The SnapPower charger, designed to make it easy to add a USB port to a wall outlet without complicated wiring, originated on Kickstarter in 2015. It’s basically an outlet replacement that features two standard sockets and an extra USB port, and is meant to be convenient. Enough to install in just a few minutes.
SnapPower is available in three colors (white, light brown and ivory) to match a variety of home decor. Design-wise, it looks like a standard outlet cover, but it has a hump underneath that contains a USB port for charging iOS devices. There are two versions of SnapPower, designed to fit square or round outlets, which make up most types of modern outlet plates in the US.
SnapPower works by attaching two metal tabs on the side of the outlet cover to screws on the outlet, which draw a small amount of power to the device’s USB port.
My apartment, which is fairly modern, is equipped with square-style outlets and the square SnapPower fits well. Some older homes and apartments may have outlets that are not SnapPower compatible, so be aware of this when shopping.
I have no electrical experience and was able to install the SnapPower without problems. I turned off the power in my office via the circuit breaker, took off the cover of my existing outlet, pulled it off the wall, put the SnapPower over the bare socket, and then put the screws back in and turned the power back on. It took five minutes to do and was very straightforward.
One caveat — I had an outlet that an electrician installed upside down. The SnapPower still worked, but I had to install it upside down to get the contacts to line up correctly to power the USB port.
The SnapPower is a bit thicker overall than a typical outlet cover and much thicker at the bottom to accommodate a USB port, so it makes the outlets visually different from regular outlets, but it wasn’t enough of an aesthetic difference to be super noticeable.
Any USB device can be charged with SnapPower, but it is limited to one amp, which is best suited for iPhone charging. Charging speed is comparable to charging with an Apple iPhone charger, so it’s not great for charging an iPad.
I was able to charge an iPhone 6s Plus in about the same amount of time it takes to charge with a standard iPhone charger and Lightning cable, but my 9.7-inch iPad Pro took much longer and I didn’t even try to charge my 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a low-end charger. -With power charger.
When I charge my iPhone, I usually don’t use Apple’s included charger because it’s too slow, so I thought SnapPower, while convenient, wasn’t worth it for me. It’s not something I’ll use regularly as I usually want fast charging for my iPhone and my other iOS devices.
If you’re charging an iPhone (or an Apple Watch) overnight, charging speed isn’t as important, which makes SnapPower even more useful. Can see it installed next to a bedside table for an easy way to charge a device overnight without having to take out a whole socket.
bottom line
At prices ranging from $16 to $20 based on the number of SnapPower chargers purchased, the device seems expensive for what you get — a single USB port. In comparison, a smaller Anker PowerPort that plugs into a socket and offers 4 USB ports with faster charging speeds costs $25 from Amazon, which seems like a better deal to me. I’d rather spend my money on a multi-port charger that can go anywhere.
That said, if you’re looking for a sleek solution that doesn’t add visible bulk to your sockets and is easier to install than a solution that requires wiring skills, SnapPower is a good option. It was quick and easy for me to set up and since I didn’t need any cables, I could install it myself in my apartment.
If I had a home, I would look for something more durable and powerful, capable of charging devices at a faster rate. SnapPower is limited to 1 amp, which is a big disadvantage if you have much larger devices like iPads that need more power to charge at a reasonable rate.
Benefits:
- Easy installation
- Clean, simple look
- Leave both sockets open
Disadvantages:
- Only adds 1 USB port
- 1 amp
How to buy
SnapPower chargers can be purchased from the SnapPower website. It costs $20 for a single charger, $38 for two, $85 for five and $160 for 10.
