KIWI Design Quest 3 RGB Vertical Charging Stand Review: Comparing Cost and Functions

Written by limarc | Published 2024/03/18
Tech Story Tags: virtual-reality | vr | meta | meta-quest | vr-accessories | vr-hardware | hardware-review | gaming | hackernoon-es | hackernoon-hi | hackernoon-zh | hackernoon-fr | hackernoon-bn | hackernoon-ru | hackernoon-vi | hackernoon-pt | hackernoon-ja | hackernoon-de | hackernoon-ko | hackernoon-tr

TLDROut of all the VR accessories and peripherals I’ve tested, one item type stands out not for its flashy tech or game-changing mechanics, but for its fundamental simplicity and utter indispensability. That item is the charging stand/dock. I know what you’re thinking, “Really? A charging stand?” But hear me out. After reviewing a ton of VR accessories, from the immersive haptic feedback vests to the fantastic Darth Maul Beatsaber Mod, it's this unassuming piece of tech that's become my daily driver. Why? Because it tackles the most mundane yet critical aspect of VR gaming: keeping your VR headset organized, charged, and ready to go. The RGB Vertical Charging Stand by KIWI doesn’t just promise to keep your Quest 3 and controllers from becoming another piece of clutter on your desk or a tripping hazard on your floor. It charges both the headset and battery strap simultaneously to ensure that you never have to worry about running out of headset battery ever again. Let’s dive deep into the specs, design, functionality, and cost comparison of the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand to see if it lives up to the hype.via the TL;DR App

Out of all the VR accessories and peripherals I’ve tested, one item type stands out not for its flashy tech or game-changing mechanics, but for its fundamental simplicity and utter indispensability. That item is the charging stand/dock.

I know what you’re thinking, “Really? A charging stand?”

But hear me out.

After reviewing a ton of VR accessories, from the immersive haptic feedback vests to the fantastic Darth Maul Beatsaber Mod, it's this unassuming piece of tech that's become my daily driver. Why? Because it tackles the most mundane yet critical aspect of VR gaming: keeping your VR headset organized, charged, and ready to go.

The RGB Vertical Charging Stand by KIWI doesn’t just promise to keep your Quest 3 and controllers from becoming another piece of clutter on your desk or a tripping hazard on your floor. It charges both the headset and battery strap simultaneously to ensure that you never have to worry about running out of headset battery ever again.

Let’s dive deep into the specs, design, functionality, and cost comparison of the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand to see if it lives up to the hype.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to write this review. However, KIWI Design sent me this item for free to test for this article.

Table of Contents:

  1. Specs

  2. Design

  3. functionality

  4. Cost

Specs - The Nitty-Gritty

Jumping into the heart of the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand, let's review the specs.

Weight: The stand comes in at a comfortable 3.92 pounds. It isn't just a lightweight contender in the world of VR accessories. It's got enough heft to stay put, even when you're in a rush to grab your headset and jump into another VR adventure.

Dimensions: Standing at 12.05 x 8.66 x 4.29 inches, it's clear the KIWI team put some serious thought into making a stand that's just the right size. It's compact enough not to hog all your desk space but large enough to securely hold your Meta Quest 2/Quest 3/Quest Pro.

Compatibility: Certified with the “Made for Meta” seal of approval, this stand is tailor-made to fit the Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro like a glove, ensuring your headset is always cradled securely and charged up without any fuss. I had no problems setting this up and it’s completely intuitive to use.

Material & Color: Crafted with care, the stand's materials feel premium to the touch, echoing the quality of your VR headset. Cloaked in an elegant shade of black, it’s a piece that doesn’t just scream high tech; it whispers sophistication. If you were lucky enough to buy the first-ever Oculus Quest, you probably remember the velvet touch of the box.

The care Oculus would put into every aspect of design, packaging, and feel. Opening up this dock gave me a nostalgic feeling that I’ve been missing since Meta took over. Their builds are flimsy that require you to spend extra money to replace their crappy head strap that they know everyone is going to replace. KIWI definitely puts in attention to detail that Meta could learn alot from.

Charging Capabilities: Here’s the most important piece of this stand. With a magnetic USB Type-C connector, this stand makes charging your headset as easy as dropping it into place.

No fumbling with cables or ports; just set it and forget it.

The stand singularly focuses on powering up your headset, making sure it’s always ready for your next gaming sesh.

Warranty - Peace of Mind Included

Another important note is that the item comes with a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase to ensure your investment is protected. It’s a nod to their confidence in the product's quality and their commitment to your satisfaction.


Design

First off, I really like how the design looks sleek and modern. It's got that look that meshes well with the rest of your VR setup, which is pretty much what you want if you’re aiming to keep your gaming space feeling more like a high-tech haven and less like a tech junkyard. The stand doesn't scream for attention but rather coolly nods from the corner of the room. And I can’t reiterate enough: it keeps your headset and controllers clean and tidy.

Quality

Handling this stand, it’s clear we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill, churned-out-in-mass accessory. There’s a heft and a finish to it that you won’t find on those too-good-to-be-true deals on AliExpress or Wish. It's reassuring to know that in a market flooded with cheap knock-offs, there are still companies putting effort into quality.

Space Saver

The real MVP feature of its design has to be the form factor. KIWI’s got the right idea making this stand vertical. Space is a premium, especially on gamers' desks, which are already battling for real estate between monitors, keyboards, and that ever-growing collection of gaming memorabilia. The stand keeps your Quest 3 and controllers neatly stacked, charging, and out of the way, making it a solid ally in the fight against clutter.

RGB

I’m not one of those gamers who care about lights on my setup. But if you are one of those people, it comes with a multi-color RGB light band that does add a nice colorful element to it. It is called the “RGB Vertical Charging Stand” after all.

Functionality

Alright, let's dive into what this KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand actually does, beyond just looking pretty on your desk.

Docking Function

First up, the stand does the basics right: it holds two controllers and your headset. This might not sound like rocket science, but in the grand scheme of things, having a dedicated spot for your VR gear is a game-changer. No more leaving your controllers in random places only to forget where you put them. Or worse, finding your headset has been sitting under a pile of clothes (this has literally happened to me multiple times). Everything has its place, and that peace of mind alone is worth the money if you have the budget for it.

Charging Function

Now, onto the main act: charging your headset. You dock it, and it charges - no fumbling with cables or trying to align ports. It's all magnetic, making it as close to magic as we're gonna get. Just drop your headset in, and it takes care of the rest. It's like having a pit stop in your room where your gear gets prepped and ready without you having to lift a finger. Well, maybe just a little to place it on the stand.

The Kiwi SPC Battery Strap Compatibility: The Necessary Cherry on Top

If you've got the Kiwi SPC battery strap, this stand becomes even more of a powerhouse. One of my main issues with the ZyberVR Quest 2 dock is that their design didn’t take into account battery straps.

To charge the headset in the dock, you input a custom magnetic connector into the headset. However, to use your battery headstrap and keep the headset charged while playing, you need to connect the battery back to the headset via a usb-c cable. So it’d be SUPER ANNOYING to have to unplug the custom connector and plug in your battery strap to the headset every ime you play. Kiwi solved that problem perfectly.

Hook up your headset with the SPC strap attached, and the stand figures out how to charge both, prioritizing the headset first. Once that's full, it starts powering up the headstrap. It's a neat little feature that shows some genuine thought went into how to make your VR life a tad easier. It means longer play sessions without the “Oops, I forgot to charge my headstrap” moments.

Cost Comparison

Alright, diving into the price comparison, the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand is tagged at $69.99, putting it neck and neck with ZyberVR's stand, priced slightly lower at $63.99. Both are contenders in the VR accessory arena.

ZyberVR sweetens the deal with rechargeable batteries for your controllers, offering a tangible extra bang for your buck. It's a solid perk, especially if the thought of buying batteries is a hassle you'd rather avoid.

On the flip side, KIWI focuses instead on seamless integration with their SPC battery headstrap. This allows for a single-cable solution to charge both your headset and the headstrap simultaneously, streamlining your setup and cutting down on cable clutter.

So, what's the verdict? If controller batteries are your main concern, ZyberVR might edge out ahead. But for those invested in a tidy, one-cable charging setup, KIWI's offering is the way to go. It boils down to what matters most to you: extra batteries in the box or a cleaner, simpler charging experience. Either way, you're getting a product aimed at making VR gaming a bit more convenient.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Wrapping this up, let's talk bottom line. Between the sleek black finish of the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand and ZyberVR's white counterpart, my vote leans towards KIWI for its aesthetics. There's something about that dark, sleek design that just vibes better with the rest of my setup.

Now, value-wise, ZyberVR does toss in a sweet deal with those rechargeable batteries for the controllers. That's a hard perk to overlook, especially if you're all about getting the most bang for your buck right out of the box.

But KIWI's got its own ace with that one-cable solution, not just keeping your setup looking clean but also showing off some serious thought went into the user experience. Being able to charge the headset and a battery strap together without turning your desk into a wire nest? That's pretty slick.

Sure, not having a direct charge option for the controllers with KIWI's stand is a hiccup. Yet, it's not the kind of dealbreaker that would push me away from recommending it. Especially when you weigh it against the convenience and design thoughtfulness it brings to the table.

For $69.99, I'm leaning hard into recommending the KIWI RGB Vertical Charging Stand. It's not just another piece of gear; it's become an essential part of my daily VR ritual—keeping my gaming space organized and ensuring my headset is always charged up and ready to roll. For anyone deep into their Quest experience, this stand is a solid investment that pays off in both functionality and aesthetics.


Written by limarc | Hacker Noon's VP of Editorial by day, VR Gamer and Anime Binger by night.
Published by HackerNoon on 2024/03/18