Rolling Square inCharge X Review

Overview

The inCharge X is a short, magnetic, 6-in-1 charging cable from Rolling Square. It replaces a tangle of single-purpose cords with one 23 g strand that clips onto a keyring or pack zipper. The trade-off is built into the design: it has a lot of connector flexibility and a high power ceiling, but it is only about 14.5 cm long and moves data at USB 2.0 speeds.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	23 g
Dimensions (clipped)	About 72 × 15 × 6.4 mm
Cable length (extended)	About 14.5 cm
Max power	100W USB-C Power Delivery (USB-C to USB-C)
Apple fast charging	Up to 27W
Connector combinations	USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to Micro USB, USB-A to USB-C, USB-A to Lightning, USB-A to Micro USB
Data transfer	Up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Materials	Zinc-aluminum alloy housing, braided copper conductors, aramid fiber, TPU cable guard, nylon sleeve, N52 magnets
Form factor	Magnetic keychain cable

Performance

How it works. At its core, the X is a USB-C to USB-C cable. Sliding adapters change each end. One end converts to a combined Lightning/Micro USB connector, and the other converts to USB-A. That gives six combinations. Pack Hacker’s reviewers noted that the arrangement covers most Android, iOS/iPadOS, ChromeOS and Windows devices. Rolling Square’s own compatibility list runs from iPhones and AirPods to MacBooks and Samsung and Pixel phones.

Charging speed. The 100W figure applies only to the USB-C to USB-C configuration. It needs a charger and a device that both support USB Power Delivery. Rolling Square’s published power table lists 20V at 5A for that pairing. Lightning and Micro USB outputs are far more modest. USB-A inputs top out around 9V at 2A, and Micro USB runs at 5V. Apple’s fast-charging rating on current listings is 27W. Older retail listings and early reviews of the first-generation X cite 18W.

The 100W headline is more theoretical than practical for most carriers. Brad’s Backpack pointed out that laptop-class charging doesn’t make much sense on a cable this short. A 14.5 cm lead keeps a phone close to the power bank, which suits a jacket pocket or a quilt-side charge. A 16-inch laptop will be a stretch to reach.

Phone-to-phone charging. The X can turn a USB-C phone or tablet into a power source for another device. Rolling Square says this works only with a USB-C phone as the input. It’s a useful emergency trick when a partner’s battery is dead and the power bank is buried in the pack.

Data. Rated at 480 Mbps, the X runs at USB 2.0 speed. Pack Hacker’s testers saw no gain over a standard Lightning cable when moving photos between a MacBook Pro and an iPhone. That’s enough for offloading trail photos, but it will be slow for large video files or an external SSD.

Build and carry. The metal housings and TPU-reinforced, nylon-sleeved cable feel more durable than most keychain accessories. The N52 magnets snap the two ends together, and owners praise the secure latch for keyring use. There is one practical quirk. Pack Hacker noted that the housings are fairly long, so they can be awkward on a small keyring. A carabiner or a lanyard loop works better. At 23 g, the cable is easy to justify in a ten-essentials pouch. It’s about the weight of a pair of AAA cells.

Long-term use. Brad’s Backpack found that it reached for the 30 cm inCharge XL far more often than the X. The X packs smaller, but the longer cable was easier to live with day to day. Rolling Square also sells the XS (240W, 4-in-1) and the XL Pocket (100W, 6-in-1) for people who want more headroom.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Six connection options in 23 g, covering USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB devices
• 100W Power Delivery on USB-C to USB-C
• Magnetic clasp holds the cable together on a keyring, pack or lanyard
• Aramid fiber, braided copper and TPU give it a sturdier build than most keychain cables
• Phone-to-phone charging from a USB-C source

Cons

• At about 14.5 cm, it’s too short for use with a laptop, a phone on a tent floor, or a bag on the other side of a bunk
• 480 Mbps data speed
• The long metal housings are awkward on small keyrings
• Only the USB-C to USB-C pairing reaches the full power rating
• Some older retail listings still quote 18W Apple charging, which may confuse buyers

Who Should Buy This

Hikers who carry a mixed kit will get the most from it. A trail runner might have a USB-C phone, Micro USB headlamp and Lightning earbuds. A section hiker might carry a Kindle, a camera and an older GPS. The X lets them replace several cables with one. It also suits town-stop resupplies, hostel outlets and hitchhike rides, where the 14.5 cm length is rarely a problem. Anyone who charges a laptop on the go, wants fast file transfers, or needs to reach a power bank stashed in a pack’s lid should look at the longer XL. A cable that leaves the phone dangling in a pocket doesn’t work for them. Hikers with a USB-C-only kit can save weight and money with a simple single-purpose cable.

Verdict

The inCharge X is a smart, durable cable for hikers who juggle several connector types and want one thing on their keys. Its 100W rating and 6-in-1 design look better on paper than they work in practice, since the short length limits the high-power use. For everyone with mixed connectors, it earns a spot in the kit.