Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Digital Camera World
Digital Camera World
Paul Hatton

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 review: keeping everything fully charged

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4.

The ACEFAST Z4 is a simple desktop power station for charging up to four devices at once. With three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, users can get up to 218W of power. There are four modes for port operation which can be cycled through using the button on the front.

The modes allow for the 218 watts to be spread across the ports. One of the modes sets two ports at 100W with 18W on either the third or fourth port. This is ideal for charging power-hungry devices such as laptops. The remaining can be used to charge a phone.

Alternatively, it is possible to spread the power more evenly with the three USB-C ports set to 65W and the USB-A to 18W. This is a better option for users who have multiple devices and peripherals that need power.

Power stations often double up as docking stations but the Z4 doesn't have that capability. It is solely a power station and an expensive one at that.

(Image credit: Future)

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 Specifications

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 Design

The ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 is a super compact, cute-looking device that has everything you need to keep laptops, tablets, and phones fully charged.

The front of the unit is made up of two distinct parts: the LCD screen and the four USB ports. There is a control button sandwiched between the two, which toggles through the modes and acts as a power on/off button. The display is bright and colorful making it easy to decipher what power is being drawn at any one time. The display also details the maximum watts that each port is capable of.

There are three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. This provides enough coverage for a laptop, mobile phone, and other peripherals that you might have on your desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The case is made of grey matte plastic, which is thick enough to withstand most knocks that will come its way. There are also two rubber strips located underneath, which hold the unit firmly on any surface it's placed on.

The device ships with a plug and power cable which is located at the rear of the unit. I like the fact that this cable is removable as it makes it easier to transport the unit around without damaging the connection between the cable and the port.

The ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 costs $84.99 / £89.99 which isn't the cheapest considering it is only a power station and not a docking station.

(Image credit: Future)

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 Performance

The ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 performs well in almost every way. The build quality is good, there's a good ratio of USB-C to USB-A ports, and the unit is nice and responsive.

Disappointingly, when charging my laptop with any of the USB-C ports, I was only able to get between 28W and 47W of power despite using a cable that would support greater.

There are better-performing charging stations out there including the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1) but unfortunately, you'll need to pay extra for the benefits.

The screen can tell you how fast your devices are charging. (Image credit: Future)

ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 Verdict

The ACEFAST Desktop Power Station Z4 looks fantastic, is ultra-portable, and has reasonable performance. It's let down by the actual tested power output not matching the advertised speeds. It is well-built and helps to keep your desk organized, especially if you have limited power sockets. A lot of people will be put off by the $84.99 / £89.99 price tag but if you want a neat little power solution, then you can't go too far wrong with the Z4.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.