Every so often, an accessory like the Acefast Desktop Power Station Z4 comes along to completely change my gaming desk setup for the better. Just like Mary Poppins, the Gallium Nitride (GaN) charger arrived just in the nick of time to save me from a domestic feud with my collection of adapters. Put it this way, I need to supply a lot of devices with plenty of juice every day, and the Z4 offers up four-way charging while dominating only one socket.
Chargers like the Acefast Desktop Power Station Z4 are a testament to the benefits of Gallium Nitride (GaN) tech, and I honestly believe they make the best gaming desk even better. The last thing you want cluttering your picture-perfect setup is a spaghetti monster consisting of handheld and accessory chargers, and that’s inevitable if you’ve got a PC and need to juice upyour gaming handheld, smartphone, or anything else with a chonky battery. Up until now, I’ve been persevering with having multiple adapters at my feet, and thanks to the whopping 218W abilities of Acefact’s mighty GaN supply, I’ll never need to torment my tootsies ever again.
Priced at $89.99, the Power Station Z4 isn’t remotely a cheap charging solution, and you’ll also need to pick up some USB-C cables for your devices. So, if merging all your chargers into something smaller than most Steam Deck docks isn’t a personal priority, then I won’t blame you for sticking with separate adapters. However, now that I’ve tested Acefast’s solution, this Power Delivery hub justifies its premium price tag through its versatile charging abilities, and it also understands the assignment when it comes to stylish subtlety.
Specs
The Power Station Z4 is an outright testament to the benefits of GaN chargers, not least because we’re talking about 218W via a single brick. I’m actually even hesitant to use old terms like “brick” since the hub itself isn’t remotely large, measuring in at around 3.5 inches wide and 4 inches deep.
Despite its incredibly compact size, Acefast has also managed to squeeze a 1.3-inch color TFT display onto the front of the device that serves as an incredibly useful visual aid when toggling between all the different wattage options this charger provides. There are multiple ways to divvy up the 218W this hub can pump out through its three USB-C ports and single USB-A port, in turn allowing it to be more efficient when bulk charging devices.
Design
If I’m being honest, Acefast didn’t really need to make the Power Station Z4 pretty. I mean, the main goal of most chargers is to simply provide power to connected devices and blend into the background. Yet, this GaN hub makes sure to give you something eye-catching to look at if you happen to glance in its direction by pairing its grey housing with a transparent front panel.
I’m a 90s child, so I inherently have an infinity for transparent tech. Don’t get me wrong, I also think making the entirety of a device translucent can result in tacky vibes, but the Z4 reveals just enough to put on an intriguing show. Even if you have no idea what the difference between a resistor, a capacitor, and an IC chip is, you’ll still have lots of fun peering within when connecting things to the front. I’m trying to resist referencing that video with Swedish pop sensation Bjork peering inside a TV, but I’m sure you get the idea.
Despite boasting its own aesthetic, sticking with grey also allows the Z4 to blend in with the vibe of your specific surface. I’ve currently got it parked on the Flexispot E7 Plus, and the small block looks like a natural inclusion rather than something out of place. If the small illuminated screen on the front feels visually disruptive to your setup, you can also switch it off by holding down the button on front, so you won’t even have to compromise on functionality to achieve your desired look.
The Z4 manages to keep just enough weight to keep it feeling sturdy and secure at 1.44 lbs (655g). That heft, combined with cross-bar rubber feet at the bottom, keeps it from skating around your desk whenever you move a cable – a pet peeve of mine that can make me feel too nervous to use hubs like this. I’m charging the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro using the hub as I write this, and having dropped my phone off of the desk with the cable attached just moments ago, I can confirm the Z4 barely moved an inch. Instead, it sort of just hung onto the device while it precariously dangled for a few seconds, saving it from clattering onto the floor.
Features
Naturally, the Power Station Z4’s main draw is multi-device charging, but it’s the way it supplies juice that’s the star feature. Rather than just sticking with fixed wattage for each port, you can toggle between four configurations that divide power up differently. Here’s a small table with each configuration to better illustrate what I mean before I dive into the “why” of it all:
Having the ability to decide output levels for each port is a huge win on the versatility front, as it increases your chances of providing exactly what your chosen devices require. For example, I charge my gaming laptop, Steam Deck OLED, phone, and wireless earbuds regularly, and ‘Mode A’ allows me to do all three at while meeting fast charging requirements. However, since I review handhelds, there have been instances when I’ve been looking to charge the Deck alongside two rivals and lower wattage accessories, which is where ‘Mode B’ comes into play.
I could spend all day coming up with ridiculous charging examples that apply to me, but the core idea is that you won’t have to compromise on power to fast charge four devices. If, for whatever reason, you need to charge two laptops using power delivery, you will have to dial things back to three ports to hit 100W on the first two – hardly a compromise considering the outcome.
Performance
When checking whether the Acefast Z4 Powerstation lives up to my performance standards, I set out in search of three things. The first was reliability, as fancy chargers are only worthwhile if they can consistently deliver what your device requires. Secondly, I wanted to ensure I couldn’t feel too much excess heat coming from the hub – something that might be harmless but could make players feel paranoid about leaving it on. Lastly, I considered whether the setup of the charger is actually handy in real life rather than just impressive on paper.
I’m thrilled to report that the Z4 managed to impress me on all fronts, leaving no concerns or wants tied to the experience it provides. I was able to make good use of all four wattage modes on multiple occasions, and it’s something of a godsend for charging up everything before heading out for the day. The part that impresses me most is being able to satiate the needs of premium handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS while still charging other power-hungry devices like an Asus TUF Dash F15, as it feels like there’s got to be a catch somewhere.
In my spare time, I love to head out to the woodland near my house and go for short hikes. I originally started doing it as a way to escape screens when off-duty, but the escapade has turned into me often sitting on tree stumps with a handheld. Of course, using portable PCs in a realm devoid of power outlets means I have to rely on power banks, not to mention I also end up using earphones so as not to disturb the squirrels with game noise (or creep anyone out on the nearby path).
Simply put, my backpack ends up full of things that need charging, which used to mean having a whole power strip of chargers hooked up to various doodads. Those days are long gone thanks to the Z4, as I now just neatly place everything I need on my desk and neatly connect everything up. Sometimes the devices in question need a boost change, and being able to select one of those four aforementioned modes has completely eliminated the need to reach for any other adapters.
Should you buy the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4?
I can think of multiple types of player that’ll benefit from what the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4 has to offer, especially those of you who now have a gaming handheld in their lives. At full price, it’s safe to say it’s not a casual purchase, but it can make all the difference to the way you charge your devices. Whether you’re a big advocate for desk cable management or just have plenty of gadgets thirsty for juice, this all-in-one charger will supply everything you need.
In case it wasn’t obvious, I now use this charger for all gaming desk gadgets, and I don’t think I could go back to using separate adapters.
How I tested the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4
For around two months, I used the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4 to charge all my devices at my desk. My shortlist of gadgets includes handhelds like the Steam Deck and Ayaneo Flip DS, laptops like the Asus TUF Dash F15, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, and other accessories like wireless earbuds. I used all those devices to assess the reliability and functionality of the charging hub while keeping a look out for any flaws or caveats related to usage.
For more information on how we test accessories, take a peek at our GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.
Looking to ditch your chair? Check out the best standing desk options for ways to game on your feet. Alternatively, swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock if you want more add-ons for your surface.
