PlugBug with Find My Review – Trackable USB-C Charger with a Purpose

The PlugBug with Find My from Twelve South is a USB-C wall charger with Power Delivery (PD) equipped with Apple’s Find My technology.

When I first saw this product, the immediate question that came to mind (and probably yours too) was: why would anyone need a wall charger with Find My feature? Do people misplace their chargers that often? Would you even bother tracking down a lost charger rather than just buying a new one? Is Twelve South simply trying to claim the title of “world’s first power supply with Find My”?

Well, it’s not that straightforward. You see, the PlugBug with Find My is designed as a portable travel charger for your modern laptop, smartphone, and tablet. This means it’s likely to be carried in your backpack or luggage alongside your valuable electronic devices.

See where I’m going with this? There might be situations where your luggage or backpack gets stolen while you’re distracted. You might accidentally leave the charger plugged into a wall at Starbucks while waiting for your flight. Or in my case last month, I packed this PlugBug with Find My inside my checked-in baggage so I could track my luggage – particularly useful during plane changes and transits.

I think it’s a clever combination. Since I don’t own an Apple AirTag, this PlugBug serves as both a travel wall charger and a handy “AirTag” for tracking my luggage or bags.

Twelve South PlugBug with Find My Review – Packaging Contents

Twelve South PlugBug with Find My Review – Design and Features

Setting up is remarkably simple – just press a button on the device. I opened the Find My app on my iPhone, let it detect the charger, and added it easily. Whenever you need to locate your charger, simply open the app. You can even make it play a sound for easier finding.

The Find My functionality is powered by a replaceable cell battery that should last about a year. There’s a battery status indicator within the app so you can monitor it periodically.

For charging capabilities, the PlugBug with Find My comes in two models: PlugBug Travel 120W and 50W. If you use modern laptop devices powered by USB-C, you’ll want the 120W model.

The device features four USB-C slots, and thankfully, you don’t need to remember which slot delivers what power output. Thanks to Power Delivery, the device dynamically delivers power based on the needs of connected devices. It can output up to 120W on a single USB-C port. When multiple devices are connected, it intelligently splits the power according to each device’s requirements.

This is particularly useful for me as I no longer have microUSB or Lightning port devices at home. It powers my work laptop (Dell XPS 13) and my review units of HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020 and HP OmniBook UltraFlip 14 without issues. If your laptop only requires 68W, you can simultaneously charge your phone using the remaining power.

The packaging includes various power adapters/plugs (US, CN, AU, EU, UK and KR) and a sturdy, hard case to carry them all. This does make it bulkier to transport, so if you don’t need all the adapters, leave them (including the case) at home.

PlugBug with Find My Review Conclusion

Is the PlugBug with Find My from Twelve South worth it? That depends on your specific needs. You’ll likely find similar wall chargers elsewhere at a lower price point, minus the Find My feature. However, if you frequently misplace your chargers or are looking to purchase a new portable charger and don’t already own an Apple AirTag, this could be an excellent choice for you.

It features a compact, flat design, includes various adapters covering most countries, has built-in Apple Find My technology, delivers up to 120W power output with smart power delivery, and supports charging up to four devices simultaneously.

The Twelve South PlugBug with Find My retails for A$139.95 and is available on the Twelve South website with a one-year warranty.

Disclosure: Twelve South PlugBug with Find My review sample was supplied for reviewing