The best USB wall charger for travel,
to me, is one that’s small, outputs lots of power, and has a built-in
(ideally retractable/pivotable) plug. It needs to rapidly recharge
multiple devices at once, and hopefully not cost a lot.
Turns out, finding a charger that fits all these criteria isn’t as
easy as it seems. There are lots on the market, but most miss the mark
in some way (too big, not enough output, etc).
Best USB Charger
For me, I think the Limefuel 4.8A Wall Charger is just about the
perfect travel charger. It outputs 2.4 amps from both of its connections
(more on this in a second). It’s small, about 2-inches square, and an
inch wide. The plugs pivot into the body so it doesn’t get caught on
things in your bag. At $17 it’s a little more expensive than the
cheapest options, but it makes up for it in having all the right features (and actually working).
There are only two complaints I have with the Limefuel, after
travelling with it for over a month. The first is that the plugs pivot a
bit too easily. So depending on what plug adaptor you’re using (while
travelling overseas) it doesn’t take much to pull out of the wall. Not a
huge deal, but it’s something I kept noticing.
The other is fairly easy to fix, and it’s a problem I’ve found with many modern devices. What the frak
is with the ultrabright LEDs? So many products I’ve tested use insanely
bright LEDs to indicate when they’re got power (or even worse, when
they’re on). Distracting to say the least. In the case of the Limefuel,
the green LED is bright enough to use as a nightlight. An issue for
light sleepers and anyone using this in a hostel.
My DIY fix? I went over the LED a bunch of times with a Sharpie. So
the light is still visible, but not a star-like beacon in the night. I’m
not sure you could put electrical tape over it, since it’s between the
USB connections. Maybe if you’re good with a hobby knife.
The importance of amps
The biggest reason I like the Limefuel, and one of the main aspects
you should consider when choosing a charger, is the output. The Limefuel
outputs 2.4 amps (2.4A) for both connections at the same time.
The easiest way to think about amps, without getting too electrical,
is that it’s how fast it will charge a device. That’s not exactly it,
but for our purposes it will do. Devices with large batteries need
chargers with high amp ratings to charge in a reasonable amount of time.
If you use a charger with too low an amp rating, some devices won’t charge while you’re using them. For example, my Asus T100 (the best travel laptop) needs 2.4A to charge at the same time I’m using it. I had tried a cheap USB charger that claimed 2.4A, but in use the battery on the T100 would still drain when in use and plugged in.
With the Limefuel, I can work on the T100, its battery recharges (pretty quickly, too), and I can have something else plugged in to charge as well (my HTC One, a USB battery pack, Apple AAPL -0.28% iPod, whatever).
Also, like most modern plug chargers, it works anywhere. So as long as you have a plug adapter, this will convert foreign A/C power down to the juice your mobile gear uses. I’ve used it in the UK and across southern Europe so far, with no issues.
Tech Tips
If you don’t think the Limefuel is perfect for you, no worries. There
are a quintillion different USB chargers available. The thing is, most
of them are crap. When you’re shopping here are some important things to
consider:
Number of connections vs size: Don’t go overboard on USB
connections. How many devices will you really need to charge at once? I
charge my laptop and phone every night, and my USB battery pack and iPod
every few days. So for me, 2 was plenty. As you increase the number if
outputs, you also increase size. I loathe bulk while
travelling, so I’d always advise for smaller. If you’ve got a travel
partner, personally I’d recommend two of these over one big and bulky
charger with lots of outputs (most of which probably aren’t 2.4A).
Built-in plug: This is big. I’ve seen a lot of cool chargers that require a long power cable to the wall. No thanks. I don’t want to tote an extra
cable around with me. What a hassle. The Limefuel’s plugs fold into the
body, which is excellent. It makes it even more compact, and, as I
mentioned earlier, prevents it from getting stuck on things in your bag
(like USB cables or headphones).
Amps: As mentioned above, it’s worth getting a 2.4A charger, which should work for just about everything.
Just because it says 2.4A, though, doesn’t mean it really is. It’s
hard to tell with some models. One way, if they don’t say it outright,
is if they list their output in watts. Watts are just amps times
voltage. With USB, the voltage is pretty much always 5V. So in the case
of the Limefuel, it’s two 2.4 amp outputs at 5 volts, so 4.8×5=24 watts.
If you see a charger that claims 2.4A, but the total wattage doesn’t
add up (i.e. “2.4A” with 3 USB connections, but only 20 watts or
soemthing), that means it doesn’t do 2.4A on all the outputs, or doesn’t
output 2.4 amps if there are other devices charging. Some companies
will explain in the fine print: “2.4A! Three USB Ports!… 5A total.”
Ellipsis mine. Pass.
Basically, it’s worth getting a travel charger than can output its maximum to all of its ports.
Other Options
Wirecutter likes this charger,
which has USB and multiple AC outlets. For domestic business travel,
this is great. For me, it’s way too bulky, and since nearly all my
devices recharge via USB, it’s overkill. Still, a fantastic product for
many people.
Conclusion
The Limefuel has a 4.3/5 rating on Amazon, from 254 reviews. I’ve
been using it for over a month with no issues (including right now,
actually).
But if it’s not perfect for you, it’s worth it to seek out chargers
that output 2.4-amps on at least one output (ideally more than one).
Even if none of your current devices require 2.4A, you might get one in
the future. In the meantime, your gear will likely charge faster than
with a lower-amperage charger.
Also, make sure you check the Amazon reviews to be sure there are no issues.
But for now, the Limefuel is perfect for me. I’ll update if anything changes.
Wall Charger: $17
Limefuel.com
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