I upgraded my desk with an influence grommet. It was price each penny
I’ve had quite a lot of cool tech come throughout my desk over time, from wi-fi charging mousepads to high-end webcams, from assorted fidget toys to overpriced workplace chairs. There’s all the time one thing new to mess with, however just lately I attempted one thing small with big outcomes: I added the Uplift Pop-Up Energy Grommet to my standing desk.
No, wait, for actual… This unassuming desk modification is definitely rather a lot cooler and extra helpful than it first seems. Certain, it doesn’t do a lot for gaming FPS and it isn’t as flashy as a 4K ultrawide, however for somebody like me who has tons of devices and equipment mendacity round, it is useful on daily basis and elevates my desk expertise for it.
Hear me out! Let me let you know about this nifty little factor that you just would possibly in any other case overlook and cross on by.
Everlasting USB charging on demand
I’ve so many USB chargers and cables in my home, however I nonetheless discover myself looking for one or the opposite at the very least a few times every week. Perhaps my spouse’s taken one for one thing, or possibly I’ve nicked my regular cable to attach my telephone to my PC.
With this energy grommet embedded in my desk, it’s all the time there and all the time inside attain. It comes with a pair of 18W USB-A charging ports and a barely quicker 20W USB-C charging port, so it has loads of choices for juicing up a number of units without delay (telephones, tablets, and so forth.).
Jon Martindale / Foundry
And because it’s instantly linked to an influence outlet, there’s no divvying up the juice between units—I get the total charging velocity whether or not I’m charging one system or a number of. Wouldn’t it be good if one of many ports went as much as 100W for charging laptops and heavier units? Clearly! However for day by day wants, after I’m chained to my desk all day anyway, it’s sufficient.
Hidden energy shops, additionally on demand
Thus far, nothing particular. You will discover loads of USB charging grommets on the market. However what I actually love about this one by Uplift is that it additionally has a built-in dice of AC energy shops—and it pops up solely after I want it.
A agency press reveals the 4 hidden, full-sized, grounded 120V shops that present all of the vitality I must energy my PC, laptop computer charger, desk lamp, and just about every other system or accent that wants devoted energy (or further charging past the USB ports).

Jon Martindale / Foundry
Uplift appears properly conscious of how ugly it appears to have full-sized energy shops in your desk, so the pop-up mechanism is nice for those who’re into minimalist or smooth designs. It hides away whenever you don’t want any of the ability shops, but entry is fast and straightforward whenever you do. It maintains the flat aesthetic of a tidy desk, however provides you energy at your fingertips.
It’s straightforward to put in and it really works properly
This energy grommet, like the opposite ones bought by Uplift, is designed for the cutouts in Uplift’s desks—however these cutouts are practically the identical as the usual throughout most workplace desks: 3.15 inches (80mm) in diameter. What which means is, you don’t want an Uplift desk to make the most of this superior pop-up energy grommet.
To put in, I simply slip the highest portion down by way of the outlet, then use the locking ring to safe it from the underside of the desk. It doesn’t get simpler than that! It additionally matches most desk thicknesses, too, being suitable with desks between 0.5 and three inches deep. That’s excellent for the thick butcher block floor of my very own desk, but versatile sufficient to suit most dwelling workplace desks—even the thinner and leaner ones.

Jon Martindale / Foundry
As soon as it’s by way of the grommet gap, all you’ll want to do is plug it into the closest wall outlet. It has a single lengthy 10-foot grounded energy cable, offering sufficient size to achieve any energy socket whereas having further slack in case you’re utilizing a standing desk.
It’s all totally protected, too. The rationale this energy grommet is so massive is due to all of the surge safety packed inside. Now, as an alternative of getting a standalone surge protector or becoming a cumbersome energy strip below my desk or having it lie untidily on the ground, I’ve simply the one cable working down from my energy grommet to the wall.
Yep, I’m excited by an influence grommet
It’s most likely an indication of my age that this energy grommet has gotten me so excited that I’ve satisfied my editor to let me write about it and spent a scorching afternoon typing up why I adore it a lot.
However I child you not, it is a actually helpful little accent. It cuts again on cable mess, it means I’m not continually looking out round for a USB charger after I want it, and I can’t let you know how handy it’s to have energy shops that pop up at chest top (with a standing desk).

Uplift
I’m all the time testing new displays, gaming PCs, and different gear that wants direct energy from a full-sized outlet. Often which means bending over—there’s that age factor once more—and rooting round with the ability strips I’ve tucked away behind my desk. With this energy grommet, none of that’s vital. I can simply attain over, pop it up, and plug within the system right away, no fiddling or fussing required.
Is that this about severe laziness on my half? Perhaps. However isn’t this sort of comfort what all of us need from eccentric, area of interest equipment like this? I do know I do! That is the very best desk accent I’ve purchased in a very long time, and I completely plan to get extra of those sooner or later.