Currently, there are 27 different hub dynamo USB chargers available.
Dynamo chargers are particularly useful if you carry any battery-powered gadgets. I use my Cinq Plug5 Plus to top up my chargeur iPhone, eReader, head torch, GoPro and 5000mAh power bank. Previously, I’ve charged GPS devices, batteries (AA, AAA), USB lights, cameras, speakers, MP3 players and much more.
If you’re bikepacking off-road or spending lots of time on steep mountain roads, you may want to skip on these dynamo chargers and instead use a power bank or solar charger. Dynamo chargers are essentially useless at charging power-hungry devices (eg. smartphones) when you cannot average 12KPH/7MPH for the majority of your ride.
That said, hub dynamos can charge power-efficient devices at as little as 5KPH/3MPH – this includes Spot trackers, GPS devices, or small battery packs, and is the reason why hub dynamos are still popular for ultra racing.
If you’re travelling on terrain that has you cycling above and below 12KPH, make sure to add a pass-through battery into your charging system, which will supply power to your device when the dynamo can not (eg. when cycling at low speeds or when stopping at traffic lights).
The above is a very brief introduction – if you want to learn it all, it could be worth digging into my full series:
Dynamo Hubs
Dynamo Lights
Dynamo USB Chargers
Dynamo Wiring
Buffer Batteries
Rim Dynamos
This article was originally published in March 2012 but has been updated in November 2020.
Key Stats For Benchmarking Dynamo USB Chargers
To help you compare the hub dynamo USB chargers in this resource, I have listed their key specs and have organised them according to type (“integrated”, “in-line” and “light” chargers). Within these categories, you’ll also find them ranked in terms of available output power when cycling at 20KPH.
Speed at 2.5W – This is the speed you need to ride in order to achieve the minimum charge for many smartphones.
Power at 20KPH –
This is the maximum output power at the USB port at 20KPH.
Power Output Graph – If the charger has been tested, I have included its power output graph.
Buffer Battery –
If a buffer battery is integrated into the system, I have listed the battery’s capacity here.
Price – Retail price on the dynamo USB chargers.
Integrated: Forumslader V6 Ahead
Forumslader V6 Ahead dynamo USB charger.
The Forumslader V6 is the most powerful dynamo USB charger on this list above 20KPH. While we don’t have any data on the latest model, the Forumslader V5 was able to hit 2.5-watts at 13KPH and almost 5-watts at 20KPH. A cool thing about the Forumslader products is that they’re constantly getting updated with the latest tech and circuitry due to their small-scale production.
Speed at 2.5W: 13KPH (V5)
Power at 20KPH:
4.8-watts (V5)
Power Output Graph: HERE (V5)
Buffer Battery: 7500mAh
Price: €227
Integrated: Cinq Plug5 Plus
Cinq Plug5 Plus dynamo USB charger.
The Cinq Plug5 Plus is the most powerful USB charger below 20KPH and it’s almost certainly the neatest. When you don’t have anything plugged into the unit you can hide the USB-C plug by rotating the ratcheting top cap door. There’s a 1100mAh battery hidden in the steerer tube which steps in when your speed drops below 12KPH, and simultaneous operation of lighting and charging is possible (although, I’ve found it only really maintains my smartphone battery level, rather than fill it). The Plug5 is made exclusively for the new USB-C plugs so you may need to buy an adapter or different charging cable if you select this option. If you’re after a rare USB-C-to-iPhone cable in a short length, check out this one on Amazon.
Speed at 2.5W: 12KPH
Power at 20KPH:
4.6-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: 1100mAh
Price: €259
Integrated: Cycle2Charge V3
Cycle2Charge V3 dynamo USB charger.
This headset top cap option from Cycle2Charge is available at an exceptional price point. It produces the minimum charge for a smartphone at 16KPH (2.5W), but it’s between 20 to 25KPH where it makes the bulk of its power. The nice thing is that this charger uses a rotating dome to protect the USB plug when not in use.
Speed at 2.5W: 16KPH
Power at 20KPH:
4-watts
Power Output Graph:
HERE
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: €69
Integrated: NC-17 Appcon 3000 (Dynamo Harvester)
NC-17 Appcon 3000 dynamo USB charger. Image: GPSRadler.de
The NC-17 Appcon 3000 (previously Dynamo Harvester) is one of the more powerful chargers available. The unit fits inside the steerer tube, but rather than offering a charging port at the stem, the USB port is routed into your handlebar bag.
Speed at 2.5W: 13KPH
Power at 20KPH:
3.5-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: 3000mAh
Price: €229
Integrated: Sinewave Reactor
Sinewave Reactor dynamo USB charger.
The Sinewave Reactor offers the same functionality as their other chargers, but it has been incorporated into a 43 gram, super slim headset top cap. The electronics are neatly integrated into the fork steerer, making it somewhat theft-proof and elegant. It’s manufactured in the USA and tends to get rave reviews from many users.
Speed at 2.5W: 17.5KPH
Power at 20KPH:
3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: No
Price: US $220
Integrated: Cinq Plug5 Pure
The Cinq Plug5 Pure is a lower-cost version of the Plug5 Plus, that is sold without the steerer buffer battery. In addition, the charger is not as powerful – the maximum output current is 700mA (while the Plug5 Plus offers 1.2A). There is currently no data available but it will likely offer ~35% less power than the Plug5 Plus at 20KPH.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data, but likely around 3-watts
Power Output Graph: No data
Buffer Battery: No, but it is designed to be used seamlessly with the Smart Power Pack
Price: €159
In-Line: Dynalader Digital 2 USB Charger
Speed at 2.5W: 13KPH (non-independent testing)
Power at 20KPH:
6-watts (non-independent testing)
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: 4800mAh
Price: €145
In-Line: Forumslader Pro V6
The Forumslader V6 is also available in a larger unit that will sit inside a handlebar bag for a lower price.
Speed at 2.5W: 13KPH (V5)
Power at 20KPH:
5.1-watts (V5)
Power Output Graph: HERE (V5)
Buffer Battery: 7500mAh
Price: €122
In-Line: NC-17 Connect Appcon GT (Dynamo Harvester)
NC-17 Connect Appcon GT dynamo USB charger.
NC-17 also make a more powerful charger that sits in a small bag on the handlebar (or inside a handlebar bag). This charger (previously Dynamo Harvester Plus) is half the price of the NC-17 Appcon 3000 but offers some of the highest USB outputs above 20KPH.
Speed at 2.5W: 16KPH
Power at 20KPH:
4.5-watts
Power Output Graph:
HERE
Buffer Battery:
3000mAh
Price: €110
In-Line: Igaro D2 Pro R2
The Igaro D2 chargers are compact, waterproof and hand-assembled in the UK. The D2 chargers come with a five-year warranty, and Igaro will ship warranty replacements anywhere in the world for free.
Speed at 2.5W: 13KPH
Power at 20KPH:
4.4-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE and HERE* (check the Igaro website for the latest data)
Buffer Battery: No
Price: £200
*Non-independent testing
In-Line: Lumi-Con P5 Bike Harvester
Lumi-Con P5 dynamo USB charger.
The Lumi-Con P5 offers excellent specs for the price. It has the 2nd highest power output at 15KPH of any charger, and above 20KPH it’s the 4th most powerful. Additionally, it’s fitted with 3500mAh worth of batteries which will have saved some power for when you’ve finished your ride.
Speed at 2.5W: 14KPH
Power at 20KPH:
4-watts
Power Output Graph:
HERE
Buffer Battery:
2500 or 3500mAh
Price: €99
In-Line: kLite USB Charger
Kerry at kLite makes some amazing light and dynamo systems for remote backcountry use. His focus is specifically on reliability, so his systems are as simple as possible, using thick internal cabling, full waterproofing and smoothing capacitors that offer ultra-consistent waveforms (best practice for direct charging; Kerry says they take up half the charging unit). The kLite charger also offers solar charger input and 2x USB output ports (1x Spot Tracker or GPS + a smartphone or other power-hungry device).
Speed at 2.5W: 16KPH (non-independent testing)
Power at 20KPH:
3.2-watts (non-independent testing)
Power Output Graph:
HERE
Buffer Battery:
Available separately
Price: US $140
In-Line: Sinewave Revolution
Sinewave Revolution dynamo USB charger.
This small 38-gram waterproof charger can be connected directly to phones or power packs and is especially popular given it offers the same performance as the Reactor but with a lower price tag. It will achieve 2.5W at 17KPH, 3W at 20KPHH and 4.5W at 30KPH. Like all Sinewave products, it’s made in the USA.
Speed at 2.5W: 17KPH
Power at 20KPH:
3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: No
Price: US $120
In-Line: Busch and Muller E-Werk
B&M E-Werk dynamo USB charger. Image: GPSRadler.de
The E-Werk is a unique unit as you can control the voltage (2.8 to 13.3 V) and current (0.1 to 1,5 A) to suit the charging specifications for each device you’d like to charge. While it’s a great idea in theory, it really just makes the charger more complicated than necessary. The only time I can see this feature being useful is if you’re regularly travelling ultra-fast (40KPH+) or slow (<7KPH). In terms of performance, the E-Werk will hit smartphone levels of charging at 17.5KPH and by 30KPH it will be producing over 4-watts.
Speed at 2.5W: 17.5KPH
Power at 20KPH:
3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: Available separately for $105
Price: US $210
In-Line: Busch and Muller USB-Werk
B&M USB-Werk dynamo USB charger.
The USB Werk is the more recent release from Busch and Muller (it’s getting old now). It’s a stripped-back version of the E-Werk but with tiny buffer battery built-in. It can achieve smartphone levels of charging (2.5-watts) somewhere between 14 and 19KPH (two different tests).
Speed at 2.5W: 14 to 19KPH
Power at 20KPH:
2.6 to 3.3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE and HERE
Buffer Battery: 300mAh
Price: US $150
In-Line: USB2BYK
USB2BYK dynamo USB charger.
Speed at 2.5W: 20KPH (non-independent testing)
Power at 20KPH:
2.5-watts (non-independent testing)
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: €39
In-Line: Kemo M172N
Kemo M172N dynamo USB charger.
The Kemo M172N is a dynamo USB charger with a built-in switch so that you can choose between sending power to your lights or your USB device. It’s an absolute bargain, and from all accounts, works really well if your average speed is above 20KPH.
Speed at 2.5W: 22KPH
Power at 20KPH:
2.3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: No
Price: €30
In-Line: PowerBUG
Another cheap charger from Poland is the PowerBUG. While you need quite high speeds to access smartphone levels of power, it definitely won’t break the bank.
Speed at 2.5W: 25KPH
Power at 20KPH:
2.3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Buffer Battery: No
Price: €30 (139 zł)
In-Line: Ullmann Power Station 4
Ullmann Power Station 4 dynamo USB charger.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: US $130
In-Line: LightCharge2 Dynamo USB Charger
LightCharge2 dynamo USB charger.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: US $50
In-Line: VeloCharger USB GPS/Phone Charger
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: US $85
In-Line: BioLogic ReeCharge Dynamo Kit
Biologic ReeCharge dynamo USB charger.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Buffer Battery:
No
Price: US $39
In-Line: Zzing Kit
Zzing dynamo USB charger.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Buffer Battery:
2000mAh or 2700mAh (+€10)
Price: €99
Light: Spanninga Nomad
Spanninga Nomad dynamo USB charger.
The Spanninga Nomad is, by far, the cheapest light and USB charger combo. It has a small form factor, with the USB plug hidden on the side of the lamp. It offers a lower 40 lux light output than the competition (compared to the B&M 90 lux and AXA 70 lux) but offers more USB power at 20KPH.
Speed at 2.5W: 18KPH
Power at 20KH:
3.4-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Battery: No
Price: US $50
Light: Sinewave Beacon
Sinewave Beacon dynamo USB charger.
The third dynamo USB charger from Sinewave is an LED light with 750 lumens output and an integrated switch for charging. The Beacon uses the same internals as the Revolution and Reactor so you can expect a strong smartphone charge at 17KPH. Interestingly, this light has a ‘Charger Priority Mode’ which will provide the minimum brightness to the LEDs and will send the rest of the power to the USB plug. Pretty cool! I’ve written a detailed article about the Sinewave Beacon light HERE.
Speed at 2.5W: 17KPH
Power at 20KPH:
3-watts
Power Output Graph: HERE
Battery: No
Price: US $350
Light: B&M Lumotec IQ2 Luxos
B&M Lumotec IQ2 Luxos dynamo USB charger.
Introduced to consumers at the 2012 Eurobike tradeshow, this 90lux dynamo light incorporates a handlebar switch and USB plug so that you can charge and ride. It’s a super neat and integrated design, however, comes with mixed reviews when it comes to its charging ability. Even so, this is a great dynamo light with a nice beam shape for on-road use.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Battery:
No
Price: US $260
Light: AXA Luxx70 Plus
Axa Luxx70 Plus dynamo USB charger.
The AXA Luxx70 Plus is a similar product to the Lumotec IQ2 light, providing a handlebar switch to select between using the LED light or USB charger. The key advantage of this product is the exceptional price point. From all accounts, it works really well too.
Speed at 2.5W: No data
Power at 20KPH:
No data
Battery:
No
Price: US $150
Learn About Hub Dynamo USB Chargers HERE, Dynamo Wiring Systems HERE, Buffer Batteries HERE and Dynamo Lights HERE
