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
Jan 18, 2020, 5:29 am
#256
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
zMI review: https://www.chargerlab.com/zmi-zpowe...ardown-review/
My Baseus is doing well, thanks.
A big list of GaN chargers, not all of them come from this family but many: https://www.ganfast.com/products/
Eyeballing the Griffin and Belkin offers they suspiciously look the same as Aukey
USB certified products: https://www.usb.org/products most amazonbasics cables are there, you can grab the ASIN from the URL and search for model number curiously the gen2 cables aren't.
One of the advantages of buying the Mu One was getting advance notice of the Mu Two, the early price was quite reasonable.
The kikkerland adapter is still a Road Warrior RW75 knockoff, I wrote this many times over the years and I am at a complete loss why would anyone buy that instead of the newer Road Warrior RW101 https://www.amazon.com/Road-Warrior-Travel-Adapter-Designed/dp/B014IP1VIW perhaps because they don't know it exists. Speaking of Japan things, finally these https://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Adapter-2-Prong-Swivel-Ungrounded/dp/B07HKVHR71 things are available w/o the hassle of the import. There are many variants of this in Japan.
My Baseus is doing well, thanks.
A big list of GaN chargers, not all of them come from this family but many: https://www.ganfast.com/products/
Eyeballing the Griffin and Belkin offers they suspiciously look the same as Aukey
USB certified products: https://www.usb.org/products most amazonbasics cables are there, you can grab the ASIN from the URL and search for model number curiously the gen2 cables aren't.
One of the advantages of buying the Mu One was getting advance notice of the Mu Two, the early price was quite reasonable.
The kikkerland adapter is still a Road Warrior RW75 knockoff, I wrote this many times over the years and I am at a complete loss why would anyone buy that instead of the newer Road Warrior RW101 https://www.amazon.com/Road-Warrior-Travel-Adapter-Designed/dp/B014IP1VIW perhaps because they don't know it exists. Speaking of Japan things, finally these https://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Adapter-2-Prong-Swivel-Ungrounded/dp/B07HKVHR71 things are available w/o the hassle of the import. There are many variants of this in Japan.
Can you elaborate on your baseus experience? Does it replace any other chargers in your travel kit? I’m still looking for my holy grail single charger. Currently I’m in Mumbai with my MuOne and the Anker GAN charger I mentioned up thread. I like to take two, just in case I leave one or have a failed device. The anker (45W USB-C + 3 USB A ports) has been working out quite well, but to be honest the Baseus style 2 USB-c + 1 USB A may offer me the flexibility I need to finally narrow down my packing list to a single charger.
Jan 19, 2020, 1:03 am
#257
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
No, it allows me to downsize. Items needing charge every day are a 45W laptop and a Pixel 2 phone and depending on country, the glocalme u2 (micro USB). The Baseus can do this alone which is yay. The Dasung not-eReader (5V only USB C) needs to charge relatively often, too. Then I have an aroo vacuum bar (micro USB), an Olight UC (AAA charger, USB A male), a 30W laptop (12V is optional over USB C :/), an MSX201 razor (any USB C), Oral B 3rd party charger (micro USB) and sometimes the camera wants to be charged too (micro USB). That's a lot of devices already and I bet I forgot 2-3 more. I often say you could operate a pretty decent accessories shop out of my backpack 
So I am now down to the Ravpower 45W, the Baseus and the Mu One and plug the rest into laptop(s) as needed. All of this goes into the Moenegallet (can't get that any more, try the HS-T1254K instead) with the C8 end of it converted to an Europlug socket with a short cable (Aliexpress 32892178835 -- I can't find a Nema cable and the Conntek 30132 adapter is unwiedly but this is fine because the Mu One has all sorts of plugs anyways). I am then using a C7-C8 extension cord and the duckheads from Tofu (I got them from the Maru+Masa kickstarter, you can get them but they are expensive). This way I don't need plug adapters. When I am just out during the day, I use the Mu One to keep the laptop happy, once the Mu Two lands, I can charge whichever device is pulling hotspot duty besides the laptop and I will attempt to travel with just two chargers... frightening thought
BTW does anyone know of a C7-C8 extension 1m long cable? It used to exist on but I just can't find it now.
So I am now down to the Ravpower 45W, the Baseus and the Mu One and plug the rest into laptop(s) as needed. All of this goes into the Moenegallet (can't get that any more, try the HS-T1254K instead) with the C8 end of it converted to an Europlug socket with a short cable (Aliexpress 32892178835 -- I can't find a Nema cable and the Conntek 30132 adapter is unwiedly but this is fine because the Mu One has all sorts of plugs anyways). I am then using a C7-C8 extension cord and the duckheads from Tofu (I got them from the Maru+Masa kickstarter, you can get them but they are expensive). This way I don't need plug adapters. When I am just out during the day, I use the Mu One to keep the laptop happy, once the Mu Two lands, I can charge whichever device is pulling hotspot duty besides the laptop and I will attempt to travel with just two chargers... frightening thought
BTW does anyone know of a C7-C8 extension 1m long cable? It used to exist on but I just can't find it now.
Last edited by chx1975; Jan 19, 2020 at 1:16 am
Jan 19, 2020, 2:52 pm
#258
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
BTW does anyone know of a C7-C8 extension 1m long cable? It used to exist on Amazon UK but I just can't find it now.
I noticed Gl-iNet added a few routers with usb-c
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/ LTE travel router, alas still 3+ skus for regions
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mv1000/ 3 1GB eth & supports Ubuntu
Jan 19, 2020, 6:23 pm
#259
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
I have ~ 13 inch c7-c8 extension from seller welleen on ebay which is currently closed for Spring Festival https://www.ebay.com/sch/welleen/m.h...1&_ipg=&_from= Perhaps check there in a few weeks when their items are relisted?
I noticed Gl-iNet added a few routers with usb-c
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/ LTE travel router, alas still 3+ skus for regions
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mv1000/ 3 1GB eth & supports Ubuntu
I noticed Gl-iNet added a few routers with usb-c
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/ LTE travel router, alas still 3+ skus for regions
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mv1000/ 3 1GB eth & supports Ubuntu
Jan 19, 2020, 7:20 pm
#260
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
Thanks, I will check. The MV1000 seems to lack wifi and very expensive compared to the same physical format GL-AR750. I understand of course it's much more powerful but it's not that interesting for travel, I am afraid. The GL-E750 is rather interesting, seems like the USB C has data functionality, you could make a sort of version of the MV1000 out of it then with a quad port USB Ethernet adapter. Thanks!
ETA (merging a few things across the internets): "I can't find a C8 to Nema female cable. It just doesn't seem to exist. There's an adapter but it's unwieldy." I asked welleen pretty much the same thing a while back. The Nema 1-15r usa 2 prong female is polarized. C8 is not polarized, though perhaps you'd be able to find a C8P and proper duck bills for those or non-polarized NEMA 1-15 like Japan uses. They don't offer C8 to nema 1-15R since it can be dangerous.
Last edited by freecia; Jan 19, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Jan 20, 2020, 1:11 am
#262
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
I like shorter cables for travel and finally got a short usb-c to lightning PD cable last year. Japan for the win again https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31754445-post63.html with Elecom's 0.1m cable. Aukey now sells a 1ft version on Amazon US for those who don't want to bother importing and/or are fine with 1ft.
Jan 21, 2020, 2:22 pm
#263
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
No, it allows me to downsize. Items needing charge every day are a 45W laptop and a Pixel 2 phone and depending on country, the glocalme u2 (micro USB). The Baseus can do this alone which is yay. The Dasung not-eReader (5V only USB C) needs to charge relatively often, too. Then I have an aroo vacuum bar (micro USB), an Olight UC (AAA charger, USB A male), a 30W laptop (12V is optional over USB C :/), an MSX201 razor (any USB C), Oral B 3rd party charger (micro USB) and sometimes the camera wants to be charged too (micro USB). That's a lot of devices already and I bet I forgot 2-3 more. I often say you could operate a pretty decent accessories shop out of my backpack
So I am now down to the Ravpower 45W, the Baseus and the Mu One and plug the rest into laptop(s) as needed. All of this goes into the Moenegallet (can't get that any more, try the HS-T1254K instead) with the C8 end of it converted to an Europlug socket with a short cable (Aliexpress 32892178835 -- I can't find a Nema cable and the Conntek 30132 adapter is unwiedly but this is fine because the Mu One has all sorts of plugs anyways). I am then using a C7-C8 extension cord and the duckheads from Tofu (I got them from the Maru+Masa kickstarter, you can get them here but they are expensive). This way I don't need plug adapters. When I am just out during the day, I use the Mu One to keep the laptop happy, once the Mu Two lands, I can charge whichever device is pulling hotspot duty besides the laptop and I will attempt to travel with just two chargers... frightening thought
BTW does anyone know of a C7-C8 extension 1m long cable? It used to exist on Amazon UK but I just can't find it now.
So I am now down to the Ravpower 45W, the Baseus and the Mu One and plug the rest into laptop(s) as needed. All of this goes into the Moenegallet (can't get that any more, try the HS-T1254K instead) with the C8 end of it converted to an Europlug socket with a short cable (Aliexpress 32892178835 -- I can't find a Nema cable and the Conntek 30132 adapter is unwiedly but this is fine because the Mu One has all sorts of plugs anyways). I am then using a C7-C8 extension cord and the duckheads from Tofu (I got them from the Maru+Masa kickstarter, you can get them here but they are expensive). This way I don't need plug adapters. When I am just out during the day, I use the Mu One to keep the laptop happy, once the Mu Two lands, I can charge whichever device is pulling hotspot duty besides the laptop and I will attempt to travel with just two chargers... frightening thought
BTW does anyone know of a C7-C8 extension 1m long cable? It used to exist on Amazon UK but I just can't find it now.
Any recommended products available on amazon or monoprice? Looking specifically for 5A (100W) capable cables (ideally with some decent data throughput as well).
Jan 22, 2020, 6:54 am
#264
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,132
As ZMi is a Xiaomi brand, it’s expected that these will be well put together.
(They also did a tear down of the smaller charger I mentioned, only con was availability - that fits... https://www.chargerlab.com/zmi-zpowe...n-constraints/)
Eyeballing the Griffin and Belkin offers they suspiciously look the same as Aukey
USB certified products: https://www.usb.org/products most amazonbasics cables are there, you can grab the ASIN from the URL and search for model number curiously the gen2 cables aren't.
One of the advantages of buying the Mu One was getting advance notice of the Mu Two, the early price was quite reasonable.
The kikkerland adapter is still a Road Warrior RW75 knockoff...
Though, if the design was first unveiled in 2002, it’s now 18+years, the design patent will likely expire soon?
Last edited by crackjack; Jan 22, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Jan 24, 2020, 12:04 am
#265
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
What usb-c to usb-c cables are you currently using? I have a bunch of these cables ranging from the cheapie USB 2.0 only cables I've gotten with some devices through thunderbolt 3.0 cables I got with a thunderbolt dock.
Any recommended products available on amazon or monoprice? Looking specifically for 5A (100W) capable cables (ideally with some decent data throughput as well).
Any recommended products available on amazon or monoprice? Looking specifically for 5A (100W) capable cables (ideally with some decent data throughput as well).
Feb 14, 2020, 2:50 am
#266
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,279
Has anyone encountered kernel panics on macOS using magnetic USB-C PD cables? I'm unsure if there is something wrong with my new work 16" MacBook Pro. I can't remember the brand name of the cable at work.
However I haven't had any kernel panics at home where I power it from an OWC docking station.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock
It passes the UEFI based diagnostic test with or without the magnetic cable.
However I haven't had any kernel panics at home where I power it from an OWC docking station.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock
It passes the UEFI based diagnostic test with or without the magnetic cable.
Feb 14, 2020, 5:20 am
#267
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,132
The USB-C spec does not include any provision for magnetic cables - these are guaranteed not to be USB-IF certified.
Each cable company is designing / copying their own solution for the magnetic connections and trusting it works as expected. While it may work in some scenarios / combinations, there’s no oversight that it will work in every situation. (Can’t even be certain of USB-IF certified cables, but at least they have a higher likelihood of being OK.)
Probably best to just use a standard cable at work and see if it fixes your issues. Why trust your $1,500+ Macbook to a dodgy cable?
Are you using a magnetic cable at home as well? Same company / brand?
Each cable company is designing / copying their own solution for the magnetic connections and trusting it works as expected. While it may work in some scenarios / combinations, there’s no oversight that it will work in every situation. (Can’t even be certain of USB-IF certified cables, but at least they have a higher likelihood of being OK.)
Probably best to just use a standard cable at work and see if it fixes your issues. Why trust your $1,500+ Macbook to a dodgy cable?
Are you using a magnetic cable at home as well? Same company / brand?
Last edited by crackjack; Feb 14, 2020 at 5:26 am
Feb 14, 2020, 1:16 pm
#268
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,279
The magnetic cable (plugged into the OEM brick) was provided by the company because people who had been using MagSafe macbooks for a decade or more kept damaging their Thunderbolt ports when they jerked the cable out accidentally. I don't have a magnetic cable at home, just the cable that came with the OWC docking station that my girlfriend bought a few years ago for her 12" MacBook but doesn't use.
I won't be back to the office until Thursday but I just noticed that using the new MacBook at home all-day on Friday it didn't kernel panic once.
I won't be back to the office until Thursday but I just noticed that using the new MacBook at home all-day on Friday it didn't kernel panic once.
Feb 17, 2020, 4:03 pm
#269
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
I need to rehaul the wiki, it's been a few years.
this seems like a great solution to settle on as a single charger. USB IF certified , AC safety certifications (for Korea and Japan only but that's plenty). There are not that many thin 60W chargers (the Sirius Eggtronic 60W is the only other I am aware of) and this also has a 30W and two USB A ports.
The C-FORCE CF005A converts the two USB A QC ports to USB C ports. FOUR USB C ports! https://www.cforce.shop/goods.php?id=1024 https://www.cforce.shop/goods.php?id=1025 my fav taobao proxy is superbuy: https://www.superbuy.com/en/page/buy...3D579090137172
this seems like a great solution to settle on as a single charger. USB IF certified , AC safety certifications (for Korea and Japan only but that's plenty). There are not that many thin 60W chargers (the Sirius Eggtronic 60W is the only other I am aware of) and this also has a 30W and two USB A ports.
The C-FORCE CF005A converts the two USB A QC ports to USB C ports. FOUR USB C ports! https://www.cforce.shop/goods.php?id=1024 https://www.cforce.shop/goods.php?id=1025 my fav taobao proxy is superbuy: https://www.superbuy.com/en/page/buy...3D579090137172
Last edited by chx1975; Feb 17, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Feb 17, 2020, 4:57 pm
#270
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,226
Has anyone encountered kernel panics on macOS using magnetic USB-C PD cables? I'm unsure if there is something wrong with my new work 16" MacBook Pro. I can't remember the brand name of the cable at work.
However I haven't had any kernel panics at home where I power it from an OWC docking station.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock
It passes the UEFI based diagnostic test with or without the magnetic cable.
However I haven't had any kernel panics at home where I power it from an OWC docking station.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock
It passes the UEFI based diagnostic test with or without the magnetic cable.
Power Trend Fast Charging Right Angled L Side 86W 4.3A Reversible Magnetic USB Type C to USB C Cable 2M