With a whopping 72W of power available, the Cable Matters 4-port USB-C charger is an excellent choice for sticking into a wall outlet and powering four devices simultaneously. Besides the USB-C input that delivers 60W of total power, the three additional USB inputs can deliver up to 3A of power for 5V to 20V devices through the 12W USB-A charging ports. Devices including the iPhone X, iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Nintendo Switch can be charged side-by-side with a laptop, including Apple, Lenovo and other USB-C friendly manufacturers. Beyond power, Cable Matters added overcurrent, overvoltage and short-circuit protection to prevent all of your devices from overcharging. Measuring 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches and weighing 13.3 ounces, the Cable Matters USB-C model is beefy compared to the similarly priced competition, but given its price-to-performance ratio, it’s hard to overlook. You can also charge regular devices with a fast charger, but again it will only charge at normal speed. To get the faster charging time, you will need both a fast charger and a fast charge-enabled device.
For example, if you are going white water rafting, you will want a charger that is waterproof, not water-resistant. If you are traveling in extreme temperatures, you will want to look for a charger that can withstand large temperature fluctuations. Its rugged design makes this a great choice for everyday use. It is water, dust, and shockproof and has a durable hard plastic housing that can withstand just about whatever life throws at you. It is also designed to protect your devices from overcharging, overheating, or short-circuiting, protecting you and your devices from any charging mishaps. Speaking of being in the wilderness, you do not have to hesitate to carry this charger with you everywhere you go. It is weather and water-resistant as well as dust and shockproof. The ABS plastic housing is designed to withstand everyday use, no matter what your day entails.
A USB charger can be purchased separately from a third party. Be sure to read the manual that came with the device to determine what type of USB connector it has. Eyeballing the connector can lead to buying the wrong type of USB charger unless you are very familiar with the different USB standards by sight. USB cables are used to connect devices — such as printers, keyboards and music players — to computers. A USB charger cable features the male Type-A connector on one end, and a very different USB connector on the other. This end plugs into the portable device and is a more compact design to allow for the lack of real estate on handheld electronics. Several USB standards have developed including the Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-AB and Micro-B connectors. The Micro standards are about half the thickness of the Mini standards, more easily serving slimline products. Virtually all portable, personal electronics feature a USB port, though the connector can vary between one of several standards. Computers use the Type-A standard, which is a flat, rectangular port that contains recessed data pins and exterior power pins that make contact first.
Like the MAX8934, the MAX8903 is a dual-input design that accommodates USB and adapter inputs through separate connections. Switchover between power sources is automatic, as is hand off between input power and battery power. With BC1.1 it is possible for devices to charge only from USB-defined sources. Those devices are becoming more common, but still you may want to retain the option of charging with an ordinary, possibly non-USB-compliant, adapter. This is best accomplished with a dual-input charger that handles the switchover when one external power source takes over for another. In the past, power hand off was often done with either lossy OR-ing diodes or discrete MOSFET-comparator circuits that can become complex when “sneak” current paths and switch timing are considered. Fortunately, many charger ICs now include power hand-off control. Integrating this function does more than simply replace external components.
It comes with both a USB Type-C port alongside the conventional USB Type-A port. Under the hood is a smart IC chip that regulates charging speeds and protects against overheating, over-current, and overcharging. It is universally compatible with all devices and will serve well for charging smartphones and tablets alike. The brains of this device built by BLUETEK TECKNET lie in their implementation of a Qualcomm chip that provides QC 3.0 charge technology. One of the most unique features of this charger is its smart charging capabilities. This allows the charger to use adaptive powered charging at an optimal charging rate with keeping in mind battery temperature and condition. An advanced intelligent circuitry provides protection against short circuits, over-current, over-charging, and overheating. Wired USB car chargers are car chargers that have a non-detachable wire connector and are usually meant for a particular or single device. These types of chargers were mainly proprietary car chargers that have now lost their popularity. However, this older type of car charger is reliable and durable since they offer slow charging speeds.
Incompatibilities between competitive systems exist, willingly or by oversight. To support charging and data communication when using the DCP, a Y-shaped cable is offered that connects to the original USB port for data streaming and to the DCP port to satisfy charging needs. Standard A and B USB plugs, as illustrated in Figure 1, feature four pins and a shield. Pin 1 delivers +5VDC and pin 4 forms the ground that also connects to the shield. The two shorter pins, 2 and 3, are marked D- and D+ and carry data. When charging a battery, these pins have no other function than to negotiate current. With 5V and 500mA available on version USB 1.0 and 2.0, and 900mA on USB 3.0, the USB can charge a small single-cell Li-ion pack.
It is advised to only use compatible or trustworthy brands when experimenting with higher voltages and currents in USB connectors. New devices come with the USB-C connector and USB 3.1, but consumers beg for two or three regular USB 3.0 ports on their gadgets to support what worked so well in the past. USB 3.1 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 and the classic type-A and type-B connectors. While in transition to the type-C, adaptors are available to convert, but expect lower data transfer speeds with adapters than what USB 3.1 offers. As with most other successful technologies, USB has spawned several versions of connectors and cables over the years. USB chargers do not always work as advertised and charge times are slow.
The dangers are similar to normal USB hazards, but with the added risk element of using them whilst on the road. There is the potential for an incorrect charge to be applied to your device. This could result in a number of issues, including battery and device damage and the risk of overheating, fire and explosion. Whilst the USB 3.0 is currently the most common, it is predicted that the new USB-C connector could eventually replace this. The USB-C was made widely available from 2015, and is now common on new model smartphones as well as some laptops. The intention is that it will completely replace all types of USB as the USB-C is a replacement for both ends of the cable.
The 0.7-inch wide profile allows you to utilize the device in the sockets that are located behind furniture, the kind of sockets that you would not have been able to put to use otherwise. On top of the small size, the device is quite lightweight, so you can always take it with you without worrying about the extra weight. Plus, you can put it in your backpack so it won’t take away your luggage space. A 45-watt Power Delivery output means the Anker PowerPort Atom III Slim (appx. $53) can accommodate a variety of today’s most compact laptops. The gallium nitride composition of its transistors allows it to operate efficiently without producing much heat. Illustration of direct connection charging and Maxim’s Smart Power Selector™ technology. Additional details on these port types are described in the USB Battery Charging Specification, Rev 1.1, 4/15/2009. Anker’s PowerPort Atom PD 4 can charge your 16-inch MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone, and anything else. Satechi thought about almost everything with this charging station, as there is even surge protection built-in. However, those hoping for Qualcomm Quick Charge support will have to look elsewhere, as Satechi stopped short of including it here.
Data cables have four wires and as such, have thicker outer insulation/lining than their charge-only counterparts with two less wires. What differentiates a charge-only USB cable from a data cable is the how they are produced. More precisely, their wiring system — the number of wires within the cable. Underneath the fancy body of your USB cables are wires, right? The number of wires a cable has will determine if charges your phone, transfers data, or does both. Ever tried to transfer files from a PC to your smartphone using a USB cable but the computer doesn’t recognize your device? But usually, there’s nothing wrong with your USB cable, it’s just not built for data transfer. both your phone and your laptop — at least if you have an Apple MacBook, Google Chromebook Pixel, or a higher-end model from Dell and HP.