Griffin's PowerDock 5 Charges 5 iOS Devices Neatly, At Once

Griffin’s PowerDock 5 is a flat, desktop charging station, and it will charge everything from the smallest iPod nano to the latest version of the iPad.

PowerDock 5

The base measures 8.25 x 5.25-in (21 x 13.33 cm). It is about the same size as a standard size iPad. It includes six Plexiglas backrests that form charging bays that hold each device in a standing position. Each charging bay is large enough to accommodate iPhones, iPods, or iPads in their cases.

The dock is powered through an electrical outlet. An illuminated status light indicates when the PowerDock 5 is powered up and ready to charge. Charging cables are not included. It works with both 30-pin and Lightning connections because the outlets are USB. Each charging bay provides 10 watts of power (5 volts DC at 2.1 amps). The product is warranted for one year when purchased through the Griffin website or authorized retailers.

PowerDock 5 front view

Using the Product

The PowerDock 5 comes in nice, protective packaging. The backrests are inserted in the dock after it's removed from the box. As might be imagined, the power brick required to support the PowerDock 5 is quite large, 4 ¼ x 2 x 1.5-in (10.8 x 5.1 x 3.8 cm). When connected at my standard height desk, the heavy part of the brick rested on the floor without putting excess weight on the dock or the connectors. That's not something you can say about all devices of this kind.

Powerbrick and cords

I am always interested in anything that makes maximum use of space in my small office, so I was very interested in reviewing this product. I know there are many other Mac users who face this same problem. The PowerDock 5 does indeed hold and charge all my iOS devices and charges them at a rate equal to charge times when charging each item separately. I charged an iPad 4, iPad 1, iPad mini, iPhone 5, and an iPod nano at the same time. All but the nano had cases and it was very pleasant to be able to place each one in its own charging bay incased without crowding or stuffing.

Do I Recommend it?

I do. Aside from the fact that you can charge five items at once, the price of US$99.99 is actually a bargain when you consider the cost of external chargers that only charge two or three items.