RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger (RP-PC136) | Review

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger (RP-PC136) offers a handy combination of tiny size and powerful and fast charging via PD USB-C and iSmart ports.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136
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Filed Under: Power
Topics: RAVPower

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I end up with a lot of USB charger hubs. So many of my cameras and devices charge via USB now, that it has become essential. And while you’d think one USB charger hub is just like the next one, that’s not how it works in practice.

The most recent one I’ve been using is the RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger (model RP-PC136). The folks at RAVPower sent me one to try out. It’s a small hub and has fewer ports than some of my other ones. But it also has some advantages.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136

One is that it’s powerful. Yes, there are more powerful 100W USB hubs out there, but 65W is plenty for my everyday needs.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136
The two PD and two iSmart ports.

This is a small power charging hub with two PD ports and two iSmart ports.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136
All four ports (2 x PD and 2 x iSmart) are on one end.

This is called a desktop charger. The thing that makes it that is that it has an AC cable rather than plugging directly into the wall. So you can, well, put it on your desk. It’s just a matter of convenience, with the minor added inconvenience of needing to remember both the charger hub and the AC cable rather than just a single-piece wall charger.

But the reason I prefer to travel with this kind of desktop charger rather than a lower-profile AC adapter that goes right into the wall is that it’s much more versatile. It’s amazing how often the wall outlets in hotels are hidden behind chests of drawers or beds or fridges. And even with newer planes that have AC ports at the seats, it’s much more convenient to use a hub with an AC cable than one that plugs directly in.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136
On the opposite end is the input for the AC cable. It takes a standard figure-of-eight AC cable (and comes with one), which is handy if you’re traveling because you also have the option of switching to the local cable in addition to the usual option of using a travel adapter.

There’s nothing hard or tricky about using it. Just plug it in, and plug your devices into the ports. If you’re using devices that can take advantage of PD power input, you can get up to 65W total output. If you use more than one port at the same time, that 65W will be distributed between them.

Specs

Model RP-PC136
Input 100-240V – 50/60Hz 1.5A
PD Output 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓3.25A, / 65W Max Each Port
iSmart Output 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓2A, 12V⎓1.5A / 18W Max Each Port
Total Output 65W
Made in China

What’s in the Box?

  • Desktop Charger
  • AC input cable – 4ft

It does not include any USB cables.

Things Worth Knowing

There’s not much complicated about using this—it’s very simple.

As with most USB power hubs, the total power output is shared between the ports. So if you’re using more than one port at a time, the 65W will be distributed between them (exactly how it’s distributed depends on what combination of ports you’re using).

It comes with a 4-foot cable. That’s a little long for my use—I hate having all that extra spare cable lying around, especially when I’m packing light for travel. But it’s easy to fix. If you want to change the AC cable out for something shorter, it’s just a standard cable with a universal figure-8 plug. These 1-foot versions will work, as will these 2-foot ones that have a low-profile plug

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger RP-PC136
For size comparison, here it is beside a [GoPro HERO9 Black](https://havecamerawilltravel.com/gopro/gopro-hero9-black/). The small size combined with the fast-charging PD USB-C ports make it a great on-the-go option for charging action cams and other cameras.

Where to Find Them

You can find them at Amazon.

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-06-03 at 04:28. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a professional freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my travel photography here. More »

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