Just Mobile's AluCube Mini Can Help You Cable-Wrangle With Ease

The Facts

Company: Just Mobile
Product: AluCube Mini
Price: $17.95 (plus postage)
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac (all models)
Website: www.just-mobile.com
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2013

The Basics............................

AluCube Mini features a minimalist design.

Just Mobile’s AluCube Mini is a small aluminum oblong-shaped accessory that is designed to sit atop its owner’s desk, and keep mobile device cables out of the way. If you own an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, and often have multiple USB leads for each scattered over a messy desk, AluCube Mini will provide users with an easy, stylish way to keep those white cables in perfect order.

Earlier this week, we reviewed Just Mobile’s Xtand Go, and I offered a largely positive writeup, noting that the product is “aesthetically pleasing,” functional, and “durable.”

The same can be said of AluCube Mini. As noted, the product aims to keep mobile device cables, such as those of the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, out of the way of one another. The accessory itself has a small, aluminum cube-like design, and includes a rubber-coated “mouth” that can grip and hold onto power leads. When sitting on a user’s desk, the product can be positioned either on its side, or standing upright, as pictured above.

Just Mobile’s AluCube Mini is an attractive accessory, and it compliments Apple’s line of iDevices well. As with most of Just Mobile’s offerings, the present accessory features a “Just Mobile” insignia etched onto the product’s aluminum side, and boasts an otherwise minimalist look.

For $17.95, customers get two AluCube Minis along with a couple of adhesive pads, which can be used to assign the product a permanent location.

Use And Feel

AluCube Mini is an attractive looking accessory.

Each AluCube Mini is crafted from a seamless piece of high-grade aluminum, and this reflects in the look and feel of the accessory itself. The product is sturdy, and as such you don’t need to worry about your AluCube Mini sliding off a desk; at the same time, however, the accessory is lightweight and small enough for users to easily carry an AluCube Mini or two between locations, if required. In this respect, I very much like the product – the accessory feels well-made, it looks well-designed, and as such criticism is hard to locate.

In particular, the inclusion of two adhesive pads is incredibly useful. Once installed in this way, you can be sure that your AluCube Mini isn’t going to budge from its assigned spot. Its rubber-coated mouth will hold a single line of cable, or you can wrap up a USB cable for easy storage within an AluCube Mini, as pictured above. Either way, the accessory grips leads well, and during testing my AluCube Mini didn’t let a single cable slip from its grasp once positioned.

Due to the nature of the product itself, there isn’t much more to say concerning the look and feel of AluCube Mini, other than to add that while Just Mobile’s accessory performs a simple task, it nevertheless does the job asked of it very well indeed.

How Long Will It Last?

Of course, AluCube Mini is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch USB cables.

Unless customers “misuse” their AluCube Mini, there’s no reason this product shouldn’t last for a long time. At worst, an unexpected fall from one’s desk may result in a blemish to the accessory’s aluminum exterior. But this certainly isn’t going to compromise AluCube Mini’s ability to grip a user’s iDevice cables.

Like Xtand Go, AluCube Mini feels durable, is well-made, and users should therefore get their money’s worth and more.

What’s Hot

• Good looking.
• Great grip.
• Feels well-made.
• Small size.
• Does an all round good job.

What’s Not

• The price (see below).

How Does It Stack Up?

Sure, AluCube Mini is a great product. But what about the price?

Compared with similar products on the market, AluCube Mini is pricy. However, one must acknowledge the fact that Just Mobile offers customers two accessories, effectively rendering the cost of a single AluCube Mini somewhere in the region of $9. If, though, you need only one single cable-guarding product, consider the $12 Sumo or the $10 CableDrop.

Our Advice

Let’s be clear: Just Mobile’s AluCube Mini is a great product, and potential customers should indeed remember that two accessories are included for the cost of $17.95. That being said, however, if you’re on the lookout for just one single cable-wrangling device, there are, as discussed, cheaper alternatives on the market.

Nevertheless, if you can afford paying a few extra bucks, AluCube Mini is a great looking product that will serve you well.

Scores

Aesthetic Appeal: ★★★★★
Wow Factor: ★★★★☆
Build Quality: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★☆☆

Buy Now: $17.95 (plus postage), Just Mobile.