Glyde's specially designed sliding charging station is a great way to charge all your smaller Apple devices.
Charging stations make it easier to get more done with fewer wires, and this one is space-efficient by being retractable. In a way, it's a spiritual successor to the MagSafe Duo, or TwelveSouth's version of the 2-in-1 MagSafe design.
Journey is an Australia-based consumer tech company that specializes in chargers and cases. One of its latest releases is the Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station.
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station - Design
The charging station comes in a pleasant gray/white colorway with metal accents for the adjustable Apple Watch charger. The rounded corners and overall design are aesthetically pleasing alongside your Apple devices.
Sliding the top half to the right, you can flip up the Apple Watch charger and place your watch, iPhone, and AirPods on their respective surfaces to charge. It doubles as a 10,000 mAh battery, so you can reliably get your devices to full charge without plugging the station in.
The USB-C port on the back is for both charging input and output and supports pass-through charging when the bank is low. It's also Qi2-certified and fast charges Apple Watches and AirPods.
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station - Specs
| Product Detail | Spec |
|---|---|
| Charge | 10000mAh |
| Dimensions (Closed) | 153 mm x 81 mm x 33 mm |
| Dimensions (Open) | 226 mm x 81 mm x 33 mm |
| Input | USB-C |
| Output(s) | 15W MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, wireless AirPod charging, 12W USB-C output |
| Material | ABS + PC |
| Included | Charging station, USB-C Cable |
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station - Use
This charging station is great as a nightstand fixture, but it works best when you use it on the go. I often need to charge my Apple Watch in the middle of the day, and doing so without a wire makes the process much more enjoyable.
Even in offices and libraries, wall ports can be hard to find, but knowing that a 10,000 mAh capacity can fully charge my devices reliably is a huge plus on a busy day.
It's not the fastest charger, though. At 15W, wireless charging takes about two hours to bring my iPhone from 0 to 100%, but the convenience of wireless charging is still well worth it to me.
In a pinch, it's a good way to give your iPad a pick-me-up; it could bring my iPad Pro from 10% to 43% on a full charge. I wouldn't recommend it as a heavy-duty charger, but it works well for smaller devices.
The charging station doesn't fit in your pocket but does fit in a small bag or backpack.
One thing about the clean matte finish is that it tends to attract minor marks and stains, but they can be wiped off for the most part. The build quality is high, though, with no chips or damage from consistent carrying and usage.
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station - Impressively innovative
The retractable lid, overall design, and adaptability as a charging station and battery make this a great pick for go-to for portable charging. I carry it in my bag almost daily, charging it alongside my other devices overnight.
For $169, it might be a big ask, but it pays toward a neatly effective design and reliable on-the-go charging for all your most-used devices.
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station Pros
- Compact design, perfect for travel and small spaces.
- Fast charging for Apple Watch and AirPods.
- 10,000 mAh is great for smaller devices
Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station Cons
- Wireless charging limitations apply
- Matte finish attracts marks, requires potential cleaning.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where to buy the Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station
The Glyde 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station is available on the Journey store for $169.99.
