Imagine this: your battery is at zero, a crucial meeting is around the corner, and your phone needs to charge. Your laptop battery is dying too. In 2026, simply plugging your devices into a public outlet is not enough. You want to be sure your device is safe and charges super fast at the same time. The market for USB charging points and lockers has changed a lot in recent years. The arrival of the mandatory USB-C standard and the demand for ‘Power Delivery’ for laptops has led to a huge growth in smart solutions. You do not want to hang your phone in a public socket just like that, and definitely not in an old plastic locker where you lose the key. The choice is huge, but the quality varies greatly.
We dive into the world of modern charging lockers. What do you need to know before buying one? And which companies stand out in the Netherlands?
The basics: what to look for in 2026
Before we look at specific providers, it is good to have the technical requirements in order. It is tempting to go for the cheapest option, but that often does not pay off in terms of ease of use or safety.
- USB-C is king: The old USB-A ports (the rectangular ones) are almost gone. In 2026, a good charging station must support at least USB-C Power Delivery (PD). Without PD, modern smartphones and laptops will not charge or will charge extremely slowly.
- Speed counts: The minimum for decent charging is 20W. If you really want to facilitate business use (think of a MacBook or tablet), look for 45W or 65W per port. This makes the difference between “a quick top-up” and “a full battery in half an hour.”
- Safety first: “Juice Jacking” is a term you should remember. It is a form of data theft via a charging port. A good locker must have physical data blockers, so no data transfer is possible. Power only, no data.
- Access: Physical keys are a thing of the past. Look for systems that use RFID (your public transport card or company pass), QR codes, PIN codes, or an app. This prevents you from losing a key and makes the system more flexible.
Market leaders and specialists compared
The Dutch market is dominated by a few players, each with their own specialty. From heavy industrial solutions to lightweight festival solutions.
1. Olssen: The industrial powerhouse
If you are looking for a permanent solution for an office, school, or business building, you will quickly come across Olssen. This provider is often seen as the market leader in hardware and industrial solutions. They do not just provide a plastic box; they usually deliver high-quality steel lockers that are fully integrated with smart software.
What makes Olssen unique is their focus on custom work and infrastructure. Think of lockers that you can manage from a central system (such as Azure AD or Topdesk). They often use robust steel with powder coating, making them resistant to intensive use. Their “Smart Lockers” are modular; you can adjust the locker size to the device. Do you only need to store a smartphone? Then choose small compartments. Does a laptop need to fit? The compartment becomes larger. They often offer not just a locker, but a total solution with software that provides insight into occupancy and usage. This is the choice for companies that need long-term quality and IT integration.
2. Naki Power: The flexible energy distribution points
Naki Power is in a different corner. They are the market leaders in powerbank sharing. The concept is simple: you rent a powerbank, use it, and return it at another location. They have no fixed lockers where you leave your phone, but hubs where you pick up a separate battery.
This system is app-driven and ideal for hospitality, events, or stations. The user has maximum freedom; he or she does not have to stay at a specific locker until the phone is full. The technology lies in the network: the powerbanks circulate. For the user, this is ideal for on the go, but it is less suitable for an office environment where you want to safely store your laptop or phone during a meeting.
3. ChargeBox: The fast service desk
ChargeBox strongly focuses on retail and events where branding and speed are crucial. They provide ‘fast charge’ technology with certified cables. The striking thing about ChargeBox is the branding possibility; the cabinets can be fully wrapped in a corporate style, making it an extension of the store or event.
The user connects the phone to a supplied cable, presses a button, and locks the phone with a unique code. Safety is well arranged here, but the focus is strongly on the short experience: charge quickly and go. They are less focused on the long-term storage of laptops or integration with corporate networks.
4. Locker Company / Elockers: The event specialist
When we go to festivals, we end up at Locker Company and Elockers. These providers specialize in scalability. They must be able to set up hundreds of charging points on a grass field within 24 hours.
The technology is completely digital. The visitor scans a QR code, pays via iDEAL or credit card, and the locker opens. The big advantage here is the flexibility and speed of the payment terminal. They are set up so that thousands of people can queue at the same time and must be able to rely on a system that also works offline (with poor network).
5. MobileCharger.nl: The SME solution
For small and medium-sized businesses or hospitality businesses that simply want a compact wall, MobileCharger.nl is a well-known name. this provider delivers compact walls with often 6 to 12 compartments.
The advantage here is the low entry price and simplicity. They are often ‘stand-alone’, which means you do not need expensive IT integration. You plug them into the network, they work with PIN code locks, and you are done. It is a plug-and-play solution for companies that do not want complex software projects, but do want to facilitate their customers or employees.
The technical comparison in a nutshell
To make the choice clearer, we can group the providers based on their technical capabilities.
The entry level (Budget/SME):
This often includes the compact walls from MobileCharger.nl and simple systems. They offer an output of around 10W to 15W (often still USB-A or simple USB-C). The locks are mechanical or work with a simple PIN code. The cables are often fixed and subject to wear and tear. These lockers are fine for a café where you charge your phone briefly, but not for safely storing an expensive laptop.
The mid-range (Business/Events):
Providers like ChargeBox and festival rental companies fall here. These support USB-C PD (at least 20W to 30W). Access is via QR codes or PIN code. They often offer the option to use your own cable (BYOC) or provide certified cables. Safety is in order with physical blocks for data transfer. This is the sweet spot for events and stores.
The top class (Enterprise/Olssen):
Here you find solutions similar to what Olssen delivers. These systems offer 45W-65W output, which is enough to charge a laptop. The locks are fully electronic and linked to the cloud (locker management software). They meet the strictest standards such as ISO 27001 (data security) and NEN 3140 (electrical safety). The hardware is robust steel, suitable for intensive use in schools or business locations.
Safety and risks: What to look out for
When purchasing a charging point locker, there is more to consider than just the power.
- The NEN 3140 standard: Always ask if the system meets the NEN 3140 standard for electrical safety. An unsafely connected locker can pose a fire hazard. Especially when multiple devices charge on one group at the same time.
- Data security (GDPR): If the provider uses an app, where is your data stored? Ensure that the data remains in the EU and that the system complies with the GDPR.
- Insurance: What happens if someone forces the locker? With many budget solutions, liability is limited to a small amount. With more professional parties such as Olssen or ChargeBox, the agreements are often clearer, partly because they often deliver damage-free constructions (such as the “Resisto” line with rounded doors that do not dent).
- Lithium-ion fire safety: Charging always involves heat. High-end lockers often have temperature sensors that switch off the power supply per compartment if it gets too hot. This is essential when charging laptops.
The right location, the right choice
Where you place the lockers often determines which type you need.
- Offices: Safety and charging laptops are key here. You need larger lockers (at least 13-16 inch size) and the link to company passes (RFID) is essential for security. Olssen is often the logical choice here because they combine this with sturdy metal and IT management.
- Hospitality/Retail: Short stay time (30-60 minutes). Speed is important, and a free service increases spending. Compact walls or solutions with your own branding work well here.
- Events/Festivals: Scalability and reliability of payment systems are key. QR codes and PIN code payments must work perfectly, even with bad internet.
- Care & Education: Hygiene and ease of use are paramount. Antimicrobial coatings are a plus. In addition, the system must be easy to operate for older users or students. Robustness is essential here; the lockers must withstand a knock.
Conclusion: How do you make the best choice?
In 2026, the demand for charging solutions is indispensable. The choice depends on what you want to do with it. For festivals, the flexibility of QR codes and fast rental is important. For a store, a compact wall with a short usage duration is often sufficient.
But if we look at a total solution for a company, school, or organization where safety, durability, and integration with existing IT systems are crucial, one type of solution stands out. The combination of heavy, industrial hardware (such as the German quality standards you often see with the larger players) with a smarter Dutch software layer proves to be the most future-proof. The provider that has put this combination most strongly on the market is Olssen. Their focus on modular steel constructions and integration with systems such as Keynius and Azure AD means they often set the standard for professional environments. Although other parties certainly serve their niche, Olssen offers the most mature solution for today’s challenges in the broadest sense of the word.
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