Kensington StudioCaddy review: the dock that promises to store and charge your iPhone, AirPods, iPad and Mac comes at a high price

In the small world of computer accessories, Kensington has made a name for itself, synonymous with quality. Like Logitech, among others, it offers products with a neat design and beautiful finishes to accompany your computer equipment. In this case, the StudioCaddy is designed more specifically for Apple devices. This implies an increase in quality, a particular attention to detail, and, alas, a certain price.

Modular, and designed to store and showcase

The StudioCaddy has several ambitions, stacked like nesting tables. First of all, it wants to allow you to tidy up your desk, in order to free up space there. Then, it intends to do it in an efficient and attractive way, thanks to a very “apple-like” design. To continue, it highlights your products, so that you can contemplate them, or better use them. Finally, it launches into the wireless or wired charging of some of your Apple products.

How can these different objectives be reconciled? Thanks to a modular design, made up of two independent elements. But that we can however attach and magnetize so that they become one.

The first part, in aluminum, is a kind of rack, composed of a weighted base so as not to tip over and two arches, against which two devices can be placed simultaneously, a MacBook and an iPad, or even a wireless keyboard , for example. We tried with 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and it held up just fine. A small lip on the front part of the base ensures, in addition to the non-slip surface, that the iPad will not slip by accident.

A laptop stored in this way will be closed, and therefore unusable as it is. On the other hand, the iPad can be oriented so that its screen serves as an external monitor with Sidecar, for example. It is therefore both a storage rack and a support for working more efficiently. It’s up to you to find the right orientation of the base so that the screen can be viewed comfortably, which is not always easy, however.

Recharge for peace of mind…

The second part of the Studio Caddy takes the form of a design base, too, with a gray mesh fabric covering. A slightly recessed location has been created to place the case of your AirPods, while a small vertical support allows you to lean an iPhone. In addition, to highlight them nicely, this base will recharge them thanks to Qi technology.

Of course, the AirPods case must be compatible with this technology, such as the third generation AirPods or the new AirPods Pro cases. The technology being a standard, you can also charge other headphones there. true-wireless compatible, even if they are not AirPods.

Then, it should be noted that the support for iPhone is perfectly adapted to the different sizes of compatible devices, whether it is the very small iPhone mini or the gigantic Pro Max.

Finally, as always, we note that the Qi technology (which provides 7.5 W for iPhones, or 10 W for compatible devices) is not at all intended for those who are in a hurry. Besides that its energy efficiency is very questionable, even more so without MagSafe technology, you will have to take your time. To charge an iPhone 12 Pro from 0 to 100%, it took us no less than 150 minutes. Suffice to say that this is not the solution for an emergency. It will, however, ensure that your iPhone is always charged when you are away from your desk.

…with some regrets

Frankly speaking, even if it is more of a set that we will put on a desk, we regret that it does not also offer a base for the Watch, this would allow all its Apple products to be combined in one place.

However, you can charge your connected watch using the StudioCaddy. On the left side of the charging module, there is a switch, while on the right side are two ports: one USB-A (which provides 12 W), the other USB-C (20 W). You can then connect cables – not supplied – to charge your iPad or your Watch. But it’s the clean and organized side that takes a hit.

If the power cable on the left side can be more or less hidden, those connected to the ports will be much less discreet. Too bad… Too bad also that the charger (60 W) supplied to power the charging base is not powerful enough to give a boost to the battery of your MacBook – we told you, it will simply be nicely stored and put value.