Anker’s new dual-head USB-C cable charges two devices at once

Anker is trying something new that could potentially cut your cable usage in half. 2-in-1 USB-C Cable Allows two devices to charge simultaneously from a single USB-C port with built-in “smart power management” that automatically adjusts power delivery based on “each device’s power requirements.”

The four-foot-long cable has a single USB-C port on one end that splits into a pair of USB-C ports on the other end, each with a foot of cable that can be shortened as needed to keep things neat. All of this is wrapped in a durable casing that Anker promises will last “over 10,000 bends.”

Supporting PD, PPS, and PIQ 2.0 USB power delivery protocols, Anker’s 2-in-1 charging cable can deliver up to 140W of power when a single device is connected to the power adapter. When two devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone, are connected, if one of the devices is drawing more than 100W of power, the maximum power delivery drops to 130W. If neither device requires that much power, the cable’s total power delivery is reduced and won’t exceed 100W.

Anker has provided some additional details about how the 2-in-1’s automatic power management works. If two laptops are plugged in to the same USB-C power source at the same time, the one plugged in first will receive more power. When charging two devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone, with a slower 60W power adapter, the computer will only receive 30W of power, while the phone will be limited to just 13.5W. Not surprisingly, you must use a more powerful USB-C power adapter to take full advantage of this 2-in-1 cable’s capabilities.

Data transfer is also supported, but unfortunately, Anker’s new 2-in-1 cable doesn’t work as a USB-C hub. Only the first device will be able to share data, and transfers are limited to 480Mbps USB 2.0 speeds.

While we haven’t had the opportunity to test the new cable ourselves, it seems like it might require upgrading your USB-C power adapter with a bit more kick. But if the inside of your everyday luggage is looking like a rat’s nest of wires, at $25, the Anker 2-in-1 USB-C Charging Cable is an appealing upgrade.