I love the $50 Twelve South PowerBug, and every home office should have one

I’ve got plenty of great iPhone charging stands, but they all take up a decent amount of desk space, and they certainly aren’t the most portable accessories. That’s why I’ve loved using the Twelve South PowerBug, a tiny $50 gadget that turns any wall outlet into a MagSafe charging pad for your iPhone or Pixel 10. Even though I’ve tested and reviewed similar products, this one definitely deserves a spot in your work bag or carry-on.

The PowerBug makes it easy to maintain a clean, minimalist setup, whether you’re trying to cut down on wires in your home office or, if you’re like me, use it to turn your phone into your bedside alarm clock. Either way, it provides a convenient wireless charge alongside a USB-C port for even faster wired charging, all within a $50 package that’s small enough to fit in your pocket whether you’re headed to work or traveling abroad.

Twelve South PowerBug 2-in-1 Wall Mount Charger

This convenient accessory turns any wall outlet into a 2-in-1 charging station. It’s compatible with most iPhones newer than the iPhone 12 and some Androids, namely the Google Pixel 10 line.

How I found the Twelve South PowerBug

We’re always trying out the latest iPhone accessories here at CNN Underscored, and when a fresh batch of Twelve South accessories came in for review, my colleague Henry T. Casey passed me a PowerBug to try out. I was intrigued by the idea, and months later, it’s still in regular rotation in my apartment (and sometimes out of it).

Why it’s a score

It offers true plug-and-play simplicity

My favorite thing about the PowerBug is how tiny and convenient it is. Measuring roughly 2.3 by 2.3 inches, this little puck-shaped gadget can fit in most pockets and still leave plenty of room for your second wall outlet once you hook it up. From there, it’s true snap-and-play simplicity. The PowerBug works like most other MagSafe accessories, meaning you can simply snap your compatible iPhone or Pixel phone to it, and it’ll stay propped up magnetically. It works with any phone that supports MagSafe or Qi2 charging, which currently includes the iPhone 12 and newer (excluding a few budget models) and the Pixel 10 series. I’ve been loving my black model that blends into just about any room in my home, though there’s also a white option if you want a little more pop or something that matches your outlets.

On top of being a convenient way to charge, the PowerBug is great for, say, watching videos while you get ready for your day in the bathroom or taking a FaceTime call hands-free via your kitchen’s power outlet. I personally find it to be a perfect compliment to the iPhone’s StandBy mode, which effectively turns your iPhone into a smart display when it’s horizontal and charging. Once I plugged by PowerBug into my bedside outlet and plopped my iPhone on top, I suddenly had the perfect alarm clock for those early travel days. If you’re using a Pixel phone, you can take advantage of similar functionality via Google’s Screen Saver mode.

There are two convenient ways to charge

The PowerBug’s magnetic charging capabilities might be its marquee feature, but it’s not the only option it gives you for refueling your gadgets. Twelve South’s portable puck also features a USB-C port with fast charging, which is perfect for when you need a quicker charge for your phone or want to juice up multiple devices at once.

The pad’s 15W wireless charging capabilities are more about convenience than speed. After placing a dead iPhone 17 Pro on the PowerBug, it only got up to 7% battery after 15 minutes. But when I charged the same phone via the faster 35W USB-C port for the same amount of time, I got a whopping 35% charge.

That’s all to say that you should be using the MagSafe portion of the PowerBug when you’re going to be home for a while and want to have your phone propped up for watching videos or using smart display features. If you need a quick charge before heading out, plug a USB-C cable in and take advantage of that extra-fast charging. Also note that while the PowerBug can charge two devices at the same time, you’ll have to use the USB-C port by itself if you want to take advantage of its maximum 35W charging speeds.

Bottom line

If you’re looking to declutter your charging setup or simply like the idea of snapping your phone to the wall to instantly turn it into a smart display, YouTube bingeing machine or recipe viewer for the kitchen, I can’t recommend the PowerBug enough. For just $50, you get a simple, cable-free way to refuel your phone, complete with a handy USB-C port for speedier charging and a pocket-friendly design that’ll turn any wall outlet into a versatile charging station when you’re on the go.

There are plenty of other good wireless charging options out there for a similar price, including our best wireless charger pick in the Belkin UltraCharge Magnetic Charger. And for a little more money, you can grab Twelve South’s HiRise 2 Deluxe 2-in-1 stand that provides wireless charging for your iPhone and AirPods at the same time. But none of these options are as uniquely compact or clutter-free as the PowerBug, and I can’t imagine any home office, kitchen or living room that wouldn’t be better off with one.

FAQs

What devices is the Twelve South PowerBug charger compatible with?

The Twelve South PowerBug is compatible with any MagSafe or Qi2-compatible phone, which includes the iPhone 12 or newer (excluding the iPhone 16e and the iPhone SE) as well as the Pixel 10 lineup. It’ll also work with any phone that has a MagSafe-enabled case attached to it.

Can the Twelve South PowerBug charger power multiple devices at the same time?

Yeps, the PowerBug can charge one device on its MagSafe charging pad and another device via its USB-C port at the same time.

Does the Twelve South PowerBug charger have fast charging?

The Twelve South PowerBug offers up to 35W wired charging via its USB-C port, which is on par with many of the best USB-C chargers. The accessory’s Qi2 pad offers 15W wireless charging, which is slower but still respectable for a MagSafe charger.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored senior tech editor Mike Andronico spent months testing the Twelve South PowerBug all over his apartment and at the office. Andronico has spent more than a decade reviewing all things smartphones and tablets, from the latest big devices from Apple and Samsung to the accessories that keep them running smoothly.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.