Feb 10, 2019, 10:52 am
Last edit by: cheltzel
If you want to use USB C for more than charging, then these two posts are useful: 1 2.
When planning your charger loadout, do note the charger your laptop shipped with is not a requirement, a lower one will be fine. For example, https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/25/60w-u...-all-macbooks/ says
On the other hand, most laptops are not built to use higher wattage even if available. It won't hurt your laptop, though.
Buy chargers on Amazon at your own risk, they are known to commingle stock from every third party sellers. But, the chargers here do not have fakes (yet?) so even Amazon might be safe.
The smallest USB C chargers:
Cabling wise, AmazomBasics and Monoprice is your friend. Do not use female USB C to USB A / micro USB adapters, these are explicitly forbidden by the USB C standard. Male USB C to USB A / micro USB is fine.
When planning your charger loadout, do note the charger your laptop shipped with is not a requirement, a lower one will be fine. For example, https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/25/60w-u...-all-macbooks/ says
the 87W charger filled up my 15-inch MacBook Pro battery more quickly than the 60W charger, but not by very much. After an hour and a half, the 87W charger added 76% battery while the 60W charger added 72%.
Buy chargers on Amazon at your own risk, they are known to commingle stock from every third party sellers. But, the chargers here do not have fakes (yet?) so even Amazon might be safe.
The smallest USB C chargers:
- Mu One. 45W. Comes with UK, US, EU folding plugs. 96 x 55 x 14mm, 82g with the UK plug attached. 3.78 x 2.17 x 0.55 inch, 2.89oz. Manufacturer shop, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N1PK1RP https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N1PK1RP
- RAVPower GaN 45W : 72 x 54 x 14.9mm / 2.83 x 2.12 x 0.59inch, 75g / 2.65oz. This is a similar charger to Mu One only without the nifty plug heads. It is marginally cheaper, but without the unique multi-region folding plugs it isn't as good of an option for international travelers. Manufacturer shop, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9WMW6N
- Innergie 60C (nee 55CC): 65W 60 x 30 x 30mm / 2.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 inch, 85g. While much thicker than the previous two, when the socket is hidden in a recess this has a much better chance to fit. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBYVF4Q Also, a cable is available to charge legacy laptops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBYL5KZ only compatible with the Innergie 60C. This makes the Finsix Dart fully obsolete, it started as a legacy laptop charger and a USB C cable was planned and reviewed two years ago but never shipped.
- Satechi 75W: USB C 60W, USB C 18W, two USB A share 12W. 4" x 2.63" x 1", 11.14 oz. Manufacturer shop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078864F15
- LVSUN LS-PD87-2C sold as Hyperjuice 87W charger: two USB C and one USB A all three share 87W. 4.33" x 3.86" x 0.79", 8.32oz Aliexpress Hyper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLWDY9C
- Hyperjuice battery: 27000 mAh USB C 100W, USB C 60W, USB A 18W. 7.2" x 3" x 0.84" / 183.2 x 77.1 x 21.3 mm Manufacturer shop (although it goes through indiegogo, it is not crowdfunding, it's just a shop)
- Maru & Masa Kickstarter: Maru is a 82mm/3.23" diameter bagel, 28mm/1.1" thick, 7.4oz, USB C 45W, USB C 18W, two USB A share 15W, three international AC sockets, nifty interchangeable international plugs. Masa is a battery 80 x 80 x 28 / 3.15" x 3.15" x 1.1" , 11.3oz 18000 mAh, USB C 45W, USB C 15W, Qi 7.5W, kickstand. Promised shipping: April 2019 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...e-yet-powerful
- SuperTank & SuperPort 4 Kickstarter: SuperPort 4 is a 114 x 100 x 24 / 4.5" x 3.95" x .95" charger, weight not disclosed, USB C 100W, USB C 18W, two USB ports share 18W. SuperTank is a 27000 mAh battery w/ lots of features, 4.7" x 2.8" x 1.6", 17oz USB C 100W, USB C 60W, USB A 18W, USB A 15W all ports share 138W Promised shipping: May 2019 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ek-recharge-in
- AlsterPlus Kickstarter: 7.4" x 3.28" x 0.85", 20oz / 568gr, 27000mAh battery with 2 x 100W USB-C + 2x 18W USB-A, lots of features. All ports share 156W.
- Anker Atom PD4. Two USB C, two USB A all share 100W, USB A per port is 12W max. 4.1" x 3.3" x 1.3", 13.5oz. https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Chargin.../dp/B07VSMK849
- MagicFox PD180. This is a DC-DC unit, it takes 12-28V 180W via a 5.5mm x 2.5mm jack or 100W max via USB- C input and provides three ports: USB C 100W, USB C 40W, USB A 40W. Size 3.15" x 2.76" x 0.53", 3.44oz. Possible interesting AC-DC choices: Lenovo 4X20Q88542 at 135W either from Encompass with very long ship times or from Japan via Rakuten, Lenovo-to-5.5mm plug adapter here. 4.65" x 3" x .83", 15.24oz. If that's not enough Razer has a 180W which, AFAIK has the right plug. Notably light at 14.82oz, 5.98" / 152mm x 2.87" / 73mm x 0.93" / 23.5mm. The MagicFox PD180 itself is, so far, China only, I had good experiences with Superbuy as proxy so https://www.superbuy.com/en/page/buy...832086035.html While the MagicFox PD180 itself is cheap, high wattage, quality, lightweight AC-DC adapters are anything but.
Cabling wise, AmazomBasics and Monoprice is your friend. Do not use female USB C to USB A / micro USB adapters, these are explicitly forbidden by the USB C standard. Male USB C to USB A / micro USB is fine.
Outfitting your travel kit for USB-C
Apr 22, 2019, 2:40 am
#166
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,057
Got the Anker Atom PD1 the other day. 30W from a charger barely bigger than an 18W iPad or Pixel charger is pretty great. My XPS 13 complains about a slow charger but then proceeds to charge at a decent rate anyway (30-40 mins from 80% to full while using it). A 45W or more version would be nice, but this is definitely a keeper. My favorite feature is that it has no power light on it--as annoying as the lights on some bricks are, the light Dell puts on the USB-C plug of the stock charger is so much worse when using it to charge my phone on a nightstand.
Even if you don't live in North America, get the NA version of the Atom if you can. In order to have the required length to fit in a German outlet, the European version is much larger--the NA version with a Europlug adapter on it is only a couple mm longer. The European version in a NA or UK outlet adapter would be quite long.
We also have one of Monoprice's 45W chargers. It's also a winner, especially for $10 on sale, though it's a bit heavy for use with plug adapters in wall outlets.
Even if you don't live in North America, get the NA version of the Atom if you can. In order to have the required length to fit in a German outlet, the European version is much larger--the NA version with a Europlug adapter on it is only a couple mm longer. The European version in a NA or UK outlet adapter would be quite long.
We also have one of Monoprice's 45W chargers. It's also a winner, especially for $10 on sale, though it's a bit heavy for use with plug adapters in wall outlets.
Apr 23, 2019, 5:18 pm
#167
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,784
Finally bit the bullet and bought an Apple USB-C to USB adaptor. Little did I know the price reduction they had for all their adaptors (1/2 price or something) only lasted for part of 2016 when the MacBook Pro first came out with no old-style USB ports and got people all upset!
Apr 24, 2019, 8:57 am
#168
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
Picked up a 2 week old Chevy Malibu from Hertz a few days ago. In addition to the standard USB port and cigarette lighter for power, it also had a USB-C port.
I dug up a USB-C to USB-C cable and plugged my phone in, and whilst it did work for Android Auto, the phone reported that it was "Charging Slowly" so I'm guessing no PD and thus no real reason to use it over the standard USB port...
I dug up a USB-C to USB-C cable and plugged my phone in, and whilst it did work for Android Auto, the phone reported that it was "Charging Slowly" so I'm guessing no PD and thus no real reason to use it over the standard USB port...
Apr 24, 2019, 12:20 pm
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,540
My phone charges very slowly when plugged into my Hyundai and utilizing Android Auto. If I'm steaming audio and using Maps, I may see a 1% increase in battery every 20-30 minutes.
One day, wireless Android Auto will be standard--and so will QC/PD ports in cars.
Apr 24, 2019, 3:16 pm
#170
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
Anker Atom PD 2 is slated to release April 29 for $54.99 - total 60W which will be ok for a smaller laptop and phone/watch
Source: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...-c-gan-charger
Source: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...-c-gan-charger
Apr 28, 2019, 2:19 am
#171
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
Not just smaller laptop... 60W is enough fro a Macbook: https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/25/60w-u...-all-macbooks/ and even less does something. And there are a huge number of devices charging happily with 45W.
If your needs are even more modest then I want to point out https://smile.amazon.com/Zikko-Inter...dp/B07LC4DTG8/ the Zikko eLUGGAGE X USB-C PD 30W -- as the name suggests, it has a 30W USB C port, two USB A ports sharing 12W and it's a universal grounded plug adapter in one neat package. That's pretty rare, there are not many universal grounded plug adapters in the first place nad they squeezed in a 30W charger (even 12V is supported, though it's optional in PD).
If your needs are even more modest then I want to point out https://smile.amazon.com/Zikko-Inter...dp/B07LC4DTG8/ the Zikko eLUGGAGE X USB-C PD 30W -- as the name suggests, it has a 30W USB C port, two USB A ports sharing 12W and it's a universal grounded plug adapter in one neat package. That's pretty rare, there are not many universal grounded plug adapters in the first place nad they squeezed in a 30W charger (even 12V is supported, though it's optional in PD).
Apr 29, 2019, 3:59 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 88
If you are looking for a nice Type C Power Bank , check this UGREEN Product
it have a built in Usb type-C cable ,good size for the 10K Capacity & Support quick charge
Ugreen Power Bank
it have a built in Usb type-C cable ,good size for the 10K Capacity & Support quick charge
Ugreen Power Bank
Apr 29, 2019, 5:25 am
#173
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Not just smaller laptop... 60W is enough fro a Macbook: https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/25/60w-u...-all-macbooks/ and even less does something. And there are a huge number of devices charging happily with 45W.
Apr 29, 2019, 1:27 pm
#174
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
Anker Atom PD 2 is slated to release April 29 for $54.99 - total 60W which will be ok for a smaller laptop and phone/watch
Source: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...-c-gan-charger
Source: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...-c-gan-charger
- 6.2 oz
- Slightly smaller than Apple 60W brick
- Folding US Plug
I'll probably pick up a few short converter cables or a US/NEMA female to C7/C8 female cable to us with the Apple C7/C8 duck head plugs as I find it handy to have a few inches of slack for loose ports or weird socket placement.
Apr 30, 2019, 3:42 am
#175
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
I find the weight of the Anker really surprising. 175gr? What for? The Mu One is 82g, the Innergie 60C is 88g -- so you could add the two together and have a 100W dual port charger and still be slightly lighter. The Maru is promised to be 210 grams (3 AC, 2 USB C together 63W, 2 USB A) which is just 20% more. So, what are they spending that ridiculous weight budget on?
Apr 30, 2019, 9:12 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,917
I find the weight of the Anker really surprising. 175gr? What for? The Mu One is 82g, the Innergie 60C is 88g -- so you could add the two together and have a 100W dual port charger and still be slightly lighter. The Maru is promised to be 210 grams (3 AC, 2 USB C together 63W, 2 USB A) which is just 20% more. So, what are they spending that ridiculous weight budget on?
Apr 30, 2019, 12:42 pm
#178
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
If you are looking for a nice Type C Power Bank , check this UGREEN Product
it have a built in Usb type-C cable ,good size for the 10K Capacity & Support quick charge
Ugreen Power Bank
it have a built in Usb type-C cable ,good size for the 10K Capacity & Support quick charge
Ugreen Power Bank
https://switchchargers.com/novoo-pow...i-5000-review/
Tech Specs:
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A
- Output:
- 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A*, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
- 18W Quick Charge 3.0 & 5V/2.1A
- Input: 12W USB-C PD (5V/2.1A, 9V/1.4A, 12V/1A)
- Capacity: 5,000mAh 18.5Wh
- Size: 3 x 1.4 x 1.1 inches 76 x 35 x 27 mm
- Weight: 3.5 oz 101 grams
I'd prefer a flatter profile like the ugreen so I can stack the phone and battery in my hand if needed but this one is pretty close to what I've been looking for.
Now if I could only find a short usb-c to c 3.1 60W+ cable.... I've only ever seen a < 1 ft usb-c 3.X cable bundled with the Sandisk Extreme. A Thunberbolt 3 cable would also work but most are 0.5m and probably a bit too heavy for such a light charger.
Last edited by freecia; Apr 30, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Apr 30, 2019, 4:24 pm
#180
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304