This $50 charging tower tidied up my chaotic workspace with its clever, space-saving design

ZDNET’s key findings

• He Baseus 35W The charging station is available on Amazon now for just $50.
• It offers plenty of USB and AC ports, is a great size, and has plenty of surge and lightning protection for your devices.
• Be careful, the cable is a beast.

I’m always short of outlets to plug in or charge my devices. I added a charging station To my desk, which solved the problem. But almost every room in my house has a shortage of outlets; there just aren’t enough places to plug in my gadgets.

This lack of outlets can be frustrating, especially with the ever-increasing number of devices that require electricity or have batteries that need to be charged. Add to those power demands the changing weather that brings thunderstorms throughout the seasons, and you’ll also need surge protection.

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When you’re looking for options that fit that range of requirements, many of the products available are bulky, don’t have enough ports, or aren’t cost effective.

However, Baseus has a solution in the form of its 35W charging station, available in Amazon for $50They also offer a 65W version for $63and a 100W version for $80I have been using the 35W version and have found it to be more than adequate for my needs.

See on Amazon

The specifications

• 6 AC ports
• 2 USB-A ports
• 2 USB-C ports
• Digital display, allowing you to monitor charging information in real time.
• 1200 J surge and lightning protection
• Over voltage, over power, over temperature, over current, short circuit and anti-interference protection.
• Ground indicator
• 0.1s overload shutdown
• 35W ultra-fast charging, which can reach 0-36% charge for an iPad in 30 minutes
• Automatic output power regulations
• Dimensions: 4.75 x 2 x 2 inches

One thing to note is that the device’s automatic power regulation feature is a bit complicated. The number of devices you have connected to the device’s USB ports will determine the output power. Fortunately, Baseus has a helpful diagram to illustrate how the feature works:

My experience

Charging stations are simple devices: you plug them in, and then plug things in to charge them. It’s that simple. But with Baseus, I appreciate the size of the station, which allows me to use it in tight spots where a larger charging tower or long power strip wouldn’t otherwise fit.

I also like the display, which indicates how much charge the station is generating. And don’t forget that there is also an on/off button on the top, which allows users to turn off the device when not in use.

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Of course, this station isn’t your average power strip. If I really want to get the most out of the device, I have to remember the automatic power output regulations. For example, if I need 5W charging with USB-C, I have to use the right port. If I need 10W charging with USB-C, I use the left port. But that only happens when I use both ports. If I only connect one USB-C device, I get 30W from either port. That kind of complexity is why it’s important to refer to the diagram above and make sure you understand it.

The only drawback I can think of with this charging station is that the cable is thick and difficult to manipulate. After you take the cable out of the box, it takes a while to come loose. I’ve been using the station for over a month now and the cable still insists on returning to its coiled state. And because the cable is so thick, trying to force it into a different shape or route is a losing battle… at first. Eventually, the cable will succumb to your will. Just know that you’ll have to use some brute force.

ZDNET’s buying advice

What else is there to say? You plug in the Baseus 35W Charging Station Come in and charge stuff. However, if you’re looking to add a charging station to your desk and do so without adding clutter or a bulky tower, this is the ideal option. The station is inexpensive, will protect your devices, and does exactly what you need.