increase. A few places I hang out in provide power and USB outlets in public areas. Coffee shops and airports are the first things that spring to mind. One large Fruit company I worked with had places for all company-owned devices to charge, but it was little more than a bunch of power adapters plugged into multi-port outlets. These days, however, there are better options. One such is from a company called Orico. It comes in the form of a ten-device box called the Orico DUK-10, with uniform slots for power cables, and spacious cradles for devices to rest in.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The Orico DUK-10 is a box in white, 9.125″x 4.75″x 3″ overall, with a contrasting grey-colored array of slots atop, where you can rest the devices that are charging. It also comes in solid black. In your coffee shop, conference room, classroom, break area, or geek cave, it allows users to all share a single wall outlet, and charge their devices with 2.4A to each port. The cradle spaces are .637″ wide, and have a depth of 1″. You can use any length of USB charging cable, but longer than 6″ will ensure you don’t have arguments over which device takes the center slots. A standard 4.5′ power cord with an on-off switch powers the entire unit. The DUK-10 was shipped with a 110W US cable but is labeled as taking 100-240 W input, so it appears world-ready. I was unable to test this currently. (If anyone wants to fund a quick trip abroad, I’ll happily bring back results!)

While our household has shrunk to two people now, we still have over a half-dozen things needing charging at once. A lot of these, of course, are mine (Apple Watch, 2 iPads, Bluetooth keyboard, wireless earbuds (one set for each iOS device) and an iPhone are charged at least weekly, if not daily), but my Lovely Bride has an iPad mini and an iPhone, and sometimes a work iPhone that needs power as well. Currently, we are able to each do this at our desks or bedside tables, but in some households I’ve been in, the family electronics are in the kitchen or den, fighting over the one or two plugs that were not powering the Vitamix and the toaster oven. The Orico DUK-10 would fit easily into this scenario.

The DUK-10 has vents on either side, as well as a grille for air flow up through the bottom, and is set off the surface by small nubs with rubber pads to allow convection cooling. There is no fan to assist cooling or add noise to your environment.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Orico. Please visit their site for more info, and Amazon to purchase.

 

Product Information

Price: $99.99
Manufacturer: Orico
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Wall outlet for power
  • USB A-device cables for anything needing charging
Pros:
  • Protected circuitry for independent charging to each port.
  • Compact design lets it fit into most areas, but can hold very large/awkward devices.
  • On/Off switch shuts down entire unit easily.
  • World Ready – only needs a power cord.
Cons:
  • No device cables included.
  • No FCC rating printed on unit.

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Orico DUK-10 10-port USB charging stand review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 24, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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Kanex’s Apple Watch charging stand review

I have been reviewing charging stands almost since the first day having an Apple Watch. We have seen everything from metal folding stands to exotic wood travel stands to charging gizmos that take over every function on your nightstand but the controller for your electric blanket. Some have been great, others have been – um – misguided. None, however, have not required you to add your own Apple Watch charger (which adds an additional $30, minimum, plus the hassle of threading it through the stand’s wiring channels.) Until now. Kanex has just released a stand for Apple Watch that includes the magnetic charging puck, as well as a single USB port. I was sent one to test and was excited to give it a go.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The stand is disarming in its simplicity. It’s a disc almost 4″ in diameter, with a space gray plastic finish and black plastic accents. There is a simple company logo centered on the disc. The 5/8″ thick base has a rubber gasket on the bottom to keep it firmly on your desk or nightstand. A metal tube almost 1/4″ in diameter rises just over three inches from the base, and curves gently to a position centered over the base. The charging puck is affixed to a metal holder set at a permanent 29º angle. The holder is smooth and nicely rounded. The fittings between the puck holder, the tube, and the base are both smooth and tight. There is no play at all.


The unit weighs only 7.35 ounces but feels substantial. Because of the right angle between the base and the upright of the watch stand, this is not something you’re going to pack for trips or move about – it’s going to sit quietly on your desk or nightstand and do what it’s supposed to when called on.


The single USB port on the rear of the base means you can also charge an iPad, iPhone, or your partner’s Apple Watch, but you’ll need to supply your own cable. I was a bit put off when I unboxed it and found that the power was provided by a round positive-tip plug, rather than the standard mini- or microUSB. Kanex, however, took the important step of providing an extra long plug that fits deeply into the body of the base for added strain relief. There is virtually no possible way to get the plug and pin misaligned and possibly damaged. It holds tightly, and powers the charger and USB port reliably.

At $79.95, it’s a little spendy, but, remember, there’s a $30 Apple Watch charger included, and a single USB charger, which would run another $5-$10. I, personally, would not hesitate to spend $80 for a quality piece like this.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kanex. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $79.95
Manufacturer: Kanex
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Apple watch, any generation, and 110 US power outlet
Pros:
  • No need to use your stock charging puck!
  • Solid construction
  • Good strain relief on power connector
  • USB port for another device

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Kanex’s Apple Watch charging stand review originally appeared on on July 9, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Tronsmart Presto 10,000mAh power bank review

Aside from my phone, power banks may be the most important tool in my gadget arsenal. I use my phone for everything and have the ability to drain the battery in a few short hours. If it weren’t for power banks, I would find myself lost in tech wilderness more often than I care to admit.

I recently reviewed the Tronsmart Presto 10,000mAh power bank. How will it compare to those I’ve reviewed in the past?

Measuring 5.5″ (L) x 2.67″ (W) x .62″ (H), the Presto is definitely something that can fit in your pocket; yet, it still packs an impressive 10,000mAh capacity.

The Presto has three ports on the end of the device.

The two USB A ports use Tronsmart’s VoltiQ technology to determine the maximum current a device can use. The green USB A port to the right also utilizes Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology. The middle port is a micro USB port used to charge the power bank.

The front of the device has four LED indicators. Each LED represents approximately 25% of battery life.

The back of the device contains branding and technical information.

The body of the Presto is smooth and feels a bit rubbery. Whatever the body is made of, it’s a dust magnet.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Presto is it takes advantage of Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

Quick Charge 3.0 allows phones to recharge at much greater speeds than normal. The most recent version automatically optimizes the power transfer rate and works with any voltage between 3.6V to 20V, while remaining backward compatible with Quick Charge 1.0 and 2.0.

Although no iPhone is Quick Charge compatible, most major Android devices are compatible with some form of Quick Charge. Unfortunately for me, the Pixel XL is one of the Android devices that doesn’t benefit from Quick Charge.

I was hoping the combination of VoltiQ and Quick Charge would allow my Pixel XL to fast charge; alas, I was forced to watch my phone recharge at standard speeds.

Even without being able to take advantage of Quick Charge, the Presto still allowed for heavy use of my phone; I could use it to text, surf the net, and use it as a hotspot without any impairment.

Although not related to performance, the Presto also comes with a travel bag.

It’s a simple nylon bag, but it could be handy if you’re going to toss the power bank in a backpack or purse.

Overall, I really liked the Presto. It’s small but packs a powerful punch. It’s become my go-to power bank since I began reviewing it.

At $19.99, you’re getting great performance for a great price. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for a power bank.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tronsmart. Please visit their site for more information and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer: Tronsmart
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Quick Charge compatible device for enhanced charging speeds
Pros:
  • Fast Charging with Quick Charge
  • Affordable
Cons:
  • None

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Tronsmart Presto 10,000mAh power bank review originally appeared on on July 6, 2017 at 7:03 am.

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Carry this wireless Apple Watch charger on your keychain


We’ve reviewed quite a few Apple Watch chargers over the years, but the Oittm charger is the smallest charger that I’ve seen. This charger is so small that you can attach it to your keychain or carry it in your pocket.

This keychain-sized power bank is compatible with all versions of the Apple watch and has a built-in Li-ion battery with a capacity of 700mAh. If you’re thinking that 700mAh is not a lot of juice, you would be thinking correctly. The Oittm charger is not going to fully recharge your Apple Watch. But it will top it off and/or add up to 3 hours of extra running time to the watch.

You’re not going to use the Oittm as the primary charger for your Apple Watch, but it could come in handy as an emergency charger if you’re off the grid and need to revive your watch before you can get back to your regular charger.

The Oittm Apple Watch wireless charger is priced at $39.98 and is available from Amazon.

Source: BGR

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Carry this wireless Apple Watch charger on your keychain originally appeared on on July 3, 2017 at 11:47 am.

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