Today it’s definitely not uncommon for a device to use a USB charger. Mobile phones, tablets, MP3 players, bluetooth speakers, and a variety of other electronic products. If you’re like us, you have multiple devices that use them! We use a lot of tech in our homeschooling, so we are always charging electronics and sometimes even fighting over the plug because we can’t find another one! That’s what makes a USB Charging Station so convenient!

Disclosure: I received the product complimentary to facilitate my review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
The GRDE 30W 5 Ports Portable USB Charger is a USB Charging Station that has a max total output current of 6A. The output current for each port is 2.4A, which was impressive to me because I have a surge protector that has two USB amps as well, but they are only 1A each.
That surge protector is exactly what I was aiming to replace. Surge protectors are a hot commodity around here because we live in an old house that has much fewer outlets. I feel like I’m wasting precious plug space when most of what I plug in by my bed has a USB charger anyway! So I was definitely eager to see if this could be my solution!
For my review, I received the GRDE 30W 5 Ports Portable USB Charger.

First, I love the design of this charger. It is small and even portable. I could easily take this with me on a trip and not worry about having too much bulk. The ports are lined up closely, which saves on that valuable space. It is easy to use as you simply attach the cord and plug it in.
Although each port can charge up to 2.4A, there is a maximum of 6A for the entire hub. It has a security system, though, to prevent overcharge, overcurrent, overvoltage, overload, overheating and short circuit, etc. As an eco-friendly consumer I also love that it is made with ABS eco-friendly material!
Was this the solution I was needing? Unfortunately not. The three items I charge most (or plug in via USB) at night by my bed are my personal Essential Oil Diffuser, my Lumia (Windows Phone), and my iPad. It only seems to fully work with one of these devices, which is my diffuser. My phone charges, but it charges very slowly and keeps giving me a notification that it’s charging slowly, and my iPad won’t charge at all. My iPad will make the sound it does when plugged in to a charger, but then it notes by the battery “Not Charging.”
I knew we could still put it to use somehow! Unfortunately the other tablets we use for homeschooling are also iPads. We do still have the kids use our old iPhones on WiFi as well, and it works great with them! My husband has an Android phone, and it works fine with his phone as well!
So, although this Portable USB Charger wasn’t the solution to my particular problem, I still think it’s a great idea and has been given a home in our dining area, which is also my husband’s computer area and our homeschool area. We can plug in all three phones, and now I can even bring my little diffuser in there as well!
The GRDE 30W 5 Ports Portable USB Charger can be purchased on Amazon.

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Visit the GRDE Website

*Giveaway!!!*

Would you like to win the GRDE 30W 5 Ports Portable USB Charger? This giveaway runs through 8/19 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US residents ages 18+. Enter the Giveaway Now!
 

Do you love to take selfies? I’m not necessarily a huge fan of being in pictures at all, but obviously given my profession as a blogger, I take A LOT of pictures, and have to be in many of them! When I do take selfies, though, I definitely like to include others. Even having long arms, though, that definitely isn’t an easy feat! That’s why I was excited to review a Selfie Stick from Mpow!

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned to facilitate my selfie stick review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
The Mpow® iSnap X One-piece U-Shape Self-portrait Monopod Extendable Selfie Stick with built-in Bluetooth Remote Shutter is a tiny selfie stick that can be only 7″ in length, so it is easy to carry around. It can even be put in your pocket! It connects to your device via bluetooth pairing and then pushing the button for snapping the picture.

The Mpow Selfie Stick features a u-shape clamp, which is not only great for holding the phone, but it allows it to fold up over the stick itself, which helps keep the size small when not in use. The clamp really holds the phone securely. I never had any worries that my phone would slip or fall out. Plus, with the opening of the u shape I also don’t have to worry about it sitting right on my power button, which is on the side of my phone.

The downfall, it doesn’t work with my Lumia. No matter how hard I try I cannot get it to work. It does mention that it’s capatable with iOS and Android, but the Lumia is a Windows phone, so I’m not sure if that is the problem. Sometimes it will say it connects, but as soon as I push the button it starts blinking and is disconnected again. Or other times it won’t connect at all. So, I tried the bluetooth function with my husband’s Android phone, and it worked perfectly!
Overall, although I am disappointed I can’t use the bluetooth feature with my Windows phone, I still think it’s a great selfie stick. I just opt to set the timer instead, which works out nicely! I can still snap fun pictures like this one of my cuddle bug and me!

It packs up really small, holds the phone nicely, has a wrist strap for extra caution, and it looks sharp, too! I haven’t had to charge it since I initially charged it when I received it, so it definitely keeps a great charge, too! Plus I love that it not only folds up small, but the length can be adjusted as well! The Mpow selfie stick can be purchased on Amazon.

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*Giveaway!!!*

Would you like to win an Mpow Selfie Stick? This giveaway runs through 6/23/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US residents ages 18+. Enter the Giveaway Now!