The Story Behind ChargeTest

In 2022, a $15 charging cable from a gas station killed my phone. Not dramatically - it just slowly damaged the battery over a few weeks until the phone would randomly shut down at 40% battery. That $15 "bargain" cost me a $900 phone replacement.

That experience made me obsessive about charging equipment. I started researching, testing, and documenting everything. What started as personal notes became a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet became a database. The database became this website.

I'm a software developer by trade, living in Portland, Oregon. Testing chargers isn't my job - it's what happens when someone with analytical tendencies gets burned by bad tech. I buy all the products I review with my own money, and I use them for months before writing anything.

My approach is simple: I don't care about unboxing experiences or spec sheets. I care about whether something still works six months later, whether it actually charges as fast as claimed, and whether it's worth your money.

How I Test

Every charger I review goes through the same process:

Initial Testing: I measure actual power output with a USB power meter, not manufacturer claims.
Real-World Use: Minimum 3 months of daily use before I write anything.
Temperature Testing: I check heat buildup under load with an infrared thermometer.
Compatibility: I test with multiple devices - iPhones, Android phones, tablets, laptops.
Durability: I note any degradation over time - loose ports, slower charging, physical wear.

I don't accept free products from manufacturers. Everything here is purchased at retail price. This keeps my reviews honest and my recommendations trustworthy.