I am someone who far too regularly finds myself disagreeing with my girlfriend about who gets to use the one charger we own overnight. We both have to make sure we have enough battery to last the day because of course our smart phones are easily our most used pieces of tech. So when I got the chance to try iClever’s 6 port charger that boasts being able to charge multiple devices simultaneously faster than an average charger I was intrigued to see if it lived up to the hype.
The iClever Wall Charger is a 6 port portable charger with ‘Smart ID technology’. Now the product has both clever and smart in its name which for an inanimate object is a pretty large claim.
The tech is described thusly: “Enhanced by our SmartID technology, the smart USB port is capable of identifying a specific device, and thus ensuring maximum charging efficiency and speed. With SmartID, our charger “knows” your device and charges at the maximum speed.” How exciting.
There are tonnes of different chargers, knock offs, cheap remakes and similar products available so does the iClever product live up to its name? At £18.49 retail, it certainly sits in a reasonable spot as far as price against the competition. But does the technology and design stand out amongst the rest?
Features and Specifications
- SmartID Technology
- All in one 6-Port charging
- Input: 100-240V 50/60Hz
- Output: DC 5V/10A Max (2.4A Max per port)
- Heat and Short-Circuit Protection
Box contents
- iClever 6-Port USB Travel Wall Charger
- Power Cord (4.92 ft)
- User manual
- Warranty Card
Design
The iClever Wall Charger is a gorgeous matt black and actually a lot smaller than expected. Honestly design wise I wouldn’t change a thing; it’s light, extremely portable and smaller than the average smartphone (It sits at about ⅔ the size of my Samsung Galaxy S5). With sleek curves and an attractive minimalistic design the charger itself is as pretty as any charger I’ve seen. After being carried around in my bag to work meetings as well as a small holiday and being used daily for 10~ days it doesn’t show scratches or imperfections. In fact if given a clean to remove fingerprints would look brand new.
The Wall Charger also features an impressive 4.92 feet cable which after adding my USB lead gave over 6 feet in length. For people such as I that do not have a plug socket close to their bed this was a lifesaver; this small feature alone went a long way in justifying the price.
Testing
Now Smart ID is the product’s main selling point. Charging all my devices quicker than with a standard charger and simultaneously is a dream. Throughout the testing period (10 days) I charged the following separately:
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- HTC
- PS3 Controller
- Digital Camera
I then followed up with the grand finale of all of the products together to see how much having multiple products on the go affects the speed.
From my first session charging my phone I noticed a definite quantifiable improvement in speed. Though not radical, it was noticeably around 20% faster than with my standard charger. My partner also attested to the fact that it was quicker, more accessible in cable length and made charging both our products a simple process. When all the products charged simultaneously the speed did drop slightly, but still on par with my standard charger whilst cutting out an extension lead and 4 different plugs and spaghetti wiring. Overall the Smart ID technology seems legitimate, it was faster than using my standard charger for all of my gadgets separately. When it came to charging up to 4 devices simultaneously it was as just as respectable.
3 and 4-Port Car Chargers
Alongside this product were two car chargers also with the Smart ID technology: one 3-port and one 4-port charger that plug into your car’s lighter socket. These were great looking and useful for the small amount I do drive.
Unfortunately I don’t regularly use a car charger so it was hard to come up with an honest comparison in regards to speed, but with 2.4A of power for each port there should be more than enough for charging phones and tablets as fast as possible. Best of all, the experience was as painless as before.
The chargers are a gloss black instead of matte, and this showed fingerprints more but my devices continued to charge quickly and effortlessly. For those that drive regularly and love their gadgets, having the opportunity to charge four simultaneously is fantastic. If you are in the market for a car charger, they are definitely worth checking out.
Conclusion
I am sold on these chargers. I continue to use the 6-Port wall charger daily and can foresee it having use for a very long time. The design is simple, elegant and tidy. It is not bulky or cumbersome. The hardware itself lived up to its claims, and iClever have done something very clever when it all comes together. Overall, they created a range of products that I highly recommend. The price is competitive and it delivers all it boasts. I am happy to give this a 9 out of 10, as far as chargers go I can’t see myself changing for the foreseeable future.
Score
Amazon Links
| 6-Port Wall Charger | 4-Port Car Charger | 3-Port Car Charger |
