It’s good to see equipment standardisation – especially when it comes to power supplies. Sony has always been one of the worst offenders. Every piece of Sony kit comes with an entirely different power brick and different (usually proprietary) AC power tips. Travelling with Sony gear often means carrying a separate bag full of power bricks. But nothing is worse than having your equipment run out of power and die on you in the middle of nowhere.
One of the recent – and welcomed – trends has been to standardise on USB. Many MP3 players, portable cameras, portable modems, rechargeable batteries, etc, support this interface for recharging. This allows us to leave a lot of the proprietary power bricks behind and travel with only a USB cable and a USB power adapter (or, recharge our equipment off of our laptops in a pinch).
Different types of USB
Unfortunately, USB isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There is micro-B, micro-AB, Mini-A, Mini-B and Type A (to name a few). If you want to know what kind of USB connector your equipment has, consult the Wikipedia page. It has a comprehensive description and illustration of each. This means that you may have to carry around several different USB cables but you don’t need more than one USB power adapter.
And – just to make things more complicated – not all USB power adapters are built equal. In particular, you need to pay attention to the amount of amps that your equipment needs and see if the power adapter supports it. Most adapters should offer 500mA on each USB port. This is sufficient for most devices. Some exceptions includes the iPad – which is a notorious power hog. You will need to purchase specialist USB power adapters for some of your devices. In some cases, you might find that the power adapter will recharge your device but very slowly (e.g. the iPhone 4). This is because, again, the amp and wattage rating of the adapter is below what the device needs for rapid charge.
Different types of cable
As for cables, you would be wise to take several different kinds and multiples of each. Not all cables are of similar build quality and signal quality affects performance. This is less true of power recharging but if you use the same cables for data transfer, you may find that better cable results in better data throughput rates. This posting, however, focuses solely on power, so we will save the issue of cable quality for another post.
If you are an iPad user, you might be interested in our article regarding products that can recharge two iPads at once.
[Breaking Alert, July 2012: Scosche Revolt H4 Sighted. This is a export 10W USB charger that offers enough juice to simultaneously charge four tablets at once. Check out our article on it]
Are you looking for USB External Battery Chargers?
10 Best USB Power Adapters:
1) XtremeMac IPU-IH2-11 – Smallest 4amp USB recharger
XtremeMac IPU-IH2-11
This product proves to us that there is a USB Power God! The Extreme Mac Dual Port Recharger is a dream come true for iPad owners in that it recharges TWO IPADS AT ONCE! Yes, we can confirm this claim. That said, recharging two at once does seem to slow down the time it takes to recharge them but it’s nice to see such a portable USB recharger that has 2.1 amp support on both ports.
Our only regret is that the prongs don’t fold down (like they do in the MacAlly – see below). They are removable but this makes them more likely to lose. This mars an otherwise perfect product.
1st Runner Up: Macally 10 Watt Dual USB
This slender gizmo packs 2 USB ports offering a whopping 10.5W 2.1A into one pocket-sized device (iPad users rejoice). AC prongs fold inward to make it flat, svelte and sexy. Be advised, however, that if you use it to juice an iPad, it must be the only device plugged in (i.e. you cannot use the other USB port at the same time) – which is why we don’t think it’s as useful as the XtremeMac product. However, the prongs on the Xtrememac cannot be swivelled shut, so it’s a bit bulkier than the MacAlly. This is unfortunate but not a deal-breaker, because you can now take this one charger with you to power ALL of your USB kit – without having to take Apple’s special 10 Watt power adapter as well, just to satisfy your iPad.
USA customers click here to buy.
2) Skiva PowerFlow Quadfire: 4-amp, 4-port USB recharger
One of the newer entries to our list, the Skiva PowerFlow QuadFire is a 4-port, 40 watt, USB recharger that has 4amps in total across all ports. However, it will only support 2 x 2.1amp devices at once – that means two iPads simultaneously, but nothing else. However, in the event that you have a single iPad and three other devices to charge, this is very handy.
The prongs fold down to make it a bit more portable, but, otherwise it’s a little bit bulky and similar in size to the Scosche reVIVE II (below).
2nd Runner up: Scosche reVOLT H2 – chunky but hunky
Not as svelte as the XtremeMac, although the prongs do fold down flush with the unit. As you would expect, this offers 2.1 amps across both USB ports simultaneously – so, yes, you can recharge two iPads or tablets at once.
There are rumours of a reVOLT H4 in the works, which – as the name suggests – will offer 2.1 amps across all four ports (Yes, please!)
3) Scosche reVIVE II – Powerful but slightly bulky
The Scosche reVIVE II cannot recharge 2 iPads at once but it will simultaneously recharge an iPad and a 1 amp device, such as (fast-charging) an iPhone. It’s a bit bulkier than either the XtremeMac or MacAlly product but the prongs do swivel into the unit.
There is also a reVIVE pro H4 product that offers 4 ports but only at 1 amp each. This means it will only slow-charge 2.1 amp products (like your iPad). In other words, yes, you can recharge four iPads at once but only on a trickle charge, so you’d have to leave them overnight to see any significant difference.
4) PowerGen Dual Port USB 2.1A 10W AC charger
This is one of the smallest USB chargers that we’ve come across – only a tad bit larger than the Apple single USB charger (the smallest). Although it does offer 2.1 Amps or 10 Watts (which is powerful enough to fast recharge an iPad or tablet), it does this by sharing across both ports. What this means is that you cannot recharge two 2.1 amp devices (e.g. two iPads/Tablets) at once. However, you can charge an iPad and a 500ma device at the same time. Given the diminutive size of this device, we won’t complain. It’s a good piece of kit to include in your Road Warrior bag.
USA customers click here to buy.
5) Skiva PowerFlow QuadFire
Provides 20W at 4 Amps across 4 x USB outlets and has flip-down US prongs (that can be used either side up). You can charge two iPads at once (2 amps for each) – but, if so, nothing else can be charged at the same time – despite the extra two ports. At this point in time, this is probably one of the most versatile USB chargers in that it offers at least 1 amp per port across all four ports.
Remember, too, that iPads use special proprietary USB cables – which are different from the ones that come with your iPhone. Don’t get them confused – the difference matters (fast-charging vs trickle-charging). The iPad cable has a plug with squarish (not rounded) corners.
USA customers click here to buy.
6) Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger
While this product is sold primarily as a travel power strip, it also has 2 USB ports with 500mA on each port. The power prongs on the unit can swivel into different positions, so that the unit can be mounted off the wall in different orientations. Alternatively, you can bring a retractable power cable with you, if you find it difficult to mount this unit directly onto the wall. This is often the case in some hotels, where skirting, mouldings, or other architectural features get in the way of the socket.
We would even advise our UK and European travellers to get one of these, too. The reason being that US plugs are smaller than most plugs in other parts of the world and, therefore, standardising your entire electronics kit onto the US cabling system makes a lot of sense. For example, you can change all of your laptop AC mains cables to US ones (since most power bricks are universal, supporting different voltages from around the world). Then, you simply carry this power strip with you to service all of your equipment. Your equipment will be lighter and take up less space. Plus, you won’t have to remember which cables to take for what; just keep everything ready to go for travel in the same small bag.
USA customers click here to buy.
Here is a link to some interesting portable mains cables.
7) Lenmar 6-Port USB Powerport Hub
Not the most attractive in our line-up but there are times when you just want to be prepared for whatever life throws at you. This starfish hub is rated at a 3A max and contains 4 external cables and 2xUSB ports. The 4 external cables can accept different tips to enable you to plug different devices into them. These tips are stowed away in the top compartment of the hub. You will notice an opaque plastic lid that can be turned to unscrew. The tips included support iPods, iPhones, PSP and different USB shapes and sizes. It comes with its own, rather bulky, brick-style AC adapter. Not the lightest of the bunch but it’s the Swiss army knife solution to USB recharging and will make you very popular when your travel companions have forgotten to bring their own kit.
USA customers click here to buy.
Also, Check out the…
Scosche reVOLT PRO Dual 2.1 amp USB Car Charger for iPad
Beware, there are lots of crappy USB car chargers out there that are too underpowered to recharge most devices, let alone an iPad. This one from Scosche comes to the rescue with 2.1A on BOTH USB ports, so it will recharge TWO iPads AT ONCE. It doesn’t matter if you don’t own either – buy this high-spec’d item, so you won’t have to worry about running out of head room.
USA customers click here to buy. UK customers click here.
ZaggSparq 2.0 Battery Backup Charger
ZaggSPARQ 2.0
What’s nice about the ZaggSPARQ is that it provides 2000mA across 2x USB outputs, while also acting as a backup battery recharger that can be used to provide 4 full iPhone recharges and 5-6 hours of extra iPad (heavy) use. It’s power prongs are retractable and it’s a handy, portable size. It makes a lot of sense to put a battery into a multiple USB charger, doesn’t it?
Buy from Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk
Buy from The Nerds
Other Related Power Products:
The Targus Travel Power Outlets Strip
We prefer the Belkin over the Targus, because it offers Dual USB ports in addition to the three power outlets. But the Targus is a bit more versatile as a power strip, because of its flexible cable. There are times when the Belkin just can’t be attached to a particular socket, because interior decorations get in the way, or the space is too small to navigate. The Targus doesn’t suffer from this problem because the wall plug is very small and can be inserted into almost any socket. In fact, the best combination is to travel with BOTH the Targus and the Belkin, using the Targus as an extension cable to the wall. That way, you end up with 5 power sockets and two USB ports.
USA customers click here to buy.
All-in-One International Travel Adaptor
No international traveller should leave the house without one of these. It contains all the prong combinations to support 150 different countries. What we like about this particular product is that all of these prongs are self-contained and slide out from inside the main unit – as opposed to other solutions that involve lots of different plug ‘legos’ that need to be snapped together. This way you won’t lose them and you will always have the plug you need wherever you go.
USA customers click here to buy. UK customers click here.
It is important to note that US, European and UK plugs can be plugged into the unit as well, which means that it can be used by anyone from around the world, travelling to anywhere else. This means that if you liked a product in this post that was only available in the USA, then no matter; just purchase the US prong product and use it with this adapter. This is why we recommend everyone switching to a US mains solution. The US products are smaller and lighter – and pack flatter. By using this travel adaptor, you could be a European customer who wants to standardise all of their equipment on the US system and then use their equipment throughout Europe.
For example, we are based in Europe but we travel with both the Belkin and Targus power strip and have swapped all our cables for US mains leads (our laptops, etc). The Targus plugs into the travel adaptor; our Belkin plugs into our Targus; and all of our equipment have US mains leads, so they plug into the free ports onto both the Belkin and the Targus. We can use the Belkin’s 2xUSB ports and, in addition, plug the MacAlly into our Targus/Belkin to give us two additional USB ports (one of which can be used by our iPad). We use all of this equipment in Europe but by standardising on the US system, our kit is much smaller, lighter and more flexible.
Note: there is another model of this travel adapter floating around that has 1 or more USB ports built-in. Unfortunately, these are usually supplied on a separate panel that must be swapped in and out (interchanged by snapping onto the back), such that the unit can only be used for USB recharging in one config and only as a travel adapter in the other. We do not recommend this, as the two panels that must be interchanged can get easily lost… and if you lose any of those bits, the whole travel adapter becomes useless.
Ziplink Retractable Power Cable
This product has a female US input on one end and a male US three-prong on the other. It’s basically a mains extension cable but it rolls up into a retractable, spring-loaded housing in order to save space and prevent tangling. We would recommend it as an alternative to the Targus, if you wanted to bring along the Belkin power strip but wanted to make sure you could plug it into a socket that would otherwise be difficult, because of space issues.
USA customers click here to buy.
Special USB cables:
Scosche flipSync and USBMM
These are two of the smallest and lightest USB cables that we have so far found. They even snap onto your keyring, so you won’t have an excuse to leave them behind. The first is an iPod/iPhone sync cable, whereas the second works with other USB devices such as the Blackberry.
USA customers click here to buy iPod/iPhone sync cable and click here to buy the USBMM version. UK customers click here for the iPod/iPhone sync cable and click here for the USBMM version.
Retractable USB cables
Here are a bunch of retractable USB cables for your convenience. Because they are retractable, they are less likely to become entangled and, hence, damaged over time. It keeps your travel kit neat and tidy.
USA customers:
UK customers:
Retail Reference:
In case you want to purchase any of the products above, here are some links for easy reference:
USA Customers:
UK Customers:
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Europe traveling is one of those things that many people dream of. Europe is one of the most popular destinations among travelers. Antique monuments, exotic landscapes and very welcoming people gives this continent a unique look that other places lack. If you are going Europe you have to plan well when to go. Traveling during the high season will only result in expensive airline tickets and hotel rooms. The worst times of the year to travel are the known school breaks which are Christmas season which goes from December to January and the summer
Uh, thanks Steven for your contribution but doesn’t this seem to be a bit off-topic? I mean, you’re commenting about travelling in Europe in a post about USB Power Adaptors. Correct me if I’m wrong but you come across like a spam bot dork. If you are human, then feel free to set me straight. I dare you.
Lot of choices for one to pick around. Lenmar 6-Port USB Powerport Hub is something I brought few days ago. It will warn anyone that it has a blue led light that glows constantly when the device is plugged in.