Krafted Link is a very promising link tool

I absolutely love useful gadgets. When I was a child, my mother always joked that I was prepared for war, as I collected all kinds of useful tools, including a penknife with a built-in spoon and fork. I’m a stickler for a swiss army knife and my bag is filled with mini screwdrivers and charging cables.

So imaging my excitement when the Krafted Connex appeared. Described as “the future of universal connectivity” it looks like a penknife or one of those Allen key tools that cyclists use. Connex is an all-in-one connectivity tool for charging all your devices and even transferring data.

The Krafted Connex is the size of a large penknife, measuring 95mm x 31mm and 19mm deep. It has six flip-up charging connectors, all with strong flexible bases covered with a silicone sleeve to give them wiggle room when plugged into devices. The connectors won’t roll straight and I think I would have liked to have seen a bit more movement.

On one side of the Koneks are the USB-C and Apple Lightning connectors. On the other side, there’s a USB-A connector with a removable cover that exposes a second USB-C, plus there’s a Micro USB and a second Apple Lightning connector. Krafted says it gives Koneksi up to eight possible charging and connection combinations. Beautiful!

A few points, first, only the USB-C and USB-A/C connectors work as inputs. This shouldn’t be a problem, as these are the two standards for connecting to your laptop or a power charger to recharge your phone or other gadget. If you want to charge USB-C to USB-C, just remove the USB-A adapter and you’re in business.

Connex can also be used to transfer data as well as charge devices, which is useful but not the fastest tool. During my review, I tested the Koneks with a variety of ports and SSDs, measuring with Black Magic’s drive speed test software. I got read and write speeds of just 34.6MB/s on an SSD that typically delivers 800MB, suggesting that the chip in the Koneks isn’t USB 3.2. It’s disappointing, but it would be fine to use in an emergency, but it would take a long time to transfer and a large amount of data.

On the plus side, Connex works with a wide range of connectors and also supports PD fast charging technology. Because it has two USB-C connectors, it’s great for charging the latest iPhones and has a second Apple Lightning connector if you need it.

The Krafted Connex is a beautifully crafted gadget that feels good in the hand. The gaiter design of the connectors can make it a bit awkward when connecting devices. It almost feels like you’re playing a technology game of Twister. However, if you can line up the ports with the object you’re loading, then it’s a lifesaver. But let’s face it, any cable that provides even a trickle of power when your phone is about to die is about as welcome as a glass of dirty water in the desert.

Verdict: I really wanted to love Krafted Connex and I do, to a point, especially since the company’s European headquarters are in the far north of Portugal, a place that is sacred to my heart. However, the slightly awkward design and slow data transfer speed spoil the party a bit. This is a great product if you only want to use it as a charging connector, but it needs a little redesign and faster data transfer speeds. Then it would be the kind of tool I would take anywhere.

Price and availability: The Krafted Connex is available now in black or jade finishes and costs £29.99 from Kraftedtech.com.

Technical characteristics:

• Dimensions: 95 x 31 x 19 mm.
• Weight: 87.5g.
• Materials: ABS shell, silicone rubber, nickel-plated steel.
• Normal power rating: 15-16W at 5v x 3A. Maximum 25W (5V at 4.5amp).
• Current Flow: Input 5V 3A: 2 outputs take 1.5A. 3 outputs take 1A, Input 5V 4A: 2 outputs take 2A. 3 outputs take 1.3A. 4 outputs take 1A.
• PD Support: Only 1 PD charged device can be charged at any time.
• Data transfer: Only on PD connections.