Let’s face it folks, USB charging for gadgets isn’t going anywhere. It’s a handy way to avoid numerous device specific chargers but we still need the charger for wall based power drinks. If you happen to own a few juice hungry devices, you still can end up with a clogged energy receptacle. We’ve seen a few different wall outlets that do away with the charger and instead allow users to plug the cable directly into the outlet. Newer Technology sent over their version, the Power2U for us to put through its paces.

The Power2U is set up to satisfy plenty of geeks out there with its feature set, ease of use and insanely easy installation. The P2U is a standard two 3-prong outlet with two additional USB slots on the side. The outlet is built with a “Smart Power” sensor that shuts off power to the USB ports when the cable is unplugged as well as delivering just the right amount of the juice needed. To combat the constant drain unused but still active ports steal, the P2U has ‘Safety Shutters’ that slide closed after the cable has been popped out. No electricity flows to the port if the shutter is closed. Take that hippies!

Installation is a breeze so don’t start freaking out, calling your electrician cousin who owes you a favor – if you’ve ever swapped out a dead outlet at home, you can do this. The guide included by Newer Tech is straightforward enough, covering all the basics that most of us should know. It took me less than the stated 20 minutes to pull my old plug-in out and slip the new P2U in. One note of warning geeks, due to the abilities of the P2U, it is bigger than your old outlet so pay attention to the electrical box you’re installing it in. As long as you have the clearance room and you connect the hot, neutral and ground wires, you have the battle won.

Thoughts after the break…

No complaints on installation from me. I’ve changed more than my fair share of outlets in a past life. The cover installs flush against the wall, giving it that sleek look I love. Plugging in my USB cords was a lot smoother than I anticipated, easily done one or two-handed. The shutters do slap shut once I pull my cable out, something I imagine would stop happening after several uses or in a dusty environment. All in all though, it is a nice feature for those of us who hate open ports.

Powering up devices is just like using your regular charger or plugging it into your computer. The P2U is equipped to juice up USB 3.0 and under gadgets and it handled my Galaxy S II via USB like a champ. I ended up plugging my cell, a battery backup and a laptop charger into the outlet without a hitch. Charging speeds were pretty much on par versus the regular old methods.

The short and the skinny is if you’re in the market to streamline your charging station, you should pick up the Power2U. It does run for $29.95 per outlet but you have your choice of three colors to avoid color clashing. If you happen to be a savvy shopper or want to pick up a couple of these bad boys, you can hop over to different retailer sites to pick them up as low as $22.99! Plus it looks a lot better than most of the alternatives out there. Thanks to Newer Technology for sending one out.

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