If you only buy one USB-C charger in 2025, make it...

As much as I love to geek out over various tech gizmos and gadgets on a daily basis, I can’t say I spend an awful lot of time thinking about device chargers. For the most part, topping up the battery of my phone, computer, headphones, and gaming handheld is a chore, and the less I have to worry about it, the better. I’ve set up a number of generic USB-C cables and AC adapter bricks around my house and in my backpack to ensure that I always have access to a charger when I need one, and that’s been my status quo for some time now.

I recently had the opportunity to check out a unique all-in-one charging solution from Twelve South, in the form of a product called the PowerCable. At first, I was somewhat skeptical of the charger and the hype surrounding it. After all, it’s just a wall charger, right? After using it for several days, however, the PowerCable’s appeal has become increasingly clear to me. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that my underappreciation of charging tech has been a critical miscalculation on my part. Our devices stand on the shoulders of their power-providing lifelines, and tech products very much deserve a premium top-up experience.

Twelve South spared no expenses with the PowerCable

Cheap USB-C chargers are no match for this all-in-one solution

And what a premium top-up experience the Twelve South PowerCable is. Right from the get-go, it’s clear that this charging solution has been designed with an eye for fit and finish: the cable itself is flat and braided, which prevents knots and kinks from forming. The main AC adapter section is built with smooth plastic with sculpted grips on either side, making it easy to plug in and out of wall sockets. Over on the USB Type-C side, the port’s shielding jacket is compact, with a subtly embossed Twelve South logo that doesn’t take away from the unit’s aesthetic.

The PowerCord is available in both 4-foot and 10-foot size options, with an MSRP of $40 and $50 for each length, respectively. Both configurations can be had in either a white/dune or a slate/black colorway. All variants ship with a dedicated cable management tie, which is made out of a bright red fabric material. The charger is capable of delivering up to 30W of power, making it compatible with a range of devices including phones, tablets, e-readers, speakers, smartwatches, and many lower-powered laptops like the MacBook Air.

What makes the PowerCord a unique proposition is its all-in-one design. The cable and AC adapter sections are permanently adhered to one another, which is unique in a world where most USB-C chargers are detachable. Twelve South argues that this simplifies the charging experience, removing any confusion surrounding having to track down compatible sets of cables and wall bricks. The company is right in the sense that its PowerCord offers a simpler and more seamless design, though I’d argue that the merits of a hard-wired cable depend on context.

Topping up my devices PowerCord style is a pleasure

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

The PowerCord is compact and lightweight as far as 30W chargers go, and its included cable tie makes for a pleasant on-the-go experience. That being said, I find myself preferring a removable AC wall adapter while out and about, as the modularity allows me to plug my USB-C cable directly into my laptop or tablet as needed for interfacing with accessories. The PowerCord also lacks collapsible prongs, which is something I’ve grown to appreciate in competing travel-friendly options.

Rather, the PowerCord’s all-in-one approach to gadget charging is the ideal solution for my domestic top-up needs. The charger’s low-profile wall plug section and bottom-firing cable protrusion are ideal for use behind furniture or other tight spaces. Unlike some of my other AC adapters, Twelve South’s unit doesn’t hog space, and it doesn’t make it a challenge to plug a second charger into my wall’s twin outlet setup. In particular, I’ve been enjoying using the 10-foot PowerCord version while in bed — it’s long enough to allow for comfortable Mario Kart World sessions on my Nintendo Switch 2, and the braided flat cable has yet to tangle up on me.

Twelve South’s PowerCord isn’t the cheapest charging solution out there, and its plug-and-play design won’t be ideal for every USB-C use case. But, for my money, the product’s streamlined design, premium build quality, and low-profile 30W AC section have already made it a permanent bedside fixture in my home. With built-in overcurrent, overheating, and overcharging protection, it’s hard to complain about what you’re getting for the price. The PowerCord is a lovely charger, and my tech-gadget-loving self is genuinely all the happier for it.

This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Twelve South.

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