Charging stations that reduce clutter? Reader Q+A

We have two iPod Touches and two iPhones in our home which results in hanging cords in nearly every outlet in our kitchen. Can you recommend a multiple device docking station that will charge all four devices in one place? - Renee
We feel your pain, Renee! An overload of USB and
power cords is so 2011. Well, no better time than the New Year to
de-clutter and get organized.
There are a bunch of devices out there
that will help you manage your cord situation and charge the whole
family's tech at once.
Mat Chargers
Charging all four devices at once can be nothing more than simply placing them down on a single device called a mat. Both
PowerMat and
Belkin (shown
above) offer incredibly convenient charging stations that somehow
transfer energy through the back of the phone to magically charge it
(science was never my forte).
Belkin's
Conserve Valet ($40)
charges up to four devices at once, and PowerMat offers many different
models to suit a variety of charging needs (prices range from $30 -
$130).
Dual Charging Options
If
you'd rather have a charger that just powers up two Apple devices at
the same time, check out the
Xtreme Mac InCharge Duo ($60) (shown) or Griffin's
PowerDock Dual
($60). These might offer a slight benefit in counter
space over the mat option since the devices are charging upright, but of
course, you only get to juice two at a time.
Multi-Plug Chargers
If
you'd rather channel all the power from one outlet into a single plug or unit, check
out the
Kensington USB charger ($30) which charges four devices simultaneously. The
Chargepod ($50) works for up to six devices--although you may need to
purchase additional adaptors to suit your specific devices. These are great options especially for traveling, and can be used across any device that uses a USB plug.
-Jeana
Find More: Around the House, Ask Cool Mom Tech, Cell Phone Accessories, Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness, Organization
Just a couple of comments regarding the power mats. I was so psyched, I went out and bought a Belkin Conserve. It is nice, but it's NOT a powermat. Each device must be attached via USB to the Conserve Valet station. I checked out the website for Powermat. It deferred the consumer to a product from Duracell. According to the website, they'll be available sometime in Summer 2012. http://www.duracellpowermat.us/en-US/products