The 10 Best Charging Valets
Special Honors
Bowery Smart Station If you’re willing to pay a little bit above the average price, this luxurious piece will make an elegant addition to your living room or study. A tilting panel houses up to three cell phones at once, and a large compartment beneath that platform can hold a surge protector. californiaclosets.com
Brouk & Co Teddy Four USB ports are built into this valet station, so you won’t have to tinker around to hide the cables from your various chargers after your devices are connected. It’s available in a rustic brown or black finish, and it contains several compartments and a sliding drawer for your valuables. broukandco.com
Waterfield Designs Valet While it won’t necessarily help you organize your writing utensils, gloves, jewelry and a horde of mobile devices, this chic little tray is ideal if you’re just looking for somewhere to toss your keys, wallet and phone after a long day. Each leather valet is crafted by a member of the Waterfield team in San Francisco. sfbags.com
Editor's Notes
April 23, 2020:
It appears the quality of the Hercules Tuff has deteriorated, as recent reports suggest that this item tends to stop working properly after it’s been used for a while. We removed it from the rankings. We also took a few other items off the list due to availability concerns.
While some models are designed to charge a smartphone and store a few accessories, valets like the Prosumer’s Choice Station, Unitek Rack, MobileVision Bamboo and EasyAcc RAVPower can accommodate one or more tablets (or possibly even a small laptop). This aspect is particularly helpful if the station will be serving multiple people in a household or a workplace.
The Unitek Rack is not a decorative piece like many of the stations on this list, but its affordable price and ample capacity make it a great choice for a budget shopper looking to dock multiple devices for simultaneous charging. It will cost a bit more, but you can also upgrade to a version with integrated USB ports.
On the other hand, while the Decorebay Pecan is designed to hold only a couple smartphones and some personal items, its refined look and impressive craftsmanship make it a nice investment for those who prefer a more elegant furnishing. We included a couple pricier, upscale models in the Special Honors section as well.
Why You Need A Charging Valet
If you can never find your keys, having a valet by your bed or on your dresser can make it easy.
There's nothing worse than waking up in a panic, looking over at the clock, and realizing you overslept for work. You ask yourself why the alarm on your cell phone didn't wake you up, and then you see it: your phone, lying dead in a pool of its own blood.
It's hard to imagine what's worse in that scenario, having to explain to your boss why you're late or having to go the whole day without a cell phone. One thing's for sure, though — that wouldn't have happened if you had a charging valet.
Charging valets are handy little devices that give you a convenient and attractive station in which to charge your phone. They not only serve as reminders that you need to juice up your device as soon as you get home, but they also make it so that you're less likely to lose your cell when you need it.
They're not just for cell phones, though. Most of them have an array of small storage options, from drawers to trays, giving you a place to store the things you carry around in your pockets all day long. If you can never find your keys, having a valet by your bed or on your dresser can make it easy.
Charging stations are godsends for forgetful types. If you've ever walked out the door sans wallet, then having it right next to the one thing you can't live without ensures you'll never make that mistake again. Also, not having to constantly search for the things you need can save you lots of time.
Beyond that, they just look sleek and elegant. It's hard to make a power cord look attractive, but if you can hide it within a small piece of furniture, then you can dress up your living space while accomplishing something useful at the same time.
They'll reduce clutter, too. If you're the type who drops a big wad of singles and receipts on your nightstand every night, you'll find that the mess snowballs quickly (and can cause you to misplace cash, as well). Most valets have dedicated spaces for all the things you carry around, so you're more likely to put them away before going to bed.
So, do you need a charging valet? No. Our ancestors were able to get us to this point without them. But they're definitely handy, and they can be worth their weight in gold if they prevent you from missing an important call, or losing an expensive phone.
Other Ways To Reduce Clutter
Knights in fables had dragons. David had Goliath. Mork had Mindy.
We have clutter. It's the scourge of modern times, the vicious opponent we must slay if we hope to take back control of our lives.
Clutter is no joke. It can raise your stress levels and inhibit your ability to get things done. Getting a handle on it can feel overwhelming, though, so what are you supposed to do?
This means that, whenever you buy something, you have to get rid of something else.
Well, the best thing to do is simply to have less stuff. You can't put everything away neatly if you have more junk than you have places to put it. Ask yourself how much of your stuff you really need, and jettison the rest. Be ruthless during this process.
Likewise, don't buy more stuff. Only buy things you need or absolutely want, and you'll be surprised how rarely items fall into the latter category. This will save you money, as well.
In fact, it's a good idea to implement a "one thing in, one thing out" strategy. This means that, whenever you buy something, you have to get rid of something else. Have a donation box handy for all the stuff you plan on giving away.
Once you've whittled down your belongings to the bare necessities, you can start thinking about places to put everything. You may be able to hide some storage, like in one of these seats, so guests won't even know how much stuff you're hiding. Don't be afraid to go big with this, though — put an entire storage shed in the backyard if need be.
It may be a rude awakening at first, but once you've mastered the discipline necessary to eliminate clutter, you'll never want to go back.
Phone Charging Tips
You may think that charging your phone is simple. Plug cord into wall, plug cord into phone — easy peasy.
But what if we told you that you're doing it wrong?
Granted, the above strategy will work, but it's not ideal, and if you don't take proper care of your phone's battery, it will reduce the lifespan of the entire device.
All of this might seem weird, especially if you're used to an all-or-nothing charge style.
The biggest thing you want to avoid is letting your phone die. If you let the charge run down to zero and then juice it all the way back up, that will wear down the battery.
Don't keep it charged all the way, either. That increases the voltage, which stresses the battery, leading to more wear and tear.
Instead, aim for 50-80 percent charge. That requires you to charge it a little bit at a time rather than all at once, but that's OK, because it's better for it anyway. Also, you may need to invest in a couple of spare chargers, so that you always have the necessary equipment to give your phone a little pick-me-up.
All of this might seem weird, especially if you're used to an all-or-nothing charge style. Still, you'll thank us when your battery lasts longer than ever before.