The more gadgets we have, the more charging ports we need to keep them topped up and ready for use. What with smartphones, tablets, watches, power banks, plus all the other tech paraphernalia we drag around with us, we all need more charging ports.
Now U.S. computer accessory brand Plugable has announced what it claims is the first 10-port USB-C charger with patented intelligent power allocation and priority-based charging. The new gadget is designed to charge multiple devices efficiently while reducing the environmental impact, which must be a good thing.
The PS-10CC is aimed at tech enthusiasts, families, small businesses, educational institutions and people on the move. Offering a blend of efficiency, convenience, and sustainability, the PS-10CC is set to reduce cable clutter, limited power outlets and slow charging speeds.
“We’re incredibly proud of the PS-10CC Charger because it addresses a real need for simplicity and efficiency in a tech-driven world,” said Bernie Thompson, the affable CTO of Plugable. “We’ve built a solution that helps people manage their devices without the hassle of multiple chargers. This charger isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating a sustainable, high-quality product that will last for years to come, helping reduce electronic waste in the process.”
In addition to prioritizing charging, the PS-10CC also checks its environmental impact. This 10-port charging device does not use a typical DC barrel power supply. Instead, Plugable suggests users use the USB-C charger for a laptop or similar device that they already own. If it can output a minimum of 18W, it will work.
By leaving out a charger, Plugable claims it can reduce the overall shipping size and weight of the unit, reducing fuel and emissions associated with shipping. More importantly, it reduces e-waste, that global mountain of power chargers that get added to with all those products shipping with unused and unwanted power supplies.
The PS-10CC uses real-time current sensing technology which lets it intelligently distribute power across all connected devices in priority order from left to right. Whether you’re using a power-hungry laptop or a smaller gadget like a smartwatch, the charger dynamically adjusts its power output to deliver the most efficient charge possible. This real-time adjustment ensures devices get optimal power based on their individual needs, preventing overheating or energy waste while maintaining high charging speeds across all 10 ports in priority order.
By taking advantage of priority charging features, users can keep their daily drivers like laptops and tablets in the leftmost ports to keep them topped up and ready to go, while adding lower priority devices further down the line to charge overnight without overburdening the power source.
As the priority devices plugged into the leftmost ports become fully charged, the full charger automatically shifts the excess power to the next set of connected gadgets, ensuring the fastest overall charge time for everything that’s plugged in. Plugable says this is a game-changer for users who rely on critical devices throughout their day and need them ready to go at any time.
For families, the PS-10CC can serve as a central charging hub, helping to keep everyone’s devices organized. Parents can charge their smartphones, laptops, and tablets alongside children’s devices without worrying about cluttered charging stations or limited outlets.
Charge indicator LEDs on the PS-10CC are especially useful in small offices for streamlining charging efforts. Each port on the PS-10CC has a status light that shines solid blue when a device is fully charged. A blinking blue LED shows the device is currently charging, and purple indicates the port is available.
Plugable says it’s built the PS-10CC with sustainability in mind. The charger is made from 50% post-consumer recycled aluminum and 75% PCR PC+ABS. This enables Plugable to make a product designed for today’s needs but built for a more sustainable future. This sustainability-first approach offers peace of mind and practical benefits.
Verdict: The Plugable PS-10C is a well-made piece of tech with its sturdy aluminum casing and array of USB-C charging ports. Each port has a pinpoint blue LED to show the charging status of each device. The intelligent power management is excellent and ensures the charging carries on with a left-to-right priority. The PS-10C is a long device and needs to be used horizontally, so it could end up taking up a fair bit of desk space, but with a bit of thought you should be able to find somewhere where it can sit and not clutter the desk with all those cables. It’s essential to use a good quality charger and the higher the power output, the better. If you are always running out of charging ports, this is the ultimate power gadget for you. The only thing that would make the PS-10C better would be if it were a 10GBs data hub as well.
Pricing & Availability: The Plugable 10-Port PS-10CC USB-C Charger will launch on Kickstarter on October 22, 2024, and shipping will begin in January 2025. The Early Bird price will be $59, while the Kickstarter Special will be $69. After the launch, the regular price on Amazon will be $99.
