Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Wow! When was the last time you looked at a charger and this was your reaction? In the tech world, chargers are the bricks and wires that keep our devices powered, but they are also some of the most boring gadgets around. Useful, yes, but hardly something you want on display.
The Stuffcool Lumo, however, changes the equation. And how!
The Lumo is a magnetic charger that can charge three of your devices together — your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch — while also doubling up as a lamp. And not just any lamp, but a colour-changing RGB lamp. As if that wasn’t enough to make it more interesting, it comes in a moon-shaped design. Yes, it’s a moon-shaped lamp straight from your Pinterest board. A multi-device charger and a fashionable decorative lamp, that is the Lumo.
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When I first took the Lumo out of the box, I had to remind myself that I was looking at a charger. Its moon-shaped design looks more like a little piece of decor. And then there is that soft RGB glow. It doesn’t just charge your gadgets, it also lets you fills your room with mood light.
For a charger, though, it is also not cheap. At Rs 4,999, Stuffcool Lumo 4-in-1 is certainly not the most affordable wireless charger you can buy. So, the question: Is it worth the price and is the mood and the vibe enough for its expensive sticker? Let me share with you my thoughts.
Moonlit design, sturdy build
By far, in this review, I have been going on about the design. And if words cannot quite describe what it feels like, the photos throughout this review will probably do a better job of showing you. It’s one of those gadgets you actually want to leave out on your bedside table rather than hide away when you’re done charging.
But it’s not just pleasing to the eyes. The build quality is also pretty sturdy. It doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap, and there is enough heft to the device to keep it firmly in place on a bedside table. Stuffcool uses an aluminium alloy finish on the Lumo, while the anti-slip base helps keep the charger in place when you attach or remove your phone to it.
Now, to give you an idea of its size, the Stuffcool Lumo measures 17.5 x 16.93 x 7.75cm and weighs around 365g. It isn’t exactly compact, but it also doesn’t take up much space.
What I particularly like is that the design works even when the light is switched off. During the day, it still looks like a little piece of decor rather than a charger waiting to be plugged in.
Strong magnets, decent charging
The main charging pad supports up to 15W Qi2 wireless charging. According to the company it supports 5W, 7.5W, 10W and 15W charging, depending on the phone and charging standard.
But before getting into the charging speeds, let’s talk about the magnets that keep the devices attached to it. They are strong. When I used the charger, my iPhone snapped into place without any fuss and stayed there instead of slowly slipping away from the charging pad. Even phones with compatible magnetic cases worked well.
The strong magnets are even more useful because the Lumo isn’t just a charging pad. You can snap your phone onto it vertically or horizontally, depending on how you want to use it. I mostly kept my iPhone horizontal while charging, as that works particularly well with Apple’s Stand By Mode, turning the phone into a little display.
Now, coming to the actual charging. The Lumo supports up to 15W Qi2 wireless charging for compatible phones, along with 5W wireless charging for earbuds and 2.5W for the Apple Watch. It can charge all three devices together.
In real-world use, though, things slow down considerably when all three charging spots are in use simultaneously.
The phone charging is fine for everyday use, but don’t buy the Lumo expecting particularly fast wireless charging. It is more about convenience than speed. You put your devices down at night and let them charge, rather than worrying about getting the fastest possible top-up.
The Apple Watch, in particular, is a bit slow, taking around three to four hours for a full charge. There were also a few occasions when I snapped the Watch to Lumo but charging did not start, making me take extra care while attaching the Watch to the charger. The iPhone and the AirPods charging pads were more consistent.
One good thing about the Lumo is that despite being a lamp, which is also charging three devices simultaneously, it doesn’t emit much heat. Rather it is surprisingly cool, living up to its Moon-inspired design and name.
A new night lamp
When you’re not charging your gadgets, the Lumo can simply be used as a lamp. This is where the little moon really comes to life.
The moon-shaped design gives the light a soft, ambient feel, while the RGB lighting lets you change the colour depending on your mood. The lamp has a 3W output, adjustable brightness and multiple colour modes.
To control the light, there is a touch button on the Lumo. It is simple to use. Just tap it to switch between the lighting options and adjust the brightness, without needing an app or remote.
It isn’t meant to light up the whole room, but the light is bright enough to create a nice ambient feel, adding a soft glow to the area around your bedside table. It looks good, the light is pleasant, and it makes the Lumo unique.
Stuffcool Lumo 4-in-1 verdict: Should you buy it?
At Rs 4,999, the Stuffcool Lumo isn’t exactly an affordable charger. But then, it isn’t just a charger either. You are getting 15W Qi2 wireless charging, Apple Watch and AirPods charging, a magnetic phone stand and an RGB ambient lamp. Stuffcool currently lists it at Rs 4,999, down from an MRP of Rs 5,999.
I wish the charging speeds were a little faster. For example, the latest Pixel 11 phones support 25W wireless charging. But rest of the bits about Lumo are top class, from design to its build quality.
In other words, if you want a charger that offers more than just charging, something that adds an aesthetic touch to your space, keeps your iPhone, Watch and AirPods in one place and adds a bit of mood lighting to the room, the Lumo is definitely worth checking out.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
