Best Laptop Charging Cart & Station For Schools (Top 8 in 2023)

Laptops are the ubiquitous teaching tool in almost every classroom today and have been for years. If your school provides computers for classwork, you will need a place to store and charge 20-30 laptops.

And…

Since I faced this problem, I researched for a solution to do this in a convenient way. As usual, I made a review of the best options available and the Line Leader Compact Mobile Charging Cart made it on top of my list.

Soon enough, you’ll learn more about these laptop storage cabinets and it will be a lot easier for you by then, to pick up your personal choice based on your classroom requirements. Continue reading for a longer list and reviews of storage and charging devices.

Best Charging Stations Reviewed

1. Line Leader Compact Mobile Charging Cart
2. Shapes Series Wall-Mount Charging Cabinet
3. Kensington Universal AC Charge Station
4. Pearington Wall Mount Charging & Storage Cabinet
5. ECR4Kids  Locking Laptop and Tablet Charging Cart
6. Line Leader Open Charging Cart
7. Pearington Premium Mobile Storage Cart

I also give tips for selecting the right device for your unique needs and a few FAQs that most teachers have asked. For those of you who prefer to do it yourself, I give ideas and instructions for how to make your own device.

Let’s get started with my reviews and specs of the best laptop charging cabinets and stations.

1. Line Leader Compact Mobile Charging Cart

This Line Leader steel mobile laptop storage cart is easy to move and has locking wheels. It’s very sturdy and will not tip over. This makes it safe for children who may bump into it.

The ergonometric handle makes it easy to maneuver around corners if you need to take it to a different classroom or office. The dividers are rubber-coated to avoid damaging the devices and the top has a soft covering for the same purpose.

The side panels are ventilated. It has both front and rear locking doors. There is a bottom shelf for managing the cord to keep it neat. The dimensions are 12.125 x 23.25 x 34 inches and the space between the dividers is one inch. It weighs 55 pounds and has a 10-foot cord.

Unique Specifications

You don’t need to open the door when the devices are charging. There is a cord-management hole at the bottom that you can use to plug it into an electric outlet without opening the door. This is another safety feature for a classroom with young children.

Pros

• The padded surface on top
• Four-sided ventilation
• Four three-inch non-marring caster wheels of which two lock

Cons

• Needs to be assembled on arrival
• Very difficult to remove dividers
• Needs a small power brick to properly close the doors when charging

Best For: This cabinet is useful if you teach in several different classrooms. It’s also great for sharing with other teachers because of its ease of mobility.

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2. Shapes Series 12-Bay Wall-Mount Charging Cabinet

It is 20 inches high, 18 inches wide, 23 3/8 inches long and weighs 68 pounds. You can buy an optional kit that contains a baseplate and hardware to make the cabinet stackable.

You can also get a set of wheels if you plan to make it mobile. This cabinet will charge 12 devices at the same time. The power cord is six feet long. The dimensions of each slot are 2 x 16 ¼ x 12 inches.

It has a grounding feature as well as an external light to tell you it is charging.

Unique Specifications

It’s heavy but can be wall-mounted if you want to keep it out of the reach of youngsters without locking it in a closet.

Pros

• PVC-coated dividers will not scratch screens or cases
• This cabinet will last for years
• It has 12 cord-management clips

Cons

• Very heavy
• Not easy to open the back to change chargers
• Wall-mounting hardware not included

Best For: This is best for a teacher who doesn’t want his or her students to use it. The cabinet is stackable if you need more than twelve charging bays.

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3. Kensington Universal AC Charge Station

This Kensington Universal laptop charging station for the classroom has a metal frame that provides durability and efficient heat dissipation. It has 12 power outlets and there is plenty of space for power adapter storage.

The dimensions are 17.52 x 19.84 x 13.39 inches and the weight is 35.3 pounds. It is suitable for storing and charging laptops that are 14 inches, tablets, Chromebooks. iPad, Surface Pro, MacBook, and more.

The front is open, which is fine for older students, but it leaves tablets exposed to younger students. You can get a security door to lock at night or when you are not there.

Unique Specifications

I like this one. It is small enough to keep on a desk or a standard AV cart if you need portability. It has a lockable security door that is sold separately.

Pros

• Slot dividers are easily adjustable
• Sturdy metal frame
• Industrial-grade surge protector
• Built-in cable management

Cons

• A padlock is not included
• iPads need to be charged six at a time because the power plug is too big
• Charging ports are in the back, so it is inconvenient to place it against a wall

Best For: This cabinet is very strong and suitable for any classroom. I think it’s a good choice if you have an AV cart because you need access to the back for charging.

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4. Pearington Space Saving Wall Mount Charging & Storage Cabinet

It’s only seven inches deep because the laptops are stored at an angle. This means it doesn’t take up much space in your room. The wall mounting brackets are attached to the back of the cabinet, so it is easy to hang.

Unique Specifications

The device has two doors that can be opened separately. One to reach the laptops and one to access the charging ports. This is a great safety feature for an elementary classroom.

Pros

• Fully assembled on delivery
• Surge protection power strip
• Cable management feature

Cons

• Does not come with individual charging cords for devices

Best For: This is a very good selection for a small classroom. It is wall-mounted and only seven inches deep, so it won’t take up much space but does the job.

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5. ECR4Kids 30 Bay Locking Charging Station Cart

This ECR4Kids Chromebook charging cart is made with a durable, powder-coated steel frame. All four sides have ventilation holes. It has four non-marking wheels and two of them lock in place.

The handle makes it easy to move from classroom to classroom. It holds 32 devices, which makes it useful for two or three teachers to use at the same time. The top has a non-slip surface where a computer could be safely placed.

The dimensions are 25.2 x 21.7 x 36.1 inches and the weight is 80 pounds. It has a 200-pound weight capacity and needs to be assembled by an adult. During assembly, you can leave out the middle shelf if you need more space.

The charger does not need to be plugged in for the battery-operated keypad lock to work.

Unique Specifications

This charging station is GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low chemical emissions into the classroom indoor air during charging.

Pros

• It comes with four extra keys
• It has rubber-coated dividers
•  If the keypad batteries are not charged, it has a 9V rescue battery to open the door

Cons

• Assembly required
• The one-inch slots are not conducive for iPads with cases. They fit, but it’s not easy
• The door shuts and locks on its own, which may or may not be a con

Best For: This is the best Chromebook charging station you want if you need to share it with other teachers. Students cannot have access to the devices until you want them to.

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6. Line Leader 32 Unit Mobile Charging & Storage Cart

Pros

• Dividers are easy to remove for eight devices
• Dividers are sloped for easy access
• Cord-management clips keep cords in their place

Cons

• The tray of separate chargers is small, so the chargers don’t have a neat fit
• Not a good choice if you restrict the use of the devices

Best For: If you allow your students to take a laptop and return it as well as plug it in, this is the best laptop charging cart for you. The devices are easy to grab and return. If security is an issue, you may need to lock it in a closet at night.

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7. Pearington Premium Smart ChargeMobile Storage Cart

This cart charges 42 devices at the same time. It has an eco-efficient charging system that charges low-power devices first while still charging the others. The Pearington Premium comes fully assembled.

Removable dividers on three pull-out shelves dimensions are 40.5 x 24.25 x 35 inches. The cart has a cable management system with clips integrated into the dividers. The five-inch caster wheels can be locked with a foot lock and release. They won’t leave marks on the floor.

The top of the cart has an inset design to prevent devices from sliding off. It even has a cup holder if you need to bring your coffee with you while heading to another classroom.

Unique Specifications

The padded drawers slide out and have slanted dividers, so it is easy to pull out a device. This is a good computer cart for a school as each shelf could be assigned to one class and all the devices would have excellent security.

Pros

• It has a cable wrap feature for easy storage and portability
• It has vents on all sides
• The back opening allows for easy organization of power adapters and cords

Cons

• There are no cons to this cart. The manufacturers thought of everything

Best For: This is definitely the Mount Everest of the best laptop charging carts for schools. It is for sharing among classrooms as 42 bays are many more than one teacher will need.

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8. MobileVision Charging Station

This is a faux leather multi-device MobileVision organizer and charger. The dimensions are 10 x 6.5 x 9 inches, and it weighs four pounds. There are 2.5 inches between the dividers.

You can use multiple USB plugs and there is plenty of room inside for connections. It has three large bays that will hold laptops and one in the front for smaller devices. The USB ports are in the base and the bays are held in place with strong magnets.

The cables go out the bottom through an opening in the back.

Unique Specifications

This is a small charging station that would be great to have at home or for the teacher in a classroom. It will charge five devices, but most teachers need more than that, although if you had 10 or 15 devices, you could charge them at different times.

Pros

• It has USB charger ports
• It comes with a multiple port USB charging strip and power cord
• It hides power and charging cords

Cons

• The front wall is a little low for laptops but is fine for smartphones

Best For: This is best for a teacher who doesn’t have many devices to charge. For a school, it may go well with the above charger that can hold the student’s devices and this one could be on the teacher’s desk.

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Things To Consider When Choosing A Classroom Laptop Charging Station

There are many options for features of laptop storage and a charging cart for education. The first thing to consider is what devices you need to charge.

Do you need a cart that only holds laptops, or do you want one that also holds tablets and smartphones? What capabilities do you need?

Here are a few things to understand before you make a selection:

• Construction Material: you will find steel, wood, and laminate finishes. Steel will last for years and most likely have a locking device. Wood looks good and will match wooden classroom desks and chairs. It is more affordable than steel. Laminate is also less costly than steel but may not have a lock.
• Security System: if security is a major issue for you, your best choice is a steel computer storage cart with a good locking system.
• Recharging Capabilities: some devices will recharge your laptops while they are stored. If your students take their laptops home, you may not need this feature.
• Electrical Outlet Access: the electrical outlets can be in the back or front. I like mine in the back because I don’t want my students to have access to them. This may not be a problem for high school students.
• Ventilation To Disperse Heat During Charging: you will need vent holes in the device to give the hot air an escape route. Overheating can damage laptops and carts. If you need the best laptop carts for schools only for storage, you may not need ventilation.
• Wheels For Mobility: it’s always good to have wheels on any large or heavy piece of furniture in your classroom. For younger children, it may be good to have wheels that lock in position.

FAQs on Classroom Charging Laptops

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about storing and charging laptops at school:

✔ Is it bad to leave a laptop plugged in overnight?
Laptops are designed with battery protection. You cannot overcharge them by leaving them charging overnight. This is good to know because teachers need to leave their devices charging during the night to be ready for the students the next school day. For tablets, make sure you use a charger with battery protection, and you can leave it charging all night.

✔ What percentage should I charge my tablets?
The most common answer is to keep your device topped up after 50 percent. It is recommended to keep it between 50 and 90 percent. You shouldn’t charge it to 100 percent every day. Check out our pick for the best tablet for online classes in case you’re looking for one.

✔ Where is the best place to locate a charging station?
Charging stations can be placed on a desk or table, mounted on a wall, or stacked. Smaller ones can fit on an AV cart. If you like to change the configuration of your classroom furniture for flexible seating, you may want a mobile charging station or at least one that isn’t too heavy.

✔ Is it worth getting a charging station with a cable management feature?
The short answer is YES. If your device doesn’t offer cable management, you could waste a lot of time keeping cables straight and neat. This could even result in damaged cables.

✔ Is DIY really a good idea?
If you or your school doesn’t have the budget for a proper place to store and charge the devices you use in your classroom, then I recommend you look at the above sites to make one yourself. A charging station or a laptop cart; even a messy-looking DIY project will save you a lot of time in the long run and protect your classroom devices when they are not in use.

✔ Is a surge protector needed?
While electricity may be stable most of the time, it can spike or surge and damage any device that is plugged in at the time. Several models have surge protection built into the charging ports. If you choose one that plugs directly into an outlet, I recommend you get a surge protector and plug it into that.

✔ What are the workstation features?
Some of the best laptop charging carts for schools have tops that are suitable for putting a projector, camera, or computer. One even has a cup holder. A solid worktop also protects the devices from accidents such as spilled liquid or rough use. External outlets are also useful for plugging in a monitor, projector, or other equipment.

DIY Storage And Charging Stations

If you have the time and inclination, you can make your own charging and storage stations for tablets, laptops, and other devices. These pins give you a wide variety of DIY possibilities and may even inspire you to do it yourself even if you haven’t thought of it before.

You may think DIY will look tacky in your classroom, but this is not necessarily the case.

Look at this video to see a neat-looking and functional DIY Chromebook charging station:

If you do decide to try your hand at making a DIY charging station, here are some tips for hiding the wires and cables that look great:

Final Thoughts

Whether you make it yourself or purchase the best laptop charging station for the classroom, it’s definitely worth the time and money.

Now, based on my requirements, my best pick is the Line Leader Compact Mobile Charging Cart because of its portability and security features.

You will always have a safe place to store devices and lock them up while charging them. No more tablets and laptops left around the room and being knocked off shelves and counters.

This is a very strong, steel, and the best laptop charging station for a classroom with front and back locking doors. The casters provide smooth rolling, and two of them lock, so the cart can’t be easily tipped over. The wheels will not leave dark lines on the floor.

This storage and charging cart protects devices with rubber-coated dividers and a soft top, including your Chromebook. These features are very useful if the tablets or laptops are used by several different classes because the soft covers protect the devices from careless handling.

The 10-foot cord can be neatly stored on the provided shelf at the bottom of the cart. If you need to make more space between dividers, you will require a screwdriver and need to disassemble part of the unit in the back.

Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Emily