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The best GaN chargers of 2024: Expert tested
Upgrade your charging game with a sleek, compact, and highly efficient charger with multiple ports that can remain cool under heavy use and charge everything from earbuds to laptops. There’s truly never been a better time to upgrade your charging gear.
But navigating the vast array of available chargers — from the most reputable brands to those you should steer clear of — can indeed be overwhelming. However, over the past year, I have undertaken extensive testing, evaluating close to 300 GaN (gallium nitride) chargers of varying sizes, power outputs, and manufacturers. This testing and analysis has culminated in a carefully curated list of the very best chargers available today.
Also: This portable power station has a standout feature that makes camping safer than ever
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate travel charger, a powerhouse for multiple devices, or the most efficient charger for your high-demand gadgets, this list has you covered. Say goodbye to the days of slow, overheating chargers and step into the future with these top-notch options.
What is the best GaN charger right now?
Based on my extensive testing, my top pick for the best GaN charger overall is the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN 5-Ports Desktop Charging Station, which is powerful enough to replace an entire array of standalone chargers. Whether you’re searching for a sleek, portable charger or a powerful desktop option capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously, this list is crafted to help you find the perfect charger to meet your needs.
The best GaN chargers of 2024
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Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN 5-Ports Desktop Charging Station
Best GaN charger overall
This Ugreen GaN charger is an absolute beast. Built like a brick and equipped with five ports, it can replace a whole bank of standalone chargers. It’s powerful too, capable of a total output of 300W, which is more than twice what Apple’s standard single-port 140W MacBook Pro charger can deliver.
Read the review: Ugreen Nexode 300W
While many chargers falter when placed under sustained heavy load, that’s not the case with the Nexode 300W. This thing can output the full 300W indefinitely. It’s a very stable, high-quality charger.
Another thing I like about this charger is that the topmost USB-C port can always output 140W, no matter how many other ports are in use.
Ugreen Nexode 300W tech specs: Ports: 4 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A | Max single port output: 140W | Total power output: 300W | Dimensions: 105 x 105 x 35mm/4.1 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches | Weight: 622 g/22 oz
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Satechi 145W 4-Port USB-C charger
Best GaN charger for traveling
Being a frequent traveler, I’ve often felt that the gear I use on the road is a compromise, lacking the versatility, power, or quality of the equipment I’ve left at home or in the office. The need to balance weight and global compatibility invariably imposes constraints and limitations.
Read the review: Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN travel charger
Not anymore! Not only does the Satechi 145W, 4-Port charger have four USB-C ports to keep all my devices topped up, but it also comes kitted with four interchangeable international adapters (EU/AU/UK/US), complemented by a mesh carrying bag for the ultimate convenience while traveling. And unlike some chargers I’ve tested, the adapters are easy to interchange on this unit.
And despite being smaller than Apple’s 140W USB-C charger, two of its ports utilize Power Delivery 3.1 technology, each capable of providing up to 140W of power individually while the other two ports support Power Delivery 3.0, and can each supply up to 45W when used singly.
The reviews of this charger emphasize its build quality and solid design, but don’t make the mistake that some seem to do and buy this charger if you need legacy USB-A charging support, because this is one designed for modern workloads.
Satechi 145W tech specs: Ports: 4 x USB-C | Max single port output: 140W | Total power output: 145W | Dimensions: 96 x 76 x 28mm/3.1 x 3.78 x 1.22 inches | Weight: 357 g/12.6 oz
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Anker 200W Prime 6-port charger
Best GaN desktop charger
Right out of the box, it’s hard not to notice that this is a beefy charger that weighs over a pound. The weight is an advantage because it keeps the charger planted on the desk while other lesser chargers get dragged about by the weight of attached cables.
Read the review: One of the best GaN USB-C chargers I’ve tested can top up 6 devices at once
This is a powerful, well-made charger that’s perfect for those who need to power multiple devices. I particularly like that this charger can support dual 100W output on the USB-C ports, as this means it can power a couple of MacBooks Pros simultaneously. Sure, you don’t get the full 140W that the laptops can take, but 100W is perfectly adequate if you don’t need the fastest possible charge rate.
The two USB-A ports are handy for legacy devices that don’t draw a lot of power, while the bank of four USB-C ports is more than enough for the majority of users.
Then there’s the price: $80. Yes, this charger is only $80.
Anker 200W GaN 6-port charger tech specs: Ports: 4 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A | Max single port output: 100W | Total power output: 200W | Dimensions: 112 × 76 × 35 mm/4.4 × 3.0 × 1.4 inches | Weight: 563 g/1.24 lb
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Zendure Universal 65W Travel Adapter
Best lightweight GaN charger
With this Zendure charger, you can charge up to six devices simultaneously (one of those devices being AC-powered). It’s perfect for traveling because it combines a travel adapter for converting socket pins between different countries, along with a multi-port charger, into a single unit.
And while 65W might not seem like much, this will run and top up a MacBook Pro; if you have a smaller laptop, this unit could very well charge it at full power.
The Zendure Universal Travel Adapter integrates the US, UK, EU & AU plugs into a sleek all-in-one unit, so it can plug into and accept pretty much any plug or socket you encounter. (Note that it does not alter the voltage of the outlet — the voltage in that country is the voltage you will get out of the unit.)
Zendure Universal Travel Adapter tech specs: Ports: 4 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A | Max single port output: 65W | Dimensions: 168 x 107 x 35mm/6.6 x 4.2 x 58 inches | Weight: 283 g/10 oz
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Anker 312 25W USC-C charger
Best GaN charger for a smartphone or tablet
This is the perfect charger to buy if you’re looking for an additional charger for your smartphone or tablet. Compact and small, high quality, and at a price that you can’t beat.
Read the review: Anker 312
I have several of these in use and always keep a few of these in stock because they’re great to give people who only have some scabby charger that takes ages to charge their device and gets red hot in the process.
Anker 312 tech specs: Ports: 1 x USB-C | Max single port output: 25W | Total power output: 25W | Dimensions: 50 x 46 x 28mm/2.0 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches | Weight: 69 g/2.5 oz
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Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charger with MagSafe
Best MagSafe GaN charger
The Nexode 100W charging station features three USB ports — two USB-C and one USB-A — that share between them 100W of output power. This means owners can charge a wide range of devices, from the latest MacBook Pro to an Apple Watch, AirPods, an iPad, or anything that has a USB port.
And this device is no slouch, as it’s capable of charging the new Apple M2 MacBook Pro from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Read the review: Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charger with MagSafe
The magnetic charging plate — which is good with any iPhone from the iPhone 12 to the very latest iPhone 15, or an Android device that has wireless charging and a magnetic case — can be angled up to 65 degrees, so users can choose the perfect viewing angle for the smartphone. And thanks to strong magnets, the iPhone can rotate 360 degrees to comfortably watch videos or participate in teleconferences while charging, all without the phone slipping off.
Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charger with MagSafe: Ports: 2 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A and 1 x MagSafe charging pad | Max single port output: 100W | Total power output: 100W | Dimensions: 92 x 60 x 60 mm/3.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches | Weight: 862 g/30 oz
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Which is the best GaN charger? That depends on what you want from a charger. Some users want lots of ports and high power output. Some want a travel charger that’s easy to carry around. For others, it might be having a mix of legacy USB-A and modern USB-C ports.
This chart will help you pick the right GaN charger for you.
|
Charger |
Price |
Ports |
Max single port output |
Max total output |
|
Ugreen Nexode 300W |
$170 |
4 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A |
140W |
300W |
|
Satechi 145W |
$120 |
4 x USB-C |
140W |
145W |
|
Anker 200W Prime |
$85 |
4 x USB-C and 2 x USB-A |
100W |
200W |
|
Zendure Universal 65W |
$39 |
4 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A |
65W |
65W |
|
Anker 312 |
$14 |
1 x USB-C |
25W |
25W |
|
Ugreen Nexode 100W |
$110 |
2 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A and 1 x MagSafe charging pad |
100W |
100W |
That depends on what you want. Do you want power, or something small that you can throw into a backpack when you travel? Do you need one port or many? Are you charging a smartphone or an array of devices?
To help you narrow down the charger choices for you, I’ve put together a table highlighting the strengths of each charger.
|
This charger is for you… |
If you want… |
|
Ugreen Nexode 300W |
A big, powerful desktop charger with a legacy USB-A port. This is about as big — and as good — as they get. |
|
Satechi 145W |
You want a powerful travel adapter for all your USB-C devices. This will let you charge whatever you have, wherever you are. |
|
Anker 200W Prime |
You want lots of USB-C and USB-A ports and you want a charger with a big desktop presence. |
|
Zendure Universal 65W |
Travel is your thing, and you want something small and convenient. |
|
Anker 312 |
You want something small, portable, and cheap. These are perfectly priced so you can buy one for every room in the house. |
|
Ugreen Nexode 100W |
You want a desktop charger with the convenience of MagSafe |
A variety of factors impact the quality and usability of GaN charger. Here are some things to take into consideration before buying one:
- Type of ports: Are you happy with USB-C only, or do you still need USB-A for legacy devices?
- Power output: If you’re charging smartphones and tablets, then a charger that can support 25W or 65W is ample, but if you are charging big devices such as laptops then you’re going to need a charger that will support 100W or even 140W of power.
- How many ports: The more ports a charger has, the bigger and heavier it is.
- Interchangeable plugs: If you are traveling abroad, having a charger that comes with interchangeable plugs is really handy.
- Your actual needs versus your fantasy requirements: Some people — I’m one — are drawn to this “bigger is better” way of thinking when sometimes what you need is portability. There’s nothing wrong with having a massive charger brimming with ports, but remember, if you want to take this with you on the road or traveling, those extra ounces will start to feel like pounds.
Every year I test dozens of GaN chargers, both in the test lab and in real-world conditions, and there are certain things I look for in a charger if it is to make it onto my recommended list.
- First, does it do what it says it will do? This isn’t as easy as plugging it in to see if it will work, but I also test the charger under heavy and sustained loads (because even a poor-quality charger might be able to work for a few minutes). I also test single port load and multi-port loads to make sure these are in line with the specs. To get a passing grade, a charger needs to output the rated power for several hours.
- Is the charger safe? I carry out several electrical safety tests, and also thermal measurements — because no one wants an overheating charger in the home.
- Is it robust? Can it handle being plugged and unplugged repeatedly? Are the ports good quality? Can the charger handle being dropped and kicked about, because this is the sort of abuse it’s going to get in day-to-day use, especially if it’s a travel charger.
FAQs on GaN chargers
Gallium nitride (the chemical formula for this is GaN) is a crystal-like semiconductor material with special properties.
GaN has been used in electronics for decades, starting with LEDs in the 1990s, where it was used to emit light to TVs and computer displays before finding its way into transistors, and nowadays it is replacing the industry’s previous favorite semiconductor material: silicon.
And it is these transistors that are the key to making GaN chargers special. GaN transistors, also known as GaN FETs, are smaller, can carry more power, switch faster, and are more power-efficient than their silicon counterparts. This makes them ideal for applications in USB-C adapters, chargers, and power distribution systems.
A transistor is a tiny electronic switch that opens and closes really fast, and GaN has several advantages over silicon when used in transistors. Not only are GaN transistors smaller than silicon transistors, but they can carry more power, switch faster (around 40 million times a second, roughly four times faster than silicon transistors), and they are much more power efficient.
While silicon transistors have a power efficiency of around 87%, GaN transistors boost this efficiency to over 95%.
The reduction in transistor size means that newer GaN USB chargers can be physically smaller than the older silicon technology chargers. And while it’s nice to have smaller chargers, it is the increased efficiency that is the most important factor when it comes to USB chargers because the more efficient an electronic component is, the less waste heat it generates.
Consumers are, understandably, concerned when chargers feel hot to the touch. While it is common for chargers that use silicon transistors to get to the point of almost being too hot to touch, I find it rare for a charger using GaN technology to feel mildly warm.
The faster switching also means that a GaN transistor inside a charger can have better control over the charging and respond to events such as overheating or overvoltage much quicker than older transistors could, making them safer in use.
Yes. (Bear in mind that these add yet another thing to lose or forget, and something else to break.)
Something like this or this will do the job.
When I’m testing devices, I have set 45°C/113°F as the point at which I start to have concerns. This is the temperature at which things stop feeling hot and people start feeling pain, according to the safe “no injury” temperature range chart.
The ASTM C1055 (the Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries) states that the average person can touch objects up to 60°C/140°F for up to five seconds without sustaining irreversible burn injuries.
Are there alternative best GaN accessories worth considering?
If you are looking for a more specific charger, consider these top picks for the best GaN accessories.
