Anker 525 Charging Station

The Anker 525 Charging Station is a compact desktop hub that does exactly what it says on the tin – it gives you a single, tidy place to charge multiple devices at once. It sits in Anker's mid-range lineup, above their basic two-port models but below their more feature-heavy PowerWave setups. This is for anyone tired of fishing around for cables or having a tangle of chargers dotted around their desk. Whether you're juggling a phone, tablet, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds, the 525 lets you consolidate everything without taking up much real estate.

What makes this station work in practice is the combination of wired and wireless charging. You get one Qi wireless charging pad (great for topping up your phone or earbuds case without plugging anything in) alongside a handful of USB ports – including a USB-C port with solid power delivery for tablets and laptops. The materials feel solid without being over-engineered; the base is weighted properly so it doesn't slide around when you're yanking cables free. Power output varies across the ports, so you're not bottlenecking your fastest devices if you're charging multiple things simultaneously. Build quality is typical Anker – reliable, nothing flashy, but built to last.

Compared to Samsung's equivalent or Belkin's offering, the 525 punches above its weight on value. It's more practical than single-port wireless chargers because you actually get wired charging too, yet it doesn't cost significantly more. Before you order, check your desk space – while compact, it does need about 20cm of clear surface. The UK version should come with the right plug, but always verify before checkout. You'll get the station itself, a power cable, and a USB-C cable in the box, though you might need your own USB-A cables if you're maxing out all the ports at once.