We use so many devices nowadays—and as such, we need to charge them all, too. The Plugable PS-6CC Charging Station is up to the task of charging all of your gear, and it's the perfect travel companion.
Moving Power Down the Line
Plugable's latest USB-C hub stands out from the crowd with its Intelligent Charging. The station has a guide showing "Priority Charging," which essentially determines when the device will be charged. After the highest priority device is charged, it'll move onto the next device, and so on.
This works a lot better than a standard station that splits the charge equally, since the PS-6CC will focus on one or two devices at a time while other devices are on "standby" and waiting for their turn. Typically, I would see two devices being charged simultaneously, and they get to full power quickly. It is important to note, however, that if you plug in something you're using (like your phone) into a high-priority slot, the PS-6CC may have trouble moving down the line as it keeps coming back to top it off.
Kris Henges / How-To Geek
Another thing I really like about the PS-6CC over my current charging station is that it's extremely portable. It's light and thin to the point that it even puts some USB-C hubs to shame, and I was very excited when the Plugable charging station easily slid into my tech accessory travel pouch.
The idea of being able to carry around and use a charging hub when traveling instead of trying to balance multiple devices with one charger with more limited ports was a great prospect. I even had a trip while testing the PS-6CC, so I packed it up and took it with me. Of course, it was only then that I figured out the biggest flaw with this USB hub.
Only as Good as the Power Brick You Have
Kris Henges / How-To Geek
The PS-6CC doesn't come packed with a USB cable or power supply—something I hadn't thought much of originally. In fact, I always found it odd that my current charging station had an A/C cable built into it since using a USB-C cable on hand seemed better. But after I took this charging station on the road, that built-in cable made so much more sense.
Essentially, a charging station lives and dies by the power brick and cable you use to plug it in with. If your brick or cable is on the older side, the PS-6CC won't be able to charge devices quickly, especially when it attempts to juggle charging multiple devices at once.
I tested all the wall chargers I had in my home, and it turned out that the official Nintendo Switch charger was a perfect fit for Plugable's charging station. Being a console charger meant that it would draw power more easily than my standard adapters, and the PS-6CC could easily and quickly charge two devices at a time. Some of my older power bricks would struggle to keep up with the station's attempt to move the charging power down the line and charge one or two devices slowly.
Kris Henges / How-To Geek
But even if some were slow, they all still worked. I didn't think about testing the cable and brick in my travel pouch, though. When I finished driving to my destination, I wasted no time setting up the Plugable PS-6CC—but once it was all plugged in, I noticed a red light on the side of the station.
As it turns out, some power supplies can't pull enough power for the USB hub to work at all, and my travel adapter was one of those plugs. So I was stuck juggling my devices on one charger, and it was my fault to boot for not thinking about testing my travel gear in advance.
This limitation isn't surprising in hindsight, especially as Plugable tells you the wattage range you need on the store page (18W to 100W), but it does mean you might need to shell out for a proper charger if you pick this up. Putting down additional money is never fun, but if your gear is relatively up to date, it won't be a concern.
For me, the Plugable PS-6CC is perfect for traveling. Given its small and lightweight design, it can be easily slipped into any bag and charge nearly any device you bring with you. If it were any bigger, it'd be overkill for most travelers; any smaller, and you would probably be better off with a wall charger that had multiple ports instead. Factor in Intelligent Charging, and you have a killer tech companion for the road. Just make sure your power brick is up to the task.
