Quick answer: FreePower is a built-in wireless charging system installed beneath a countertop so phones can charge without visible cords, pads, or outlets on the counter. For a high-end custom kitchen, it is worth considering when a clean island, hidden technology, and daily convenience matter more than lowest cost. At Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry, we have FreePower installed in our Mechanicsburg showroom and have installed nearly a dozen systems in client kitchens over the past two years.
- Best fit: luxury kitchen remodels with stone, engineered stone, or wood counters where invisible charging supports the design.
- Main tradeoff: the installed cost is meaningfully higher than a simple plug-in charger or single-device under-counter charger.
- Design value: it keeps the countertop clear while supporting multiple devices and preserving the look of a custom kitchen island.
- Next step: compare FreePower with appliances, outlets, cabinetry features, and countertop details during the design phase, not after fabrication.
FreePower belongs in the same design conversation as appliance garages, hidden outlets, microwave drawers, lighting controls, and other premium kitchen details. It is not just a charger; it is a decision about how visible technology should be in a finished custom kitchen.
That is why we like evaluating it in the showroom. You can see the charging halo, feel how it works through the counter surface, and decide whether the convenience earns its place in the overall remodel budget. In some kitchens, FreePower is the right kind of quiet luxury. In others, a simpler charging drawer, hidden outlet, or lower-cost under-counter charger may be the better design choice.
What FreePower Adds to a Custom Kitchen
FreePower is an elegant piece of built-in kitchen technology. It was introduced to many designers at the 2024 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and has earned attention because it solves a real luxury-kitchen problem: people want phones nearby, but they do not want cord clutter on a finished countertop.
- Hidden installation: the charging hardware is installed beneath the counter, keeping the surface visually clean.
- Multiple-device charging: the broad charging zone can support more than one compatible device at a time.
- Charging halo: a visible guide helps users know where to place a device without leaving a permanent charger on the counter.
- Material compatibility: FreePower is designed for many premium countertop materials, including natural stone, engineered stone, and wood, subject to fabrication requirements.
- Showroom-tested: Mother Hubbard’s has the system installed in our Mechanicsburg showroom so clients can see it before choosing it.
- Design-phase decision: this is best planned before countertop fabrication so wiring, placement, cabinet access, and user habits all work together.
The cost is the honest sticking point. Around $1,500 before any related installation or design coordination is not an impulse upgrade. In a full custom kitchen remodel, though, the right comparison is not just charger versus charger. It is FreePower versus the other premium details competing for the same budget: appliance upgrades, drawer inserts, lighting, specialty cabinetry, countertop edge details, and hidden power solutions.
Lower-Cost Ways to Keep a Kitchen Counter Cord-Free
If the goal is a cleaner countertop but FreePower is not the right investment, there are still design-friendly ways to reduce cord clutter. The best choice depends on counter material, thickness, charging habits, device mix, cabinetry layout, and how much visible hardware you are willing to accept.
1: Kew Labs UTS-2 Invisible Wireless Charger
- Price: $185 (Kew Labs UTS-2)
- What It Does: This sneaky little charger hides under your countertop, sending wireless power to your Qi-enabled devices like a tech ninja.
Key Features:
- Invisible Design: No visible wires or pads, keeping your countertop as clean as a Zen garden.
- Material Compatibility: Works with non-metallic surfaces like quartz, granite, and wood, tested with brands like Cosentino and Neolith.
- Fast Charging: Supports Apple (7.5W) and Samsung (9W) fast charge, plus other Qi devices like AirPods and Kindles.
- Easy Installation: Uses double-sided tape for a quick setup, ideal for 8-12mm thick surfaces (though thicker ones may need routing).
- Safety First: Patented IPC™ technology ensures safe, efficient charging, approved by leading surface manufacturers.
- Why It’s Awesome: At $185 – without installation – it’s a steal compared to Freepower.io. You get the same invisible charging vibe without needing to refinance your home. Plus, it’s half the size of its predecessor, making installation a breeze.
- The Catch: It’s not as flashy as Freepower.io’s Charging Halo, the installation requires some McGiver-ish work, and it’s not widely installed as of this writing, so longevity might be an issue.
2. ONE POINTECH DIY
- Price: The units look to be under $65, but are bare-bones.
- What It Does: These chargers stick under your countertop, powering devices through thick surfaces for a seamless charging experience.
Key Features:
- Thick Surface Support: Two models—QB06 (10mm-30mm) and QB21 (20mm-50mm)—handle everything from thin laminates to chunky granite.
- Material Versatility: Compatible with quartz, granite, marble, and other non-metallic surfaces.
- Simple Installation: Adhesive setup makes it DIY-friendly, though professionals can handle it too.
- High Efficiency: Up to 87% charging efficiency, reducing heat and boosting speed.
- Customizable Pads: Optional resonator pads can feature your logo or QR code, adding a branding touch.
- Why It’s Awesome: ONE POINTECH’s focus on thick countertops makes it ideal for kitchens with substantial surfaces.
- The Catch: What you’re buying is a bare-bones inductive charger with a cord that will require DIY or professional installation underneath a desk our countertop. It also requires a resonator, a black adhesive circle thingy, that will spoil the visual on top of the hard surface.
3. Let the Kitchen Design Solve the Charging Problem
- Price: usually far less than a dedicated premium charging system.
- What we do: during kitchen design, we look for places to hide outlets, wire chases, charging drawers, appliance-garage power, or compact charging cubes so the finished kitchen stays clean.
- Why it works: the charging plan is built into the cabinetry and countertop plan instead of added awkwardly later.
- The catch: it requires planning early. Retrofitting hidden power after cabinets and counters are installed is harder, more limited, and often less elegant.
When FreePower Is Worth It
FreePower makes the most sense when the kitchen island or main prep area is already being treated as a premium design feature. If the goal is a quiet, uncluttered surface where family members and guests naturally set down phones, built-in charging can support the way the kitchen is actually used.
It is also a better fit when the homeowner values integrated technology and is comfortable investing in details that disappear into the design. The system’s broad charging zone, charging halo, and under-counter installation are what separate it from a basic wireless pad.
FreePower is less compelling when the remodel budget is tight, when only one person needs occasional charging, or when a charging drawer, outlet location, or lower-cost under-counter charger solves the practical problem well enough.
How to Choose Countertop Charging for Your Remodel
For a high-end kitchen, the right charging solution should be chosen the same way you choose cabinetry, appliances, lighting, and countertops: by asking how the kitchen will be used every day.
- Choose FreePower if invisible charging, multi-device convenience, and a clean island surface are priorities.
- Choose a lower-cost under-counter charger if you want hidden charging but can accept more placement limits or visible indicators.
- Choose a design-integrated outlet or charging drawer if the practical need is power access rather than a premium countertop feature.
Visit our Mechanicsburg kitchen showroom to see FreePower in person, or review our kitchen design process to see how details like countertop charging are planned before cabinetry and surfaces are finalized. If you are considering a kitchen remodel in Central Pennsylvania, contact Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry and we can talk through whether FreePower belongs in your design.
Quick Answers About FreePower Countertop Charging
Can FreePower be installed in an existing countertop?
Usually, FreePower is best planned during a remodel or countertop replacement because the charger, wiring, cabinet access, and fabrication requirements need to be coordinated before the surface is finished.
Does FreePower replace normal outlets?
No. It can reduce visible charging clutter, but a well-designed kitchen still needs practical outlet placement for appliances, cooking tools, and code-compliant power access.
Is FreePower only for luxury kitchens?
It is most appropriate for higher-end projects where the homeowner values invisible technology, clean surfaces, and a polished island or countertop experience.
Where can Central Pennsylvania homeowners see it?
Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry has FreePower installed in our Mechanicsburg showroom, serving homeowners from Harrisburg, Carlisle, Hershey, York, and the surrounding Central Pennsylvania area.
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