TwelveSouth PowerBug

£49.99

The TwelveSouth PowerBug offers a unique charging option, where you can magnetically snap your device to the charging unit to power it up, providing a super-compact and completely wireless charging option.

The PowerBug is a super-small and compact unit that plugs into your wall socket to transform it into a magnetic charging dock for your phone. The PowerBug is designed for MagSafe and Qi-enabled devices, which support a magnetic charging connection. However, one of the nifty additions of the PowerBug is that it also has a USB-C port on the bottom where you can plug in non-wireless charging devices, enabling you to charge two devices at once from a single plug.

Thanks to the magnetic charging connection, you can simply click your phone to the PowerBug, and it offers a completely wireless option, lifted up away from your counter, nightstand or desk to save on clutter. If you have a plug above your desk or nightstand, the PowerBug is especially useful for utilising IOS Standby mode, as it means you can put a clock on your device's screen, turning your device into an alarm clock whilst it charges magnetically. Plus, through the magnetic connection, you can even turn your phone horizontally and use the PowerBug as a phone stand to watch shows or films.

The design is super innovative and ideal for those without a lot of space near their plug to hold their phone, and so they can make the most of the wireless connection to save on space and clutter. However, I worry that with the wireless charger function alone, you are a bit more limited on the functionality of your device because, unless your plug sockets are in an ideal location where you can use the PowerBug as a stand whilst charging, it may make using your phone whilst charging a little less convenient. Thankfully, with both the wired and wireless connections within the PowerBug, you can choose between using the wireless charging option, where your phone is more tethered to where your plug socket is, or you can use the PowerBug with a wired charging connection, which might give a bit more freedom to use and move your phone even whilst it's charging.

In terms of power, the PowerBug is pretty good with 35W of fast charging with the USB-C PD port, which can be split into a 20W USB-C output and a 15W wireless charging output for simultaneous charging. This provides a decent speed for charging your devices, ideal for use when charging your devices throughout the day or overnight. One of the other useful aspects of the PowerBug is that the plug prongs can be folded down, making the unit super compact, and ideal for fitting into your bag or purse for charging on the go – just don’t forget a charging cable if you want to use the wired charging option! 

Overall, if you’re looking for a sleek and minimalist way to transform your plugs into a wireless charging dock, then the PowerBug from TwelveSouth is an innovative and functional option to charge your devices.

Pros:

• Sleek and minimalist design for cable-free charging
• Option for both wired and wireless charging
• Turns any socket into a charging dock

Cons:

• If your plug sockets are not in ideal locations, the wireless charging option might not be as convenient to use if you can’t see your device