Seems like most all of our gadgets can be powered via USB these days. It’s a simple yet effective way to charge everything from your phone to Bluetooth headphones, and everything in between. When you’ve got enough USB powered devices, you’ll often need a way to charge more than one at a time. The TYLT ENERGI Desktop Charging Station is a great way to charge up to five USB devices at a time all while looking good on your desk. There’s a bit more to it though, as this charging station has a few other tricks up its sleeve.
Specifications
- Four 2.4A USB charging ports
- 3,200mAh removeable battery pack
- SmartDetect Technology
- Total Power: 50W (10A)
- Input Voltage: 100~240ac
- Output: 5vdc @ 2.4A x 4 USB ports
- Battery Pack: 5vdc @ 1A
What’s in the Box
- 1 x TYLT ENERGI Desktop Charging Station
- 1 x Power cord
- 1 x Removeable 3,2000mAh battery pack
- 1 x User Guide
- 1 x Warranty information
Design
Looking at the TYLT ENERGI Desktop Charging Station for the first time, you’ll see some of TYLT’s signature angled design. They’ve gone with some more subdued colors this time around, with a pretty standard grey body with dark blue accents. The charger is approximately 4.5” x 5” x 1.5” with slightly sloped sides.
On the front of the device are four 2.4A USB charging port and one additional USB port that is part of the removable 3,200mAh battery pack. The battery pack has for blue lights showing the charge status of the battery as well as a microUSB input to re-charge in case you’re away from the base unit. Next to the dark blue removeable battery pack is the battery pack eject button. Surrounding the grey body of the charger is a dark blue “wrap” that is split on top and bottom, providing a little bit of room for cable management if you so desire. The back of the device is relatively ordinary, with only the power cable input.
Ease of Use
The TYLT ENERGI Desktop Charging Station really couldn’t be a whole lot easier to use. Simply attach the power cord, plug the device into the wall, then plug up to five of your favorite USB cables in and charge up to five of your favorite USB powered devices. If you want to take the battery pack out and about that’s easy too. Simply press the eject button directly to the right of the battery pack and it will pop out so that you can retrieve it. When you’re done with the battery pack simply plug it back into the base unit, just be sure you’ve got the battery oriented properly, it won’t slide back in unless the side with the slight indentation is lined up to the side with the eject button. You won’t be able to put the battery back in if it isn’t lined up properly, so you ought to be able to get it right pretty quickly.
Performance
The four normal USB ports output at up to 2.4A meaning you ought to be able to charge nearly any of your phones, tablets, etc. on these ports. These USB ports also feature SmartDetect technology, which allows each port to figure out what is plugged into it and provide the fastest possible charge (up to 2.4A) for that device.
The battery pack outputs at 1A, which may cause issues for some devices. It would not charge my Nexus 6P at all, for example. The battery pack didn’t have any issue with my Nexus 5 or other USB powered devices, but it wouldn’t charge the 6P. The other 2.4A ports didn’t have that problem, and really just handled everything I threw at them. I wasn’t quite able to get the elusive “Charging Rapidly” notification on my 6P with the 2.4A ports, but it did charge quite quickly.
Price/Value
The TYLT ENERGI Desktop Charging Station is priced at $79.99, which looking specifically from a desktop USB hub standpoint seems pretty expensive. There is added value with the removable battery pack so long as you have a device that can take advantage of it, and as always, TYLT provides a very solid, well-built product. This desktop charger also has quite a bit more style than your average USB hub, which may be worth the extra cost for some.
Wrap Up
TYLT has always made quality products, and the ENERGI Desktop Charging Station is no exception. It is a stylish, well-built USB hub with not only 2.4A fast charging, but also the added benefit of a removable battery pack. Price may turn some away, but for the money you’ll be getting a good product for sure.
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