For those who solely purchase one USB-C charger in 2025, make it this one

As a lot as I like to geek out over numerous tech gizmos and devices every day, I am unable to say I spend an terrible lot of time enthusiastic about machine chargers. For essentially the most half, topping up the battery of my cellphone, laptop, headphones, and gaming handheld is a chore, and the much less I’ve to fret about it, the higher. I’ve arrange quite a lot of generic USB-C cables and AC adapter bricks round my home and in my backpack to make sure that I at all times have entry to a charger after I want one, and that is been my establishment for a while now.

I lately had the chance to take a look at a novel all-in-one charging answer from Twelve South, within the type of a product referred to as the PowerCable. At first, I used to be considerably skeptical of the charger and the hype surrounding it. In any case, it is only a wall charger, proper? After utilizing it for a number of days, nonetheless, the PowerCable’s attraction has change into more and more clear to me. In reality, I might go so far as to say that my underappreciation of charging tech has been a vital miscalculation on my half. Our units stand on the shoulders of their power-providing lifelines, and tech merchandise very a lot deserve a premium top-up expertise.

Twelve South spared no bills with the PowerCable

Low-cost USB-C chargers aren’t any match for this all-in-one answer

And what a premium top-up expertise the Twelve South PowerCable is. Proper from the get-go, it is clear that this charging answer has been designed with an eye fixed for match and end: the cable itself is flat and braided, which prevents knots and kinks from forming. The primary AC adapter part is constructed with easy plastic with sculpted grips on both facet, making it straightforward to plug out and in of wall sockets. Over on the USB Type-C facet, the port’s shielding jacket is compact, with a subtly embossed Twelve South emblem that does not take away from the unit’s aesthetic.

The PowerCord is out there in each 4-foot and 10-foot measurement choices, with an MSRP of $40 and $50 for every size, respectively. Each configurations could be had in both a white/dune or a slate/black colorway. All variants ship with a devoted cable administration tie, which is made out of a vivid pink material materials. The charger is able to delivering as much as 30W of energy, making it suitable with a spread of units together with telephones, tablets, e-readers, audio system, smartwatches, and lots of lower-powered laptops just like the MacBook Air.

What makes the PowerCord a novel proposition is its all-in-one design. The cable and AC adapter sections are completely adhered to at least one one other, which is exclusive in a world the place most USB-C chargers are removable. Twelve South argues that this simplifies the charging expertise, eradicating any confusion surrounding having to trace down suitable units of cables and wall bricks. The corporate is true within the sense that its PowerCord gives an easier and extra seamless design, although I might argue that the deserves of a hard-wired cable rely upon context.

Topping up my units PowerCord model is a pleasure

The product’s all-in-one design has its execs and cons

The PowerCord is compact and light-weight so far as 30W chargers go, and its included cable tie makes for a nice on-the-go expertise. That being mentioned, I discover myself preferring a detachable AC wall adapter whereas out and about, because the modularity permits me to plug my USB-C cable straight into my laptop computer or pill as wanted for interfacing with accessories. The PowerCord additionally lacks collapsible prongs, which is one thing I’ve grown to understand in competing travel-friendly choices.

Fairly, the PowerCord’s all-in-one strategy to gadget charging is the best answer for my home top-up wants. The charger’s low-profile wall plug part and bottom-firing cable protrusion are perfect for use behind furnishings or different tight areas. In contrast to a few of my different AC adapters, Twelve South’s unit would not hog house, and it would not make it a problem to plug a second charger into my wall’s twin outlet setup. Particularly, I have been having fun with utilizing the 10-foot PowerCord model whereas in mattress — it is lengthy sufficient to permit for snug Mario Kart World classes on my Nintendo Switch 2, and the braided flat cable has but to tangle up on me.

Twelve South’s PowerCord is not the most cost effective charging answer on the market, and its plug-and-play design will not be supreme for each USB-C use case. However, for my cash, the product’s streamlined design, premium construct high quality, and low-profile 30W AC part have already made it a everlasting bedside fixture in my residence. With built-in overcurrent, overheating, and overcharging safety, it is onerous to complain about what you are getting for the worth. The PowerCord is a beautiful charger, and my tech-gadget-loving self is genuinely all of the happier for it.

This machine was supplied to Pocket-lint by Twelve South.

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