By: Brian Cheung (Guest Writer)
January 8, 2016
First world problems. This is not the first time this term has been brought up here at APH Networks, and I am sure it will not be the last. I mean, it was just talked about a few months ago in the SilverStone Ensemble EBA01 review. However, these problems are as real as it gets. One of the biggest first world problems I see with myself, and many of my friends, is the need for more power. Not political or physical power, but power, as in battery power for our electronic devices. There is always a need for more juice for our smartphones nowadays, but then you can add the iPod, iPad, Kindle, hipster MacBook, and whatever you may have, all to this thirsty list. With all these mobile devices, you can never have too much power. We rely heavily on these devices, so when it does runs out of the power, we feel as if we cannot go on. How many times have you or your friend seen the low power notification from your phone, or any of your devices? The answer would probably be daily or very often, unless you have your devices plugged in 24/7/365 for as long as you own the device. Hence, we need a solution that can ensure we have a way to replenish this power. This brings us to the products we have for review today. A possible solution for those who like to have all their devices on them, but is also a driver, is a USB car charger. Today, we do not have one, but three aLLreLi USB car chargers. Read on to find out if they give us the power we need to cross a problem off our first world problems list!
Our review of unit of the aLLreLi 3-USB Ports, 4-USB Ports, and 4+1 USB Ports car chargers came in a large DHL Express bag from the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, to our APH Networks office located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I actually had the opportunity to visit Shenzhen this summer. It is certainly a technologically advanced city with mass electronics centers spanning several floors, selling everything from USB dongles to Ultra HD monitors. The bag was tightly wrapped around the products to ensure nothing would slide around during the duration of the trip. Hence, we received the package in very good condition half way across the world.
The package the three products came in turned out to be a little bit of a bag-ception. Aside from the DHL Express bag, there was a paper-like bag, and then a nicer aLLreLi labelled bag holding all the contents, making for a bag within a bag within a bag. It is always nice when companies send us more than one of their products to review. Not just because it feels good to receive multiple entries of their lineup, but it is also beneficial to have products from the same company to compare between. aLLreLi has sent us three USB chargers together to review this time, which we can use to compare. As you can see with the photo above, moving from left to right, we have the 4+1 USB-Ports, 4-Port USB Ports, and finally, the 3-USB Ports.
This is the first time we are reviewing products from aLLreLi, a company started in 2004. In addition to USB charging hubs we are reviewing today, they also make stuff like keyboards, mice, phone cases, and screen protectors. The boxes holding our review units are designed in a simple manner, each with minimal lettering of the brand, model name, and features on it. In addition, each box has a small window on the left hand side to show consumers the contents of the box. Each product is placed on top of a plastic tray holding it, and adding extra protection to the outside elements. Inside the box is also a user manual for those who need a little more reading material, or do not know how to properly plug in a 12V car adapter.
Before we move on, here are some details, as obtained from the manufacturer's website:
aLLreLi 36W 3-Port:
Item Model Number: ALLAT0406_J9KLE
Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 3.1 x 1.3 inches
Materials: Aluminum and plastic
Item Weight: 0.3 ounces
Power: 36W (5V 7.2A)
Compatible: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Samsung Galaxy, HTC & other Android phones & tablets; MP# players; GoPro & digital cameras; GPS devices, eReaders, handheld video games & more
Selling Warranty: 18 months limited warranty
aLLreLi 48W 4-Port:
Item Model Number: ALLAT0407_E3HR7
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.8 x 1.4 inches
Materials: Aluminum and plastic
Item Weight: 2.1 ounces
Power: 48W (5V 9.8A)
Compatible: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Samsung Galaxy, HTC & other Android phones & tablets; MP# players; GoPro & digital cameras; GPS devices, eReaders, handheld video games & more
Selling Warranty: 18 months limited warranty
aLLreLi 42W 4+1-Port:
Item Model Number: ALLCP0206_H8KNG
Product Dimensions:
Materials: Aluminum and plastic
Item Weight : 9.1 ounces
Power: 42W (5V 8A)
Compatible: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Samsung Galaxy, HTC & other Android phones & tablets; MP# players; GoPro & digital cameras; GPS devices, eReaders, handheld video games & more
Selling Warranty: 18 months limited warranty
Two out of the three USB Ports we have today are practically identical, aside from the fact one has three USB ports, and the other has four. The design used on these two units are simple yet fancy. It utilizes what aLLreLi claims as high quality fireproof material and anti-oxidation aluminum. I have not been given to permission to test out the fireproof properties by Editor-in-Chief, so we will take their word on it. I can say both USB chargers feel solid, like any quality product should. The two USB ports also come with an LED power indicator to let you know if it is receiving power from the 12V outlet. Typically, I have seen these LED indicators to be red in color, and really distracts you from driving. However, aLLreLi has chosen to go with a light blue color, which claims to be less distracting. I personally prefer the light blue LED power indicator, because it matches the color scheme of the lights inside my Toyota Corolla.
One special feature aLLreLi uses is called the Smart Port car charger, meaning the USB ports knows what devices are being charged, so it can be allocate power dynamically to achieve the fastest possible charging rate. This feature prevents the risk of overcharging by stopping when the battery is full. Since current is pulled and not pushed, and all electronic devices have built in charge management, this may be a bit of a moot point.
The obvious different between the two products will be the number of USB ports that the unit has. Despite having a different power rating, the two units deliver the exact same 2.4A current and 5V voltage to each port. Although these numbers may not mean anything, in its most basic terms, the larger number of A or Amperes, the more current it is able to deliver. The current values is a maximum, and it is dependent on how much the device connected draws. As for compatibility, aLLreLi has stated all of their chargers work with many products on the market. Of course, these USB chargers work with any USB powered device, so one should not worry about compatibility at all.
The last USB port is shaped a little differently, and actually reminds me of the Inateck HB4009 I reviewed this past summer. It is a longer USB hub, and the setup of the USB ports are very similar. The 4+1 USB hub means that there are four USB ports on the front face of the hub, and one additional port on the adapter it comes with. This particular product is marketed to expand your charging possibilities with five Smart Ports. There are some differences between the different ports on the USB hub. According to aLLreLi, the three 2A (5V) ports are meant to charge tablets, and the two 1A (5V) ports are more so for smartphones. This makes perfect sense, as tablets have much larger batteries than phones with their big screens, hence the faster charging ports will be more appropriate to serve that purpose.
Personally, for all of the USB car chargers, I would prefer if each port gave me 2A (5V). Like the 3-Port and 4-Port USB chargers above, this one also utilizes the Smart Port that claims to prevent overcharging risks by stopping charge when the battery is full. The 4+1 Port also uses the same light blue LED indicator to show there is power supplied to it. Some accessory differences this one has over the other two products are the clip, long cable, and an interchangeable rubber casing. Although the mentioned accessories are not a make-it-or-break-it deal, it is always nice to see the little details a company adds to their products. The clip attaches to the back of the USB hub, and can be attached to air vents on the dash of the car, or other convenient spots. The cable that comes standard with the hub is 1.5 meters long. This means that you are not limited to charging only in the front seat, but also in the back seat. Lastly, since the hub itself comes in black or white, the orange, grey, or blue casing can certainly add some flair to the product. The rubber casing can also protect the interior of the car while the hub is being passed around for power.
For the testing part of the review, my Toyota Corolla only has one 12V outlet, hence I had to test each one individually. If you have the luxury of owning a vehicle that allows you to use more than one, then all the power to you -- pun intended. The three USB car chargers are extremely straightforward to setup, and very simple to use. Find the 12V outlet in your car, plug the 12V car adapter into it, and you got the power. If you are not sure there is power going into the charger, the blue LED indicator will let you know by lighting up. The 4+1 ports are a little more complicated to set up, but it is still very simple to use. The concept of using it is the same with the other two, except it is a three step process. First, you must plug in the 12V end of the car adapter into the outlet, then you have to connect the USB hub into the adapter using the 1.5 meter cable provided. After following these steps, the USB hub will light up, and away you go with putting in the USB cables you need to charge your devices. The last step of this process is attaching the plastic clip to the back of the USB hub, so it can be attached to an air vent, or another place that is convenient to access.
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A first world problem as real as the need for power is no joke when we consider the convenience our devices give us. This is why the solution of a USB car charger can be so important in situations where we need to plug in our electronics to get a little more juice into them. What sets apart the aLLreLi products we have today from generic adapters is the quality and design that has gone into each of the three USB car chargers. You can find a USB car charger practically anywhere nowadays, even at your local dollar store for a buck or two. But what you will not get is a design you would want to look at, and quality that backs itself with every charge. All three of the USB car chargers we have today are very affordable even for the average Joe, starting from the cheapest is the aLLreLi 3-Port Smart USB car charger priced at $9.99 USD, the 4-Port Smart USB car charger priced at $12.99 USD, and the 4+1 Port Smart USB car charger hub at $13.99 USD at press time. As mentioned before, my only advice to aLLreLi would be to upgrade all the Smart USB ports to at least 2A (5V) to allow for optimal charging if the device supports it. Personally, I see the 3-Port and 4-Port USB car charger to be for different consumers. It is obvious that the more the merrier is true in this situation, but when space is a constraint, both are just as good. However, with the small price difference and the versatility of the 4+1 Port Smart USB car charger compared to the other two, I would strongly recommend it if you have space, and enjoy the way it looks. After all, you may be powerful, but if you want to be power-full, you need to get the aLLreLi USB Car Chargers.
aLLreLi provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
aLLreLi 36W 3-Port:
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.1/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
aLLreLi 48W 4-Port:
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.2/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
aLLreLi 42W 4+1-Port:
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.2/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
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