This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
The CIO Polaris CUBE Built in CABLE is a compact power strip whose cord wraps around its own body, so nothing tangles in a travel pouch. It has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port and two AC outlets, the cord reaches about 50 cm, and the USB side shares up to 65 W. For hotel rooms and cafés where the wall socket is in an awkward spot, it is one of the tidiest travel power setups I have tried.
What I tested
- CIO Polaris CUBE Built in CABLE, black
- Unwrapping and extending the cord
- Plugging a separate USB charger into one of the AC outlets
- Weighing it on a kitchen scale
What I found
- Cord storage: the cord wraps around the side. It sticks out a little, but the whole thing fits in a palm.
- Reach: about 50 cm of cord, which makes a big difference compared with chargers that plug straight into the wall.
- Ports: USB-C ×2 and USB-A ×1, plus two AC outlets. Add a multi-port charger to an outlet and you have even more.
- Power: up to 65 W across the USB ports, up to 45 W from a single port, so a laptop and an iPhone can charge together.
- Weight: 222.0 g on my scale. It feels light for its size.
- Finish: matte black with a slight sheen. A white version is also available.
| Spec | Polaris CUBE Built in CABLE |
|---|---|
| Price at the time of recording | ¥4,780 (what I paid) |
| USB ports | USB-C ×2, USB-A ×1 |
| AC outlets | 2 |
| USB output | Up to 65 W total, 45 W max per port |
| Cord | About 50 cm, wraps around the body |
| Weight (measured) | 222.0 g |
Who it is for
- Travelers who want one compact strip for a laptop, a phone and camera batteries
- Anyone who works in hotels or cafés with far-away outlets
- Not a full one-bag solution: you still need your own USB cables
The video is in Japanese and about five minutes long. The cord demo starts around 1:30.
Limitations
This was a first-impressions review, so I did not run long-term or heat tests, and I did not measure charging speeds myself. CIO is a Japanese brand, and the unit I tested has Japanese-style plugs and outlets, so check compatibility before buying for use outside Japan. The price is in yen at the time of recording.
Products
CIO Polaris CUBE Built in CABLE: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Chargers & Cables (29) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.