Trade Show Charging Station Buyer's Guide: Bar Tables and Pedestals
A trade show charging station gives attendees a reason to stop at your booth and a reason to stay. While a phone charges, you have a few minutes to demonstrate your product or start a conversation. The stations in this guide are branded furniture: a bar table or pedestal with a four-port USB hub built into the top and your graphics on the sides. We build all of them at our Virginia production facility. This guide compares three, and explains what to check before you buy.
In this guide: Why add a charging station to your booth?|Three charging stations compared|More options worth knowing|What to check before you buy|Which one to choose|Common questions
Round Bar Table Charging Station
Square Bar Table Charging Station
Square Pedestal Charging Station
Circle Pedestal Charging Station
Round Bar Table
Why add a charging station to your booth?
- It draws people in. Attendees are on their phones all day, and a place to charge is a reason to step into your booth.
- It keeps them there. A charging phone gives you time to talk.
- It keeps your own team powered. That matters when your staff capture leads on their devices.
- It is branded. Four printed graphic panels are included, so the station matches the rest of your booth.
Three charging stations compared
| Round Bar Table Charging Station | Square Bar Table Charging Station | Square Pedestal Charging Station | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Bar table with a round top | Bar table with a square top | Enclosed pedestal |
| Size | 23"w x 23"d x 41"h | 23"w x 23"d x 41"h | 19"w x 19"d x 41"h |
| Weight | 24 lb | 28 lb | 26 lb |
| Top holds | 20 lb | 20 lb | 50 lb |
| Charging | Four-port USB hub | Four-port USB hub | Four-port USB hub |
| Graphic panels | Four, each 7.5"w x 40"h | Four, each 7.5"w x 40"h | Four, each 14.5"w x 40"h |
| Turnaround | 5 business days after proof approval | 5 business days after proof approval | 5 business days after proof approval |
Round Twist Bar Table Charging Station
Best for: a standing spot where a few people can gather and charge.
The round bar table is a natural place for a quick standing meeting. Lightweight aluminum extrusions connect the table top to the base, the whole table breaks down for compact shipping, and one person can assemble it in a few minutes. A four-port high speed USB charging hub sits in the center of the table, nearly flush with the top. The top comes in black or white laminate or European birch plywood.
- Overall size: 23"w x 23"d x 41"h
- Weight: 24 lb
- Top shelf capacity: 20 lb
- Graphics: four printed panels included, each 7.5"w x 40"h
- Shipping weight: 31 lb in a box, or 64 lb in the optional case
- Warranty: lifetime
Square Twist Bar Table Charging Station
Best for: angular booths, quick meetings and product demos.
The square bar table has the same footprint and height as the round one, with a square top that suits an angular booth. It is available in birch, black or white laminate. Lightweight aluminum extrusions connect the top to the base, and the table assembles in a few minutes and breaks down to ship compactly. The USB charging hub sits nearly flush with the tabletop for a streamlined look.
- Overall size: 23"w x 23"d x 41"h
- Weight: 28 lb
- Top shelf capacity: 20 lb
- Graphics: four printed panels included, each 7.5"w x 40"h
- Shipping weight: 31 lb in a box, or 64 lb in the optional case
- Warranty: lifetime
Mobile Phone Charging Station, Twist Square Pedestal M
Best for: the most graphic space in the smallest footprint.
This freestanding charging station is a fully enclosed pedestal, so its four graphic panels are nearly twice as wide as those on the bar tables. It is built from laminate or wood shelves and premium extruded aluminum poles, and assembles with only the included Allen wrench. It comes standard in black laminate and is also available in white or European birch. The standard height is 41", and other heights can be made on request. Locking doors and inner shelves are available as options.
- Overall size: 19"w x 19"d x 41"h
- Weight: 26 lb
- Top shelf capacity: 50 lb
- Graphics: four printed panels included, each 14.5"w x 40"h, printed on PVC with a UV flatbed printer
- Shipping weight: 33 lb in a box, or 66 lb in the optional case
- Warranty: lifetime on the pedestal hardware, 1 year on the USB charging port
More options worth knowing
- Circle Pedestal Charging Station: the same 19" x 19" x 41" footprint with a round top, at 23 lb.
- Bar tables without charging: the Round Twist Bar Table and Square Twist Bar Table are the same tables without the USB hub.
- Renting: for a single show, the round table is also offered as a charging station rental.
- Other shapes: we can convert almost any of our Twist counters and kiosks into a charging station.
What to check before you buy
Power at your booth
A charging station plugs into an outlet, and most shows charge for electrical service. Order power for your booth and plan where the cord will run. A notch in the back panel lets the cord exit the station.
Table or pedestal
A bar table has a wider top and invites people to stand around it. A pedestal takes less floor space, holds more weight on top and shows a larger graphic.
How many devices
Each station has four USB ports. For a busy booth, consider two stations rather than one.
Cables
The hub provides USB ports. Decide whether you will supply charging cables or ask visitors to use their own.
Shipping
Each station ships in a cardboard box, or in an optional hard case. If it will travel to several shows, the case is worth it. See our shipping case buyer's guide.
Which one should you choose?
Common questions
Will visitors leave their phones unattended?
Usually they stay with them, which is the point: a few minutes of charging is a few minutes of conversation. Keep the station where your staff can see it.
Can it charge laptops?
Plan on phones and tablets. Many laptops need more power than a USB hub provides, so they should use their own chargers.
Can I use a charging station in my office or lobby?
Yes. It works anywhere with an outlet, such as a waiting room, lobby or event space.
Need help?
Not sure which charging station fits your booth? See all of our trade show charging stations.






