[Review] Anker 40W 5-Port Desktop USB Charger
When you are a gadget reviewer or a geek with a lot of USB-powered devices, you want need to have an equally good USB charger that can charge all of them up with relative ease. No fumbling for multiple power points, no fumbling around to find where you left that charger and then realizing that that charger only has an output amount of 1 amps. Welcome to my family of gadgets Anker’s 40W 5-Port Desktop USB Charger!
This Anker USB Charger incorporates PowerIQ technology which is a term that Anker has coined up. PowerIQ technology allows the total amount of amperes on the charger, in this case 8 amps, and effectively spreads them out across all of the 5 ports on the charger. This means you could plug a tablet into any one of those 5 ports and the Anker charger will know automatically how much amps it should output to that device. If you have a smaller device, i.e an MP3 player, it should output a smaller amount of amps to that device. The maximum amount of current each port can output is 2.4A.
In fact an excerpt from the Anker page on PowerIQ technology says:
PowerIQ™ technology communicates with any connected device by speaking its unique charging language. Each port intelligently identifies your device and adapts to its specific recharge rate. So thanks to PowerIQ™, together with Anker’s industry-leading output, you can enjoy maximum compatibility that doesn’t limit your charging speed.
Speaking about current and voltage, this Anker charger accepts an input voltage of between 100 – 240V meaning you can go virtually anywhere around the world with you with this and all you need is an adapter relative to that country you’re in. This makes it idea for travellers, even though the category Anker has put this USB charger under is “Desktop”.
Also speaking about travelling, the Anker USB charger is pretty slim and lightweight as well. Measuring at 91mm x 26mm x 58mm it is a pretty compact gadget to fit into your backpack or suitcase. In fact the only thing weighing this down is the power cable itself. When you first receive this device, the power cable is pretty stiff and you will have to loosen it up a bit. When I tried to place the charger exactly where I wanted it to be, standing upright, the power cable kept on moving the device around because it was so stiff.
The power cable that comes with the Anker USB charger is a standard two prong NEMA 1-15 plug. You can Google search that if you don’t know what that is. Anyway, that means I had to use an adapter to be able to plug it into our NZ power points.
Also to note is that this charger is completely silent and has no annoying LED lights on them as well. I know some would want LED lights on them to tell them if it’s actually working or not, but my tip for you guys is to just check the device you’re charging to see if the charging symbol has lit up!
Overall, the Anker 40W 5-Port Desktop USB Charger is a great addition to any persons who need a reliable USB charger to charge all their USB-powered devices without having to fumble for a charger or place on the power point. Its universal voltage allows you to take it with you when travelling providing you have a travel adapter, and that it is also very compact. Anker’s PowerIQ technology is also smart enough to know how much current it should output to each device plugged in, no matter what port it is plugged in to.
I seriously recommend this product, and if you are lucky enough to read this post today, there is a special (limited time offer according to the Amazon page) at the moment which offers this Anker USB Charger for only $19.99USD (I got mine for $50NZD shipped direct to my door). That means it is less than $25NZD at current exchange rates! Plus, at the time of writing this, that seller also offers FREE shipping to NZ addresses (or well it said free shipping to my Auckland address), so go get yourself one of these amazing chargers now! Probably a bit too late for a Father’s Day gift though.
[Update: The offer was a scam in the end, however, Amazon has refunded fully all disputes that I have heard of.]
Buy now from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P936188/?tag=nztech-20
