Tokyo Gadget

Reviews & guides for smartphone gadgets

Portable power stations Portable Power Station Wattage Guide: Output (W) vs Capacity (Wh)
Confused by the 'W' on portable power stations? Rated output (W) decides which appliances you can run; capacity (Wh) decides how long. This guide covers the wattage each appliance needs and how to pick the right one, for beginners.
Chargers How to Charge a Laptop with USB-C: Wattage and What to Pick
Want to charge your laptop over USB-C? This guide explains the conditions (USB PD), how to read the wattage you need (65W/100W), and the E-Marker cables required above 100W—how to pick the charger and cable, for beginners.
Power banks Travel Charging Packing: Pack Light, Forget Nothing (Checklist)
Avoid forgotten chargers and bulky cables when you travel. This guide covers a smart charging packing strategy—one multi-port charger, a carry-on-legal power bank, durable cables—plus tips on how to pack it all compactly.
Phone charging iPhone Battery Tips: Settings and Habits to Make It Last
Want your iPhone battery to last longer? This guide covers the settings—Optimized Battery Charging, an 80% limit, checking Battery Health—and the habits that slow wear, like avoiding 0%/100% and heat, in beginner-friendly terms.
Wireless chargers Why Wireless Charging Is Slow or Hot — Causes and Fixes
Wireless charging feels slow, or your phone gets hot? This guide covers the common causes—misalignment, thick cases, low charger output—with a fix for each, plus tips to charge comfortably with Qi2/MagSafe, for beginners.
Chargers USB PD, PPS, QC Explained: Charging Standards and How to Tell Them Apart
USB PD, PPS, QC—too many fast-charging standards to keep straight? This guide explains the main charging standards, why charging won't go fast unless they match, and how to tell what's supported, in beginner-friendly terms.
Power banks Power Backup Checklist for Outages and Disasters (Phone & Home)
What will you do to charge your phone if the power goes out? This guide organizes your emergency power prep into a staged checklist—one person, family, and stay-at-home evacuation—covering when to use a power bank vs a portable power station, and how to store them.
Power banks How to Use a Power Bank: The Complete Beginner's Guide
A complete guide for anyone who just bought a power bank and isn't sure how to use it. Covers charging the unit, reading the ports (input/output), thinking about capacity (mAh), using it safely, and care, storage, and lifespan—explained for beginners.
Power banks Portable Power Station vs Power Bank: Which Should You Choose?
What's the difference between a portable power station and a power bank? This guide sorts out capacity, AC (outlet) output, and size in a clear comparison table, and explains which to choose by use—phone-focused vs disaster prep, outages, and the outdoors.
Wireless chargers Best 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers [iPhone, Watch & AirPods in One]
A 3-in-1 wireless charging station charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods together. This guide explains how to choose one (Qi2/MagSafe magnetic alignment, Apple Watch support, stand vs folding) and recommends picks by type.
Chargers Choosing a Charger for the Switch 2 [20V, 54W+ — Best GaN Chargers]
The Nintendo Switch 2 draws relatively high power in dock (TV) mode. This guide explains how to choose a charger for the Switch 2 (20V output, 54W+, USB PD), how handheld vs docked differ, and recommends easy-to-use GaN chargers.
Power banks Charge to 80%? Habits That Extend Your Battery's Life
Is it true you should only charge your battery to 80%? This guide explains how lithium-ion batteries degrade, lays out both sides of the '80% rule,' and shares practical charging habits you can start today to make your battery last.
Cables How to Choose a Durable USB-C Cable That Won't Break
USB-C cables tend to fail right at the connector. This guide explains why they break, then covers what makes a cable durable—braided jackets, reinforced strain relief, wattage and length—plus picks by type. Includes a hands-on note on a cable we've used for a year.
Chargers Charging Abroad Made Simple: Plug Adapters, Voltage, and Picks
Packing your phone charger for an overseas trip and unsure if it will just work? This guide explains the basics of voltage and plug shapes, the difference between a plug adapter and a voltage converter, how to choose without mistakes, and recommended travel adapters.
Power banks Don't Leave Your Power Bank in a Hot Car This Summer
A parked car in midsummer—and even a pocket in the heat—is a harsh, high-temperature environment for a power bank. This guide explains why heat is risky, how to store and use your power bank in summer, the warning signs like swelling, and how to choose a reliable product.
Chargers Anker vs UGREEN vs CIO vs Belkin vs Elecom: Which Charger Brand? (2026)
Short answer: Anker when in doubt. UGREEN for value, CIO for compact Japanese design, Belkin for Apple-first setups, Elecom for domestic support. Each brand's tendencies and picks by situation, without the hype.
Power banks Dispose of a Power Bank in Japan: 3 Signs It's Done and Where It Goes
Fast drain, slow charging, or a swollen case mean it's time. Never put a power bank in household trash—use JBRC collection boxes or your city's small-appliance program, with extra care for a swollen unit. Step-by-step disposal, plus how to choose a safer replacement.
Chargers 240W USB-C Charger (USB PD 3.1): Do You Need It, or Is 100W Enough?
Most laptops charge fully at 65–100W; 240W (USB PD 3.1 EPR) matters only for 140W+ laptops and multi-device desks. What the numbers mean, which cable you need (eMarker, EPR), and practical picks by use—for beginners.
Chargers Why Your Phone Isn't Fast Charging: Common Causes and Fixes
If your phone won't fast charge, it's usually because the charger, the cable, or the phone itself isn't compatible. This beginner-friendly guide walks through the causes in order and shows you how to switch to a charger and cable that actually work together.
Power banks Best Power Banks for Disaster Preparedness (Blackouts & Emergencies)
Earthquakes, typhoons, sudden blackouts—when disaster strikes, a dead phone means no news, no way to reach family, and no cashless payments. If in doubt, choose a 20,000mAh-class, PSE-certified power bank from a major brand. This beginner-friendly guide covers capacity, how to choose, and picks by use case.