Which super simple charger for a muggle?

I need very easy to use charger for muggle. Just plug and play.

Important:

  • USB C power input
  • 4 slots
  • Universal (liIon, LiFePO4, NiMH)
  • No display
  • Can charge at least 2x 26650 and 2x 21700 at the same time
  • Max $30

Less important:

  • Fits protected 21700
  • Power adapter included
  • Powerbank function
  • Selection charging current

I can exceed budget slightly if the charger is worth it.

Does it really have to be USB-C input? I think that’s gonna be the biggest obstacle towards finding a suitable charger.

Yes. To minimize the number of cables and power supplies that you need to take when traveling.

Let me start with at this time your not going to find a quality charger with USB C for $30 or under unless heavily discounted, let alone without a display etc if you were to make compromises a quality charger could be recommended but with the requirements nothing comes to mind.

The only decent charger that I know of with USB-C (that isn’t real expensive) is the XTAR VC8, but it doesn’t meet most of your criteria. Couldn’t you just carry one extra cable or perhaps a small adapter?

The simplest might be to buy a new flashlight that has a built in charger and uses USB-C ???

How about XTAR MC4S
It does not charge LiFePO4 but otherwise it looks all you asked.
Just make sure you get MC4S not earlier MC4 that was LiIon only.

The best i can think of is the Xtar ST2, but has 2 slots

Or xtar PB2S

Thank you for all your suggestions. Of these, the best option seems to be MC4S. This is probably the best option. I tried to find something interesting, but it’s actually very difficult with my requirements.

@MtnDon
My dad is still using a camera that is powered by two AA. I recently bought him rechargeable AA for it. So it’s not just about flashlights.

Has anyone bought from this store?

Wait, you’re giving a muggle li-ion batteries?
You feel lucky?

I just had a mental image of Dirty Harry… :sunglasses: Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya?!

No problem if there is a button top and a large arrow drawn indicating the direction of inserting the battery into the flashlight :slight_smile:

Why not buying 2 new flashlights that have built in chargers? Will even be less space than an extra charger.

Good point

I was about to say Xtar PB2S but you need lifepo4 charging… just curious but does anyone still use small cilindrical lifepo4 batteries? I know they’re way above Li-ion for solar applications but the smaller cells were never interesting to me.

Henrik posts here as HJK. This is the link to his site, good stuff. LOTS of chargers reviewed and his reviews are very very good. Click on a header to sort by that feature. https://lygte-info.dk/info/roundCellChargerIndex%20UK.html

You’ll have to sniff out which of the USB chargers are USB-C though as that’s on a designation. Maybe sort by “power” and then look at the date.
I did that and first one I see is a USB-C charger I’ve never heard of, but does it have what you want? It won’t charge nihm, etc. It looks like Solar powering it is not a thing you can plug and forget about it. https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Hohm%20Tech%20School4%20UK.html

Let us know what you come up with will you?

Because as I said before

lifepo4 it’s actually not necessary. I wrote about it because why not

Just looked through HKJ’s charger database and it doesn’t look like what you want exists: USB-C, Li ion and NiMH, 2 or 4 bay.

A micro USB powered charger and carrying an additional micro USB cable seems like the best option as of now.

This might be as close as you can get:

Was reading the above and also tried to do a bit of research (HKJ’s list will be helpful).

Xtar MC4S doesn’t seem to be reviewed by HKJ yet, but as mentioned above, it fits most of the criteria you mentioned, except LiFePO4.

The HommTech School 4-channel charger seems to fit also (faster charge rate), but doesn’t support NiMh…

HKJ’s index of round-cell chargers (filtered to show USB-input [some might be type-C] )
https://lygte-info.dk/info/roundCellChargerIndex%20USBIn%20UK.html