For years, Anker has kept the technology fully charged, both wired and wireless. It has some of the best accessories for the mobile world, including very good external batteries, but you may not know that it also has a line of strips or plug strips.
Today we are going to analyze three of its main strips: PowerPort Cube, PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini and PowerPort Strip 3. Each one houses several sockets, as well as three USB ports. These work with Anker PowerIQ technology, which recognizes the optimal power of a device and charges it at maximum speed.
The PowerPort Cube costs $ 18.99 (usually $ 25.99) at Amazon, while the PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini can be purchased for $ 33.99 at anker.com or Amazon. The PowerPort Strip 3 costs $ 22.99 on anker.com or Amazon.
The strips share similar capabilities, but have a different shape for a variety of situations and uses.
Check out below to see and get to know our opinion.
PowerIQ Technology
USB ports with PowerIQ technology will automatically detect the optimal charging power of your device and will match it. In other words, they will safely charge your device at the maximum possible speed. For example, you can charge an iPhone 8 in two hours, compared to the typical three with the Apple charger. And a Samsung Galaxy 8 can reach its maximum capacity in just an hour and a half. An iPhone XS can even reach 50% in just 30 minutes, 30% more than the original charger would provide. Each strip comes with three USB ports capable of these speeds.
A space-saving cube
The PowerPort Cube ( $ 18.99, regularly $ 25.99; Amazon.com ) is frankly one of the best power strips we've found. With a measure of 2.4 cubic inches, it is a cube with ports on four of its six faces. In three, you will find current outputs capable of producing up to 1250 watts. On the top side there is a row of three PowerIQ USB-A ports. At the bottom there are four small bumps that act as feet.
In case you drop the bucket or it doesn't work, there is a reset button on one of the faces with an AC outlet. A pencil tip or clip can be used to press it. Built-in overload protection and its exterior is flame retardant up to 1,382 degrees. The length of the power cable in the bucket is 5 feet 9 inches. In addition to the Cube, you will find an instruction booklet and two adhesive strips in the box. Adhesive strips can be used to mount the bucket on flat surfaces, an addition that may be useful.
The PowerPort Cube is a flexible power strip. Its compact nature makes it ideal for travel. A family could use this on vacation and not need more ports. It is also more than enough for someone who carries a lot of technology. That said, it also works well as a permanent accessory. The number of AC ports only rivals that of the smaller power strips, and since each one is in a bucket face, its larger plugs will not interpose with each other.
But with the addition of the three USB-A ports, the Cube becomes an excellent accessory for all technology, large or small. In addition, adhesive strips add more versatility to keep it in place on a desk or wall, or even under a table. We put ours on the side of our desktop PC, now we can keep the PC on and at the same time quickly load other products such as the laptop and the Fire HD 10 tablet. When we want to charge the Wonderboom 2 cell phone, headphones and speakers to the Once, we can activate the USB power and start immediately.
Portable power
The PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini ( $ 33.99; anker.com, Amazon ) is an exceptionally portable power strip. Its dimensions are 3.1 square inches and its width is only 1.3 inches. On two sides there are AC power sockets with up to 1250 watts of output. On the forward-facing side there are three PowerIQ USB ports. The central port is USB-C, flanked by two USB-A ports. At the top of PD 2 is the Anker logo in the center, with a power indicator light below. When it receives energy, the light will glow blue. At the bottom there is a square of rubber that provides traction. And, like the Cube, the outer surface is flame retardant up to 1,382 degrees.
The power cable length of PD 2 is 5 feet, but the cable is covered with a braided exterior. This gives the cable additional durability, which allows it to resist damage from bending or scratches. Together with PD 2, you will simply receive an instruction booklet with specifications and safety tips.
We would classify the PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini as the most portable of the three. Despite being wider than the PowerPort Cube, it is flatter, which makes it easier to store in a bag or suitcase. In addition, the braided cable helps you resist travel damage. It is also compatible with worldwide voltages, specifically with a range of 90 volts and 264 volts.
What also makes it shine is that it is the most diverse in types of ports. It has a plug and a USB-port unless the Cube, but the addition of the USB-C port is a big difference. It may not be enough for a handful of people, but it is perfect for traveling. At least, it's perfect for charging most of our battery-powered items we mentioned earlier, as well as an Anker Powercore + with USB-C.
Family format
The previous feeding strips are great but sometimes you need a more traditional one, like the PowerPort Strip 3 ( $ 22.99; anker.com, Amazon ). It is 9 inches long, 2.1 inches wide and 1.1 inches thick. Like the Cube, it has three current outputs and three USB-A ports, but the outputs are arranged in a straight line. The PowerIQ USB ports are in a row at the bottom below the Anker logo. On the other end is the circular button to activate the power supply with a surge protection light, a power light and a protective light with earth connection in a row next to it. When the strip is fed, the three lights should glow blue. If you turn the PowerPort Strip 3, you will see two rubber lines on each end for extra traction. Also two holes to mount it on a wall.
Naturally, the Strip has built-in surge protection, but if something seems wrong, there is a reset button on the side. And, like the PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini, the Strip cable measures 5 feet.
Of these three strips, this is the best for home or office use. That does not mean that it is not portable: its smooth and slim design makes it easy to place it in a suitcase or backpack. But a power strip like this is excellent for plugging in permanent accessories and at the same time leaving open the charging options with the USB-A fast charging ports. Not to mention its excellent built-in protection features that will keep your most precious hardware safe. Regardless of what you choose to do with it, it is a great way to meet your energy needs with peace of mind.
conclusion
There is so much technology that we need to charge these days that having USB plugs and ports in one place is a real space saver. And whether you are using them in your home or anywhere in the world on a trip, Anker power strips will keep your technology on and charge their batteries faster at the same time.
Try the exclusive PowerPort Cube ($ 18.99, regularly $ 25.99; Amazon), the portable PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini ($ 33.99; anker.com, Amazon) and the reliable PowerPort Strip 3 ($ 22.99; anker.com, Amazon). Safety measures, convenience and loading speeds will not disappoint you.
Note: The prices above reflect the price at the time of publication of the article.