Tired of juggling chargers for your laptop, smartphone, and tablet? A bag that weighs a ton, a tangled mess of cables, the constant hunt for a free power outlet… it's a daily reality for mobile professionals and travellers. The solution to this headache often comes in a single package: the GaN charger.
Harnessing the properties of gallium nitride (GaN), these next-generation chargers are significantly smaller, more powerful, and more efficient than their predecessors. Their mission? To centralise charging for all your devices into a single, ultra-compact unit. This guide is here to help you cut through the noise and choose the perfect model for your needs, based on essential criteria: power, connectivity, and form factor.
Before you dive in, let's review a few technical points that make a real difference in day-to-day use.
Power, measured in watts (W), is the most critical factor: it determines charging speed and which devices you can power. A 65W charger is an excellent starting point, capable of fast-charging most ultrabooks (like a MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13) while also taking care of your smartphone. For more power-hungry machines or to charge multiple devices simultaneously without compromising on speed, you'll need to look at 100W models and above.
Be aware that the advertised total power is almost always shared between the ports. A 67W charger might deliver 67W to a single port, but this power will be divided if you connect a second or third device. Always check the power distribution to ensure it matches your daily needs, especially if you're looking for a single charger for your MacBook and iPhone.
USB-C has become the standard, and for good reason. A good fast USB-C charger should offer at least two of these ports to be future-proof. The presence of a classic USB-A port remains a welcome bonus for charging older accessories like smartwatches, headphones, or e-readers.
A multi-port charger with three or four ports is the pinnacle of convenience, allowing you to charge everything at once (laptop, phone, headphones, etc.) from a single outlet.
The main advantage of GaN technology is, of course, miniaturisation. For digital nomads and frequent flyers, every gram saved in a backpack is a win. Some models take the concept even further with retractable prongs—a detail that makes all the difference in a packed bag.
If you travel internationally, the ultimate weapon is the universal travel adapter with integrated GaN technology. These Swiss Army knives of charging combine a multi-port charger with an adapter compatible with outlets worldwide (EU, UK, US, Australia), letting you travel light and with peace of mind.
We've selected a few gems that cater to different profiles, from the busy mobile professional to the globetrotter.
Key Features
This charger impresses with its pocket-sized form factor and retractable prongs, making it the ideal travel companion. With 67W available on a single USB-C port, it can charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro without breaking a sweat. Anker claims it's 51% smaller than the original 67W Apple charger—a space-saving benefit you'll notice immediately in your bag.
Pros
Who is it for?
For the mobile professional who wants a single, reliable, and discreet solution to power their laptop, phone, and headphones. It's the ideal replacement for bulky original chargers.
Key Features
With a colossal 120W of power and four ports, this power monster is aimed at users who make no compromises. Its main USB-C port can pump out up to 100W, enough to fuel the most demanding laptops on the market, including mobile workstations. It turns any wall outlet into a true charging hub for your entire digital arsenal.
Pros
Who is it for?
For the creative, gamer, or tech enthusiast with heavy-duty gear (video editing laptop, graphics tablet, etc.) who needs to charge everything quickly and at the same time. This is the solution for those who refuse to choose which device to charge first.
Key Features
Much more than a simple charger, this is the Swiss Army knife for the connected traveller. It's a universal travel adapter that houses a powerful 65W GaN charger. Thanks to its clever sliders, it deploys prongs compatible with EU, UK, US, and Australian outlets. No more headaches with multiple adapters in your suitcase! With its five ports, it can charge all your gear simultaneously, wherever you are in the world.
Pros
Who is it for?
For the avid traveller and globetrotter who wants to travel light without ever running out of battery. The ultimate accessory to stay connected in every corner of the globe.
Our selection covers the most common use cases, but the world of GaN chargers is much broader. Power, number of ports, form factor… if your criteria are different, there's a model out there for you.
Explore our complete collection of fast USB chargers to find the perfect gem that will seamlessly fit your devices and your lifestyle.
A GaN charger replaces the traditional silicon in our old chargers with gallium nitride semiconductors. This cutting-edge material can handle higher voltages and operate at higher frequencies. In practice, the result is stunning: chargers that are much smaller, lighter, and run cooler, while being just as powerful, if not more so.
Not at all. Modern chargers and your devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) are smart. They communicate using protocols like USB Power Delivery (PD). Your device will literally "negotiate" with the charger to request only the maximum power it can safely handle. A 100W charger will therefore only deliver the 25W your smartphone needs, and not a watt more.
Yes, and this is a crucial point. The cable is just as important as the charger. To benefit from fast charging, especially above 60W, it is essential to use a USB-C cable designed to handle that level of power. A low-quality or uncertified cable will throttle the charging speed and, in the worst-case scenario, could even pose a risk of overheating. So make sure your cable matches the power of your GaN charger.