Cameron Summerson
Trying to remember which chargers you need to bring when traveling can be a huge pain. But what if you could just have one brick that could charge multiple devices at the wall or on the go?
That’s the entire goal of the Powerstation Hub by Mophie. It’s a 4-in-1 charging brick that not only works as a multi-device charger for the wall but also includes an internal 6,100 mAh battery for charging on the go. To take the usability a step further, it also has a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad on the topside. It’s the most versatile charging solution I’ve ever seen.
The Powerstation Hub has three USB ports: two 15-watt USB-A and a single 18-watt USB-C port. The wireless charging pad is rated at 5 watts, making it slower than most modern wireless chargers that hug the wall. When all combined, the charger has a maximum output of 23 watts; the USB-C port will always output at least 10 watts, and the wireless pad will always output 5 watts, with the two USB-A ports using the remainder between them. (Speeds will vary according to device needs.)
It has folding AC power prongs, which is how you can charge the internal battery and power external devices. The USB-C port can also be used to charge the internal battery, which is a very nice touch. The USB-A ports and wireless charging pad also works while the device is plugged in over USB-C, further increasing this charger’s versatility.
So, to put it into perspective, you could toss the Powerstation Hub on your nightstand with it powered by a wall charger and USB-C cable. If your phone supports wireless charging, just toss it on top of the Hub for overnight charging where the 5-watt speed won’t be a hindrance. If you have other devices to charge, you can do that with the remaining USB-A ports. Then, then next morning, you can unplug the Hub and throw it into your bag with a full-charged 6,100 mAh battery for on-the-go charging. It’s really kinda nuts how useful this thing is.
Of course, all that versatility comes at a cost—mostly a cost of money. At $99, it’s not the cheapest solution. But there’s also the cost of speed here—while it’s packed to the brim with ports and charging solutions, it’s also slow by modern standards. The USB-C port is rated at a maximum of 18 watts—more than enough for any phone out there—but it won’t do a lot of good for your laptop unless you only charge it with the lid closed. Most laptops need at least 30-watt USB-C PD bricks, and the Powerstation Hub just doesn’t cut it. Throw a couple of other devices on charge and you’re totally out of luck—10 watts just isn’t enough to juice up a power-hungry device like a laptop.
Another argument is that the 6,100 mAh internal battery is just too small, especially given the Hub’s price tag. It’ll juice up most phones at least one time—more for most—but if you need a charger that can handle more than one device without relying on hugging a wall to do it, the Powerstation Hub probably isn’t the best choice for you. You’ll want to drop coin on a stand-alone battery.
The biggest downside of the Hub is perhaps its overall size—it’s pretty damn bulky. I mean, it makes sense because of the internal battery, but it dwarfs the already-large Pixelbook charger. I would’ve liked at least a 10,000 mAh battery stuffed into this large of a frame, but perhaps I’m being unrealistic with how much tech a single manufacturer can tuck into a space.
But past that, the Powerstation Hub is an excellent device for travel, vacation, or even around the house. If you want a wireless charger, external battery, and multi-device charger all in one, you probably won’t find a better option.
Here’s What We Like
- Can charge up to four devices at once
- Built-in wireless charger
- Onboard 6,100 mAh battery
And What We Don't
- It's pretty big
- 18 watt max charging from the USB-C port isn't enough for most laptops
