The best GaN chargers is something everyone with a phone, tablet or laptop should know about. Because, quite simply, they'll power up these devices more quickly than a traditional type of charger.
This new generation of chargers use gallium nitride rather than silicon, which is better at conducting electricity. And this makes them smaller, more energy-efficient, cooler, and able to charge more quickly than silicon chargers.
This means you'll save space, save money on electricity bills and won't have to wait around so long for your phone, tablet, camera, or laptop to be at 100%. So really, why would you buy any other type of charger?
Below we've brought together the best GaN chargers on the market today. Choosing between them is mainly about how what sort of devices you want to charge. A 45W charger is fine for a phone, but for a powerful laptop you'll need something more like 100-200W. Also, if you need to power up more than one device at once. some GaN chargers come with lots of ports. Alternatively, if you're looking for a different type of charger, see our guides to the best wireless chargers and the best solar chargers.
Gareth Bevan
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. With several years of experience as a photographer and videographer, shooting for some household names, he has learned a thing or two about cameras and the photography industry. Outside of photography, expect to find him cycling around London, or deep in a Netflix binge.
This is the best charger you can get combining a tiny size with a huge amount of power, overkill for just your iPhone alone, but great for several devices.
If you want to charge a lot of devices with wired charging at the same time, with three USB-C and one USB-A connection, you can get all your gadgets topped up in no time.
A very powerful 250W of charging capacity for multiple devices will keep an entire desk of devices humming along, including power-hungry laptops – squeezed into a great looking device with an incredibly useful screen to keep an eye on your power managment.
One of the most powerful wall chargers for power-hungry laptops and other devices, the only downside is the charger's large size takes up more space in bags and sockets.
6. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro impresses with its 140W power and ability to charge multiple devices efficiently. However, its substantial size might be inconvenient for travel and confined spaces.
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Best GaN charger overall
(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
I am a big fan of the Anker Prime range of chargers and this one at 100W is probably the best of the lot for a size-power ratio. The Anker 100W is a compact and powerful charger that will free you from carrying around large bulky chargers, or even worse, chargers with separate power bricks. The charger also offers enough power out of one port to easily keep the best (non-gaming) laptops running at max juice all day, and with three ports to charge all your devices quickly when needed.
The size Anker has shrunk this charger to I think is amazing, it is so light and I can easily slip it into a pocket if needed. The Anker 100W has a sleek design and a durable build quality, although it does get quite hot when used to maximum capacity. It has two USB-C ports that support Power Delivery (PD) up to 100W, which means it can charge most laptops, tablets, and smartphones at their optimal speed. It also has one USB-A port for older or lower-power devices that still rely on that connection. The charger also has a smart chip that detects the connected devices and adjusts the output accordingly, ensuring safe and efficient charging for all your devices.
Whether you are traveling, working, or using it around the home, I think the Anker 100W is a great choice for anyone who needs a versatile and portable charger that can handle multiple devices at once.
Carry case for keeping charger and plug converters together
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Simple click-in and out wall plugs
Reasons to avoid
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Not the smallest charger out there
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Can get more powerful chargers for the same or smaller size
If you’re someone who travels frequently, I would suggest checking out the Ugreen Nexode 65W 3-Port Travel Charger. I’ve found it to be a versatile and user-friendly solution for my power needs while on the go. The charger’s simple and intuitive design, featuring click-in and out international plugs, ensures hassle-free charging and compatibility with various global wall outlets. Additionally, the included soft case not only keeps everything organized but also protects the charger and accessories during travel, minimizing the risk of losing those essential components.
While there are other smaller and more powerful chargers out there, I’ve found that the Nexode 65W charger strikes a good balance between size and function. It offers a 65W power output that caters to a range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to some laptops.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler like me or simply seeking a multi-device charger for home use and the occasional getaway, I think the Ugreen 65W charger is a smart choice for a more streamlined roaming power solution.
UK/EU versions are limited by the size of a socket
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Can get more power or ports for only a marginally larger size
When it comes to choosing the best GaN chargers, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, the most important ones are price and power. If you’re looking for a charger that offers great value at the lower end of both of these, then the Anker Nano 3 (30W) power adapter is an excellent choice.
This tiny device is capable of charging a MacBook Air at full speed, an iPhone up to three times faster than with an original 5W charger, and the latest Samsung phones at full speed with Samsung Super Fast Charging. It’s a versatile charger that can handle all your charging needs.
However, there are some downsides to this charger. For one, there’s only one port, which means you can only charge one device at a time. Additionally, it’s not suitable for large laptops. So if you have a larger laptop that requires more power, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The Anker 250W GaN charger is a standout option for anyone looking to power multiple devices efficiently. While I initially thought the built-in display was just a novelty, it’s actually become an incredibly helpful feature. The screen lets me monitor charging speeds and track how much energy my devices are using. With energy costs on the rise, I’ve found it particularly useful for spotting unnecessary power drain and disconnecting devices that aren’t in use.
The charger’s 250W output is more than enough for most desk setups. It easily handled all my devices, from laptops and phones to earbuds, without any issues. I haven't come close to maxing out its capacity, so unless you have an unusually power-hungry setup, this charger will meet your needs. Its ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously without performance drops makes it a reliable, efficient choice for anyone looking to simplify their charging station.
Size: 17.1 x 13.5 x 5.7 cm (6.73 x 5.32 x 2.24 in)
Weight: 560 g (19.75 oz)
Reasons to buy
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Fast 140W single port charge
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Powerful charge for up to three devices at once
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Intelligent power switching
Reasons to avoid
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Quite large
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Headline speed diminishes quickly when all ports are used
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A little pricey
I tried out the Ugreen Nexode 140W 3-port charger and it worked wonders. I would go as far as saying it is the only charger you are going to need. It is powerful enough to support even the most power-hungry laptops and devices with 140W single port charging.
Even with all three ports in use, there is enough power to keep less power-intensive laptops running, alongside your phone and other devices. I pushed this charger as hard as I could with two laptops and a phone and it kept all three juiced up while running with no issues like power drop-outs or overheating.
The charger itself is well-designed and looks great. It is lightweight, but it is a little larger than some of the lower-powered devices on the market, so it will take up a little more room in a bag, or require a bit more space around your wall outlet. It also isn’t the cheapest charger on the market, but for the power and future-proofing, I think this is a great investment.
Capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously
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Lots of ports
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Interchangeable international plugs
Reasons to avoid
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Large size
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No cable included
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No bag or storage for additional plugs
For the past week, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro has been my primary wall charger, and its performance has left me thoroughly impressed. With four ports capable of delivering a whopping 140W of power, it effortlessly charges even my most power-hungry laptops at maximum speed. The ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously without sacrificing charging efficiency is a definite plus.
What I find particularly useful is the inclusion of adapters for various countries. This feature not only makes the charger an ideal travel companion but also eliminates the need for separate adapters, saving me both money and the hassle of remembering to pack them!
However, there is a minor downside. The charger's size is quite substantial, which means it occupies a significant amount of space in my bag and around the socket. This can make it challenging to use in confined spaces. It's probably on the larger end of what I'd be comfortable carrying around.
Single port output: 15W (MagSafe), 100W (USB-C), 100W (USB-C), 22.5W (USB-A)
Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Size: 15.2 x 11.5 x 11.2 cm (5.98 x 4.53 x 4.41 in)
Reasons to buy
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MagSafe makes your iPhone a desktop display
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100W power is enough for most laptops
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Great looking device
Reasons to avoid
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Maximum power outputs drop quickly with multiple devices
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Not really portable
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Confusing power combinations
The Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN charger is a delightful addition to my meticulously arranged desktop setup, thanks to its 15W MagSafe feature that brings a touch of elegance when I place my iPhone on the MagSafe charger in landscape mode, it transforms into a beautiful desktop clock, merging functionality with style. In general, the charger’s design is visually appealing and enhances the overall look of my workspace.
The charger’s robust 100-watt output provides ample power to charge my MacBook or phone through its two USB-C ports or lower-powered devices through the single USB-A port, which makes the charger very versatile. However, the 100W single port rating does drop quite a bit when multiple ports (or the MagSafe pad) are in use at the same time.
The only feature I find missing is a second wireless charger beneath the top surface, which would have been ideal for charging my AirPods or Apple Watch, thereby increasing its versatility. Nevertheless, given the rarity of chargers that offer both wireless charging and a powerful desktop charger combination, this is one of the best desktop chargers I’ve used.
Firstly think about how many devices you want to power, and what power ratings your devices have.
If you want to power a lot of smaller devices, then you need to look for a charger with the highest number of ports. If this can be combined with a big maximum wattage from the charger then that will mean you can charge these many devices even faster. Phones, headphones, and wearables all charge at quite low rates compared to laptops, so can usually all be charged simultaneously at full speed.
If you have one of two big devices that are power hungry like a laptop then this means you might be better off with a powerful charger with just a few ports as the more you plug into the charger the more you dilute the total power until you get to the point where it is not able to power your most needy devices.
(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
What's the difference between GaN and GaN2
GaN2 (or GAN II) is the latest generation of GaN charging technology - providing improvements in power transfer, heat dissipation, and charging speed over first-generation GaN devices.
What does GaN stand for?
GaN is short for Gallium Nitride. It's a natural mineral, that is an alternative semiconductor material to silicon. Gallium nitride allows manufacturers to make chargers that are smaller, faster, and more power efficient than the brick-like silicon chargers that we have grown up with.
How we choose the best GaN chargers
We choose which GaN chargers go into this guide based on a few different criteria. Firstly, we choose brands that we know are reliable, there are a lot of brands on marketplaces like Amazon that come and go, but having confidence in an established brand is important for safety and should you need product support.
We then try to select a range of chargers that cover different use cases like charging single or multiple devices, different power output requirements, and lastly covering a range of prices.
The broad range of chargers in the guide reflects this desire to be as helpful to as many people as possible in deciding their next GaN charger.
Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
