Coocheer Home Power Center review

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CoocheerHomePowerCenter - 3

So, show of hands. Who doesn’t have at least one power strip active in your home? Anyone? And who doesn’t have at least two USB chargers plugged into those? Again, no hands? OK, I have the right audience. Coocheer has hit the trifecta of geek power needs with their latest device, dubbed the Home Power Center. It has eight (8) three-pronged power outlets together with five (5) smart-charging USB ports, all connected to a single medium-duty cord. I was sent a test unit from the company, and have been using it on my desk. Let’s see what happened.

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

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I work from home doing tech support. This requires a company-supplied iMac, as well as a second “lab” unit. Additionally, I have my iPad, personal MacBook Pro, and a test iPod from my company on my desk. (Yes, it’s a big desk. And crowded!) Recently, I added the charger for my Apple Watch to the mix. Oh, and then there’s my iPhone which, when things are slow and I’m playing a game, tends to need a bit of juice from time to time. So, that’s three computers, a lamp, three iOS devices, and a watch, all needing power. I’ve been using two power strips and a random assortment of USB chargers to keep things running, so the Home Power Center is right in line with what I need. I couldn’t install it right away, since it arrived in the middle of my shift, but as soon as I had a day off, I pulled out the old units and replaced them with the Coocheer unit. The photos should tell you the story.

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Overall, the box is 9.5″ x 4″ x 1.5″ with a 4’6″ cable attached with strain relief. The eight plugs are grouped in two rows of four, with the ground plugs toward the inside. The 5 USB ports are aligned vertically across the end opposite where the cable enters. There is an on/off switch beside the strain relief. The whole unit is a flat black plastic, with the brand silk-screened in the area between the power plugs and the USB ports. A tiny, tiny blue LED that indicates power is centered between the branding and the markings for the USB ports. There are no other lights on the unit.

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The home market for electronics has been growing at a rapid pace, even among non-Gadgeteers. Having something that will not only power the lamp and your laptop and the TV and the cable box in the den, as well as having a place for a few phones, tablets, or bluetooth devices normally means a lot of clutter, with bright LEDs attached. I reviewed a Sipolar 10-port charger a while back that had to be moved out of my line of sight because every port and the unit itself AND the power supply had a bright LED. I can actually use it as a nite-lite when I turn out the lights in the office. 12 LEDs for ten ports is just too many. The current unit will fit much more nicely into a home decor, without having to be hidden or taped over.

So, what would I change? Well, despite not having to plug iPhone or iPad chargers into this unit, there may be occasions where having one or two outlets a bit further apart than is presented here would be beneficial. The outlets are spaced on almost 1.5″ centers, as opposed to the usual 1″, which makes room for most of the more compact wall warts, but it’d still be nice to break out an outlet or two. Also, having a plug that doesn’t stick out several inches would allow this to be plugged into that outlet that’s hidden behind the bookcase without having to leave the bookcase two inches away from the wall. Ordinarily, I’d not nitpick like that, but for a home decor item, a flat, right-angle plug would be a true differentiator.

I give it 5 stars anyway – it’s really nicely designed, no gaudy lights, labels, or strange curves and shapes, and it does quite a lot in a decently sized space.

Updates 03/31/16

Six months later, still on my desk. I can’t imagine not having this much USB access on my desk again!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Coocheer. Please visit their for more info or Amazon to buy one.

 

Product Information

Price:$170 - on sale at their Amazon store for $33
Manufacturer:Coocheer
Retailer:Amazon
Requirements:
  • Single AC power outlet.
  • Items needing to be plugged in or charged.
Pros:
  • Spaced-out outlets make room for larger plugs and many wall-warts.
  • 5 outlets for USB charging with smart circuits won't over-charge your devices.
  • One tiny LED, which preserves your vision when this is in your line of sight.
Cons:
  • Power cable needs about 2" of clearance, so not good behind solid furniture.

5 thoughts on “Coocheer Home Power Center review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. Yikes $170 I would never pay for that, $33 is more in line of what it SHOULD cost. I am curious however why you arn’t routing most of those cables UNDER the desk?

    I have a full room wrap around work desk, I use these lined under the entire length.

    http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-PS3612-Outlet-Vertical/dp/B00005115S/

    For a total of 4 of them (yes that is a ton, and yes it’s insane, and yes my office has it’s own dedicated breaker) I have 2 of these

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FFJDA12?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

    one located on each side of the room. They are 3M 414/DC double stuck to the desk. They provide quick plugs for temporary items, and a nice place to slap a tablet or phone.

    This one however looks like I might be a good solution for my test bench at work.

  3. Note: the white colored version of this model is only $25 on Amazon! And they have ones sized with 4 or 2 AC outlets (still 5 USB ports) if 8 is more than you need. I just ordered a 4 AC outlet model for behind my bed to take the place of an 8-AC outlet strip plus a 5 USB port charger plugged into it.

  4. I have the 4 outlet 5 usb port version from Amazon and I love it. This power strip is especially nice for vacationing. (Having lots of usb ports available makes one very popular.)

  5. @Andrew, I used to work at a place where every desk had one of those TrippLite units – great for all those times someone wants to bring in something to charge quickly, or plug in something like a desk fan. Space heaters are a definite no-no, though! Had someone try it – you wouldn’t dig it!

    Now, almost everything I carry charges by USB. On the desk, only the work machines, the lamp, and my MacBook Pro use wall power, so that would be loads of overkill. I’ve thought about mounting it under the desk, but I tend to change what’s plugged in at various points in the day, so the cords would inevitably get dropped behind the desk and chewed on by a dog. I’ve never been able to keep a super-neat desk anyway. The cables barely add to the amount of crazy other stuff I have there!
    Given my avocation as Gadget tester/reviewer/junkie, I have another table dedicated just to things being charged while not in active use. Everyone knows they can walk over and have access to a USB port and the proper cable with no waiting.

    @Betty – I’m considering getting another for the bedroom as well, now that The Lovely Bride charges her iPhone on her nightstand, rather than across the room. Thanks for sharing that find with us!

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