The power situation in coliving spaces and apartments is often frustrating: one or two outlets, none of them at the desk, European Type F sockets in your room but UK sockets in the common area. A well-assembled power setup — a compact hub, a universal travel adapter, and a capable GaN charger — solves these problems for good. This guide explains how to pick the right gear.
The USB-C hub: the core of your mobile workstation
A good travel hub expands your laptop's single USB-C port into all the connections you need. For workation purposes that typically means HDMI (for a TV or projector in the apartment), two USB-A ports (for a mouse, flash storage), an additional USB-C port with pass-through charging, and an SD card slot. Ethernet is a plus for coliving spaces with a stable wired network.
- HDMI or DisplayPort for an external monitor/TV
- At least two USB-A ports
- USB-C pass-through charging so the laptop stays charged
- An Ethernet port for a stable wired connection
- SD/microSD slot for camera workflows
GaN chargers: why size is no longer an excuse
Gallium nitride (GaN) technology enables compact chargers with up to 100 W or more — something that used to require bulky power bricks. A GaN charger with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port can charge a laptop, tablet, and phone at the same time and still fits in any jacket pocket. Check the total output: many cheap models cut output significantly when several ports are used at once.
- GaN technology for a compact form factor
- At least 65 W for laptop charging via USB-C PD
- Multiple ports: one USB-C each for laptop and phone
- Check power distribution: total output under multi-port use
Travel adapters: universal beats country-specific
A universal travel adapter with EU, UK, US, and AU pin configurations costs little and covers almost every destination. Important: an adapter doesn't convert voltage, it only adapts the plug shape — it's not a substitute for a power supply that handles 100-240 V (which most modern laptop chargers do). Packing a separate backup adapter is worth it: replacing one at the airport is disproportionately expensive.
- A universal adapter with EU/UK/US/AU/CH configurations
- A backup adapter packed separately in your carry-on
- Check your own devices for voltage compatibility (100-240 V)
- An adapter with a built-in USB-A/USB-C port saves one outlet
A practical power strip for the desk
In many apartments, the only outlet is by the bed or far from the desk. A compact power strip with a short cable and surge protection solves this. Combo models with built-in USB charging ports are especially handy and replace a separate charging block.
- A short cable (1.5-2 m) for a tidy desk
- Surge protection in countries with an unstable power grid
- Built-in USB ports save outlets
- A flat design fits better in a backpack
Find the gear
Matching products on Amazon
We deliberately don't name models we haven't used ourselves. Each link opens an Amazon search with the criteria from this article.
- Partner link
USB-C hub with HDMI and pass-through charging
HDMI, two USB-A ports, an SD slot and a USB-C port that keeps charging the laptop.
Search on Amazon.de - Partner link
Multi-port GaN charger
Laptop, tablet and phone on one plug. Around 100 W total output.
Search on Amazon.de - Partner link
Universal travel adapter with USB-C
EU, UK, US and AU plugs in one device, plus USB charging ports.
Search on Amazon.de - Partner link
Short travel power strip with USB
Brings the one socket by the bed to the desk, with surge protection.
Search on Amazon.de
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