What is pass-through charging and why do you need it?

Pass-through charging, often found on devices like power banks, docking stations and USB-C hubs lets you charge several devices using a single power outlet.

Pass-through charging can be found on devices like power banks, USB-C hubs and docking stations. (Image Source: Pixabay)

We all have multiple gadgets to take care of, and charging them can be a hassle. Enter pass-through charging, a technology commonly found on devices like power banks, docking stations, laptops and some tablets. The feature allows users to charge all their devices simultaneously from a single source.

It is useful if you are in a hurry and want to charge all your devices alongside your power bank or don’t have access to multiple power outlets. While most power banks with pass-through charging let you charge the power bank and connected devices simultaneously, some USB-C hubs may allocate a portion of the power for their own operations and the rest to the connected peripherals.

How does pass-through charging work?

Devices that support pass-through charging rely on a series of power regulating circuits that determine where the power goes. In a power bank, these circuits might redirect all the power to a connected device or distribute it between the power bank and the device.

For docking stations and USB-C hubs, pass-through charging uses USB Power Delivery (PD) to supply power to connected devices. This functionality works only if both the USB-C hub or docking station and the connected device support USB PD.

Also, most USB-C that support pass-through have a maximum power limit that they can pass on to the connected device, so if the connected peripheral requires more power than the USB-C hub or docking station can offer, you might have to resort to a power cable.

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Pass-through charging lets you connect your power bank to a wall outlet and charge both your phone and your power bank simultaneously. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake)

So, is pass-through charging any good?

Pass-through charging definitely has some advantages, but there are some downsides too.

One of the biggest disadvantages of pass-through charging is the slow charging time. Since power is divided between charging your power bank and your phone, both devices will most likely charge slower than expected.

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The technology is also not as power efficient as plugging your device directly into the charger. With many modern phones supporting charging speeds of around 67W, you may not achieve these speeds unless your power bank also supports them.

Another issue is that power banks, especially those with Lithium-ion batteries, can generate significant heat during pass-through charging. This can lead to overheating and potentially reduce the battery’s lifespan. Hence, it’s best to use pass-through charging only when no other option is available.

Anurag Chawake

Anurag Chawake is a Senior Sub-Editor at indianexpress.com. His fascination with technology and computers goes back to the days of Windows 98. Since then, he has been tinkering with various operating systems, mobile phones, and other things. Anurag usually writes on a wide range of topics including Android, gaming, and PC hardware among other things related to consumer tech. His Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn user name is antechx. ... Read More