You can plug your USB cable right into this outlet, no adaptor needed

By Erika Prafder March 31, 2015

snappower outlet cover has usb charger — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Forget fiddling with sockets and wires. A new outlet cover makes powering up your USB devices easier than ever.

Usually when you lose your adaptor, you have to charge your phone through your computer’s USB port. But with a new outlet cover called the SnapPower, all you need is the cable. The cover screws into your wall, so you don’t need to go searching for additional connective parts. If SnapPower sounds familiar, it may be because the company launched a crowdfunding campaign for its guidelight outlet covers last year, which turn on automatically when it gets dark.

Designed with internal power prongs, the charger draws power from screws located on the outlet’s sides. Its charging port is off to the side at the bottom of the cover, so you can freely plug in your USB cable without obstructing the two regular outlets. Just turn off the power to the outlet, remove the existing cover, screw on the SnapPower cover, and it’s ready for charging. Keep in mind that the extra USB port does make the SnapPower hang down a little lower than a standard cover.

Any standard outlet in your home with exposed screw terminals becomes USB compatible, no wiring required. However, the apparatus isn’t compatible with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets, sometimes located in bathrooms. They typically have a “test” and “reset” button on their faces.

Since launching his Kickstarter campaign, SnapPower has raised over $206,000, well beyond its $35,000 goal. The company claims it’s on target to deliver the cover to backers this August. While there are various packs available for sale, you can nab a single charger (in two styles and three colors) at the super early bird special price of $14.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Erika Prafder is Digital Trends’ Home contributor. She is a veteran writer, with over fifteen years of experience covering…

Smart Home

This Wi-Fi robot vacuum is discounted from $199 to $79

The iHome AutoVac Juno robot vacuum cleaning the floor.

Robot vacuum deals are consistently getting cheaper it seems, with it now possible to buy a robot vacuum for just $79. That’s the case at Walmart with the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum down to $79 for a limited time. It usually costs $199 so you’re saving a huge $120 off the regular price making now the perfect time to upgrade to all the convenience that comes from having a robot vacuum. Keen to learn more? Let’s take a look.

Why you should buy the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum
You won’t see iHome feature in our look at the best robot vacuums but that’s not to say that there aren’t benefits to buying such a cheap robot vacuum today. With the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum, you get up to 2,000pa of strong suction power with up to 100 minutes of runtime ensuring that plenty can be accomplished.

Smart Home

The Narwal Freo X Plus is an entry-level robot vacuum loaded with premium features

The Freo X Plus vacuuming pet hair.

Narwal launched the Freo X Ultra earlier this year, and we found it to be an exceptional robot vacuum and mop combo -- though its $1,400 price tag made it a luxury item for most shoppers. Thankfully, many of the Freo X Ultra's best features can be found on the newly launched Narwal Freo X Plus, which offers an affordable alternative to the flagship vacuum and mop combo.

The Freo X Plus should be much more appealing to frugal shoppers, as it clocks in at just $400. That's a full $1,000 cheaper than the Ultra, yet it still holds up to seven weeks of dust, can lift its mopping plate when traveling on carpet, and produces up to 7,800 Pa of suction to pull out dirt and debris from your carpets. It can even apply 6 Newton units of downward pressure while mopping, allowing it to tackle tough stains with ease.

Smart Home

Samsung’s new Smart Refrigerators are already discounted

samsung smart refrigerator deal may 2022 last chance bespoke 4 door french feature

For great refrigerator deals, go straight to the source and buy Samsung’s latest Smart Refrigerators for a great discount. As part of its Spring Black Friday sale, Samsung has discounted six different smart refrigerators with up to $1,200 off some of them. If you’ve been waiting to buy a new refrigerator and you want to invest in a high-end smart refrigerator, this is your chance to do so while saving substantial sums of money. The best thing to do is click the button below to see for yourself what’s on sale. Alternatively, read on and we’ll take you through what we know.

What to shop for in the Samsung smart refrigerator sale
Samsung easily makes some of the best smart refrigerators around so you simply can’t go wrong with whatever you buy. One immediately tempting option is the . It usually costs $4,214 but it’s down to $3,199 as part of this sale. It has changeable door panels which feature the Beverage Zone with two temperature settings which are perfect for drinks and desserts. There’s a choice of an internal dispenser or a built-in AutoFill Water Pitcher. The fridge has a modern design which blends into any kitchen while its automatically opening doors work through a simple, light touch of the sensor, saving you from needing to juggle too much at once. You can also customize the lower-right storage space to be a refrigerator or freezer with five adjustable temperature settings.