Customer Reviews

Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger

5 star:		(228)
4 star:		(125)
3 star:		(68)
2 star:		(64)
1 star:		(48)

 

 

I've been searching for a product that can extend the outlet on my bathroom for the electrical products that I use. I finally came across this Belkin mini surge protector and features:

- 3 AC power outlets
- 2 USB outlets ONLY for charging (not data transfer) at 5V / 500mA at each port
- Surge protection on all 5 outlets
- 918 Joules Energy Dissipation
- 125V / 15A / 1,875W Continuous Duty Electrical Rating
- 36,000A Maximum Spike Current
- Lifetime Warranty on product
- USD75,0000.00 connected equipment warranty
- 360 degree rotating plug lockable into 4 possible positions

Simple, elegant design in a smooth plastic casing of white and light grey colour. Once plugged, the green LED light will indicate if the power source is grounded.

The box comes with one USB to mini-USB cable to get you started in charging your USB devices as well.

DO NOT throw the prong cover that initially comes attached to the surge protector prong. As the manual states (for those who still care to read the User Manual these days), you can use this plastic prong cover to help further balance the device against any surface. You do this by inserting the plastic prong cover on the bottom of the surge device via a small notch. Also, the plastic cover is handy to use when traveling. Before dumping the surge protector along with your other devices, cover the prongs to prevent it from scratching other objects.

The prongs can be rotated 360 degrees loosely. However, there are 4 positions that enable you to lock it so it doesn't flail along clumsily in any direction. You do this by pressing into the rear a "release button". It's not a raised button, but a flat plastic portion that you have to press hard in order to release the lock. It's quite difficult (at least with the model I received) at first and feels like I'm going to break the plastic button. But I guess if this is normal then it can be construed as a safety measure so it doesn't easily rotate with a simple touch.

IMPROVEMENTS:

The term "mini" is subjective. It isn't really that compact as I would assume from seeing the photo. It is small, yes. However, as a surge protector that can take 3 AC and 2 USB outlets, I will give Belkin the benefit of naming it a mini device.

I would STRONGLY prefer the re-design of the spacing on the AC outlets by allowing larger plugs connected side-by-side. As it is right now, only normal AC plugs and not block-style plugs are allowed without loosing all three outlets. So my proposal is to delete the middle AC outlet and move it to the end-cap of the device (opposite to the 2 USB outlets). As of now, there is nothing there so rather than cramp the 3 AC plugs, then move the third at the end and thus allowing for block-style plugs to be used and still retaining the 3 AC functionality.

OVERALL:

I would not hesitate to recommend the purchase of this surge protection for compact spaces as well as travel purposes especially with the lifetime warranty and amount of protection is offers.

Take note of the selling price Amazon and the others are selling this at. It's ridiculous to see the selling price of this exact device can range anywhere from USD10 to USD30.

Lastly, BE AWARE of the SPECS so you know if the USB device you are plugging is capable of being charged.

Nice hotel room companion for plugging in the laptop, cell phone, iPod, and iPhone when you only have one outlet. The 5v outputs are regulated very well. It's quite a bit larger than it appears in the photograph as well as modestly heavy. Calling it 'mini' is deceptive. It's also rated up to 125v so forget using it anywhere except North America (not mentioned in the technical specs). Otherwise, it's built sturdy as a brick and will endure any punishment your travels may inflict upon it.

To get directly to this items flaw... It cannot recharge/power more than one USB item at a time. So what's the point in having two USB outputs?
The 120V outlets work as advertised. The ability to rotate the prongs is a plus as it can be adjusted to most if not all outlets.
The USB power fails if more than one item at a time is plugged into the surge protector. Even if, say your phone is fully charged, if you go to connect another item to run or charge, the surge protector will not supply the power that both items demand. The items that are connected will act as if they have been disconnected from their power source, then once the surge protector accumulates enough power(not certain, but seem to act as if there are capacitors)to start supplying power once again the items connected to the USB ports start to operate briefly until the surge protector cannot supply enough power for the two items.
As stated before, it will supply ONE item with power, without a problem. But will not supply enough power for two, even if one item is fully charged.

** Thank you Jeff Backe, I've been putting off editing this post in response to all the people saying that '500mA is the standard' for quite some time. This 500mA WAS the standard well before i made this purchase. The newer standard for wall chargers, which I believe this falls under, has been out since around mid 2007. This new specification UP TO 1800mA(1.8A) per port.
When I made my purchase there also weren't the nice pictures the show you the current rates. So there really wasn't any way for me to know this until I received it.
Another thing, this item is rated at 500mA(.5mA) per port but is not actually limited to 500mA at the port if you only plug in one item. In other words, the way this item is configured it will actually put out the full 1000mA(1A)through one port, hence the reason you can plug in a high current draw device using one port. But when you plug in that second item the 1000mA is now split in half or however much each device is trying to draw. It is only able to keep up with this high demand for a short while until its capacitors are drained and cuts off supplying power, then quickly recharges the capacitors and re-establishes the supply of power once again. I doubt this cycling can't be good for either device.
**edited

I am unable to charge my iPad directly via the USB port. Instead, I have to plug the iPad's power adapter in to one of the outlets in front. Not a big deal, but I assumed that the USB port would be powerful enough to charge the iPad.

I also agree with other posts that this is not a "mini" device.

It's fairly common to find that the USB ports on, say, a keyboard, can't provide full power to charge things. It is shocking, however, to find that the USB ports on an AC power adapter are similarly weak. I bought one of these and found that it cannot charge an iPad. Useless, and inexcusable.

The usb ports do not put out enough power to charge anything in a reasonable period of time. My laptop can charge my phone in 1/4 of the time. I've left my phone (treo 800w) charging overnight and after ~6 hours the battery level increases between 50% and 60%.

Even thought the external web site ad for this product mentions its usefulness for charging an iPad, it apparently does not send enough power to the USB ports. This product does NOT charge iPads.

WARNING:
FOR 110V USE ONLY. DO NOT USE IN REGIONS WITH 220V!
*** REVIEW UPDATE: MANY HAVE REPLIED SAYING THAT THE USB WORKS WITH 220V; THOUGH SURGE PROTECTION FEATURE MAY OR MAY NOT WORK WITH 220V INPUT. (SEE COMMENTS BELOW) ***

THE GOOD:
This surge protector is very well and clean designed. Its wall-mount design takes away the ugly power cables and leaving your power outlet floor/table area free of clutters. And this Belkin is by far the best looking wall-mount surge protector. The build-in USB charger is a plus. Others here have complained about insufficient charging power. But I've not noticed that. It works perfectly for my devices.

THE BAD:
The unit is not designed for 220V use. This is kindda silly when the unit is marketed for traveling. I guess the Belkin engineers compromised this feature when it incorporated the build-in USB charger. To make things worse, Belkin appears not wanting to admit or face this shortcoming. It doesn't state anywhere in its product descriptions (here or at its own website) or on the unit itself that this unit doesn't work with 220V. I hope no one have any bad consequences due to this.

THE VERDICT:
When you travel far, leave home without it.

If you have lots of gadgets, or kids with lots of gadgets, this is handy for home as well as travel (and yes, its not very "mini"), but it is sturdy and attractive, and works well, offering valuable surge protection for your electronics. An led light tells you its working. I like that it lets you keep them all in the same place when you travel, so you're not likely to forget one that you've plugged behind some piece of furniture! The plug rotates and you can attach it to the wall in any direction. One important note: it is not recommended for aquariums or other water related items. This surge protector comes with a lifetime warranty, that includes the products you plug in, with limitations. You must plug it directly into the wall, and cannot use extension cords, for instance. But overall, its good insurance for your electronics.

I got this a few days ago and didn't bother checking if it works. Going for a trip tomorrow and today tried to make sure my micro usb cable I just got would work. Turns out my cable is fine, but the Belkin won't charge my Motorola Cliq. Then I plug a Moto Razr and it won't charge either. Very disappointed. It will power up the fans in my laptop cooling plate so I assume there is power.