Charging Stations

In our house a power strip has become our ad hoc el cheapo Multipot Personal Electric Charger. It's a muddle of wires and charging devices and we cuss it every time we plug or unplug one of the six devices that call it their hitching post.

DWR's glowing drum solution (currently on sale for $178 ) has been around for a while now, and it still gets the job done with the most style. But while we wait for the solution we really want (a rumored BlueTooth wireless charging platform) we're starting to notice cheaper solutions to this problem popping up at more utility-oriented retailers like Spacesavers.com and Organize Everything. Here are two that are better-looking than our power strip and that we have half a mind to try:

The faux leather station (bottom pic) can pocket up to 4 devices simultaneously and looks like it was separated at birth from one of those executive desk accessory sets. It's really just a power strip costume: you make it functional by attaching your own power strip to the back.

The Power Station by Resource® (top pic) is, in our mind, a better solution. This product has nooks for only 3 devices, but because it's essentially a glorified power-strip (the strip is built-in) it's an all-in-one solution.

• Faux Leather Charging Station, $29.99
• Power Station by Resource®, $21.95

Comments (8)

I've had the Power Station for 2 years, and am a fan. It ain't the prettiest solution, but it sure does the trick. (I have mine tucked away in one of the cubbies of an IKEA Expedit bookcase.)

posted by Enrique on 2006-12-07 13:38:06

I can't find a picture, but the most recent issue of Blueprint had easy instructions on how to make your own charging station. They just used a couple magazine holders from the Container Store, a charging strip, and a utility knife, pretty much. The results are beautiful, if you have the patience and craftiness to try it.

posted by Shannon on 2006-12-07 16:15:03

The multipot is beautiful. Made in Italy. Available here from DWR.

posted by dudesinmexico on 2006-12-07 23:24:05

Wow, I think these are all hideous, including the overpriced one from DWR. It's time for some nice ones!

posted by Pixie on 2006-12-08 12:07:05

I definitely don't get the appeal of the multipot.

posted by Archie on 2006-12-08 12:36:51

Oh come on, Archie and Pixie! It's is a plastic bucket! With a lid! And a powerstrip shoved in the bottom! For $240! How totally awesome is that! Get with a program, guys...

Seriously, it is kind of shocking that no one has come up with much nicer-looking and better-functioning designs. There seem to be no shortage of "key organizer" things out there, many of them staking claims at high design.

Right now, the best solution for the money is something like the Power Squid, which handle AC adapter "bricks" far better than a typical powerstrip.

posted by pilgrim on 2006-12-08 17:05:58

I used to like the power squid, but that as before I discovered the new Belkin line of surge protectors: they have "block spaces" specifically for all the gadgets that never were an issue years and years ago, plus they have either convenient shapes to attach to desks or walls, or can be concealed with a cover.

http://www.belkin.com/surgeprotection/

posted by George G on 2006-12-10 09:10:23

Oh, I love the Belkin surge protectors. Thanks!

posted by h on 2006-12-11 13:33:27