Joe Levi:
a cross-discipline, multi-dimensional problem solver who thinks outside the box – but within reality™

Choetech 50W 6-Port Desktop USB Charger (Product Review)

For better or worse, most gadgets these days are charged via USB. Most use standard, A-Type connectors on the supply-side, but the load-side can vary widely: from the most current USB-C, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, standard USB, and a whole bunch of proprietary connectors to muddy the waters.

Regardless of the type of connector, the number of devices which want to be charged via USB is increasing every day. Just take my current setup, for example.

While I’m writing this review, I have two phones (one USB-C and the other Lightning), a Bluetooth headset (Micro-USB), a Bluetooth earbud (with proprietary magnetic pogo-pins), a Nexus 7 (via Micro-USB), a Nexus 9 (via Micro-USB), a Microsoft Surface Go (charging via USB-C), and an HP Spectre X360 – all wanting to charge at my desk. That’s a lot of wall warts!

Thankfully, that’s were dedicated, multi-port USB chargers come into play.

Choetech 50W 6-Port Desktop USB Charger

Choetech reached out to me and asked if I’d like to review their 50W, 6-Port Desktop Charger. I gladly accepted their offer.

Once I received the charger, I ran the power cord behind my desk and into an outlet on my UPS – freeing up three spaces from wall warts I’d no longer need in the process. And then I forgot about it for more than a month.

That’s a good thing! (see my conclusions, below)

On average, I charge four devices at a time – and I’m still only taking up that one power outlet.

Pros

This is a solid, well-built device. Despite the load I’ve put it through on a daily basis, it’s never gotten hot, I haven’t run out of plugs, I’ve always had fast charging – basically, everything you’d want out of a charger.

The device itself is self-contained, you don’t need a wall wart to power it, just a single power outlet. It comes with a stand to keep up upright on your desk (or you can lay it down if you’d prefer). The surface is soft to the touch, so it doesn’t gather fingerprints or other grime.

There are two Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 ports on the top, and the rest use “Smart Charging Tech” to intelligently identify your devices and offer the available fastest charging speed. All told, this charger can supply up to 10A total output.

Cons

  • No grounding prong (not a necessity, but it would be nice to have)
  • Not a USB hub (but it’s not supposed to be)
  • No USB-C ports (but comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable)
  • Doesn’t charge higher power devices (like my HP Spectre X360)
  • No USB-PD (power delivery) support

Conclusions

Here’s the bottom line: I hooked this charger up and I forgot about it.

What that means is that not only did it do everything I expected it to do without ever (not once) having to futz with it, it blended in and disappeared into the background.

At home, I have a similar setup. From one outlet in the wall, I’m powering the multi-port charger (which I mounted to my dresser with double-stick tape). That powers a dual wireless charging pad, my headphones, an Android tablet, Microsoft Surface Go, portable battery pack, and whatever various devices need charging. I don’t have to worry about wall warts or having enough power outlets to plug them all into – just the one and I’m good.

With five children and two adults, keeping all the tech which supports us charged and ready to go while on vacations is even more problematic. Taking a multi-port charger on vacation can help solve all those charging challenges which we had to deal with on our last outing.

That’s what technology should be like: simple and reliable. Well done, Choetech!

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