AceFast Z9 Pro 6-in-1 100W Charging Station review: Compact multi-device power pal

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Could this compact near-cuboid charger have everything an Apple user needs for charging? It certainly comes close to achieving that goal.

The AceFast Z9 Pro can wirelessly charge your iPhone at up to 25W at the same time as your Apple Watch, an AirPods case, a MacBook at up to 65W, and two other devices using the USB ports.

Charging potential

• iPhone wireless charging: 25W
• Apple Watch wireless charging: 2.5W
• AirPods wireless charging: 5W
• USB-C cable: 60W
• USB-C port: 100W
• USB-A port: 30W

The AceFast Z9 Pro has a maximum power output of 100W to share between the six potential ports, cable and wireless pads.

The wireless charging pad at the top is rated at the very top Qi2.2 spec, so allowing the fastest-possible wireless speed of 25W for iPhone of the 16 or 17 series or 15W for iPhones 12-15. That fastest 25W wireless charging should get an iPhone up to 50% power in just over 30 minutes, compared to 45 minutes at 15W.

Behind the raised iPhone charger is a 5W Qi pad that will charge all but the oldest AirPods cases.

Simon Jary

Hidden on one side is a wireless charging module for Apple Watch. Just press it to reveal the Watch pad and push it in when you’re done to return the charger to its compact shape. This pop-out 2.5W charging pad isn’t powerful enough to fast-charge the Watch—for that you need at least 5W; see our roundup of the best Apple Watch chargers for faster Watch refills. That said, it doesn’t take an age to fill the Watch’s tiny battery so unless you’re in a great hurry, 2.5W will get you there in the end.

On the other side is a long 2.3-foot (700mm) retractable USB-C cable, capable of 60W charging. Having a built-in cable is incredibly useful, saving time hunting for your own USB-C charging cable or pleading with someone else for the loan of theirs.

Simon Jary

That 60W will keep any connected MacBook going but 60W is not enough for the fastest MacBook charging. MacBooks fast-charge at 70W (MacBook Air), 100W (14-inch MacBook Pro) and 140W (16-inch MacBook Pro), but 60W will certainly keep your laptop going and charge to full pretty quickly.

Below that are two USB ports. Thankfully, the USB-C port is capable of 100W so can—with the right cable—fast-charge all but the 16-inch MacBook. The legacy 30W USB-A can be used for those devices still demanding the old rectangular connector. Check our reviews of the best MacBook charging cables for a suitable USB-C cable.

With a maximum power output of 100W, you could charge a MacBook at 60W, your iPhone at 25W and your AirPods plus another small device. Using the USB-C cable and port and can achieve 60W plus 30W—enough to slowly refill two laptops. using all three (but no wireless) you can get 60W from the cable, and share 15W between the two ports.

There’s no fan-based active cooling technology as found on some 25W wireless chargers, which means it will always run silently but might limit power to the iPhone if your device gets too warm.

Simon Jary

Compact design

The uniformly dark gray AceFast Z9 Pro is a near 3-inch cube, measuring 3.3 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches (82 x 72.5 x 72.5mm) and weighing 1.3lbs (590g).

That’s pretty small for a charger with six outputs. It can sit pretty much unnoticed on your desk, and features a non-slip silicone base to keeps the charging station stable when being used with multiple devices.

Simon Jary

Many 3-in-1 charging docks use a wide tree-shaped design or low-profile stand. The Z9 Pro is more of a block with a raisable iPhone charging pad and push-out Watch pad. It still works like a stand, carrying the iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation—meaning it can display the time when charging in StandBy Mode.

The iPhone charging pad is highly adjustable— up to 65 degrees—so it can be angled as you desire.

Simon Jary

Price

The AceFast Z9 Pro 6-in-1 100W Charging Station is priced at $79.99, and at the moment is available in North America and not the U.K. For a 25W wireless iPhone charger and 60W MacBook desktop charger with integrated cable, that’s good value for money.

The company also makes a non-Pro Z9 Charging Station, which has a smaller maximum 80W output and much slower 7.5W wireless iPhone charger but otherwise the same specs in an identical form for ten bucks less ($59.99). The Pro makes more sense at only a little higher cost.

Ugreen’s 100W GaN Mini MagSafe Power Station ($99 or £79) is a similarly shaped stubby desktop charger with raised MagSafe charger on top (although only to 15W) and has two USB-C ports and one USB-A but no built-in cable. The AceFast Z9 Pro looks better value with its faster wireless charging, Watch module and built-in cable.

For more solutions read our reviews of the best USB-C chargers and best iPhone wireless chargers.

Simon Jary

Should you buy the AceFast Z9 Pro 6-in-1 100W Charging Station?

This is a good-looking, super-compact and affordable multi-device charger that will wirelessly charge your iPhone as fast as anything can, as well as simultaneously charge your Apple Watch (a little slowly) and AirPods case. On top of all that, it’s an able 100W desktop charger with its own built-in 60W retractable USB-C cable for your MacBook, and two further ports.