Anker 3-Outlet & 3 PowerIQ USB Power Strip Expired

I bought two of these last year and both usb-a ports for both units stopped working within 6 months

You can find a better deal (and get a better power strip) by just constructing something like this out of a more traditional power strip/extension cord and a USB adapter. Particularly problematic with this design is the very thin gauge lamp cord used for the extension cord: though it looks like a more rugged extension cord, the cord is likely only 18 gauge given the 10A rating. That's what you'd expect in what was commonly termed lamp cord, though even the lamp cord equivalent at Home Depot these days uses heavier 16 gauge wire.

I recently noticed a CyberPower 3 outlet AC power strip model GC306UCHD with USB A and 15W USB-C cyberpowersystems.com[/url]] you can find at Home Depot for under $11(!). Unlike most every Anker power strip, the Cyber Power product is listed through ETL intertekconnect.com[/url]] as a power strip and surge protector.

You can also find a comparable form factor from Amazon and historically at a per unit price as low as ≈$7 per cube if you were willing to buy a 4- or 6-pack (1-pack ASIN B082Q1LC55, 4-pack ASIN B082Q26YYT; 6-pack ASIN B082Q26GGD). As a bonus, the Amazon product has 4 USB ports, a heavier gauge extension cord (14 gauge), and has surge protection. In addition, the Amazon product has both of the appropriate/expected UL certifications (UL 1363 for relocatable taps - since the cord and receptacles are NOT molded together - and UL 1449 for surge protective devices) UL Product IQ[/url]].

It should also be considered problematic that the Anker product [certipedia.com] is listed under UL 817 (extension cord) and not UL 1363 (relocatable taps). UL 817 would normally be restricted to cords with a molded in connector (like an orange garage cable, or the typical white/brown lamp extension cord you might use behind a sofa with 3 outlets at the end). CPSC[/url]]

The fine print on the three USB ports on this device is that they share a total output of 18W,

So any single USB device might charge at up to 12W, but connecting even two USB devices at once is a severe restriction. At the same time, if slow charging is what you're seeking you're at the mercy of this device to decide how it apportions power.

TLDR: Buy another USB charger which can consistently deliver the power level you seek (either high power fast charging or slow/overnight charging).

Good luck!
Jon

USB Ports are so outdated. Need USB C ports.