USB C Multi Port Charger Recommendations? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2024, 09:19:18 pm
content: Looking for a reliable brand, robust, torn down, tested, reviewed for safety/compliant etc.It's for a mix of devices but some of them are fast charging so at least 2 ports fast charging USB C. 4 ports total or a couple of 2 ports will be enough. Need also a cable brand that have been tested (data/power etc) to the latest USB C standard with good plastics/connectors.Any good place to start, brand names, channel/videos? I figure some of you have been all over this a few times before, please share experiences/research.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 10, 2024, 05:07:13 am
content: Might not be exactly what you're after, but the Ikea SMÅHAGEL charges are of decent quality (especially for the price). They come in 3-port and 1-port flavours.Big Clive has done a few teardowns.https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/smahagel-3-port-usb-charger-white-90539185/

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2024, 08:58:30 am
content: I have a Ugreen Nexode 65W charger. It has 2 USB C PD outlets aND 2 usb 2 outlets (purple, whatever that means).I can't point to a teardown but Ugreen seem generally of good quality - I have a few of their other products too.I looked for it on Amazon and it appears to have been replaced by 100W, 165W and 200W models with up to 6 ports.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2024, 04:30:05 pm
content: I've been going with Anker or Monoprice lately.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2024, 10:32:35 pm
content: The last I bought was a Baseus 100W (this:https://www.baseus.com/products/gan3-pro-4-ports-desktop-charger-100w)It does meet its specs. I've tested it with a USB PD controller for a project I was working on.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2024, 09:52:09 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going with a couple of Ikea chargers. I don't tend to buy from Ikea but their Ladda 2450mAh NiMH batteries (Japanese) were a bargain on sale. So there are a few gems amongst the cardboard/plastic.The single port Smahagel has no rating on their website but seems 5W. The 3 port model is 12W max per port (17W total). Probably give the Sjoss USB C models a try as well, they look well constructed.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2024, 05:57:56 pm
content: Quote from: artag on May 10, 2024, 08:58:30 amI have ugreen Nexode 100W charger (model CD226). This is bad charger.The first issue, it has pretty high voltage drop on high current. For example in 20V/5A mode the output voltage drops down to 19.2 V at 5 Amps current. For comparison Chinese XY-PDS100 charger don't have such voltage drop and has 20V output at 5 Amps with the same cable and load.Here is my measurements of port USB-C1 on Ugreen Nexode 100W in 20V/5A mode:Code:USB-C1 20VCurrent = Voltage0.00 20.0602.83 19.5673.03 19.5423.57 19.4484.03 19.3704.51 19.3035.02 19.2245.03 19.1955.56 18.780The second issue is that it disable fast charge if you connect second device, even if second device is low power device which consume less than 0.1 Amps current. When you use two ports, the fast charging device power drops down to 25 or 60 W. The higher power will be availabe on port which is connected first. So, if you disconnect charger from mains and then connect it again, it can randomly drop down power to 25 W. So, if you want fast charge, it can be used as a single port charger only.The third issue is that it heating a lot. After 1-2 hours with 100W charging its temperature rise to 70°C and more on its surface... I measured 71°C after 1 hour with 100W load. Just imagine what temperature is inside...The forth issue is that it don't support 5V / 4.5A mode for USB-A port, as it claimed in product description. Here is my measurement for USB-A port:Code:USB-A 5VCurrent = Voltage0.00 = 5.09500.73 = 5.01180.80 = 5.00350.90 = 4.99041.00 = 4.97931.10 = 4.96781.22 = 4.95561.32 = 4.94351.42 = 4.93151.50 = 4.92281.62 = 4.90731.72 = 4.89561.83 = 4.88261.90 = 4.87592.01 = 4.85922.12 = 4.85152.23 = 4.83592.35 = 4.81892.45 = 4.80732.57 = 4.79412.68 = 4.77982.80 = 4.76372.97 = 4.74283.13 = 4.72213.24 = 4.62173.26 = 3.5030 max currentAs you can see it cannot keep 5V on the output even with 1 Amps load.And also it has pretty bad efficiency with low power load when used for 5V output. With 5W load it consume 9 W from mains. With load 90W it consume 100.8W from mains.I was surprised with ChineseXY-PDS100charger. It support all PD voltages up to 100W with no voltage drops. But it requires external power supply for 23-28 V / 5 Amps. Very nice 100W PD charger.