REVIEW – USB was introduced in 1996 and has since taken over the world. Very few portable electronics are not equipped with a USB charging port. But how to keep them all charged? Unitek’s 10-port USB charging station to the rescue!
What is it?
The Unitek model Y-2190F is an AC-powered, charging station with eight USB-A and two USB-C output ports.
Hardware Specs:
- Input: 100 – 240VAC, 50/50Hz, 3A max
- Output: 20V, 6A max total
- 9.4 x 4.7 x 1 inches / 23.8 x 11.8 x 2.6 cm.
- 36.3oz / 1.03 Kg
What’s in the Box?
- Charging station
- Power cord
- Power adapter
- 11 adjustable dividers
- User manual
- Thank you card
Design and Features:
Unitek’s box.
Minimal packaging.
Everything you need to know is in the manual…
Setup is simple: Plug it in. You’ll need a grounded AC wall socket. On the power supply end of the cable is a three-lobe power connection…
The power supply is robust enough to handle the fully loaded power station…
From the power supply, a coax connector plugs into the side of the power station…
A bright blue LED lets you know the charging station is alove…
Insert the divider tabs into the slots on the charging station’s top…
Make enough room to stand up the device of your choice…
Attach the device’s USB cord to an available port…
“Lather, rinse, repeat” until the ports are full or you run out of gadgets. Who am I kidding? If you are reading The Gadgeteer, I’ll venture you could fill this charger a few times over! I know I can!
It should be noted that the Unitek charging station does not include USB cables. To keep your charging station a little less from looking like a “can of worms,” it might be worth investing in some short 6- or 8-inch cables for your favorite gadgetry.
Even with short cables, creative routing may be needed to keep your charging area neat.
This is one of those products that just makes sense – Ten gadgets simultaneously charging, only one wall plug to use, no one hunting around the house for an unattended USB wall adapter. Ahhh, USB bliss…
The charger quickly charged all of the devices I plugged in, including a power-hungry USB-C laptop and 100-Watt battery.
I can imagine this product would be beneficial in situations when phones or other devices need to be collected (for example- school tests, companies forbidding visitor phones from entering, parents wanting to limit gadget use until homework is done), but keeping them organized and charged.
What I Like
- Ample power
- Ten ports! Awwww Yeah!
- Customizable slots for gadget placement
- Freedom for multiple electrical sockets
What I Would Change
- Add a compartment under the charging station for excess cord management.
Final Thoughts
“Remember the batteries” used to be the mantra for a birthday, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah celebrations. In 2021, it’s been superseded by, “Where is my charger?!” Make it easy on yourself this year and park your gadgets in the Unitek 10-port USB charger for charging happiness.
Price: $95.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Unitek.
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Retractable USB cables, I love them
https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Sicodo-Premium-Compatible-BlackBerry/dp/B07GX8PYBM/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=retractable+usb+micro+cable&qid=1638545447&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/S21%EF%BC%8C3Pack-Retractable-Android-Compatible-Samsung/dp/B08ZMRSYJZ/ref=sr_1_13?crid=IY84I3I9ZTPC&keywords=retractable+usb+c+cable&qid=1638545382&sprefix=retractable+usb%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-13
Combine with above, and you win the charging olympics.
Why do you need to heat the devices during their charge ?
I just got one myself, I needed a new unit that supported Power Delivery. Gave my son my older one for his room. Been using it now all weekend, I’m mostly impressed. One minor gripe I have is the weight (or lack therefor of). It is too light even with my devices. on it and has a tendency to slide around on my desk. This was fixed with 4 tiny bits of 3M VHB on the bottom. Not a dealbreaker in any way.
I took some pics with the Retractable USB charging cords I use if interested.
https://ibb.co/album/Q8tZqp
After the charger is fulling charged, can you unplug it and will the box be charged up for later or do you have to keep I pugged in all the time in order to use it?
Its not a battery, it charges other batteries and battery powered devices. It’s got to remain plugged in.