Rolling Square inCharge XS Review

Rolling Square’s inCharge cables are some of the handiest tools in our tech kit that are also well-suited for travel. They are absolutely tiny, to the point that we can throw them on a keyring and completely forget we even have them in the first place (until we need to use them, of course).

But as we stay up-to-date on the latest travel gear, so does the need to iterate on existing designs. With their inCharge XS, we’re curious to see how Rolling Square has improved their features, especially in terms of connectivity and compatibility—let’s dive in.

The Rundown

Right out of the box, the inCharge XS looks quite classy with its very shiny chrome finish and aramid fiber-covered cable. The shiny metal really stands out, and the aramid feels premium, even though there are barely two inches of cable to cover. On the other hand, we’d totally understand if some find this gaudy or simply too flashy. Fortunately, this Sahara Beige isn’t your only choice of colorway, as Lanzarote Gray is also available for those who want to keep things low-key.

We want to be optimistic about the inCharge XS remaining pristine for a long time, but experience with the inCharge X and inCharge 6 keeps our expectations grounded. Those two eventually got scratched up after one or two years of use, so we can only imagine how the inCharge XS’s chrome will end up in a similar timeframe.

But you know what they say, “A knight in shining armor is someone whose metal has never been truly tested,” or something to that effect. We’re inclined to agree, especially since all of this damage is superficial and doesn’t affect functionality meaningfully. So unless you’re really picky about aesthetics, we wouldn’t worry about scratches even if they eventually crop up.

The most notable addition to the inCharge XS is the captive cap. Unlike the inCharge X’s easy-to-lose cap (we never really bothered using it and eventually lost it among office supplies), this one is permanently attached to the cable, so it can’t get lost. Otherwise, it still functions as an all-in-one cap that covers both ends of the cable once it’s folded.

On that note, the inCharge XS still features the same magnetized metal housing on both ends to clasp them together. They’re quite strong, too, since Rolling Square uses N52 magnets. In fact, you can opt not to use the cap, and the magnets will be strong enough to keep the inCharge XS closed; it’s what we have done with the inCharge X ever since losing its cap.

As for functionality, the inCharge XS at its core is a USB-C to USB-C cable, with adapters on swivel mounts on each end. These adapters are USB-A and Lightning, and this nets the inCharge XS a total of four different connectivity combinations, namely:

• USB-C to USB-C
• USB-C to Lightning
• USB-A to USB-C
• USB-A to Lightning

Those looking to upgrade from the inCharge X might notice that there’s no mention of Micro USB, and that’s because there isn’t one. Looking closely at the Lightning connector shows that there’s no slit where a Micro USB’s port’s pins would otherwise slot into. It’s a shame to see that functionality not trickle down to this iteration, especially if you still have legacy devices that use Micro USB.

The adapters themselves swing smoothly but lock in with a satisfying click once you push them into their respective USB-C connectors. You won’t have any issues connecting with the adapters in place. However, if you’re connecting with the USB-C connectors, getting the adapters out of the way takes some getting used to. We like to place them above instead of under so they don’t scrape along surfaces (like a table). Likewise, the cap can also get in the way, but since it’s flexible silicone material, it’s easy to move away.

Talking about specifics, the inCharge XS supports up to 240 watts of charging and 480 Mbps / 60 MBps transfer speeds. Both numbers look promising, but they are surprisingly worlds apart. For context, the iPhone 15 series is capped at Apple’s 27-watt Fast Charging with a PD 2.0 charger, and even an M4-equipped MacBook Pro caps out at around 100 watts. In other words, the 240 watts the inCharge XS supports have plenty of overhead for most charging situations, just shy of reviving a dying star. On the other hand, the 480 Mbps transfer speed is still USB 2.0 spec, which might be fine for most casual iPhone users but would be frustrating for those moving large media files between their SSDs and MacBooks.

Packability

At this point, it’s essential to highlight the inCharge XS’s travel-friendly leanings. Sure, it’s not the best tool if you’re looking for the best transfer speeds and eliminating performance bottlenecks in your workflow. However, the inCharge XS’s impressively small package makes it the ideal tool in certain situations. For example, if you’re working in a co-working space where there’s not much table real estate, minimizing slack and dangling cables by using a small cable like this will save you a ton of headaches.

Our favorite use case is when you’re trying to keep a smartphone hooked up to a power bank by holding them together like some sort of ice cream sandwich. It’s a rite of passage for a lot of travelers who’ve found themselves running out of juice in the middle of a trip, and it’s a lot easier to do with a short cable that won’t have a ton of slack dangling, such as the inCharge XS.

Quick Comparison

Functionality-wise, the inCharge XS and inCharge X are different in two key areas. Firstly, and as mentioned already, the inCharge X has that Micro USB connector built-in, which makes it the more flexible option over the inCharge XS. The inCharge X has a lower charging rate supported at 100 watts, but again, that’s still plenty for most use cases.

Second, the inCharge XS has a permanently tethered cap, so you won’t lose it unless it gets cut off. It seems trivial, but a cap prevents a lot of potential debris from gunking up the connectors, and that’s relevant if you plan on hanging the inCharge XS off a key ring exposed to the elements. Yes, it makes the inCharge XS visibly bulkier than the inCharge X, but only marginally so.