Messless charger July 2009

The Messless charge station is a universal charging device that allows you to charge up to four gadgets at once.

With a range of adaptors, it can charge mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players (such as Apple iPods) and portable gaming devices (including the Nintendo DSi and the Sony PSP).

We haven't tested this device in one of our labs, so we can't award it a total test score, but here is our hands-on first impression, along with a rundown of its capabilities.

Messless charger

The Messless station is certainly a more attractive option than having several cables and docks on a table or trailing around your home - it runs off a single power cable that can be coiled around a spool and hidden out of sight.

Six adaptors are supplied, but more can be bought (see below). It's possible to charge four different handheld devices at once or, if more of the same adaptors are purchased, you could charge four of the same devices simultaneously - great for families of iPod fans.

The clear plastic dish on top of the device has two settings. To change any adaptor, you need to push the dish down so it locks into the lower setting. Once you have connected all the adaptors that you want, you push it again and the disc springs back to the higher setting – it’s a very easy process.

Universal charger

As the charging station is designed for a number of different-shaped handheld devices, there are no cradles to nestle your mobile phone or iPod securely. They often stand upright with no support except for the charge station connection, so they could be knocked over and damaged fairly easily.

An LED lights up when a device has been connected, but you'll need to check the screen of the device itself to see whether it’s fully charged.

The Messless charge station is supplied with adapters suitable for Nokia handsets (standard and mini sockets), Sony Ericsson (K750) handsets, iPods, PSPs and anything that charges via a micro USB connection – such as BlackBerry smartphones.

Samsung adaptors, and more of the same ones supplied, can be purchased for around £15 each.

At around £70 for the charger itself, this is an expensive gadget for keeping things tidy. It can be bought from the Cutebitz website.

Pros: Does away with many cables, charges multiple devices at once

Cons: Devices sit on the charger precariously, a little expensive