By Elissa Sanci
Elissa Sanci is a writer on the discovery team. She has found that clear ice makes carbonated drinks taste better, and citronella candles don’t work.
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Have you ever noticed that your phone always seems to be dying when you need it the most? Maybe it happens when you’re in the car and relying on the GPS, as you’re ordering an Uber after a late night out, or during checkout for those concert tickets you just know will sell out. Leaving the house without a full charge on the gadgets you carry with you is practically admitting defeat. To make sure you and your devices keep running, you need reliable charging gear at home to power up. We never want you to be stuck with a dead device, especially in the moments you need it most, so we’ve rounded up the best deals on powering gear that we’ve found so far this week.
Fast-powering multi-port charger
Anker PowerPort PD 2 USB Phone Wall Charger
Street price: $23; deal price: $17 with code ANKERPD18
The less you have to pack before embarking on a trip, the better, which is when a USB phone charger with multiple ports comes in handy. The Anker PowerPort PD 2 USB phone charger has both a USB-C and USB-A port and offers good charging speeds even if it’s charging your phone and another device (such as a Fitbit, a portable battery, or another phone) at the same time. Now down to $17 with code ANKERPD18, this deal is a good chance to save on a multi-port charger that’ll be able to charge your phone two to three times faster than the charger your phone came with.
Read our review of the best USB phone chargers.
Good deals on great charging cables
Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Cable
Street price: $13; deal price: $10 with code ANKERPD18
Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable (3-ft)
Street price: $16; deal price: $12 with code ANKERPD18
You probably feel like you never have enough charging cables, and the extras you keep stashed in the junk drawer always seem to go missing. Stocking up on a few backup cables is never a bad idea, especially when they’re on sale. Now down to $10, the Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C Cable is our top USB-C cable pick for charging phones, tablets, and laptops quickly. If you have an iPhone, the Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable is a better fit. Now down to $12, this cable is made of sturdy, thick rubber and can withstand frequent plugging and unplugging.
Read our review of the best USB-C cables and the best Lightning cables.
Long-lasting rechargeable batteries
AmazonBasics AA Rechargeable Batteries 16-Pack
Street price: $23; deal price: $20
AmazonBasics AAA Rechargeable Batteries 12-Pack
Street price: $12; deal price: $10
Batteries are one of the things you don’t realize you don’t have until you desperately need replacements. Rechargeable batteries are great to have on hand because they last longer, cost less, and create less waste than single-use batteries. The AmazonBasics AA and AAA rechargeable batteries, now down to $20 and $10, respectively, rank among the top-performing rechargeable batteries we’ve tested. These batteries rarely see discounts, making this an excellent time to stock up on a pack or two.
Read our review of the best rechargeable batteries.
When it comes to wires, less is more
Anker PowerWave Stand
Street price: $16; deal price: $12 with code AKA25241
Wireless charging stands are great to keep on a bedside table, a desk, or anywhere else your phone will be stationary for a few hours. Unlike wireless charging pads, the Anker PowerWave Stand positions your phone at a viewable angle, which makes it easier to check alerts with a quick glance. Though the Anker PowerWave isn’t the fastest way to wirelessly charge your phone, it’s ideal in scenarios that aren’t time-sensitive (such as when you’re charging overnight). This stand comes with a Micro-USB cable but not a power brick. Fortunately, you can use any USB charger you have lying around, such as the one you’d usually use to charge your phone. Now down to $12 with code AKA25241, this deal is a great chance to save on our favorite budget Qi wireless charger (as long as you’re okay with it shipping on January 17).
Read our review of the best Qi wireless chargers.
Meet your guide
Elissa Sanci is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter’s discovery team based in Denver. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Woman’s Day, Marie Claire, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not testing TikTok-famous products or writing about car garbage cans, you can find her hiking somewhere in the Rockies or lying on the couch with a bowl of chips balanced on her chest. There is no in-between.