An independent reference on charging and powering devices at home. We do not sell devices, do not repair batteries and are not affiliated with the previous website on this domain. Follow your device manufacturer's instructions.
Tools
You don't need a lab to keep charging in order. A careful look at the label, a working surge protector, a hard spot for your devices and a box for old batteries are enough. Everything else is more of a hobby than a necessity, and sometimes a fairly risky hobby.
The main measuring instrument in your home is the palm of your hand: if the adapter is scorching, you don't need any gauges.
How this section works: we describe types of items and skills without naming brands or models. Any working, certified option that matches your device and the manufacturer's instructions will do.
A small kit that is enough to keep charging at home calm and uneventful.
The adapter housing and the battery itself usually list input and output ratings, compliance marks and manufacturer details. Learn to find these labels: they show whether the adapter suits the device and whether it looks like a legitimate product.
The battery icon, an LED on the case or a battery health screen in settings will tell you whether charging is happening and how briskly. If the indicator behaves oddly, that's your first clue about where to look for the cause.
A working surge protector with an on/off switch is more convenient and reliable than a chain of extension cords. Don't plug heavy appliances like a space heater or kettle into it along with every charger in the house, and never plug one power strip into another.
Set aside a permanent charging spot: a shelf, a small table or a tray made of non-flammable material. That way devices won't end up on the couch, and you'll always know where your phone is.
An ordinary box with a lid where used batteries and rechargeable cells go. It's worth covering the terminals of larger cells with a piece of electrical tape so they can't short against each other.
An instrument for electrical measurements is useful to someone who knows how to use it and what the readings mean. If you're seeing one for the first time, don't learn on a working adapter plugged into an outlet.
Practical guides: how to charge devices safely at home, extend battery life and tame the tangle of cables. The article catalogue lives here too.
What to do if a device charges slowly or not at all, the adapter gets very hot, or the cable only works when held at a certain angle.
How a wall adapter, a computer port and a power bank differ, disposable versus rechargeable batteries, and an original versus a dubious adapter.
A glossary of device power terms: adapter, cable, connector, battery, capacity, voltage, current, fast charging and the charge controller.
Home charging risks: a swollen battery, a damaged cable, soft surfaces, a fake adapter and an overloaded extension cord, and what to do about them.
This advice is written in general terms and reflects our editorial understanding as of the preparation date. Devices, adapters and batteries are built differently, so your main reference remains the manufacturer's instructions for your device: if they differ from our text, follow the instructions.