Updated on 19 December 2022
Anker 735
This 3-in-1 charger offers the best possible capacity/power/size ratio. It is quite compact for the features offered and combines several technologies for safe use.
This model has 3 PPS ports: 2 USB-C and 1 USB-A. The location of these is perfectly suitable for placement on a power strip, but in our test we found it to be a bit too long for placement behind a piece of furniture. Despite this, it is still quite compact compared to a computer charger. With a maximum power of 65 W, it is powerful enough to quickly charge a smartphone or PC. Thanks to its multiple technologies, it adapts its power to the connected device and we were able to appreciate its power/number of ports ratio. It also complies with the latest safety standards and does not get too hot when all ports are used.
It won't be long before the USB-C charger officially becomes the universal charger for portable devices.
The more ports a charger has, the fewer plugs it has to occupy.
The higher the power, the faster the charge, but the more expensive the charger.
Check the different technologies in the model you want.
If you take it with you everywhere, it is best if it is as compact and light as possible.
Anker 511
This charger is distinguished above all by its mini format, which makes it practical to carry, but also by its affordable price, which makes it an ideal model for charging your smartphone.
Available in 4 colours, this solid model features a single USB-C port with a classic slot that makes it suitable for a power strip (but not so much for a plug). Its 20W output power, combined with a suitable cable, allows you to quickly charge your smartphone. On the other hand, it is far from being the most efficient for charging more power-hungry devices. Its great advantage is its ultra-compact and lightweight format (it is the most discreet we have held in our hands during our tests). As a result, it is easy to store and transport. It’s also protected against overheating and adjusts the power output to protect your devices.
Ugreen GaN X 100w
Despite its large size, it has a multitude of ports to keep the number of occupied sockets to a minimum. It also guarantees fast charging and is perfectly protected.
With 3 USB-C ports and a single USB-A port, this charger is ideal if you have a few plugs available at home. As a result, it’s more awkward to place behind a cupboard or in a tight corner, and also a little heavier to carry. Despite this, we were pleasantly surprised by its performance and efficiency, both on small devices and more demanding ones. It maxes out at 100W and supports multiple fast charging protocols. What surprised us the most? Even when all ports are in use, charging devices were still quite fast. In terms of safety, it is protected against short circuits, overvoltage, overheating and overcurrent.
This charger has a single USB-C port (although it is available in different versions). When we put it to the test, we found the location of the port to be well thought out, allowing us to place it behind a piece of furniture without difficulty. It’s a little less convenient on a power strip, but it’s quite compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport. Performance-wise, it’s rated at 20W and supports USB-PD protocol for fast-charging compatible devices. Thanks to the PPS protocol, it also optimises charging by supplying the best possible voltage. Although it was quite fast during our test, there was a significant slowdown in the last 5% of charging.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best High-End | Budget alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |  |
| Anker 735 | Anker 511 | Ugreen GaN X 100w | Belkin USB-C 20 W |
| This 3-in-1 charger offers the best possible capacity/power/size ratio. It is quite compact for the features offered and combines several technologies for safe use. | This charger is distinguished above all by its mini format, which makes it practical to carry, but also by its affordable price, which makes it an ideal model for charging your smartphone. | Despite its large size, it has a multitude of ports to keep the number of occupied sockets to a minimum. It also guarantees fast charging and is perfectly protected. | Its competitive price and the convenient location of the USB-C port are the two main reasons for choosing this model. Although its performance slows down at the end of charging, it conserves battery life. |
| £ 54.99 on Amazon | £ 13.99 on Amazon | See the price on Amazon |
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How did we test?
To begin with, we installed each of the chargers in different locations (behind a piece of furniture, on a power strip, etc.) to judge the practicality of the ports and their location. Of course, we also took into account the size and weight of each model. We then looked at their robustness and ergonomics (indicator lights, etc.).
To test the charging power, we always used the same cable (USB-C to USB-C) and evaluated the charging speed from 0 to 100% of the same PC and smartphone. When there were multiple ports, we used all of them to see the performance. During this time, we also observed any overheating of each charger.
How to choose a USB-C charger?
It won’t be long before the USB-C charger officially becomes the universal charger for portable devices. So it makes sense to find out about the best models of this type.
To shed some light on this type of product, here are the points you should pay attention to before buying it:
- The number of ports: determines how many devices you can charge simultaneously. The more ports a charger has, the fewer plugs it needs to occupy.
- Power: expressed in watts, it influences the speed of charging, and must be related to the power supported by the device to avoid damaging it. Generally, the higher the power, the faster the charge, but the more expensive the charger. If you have several ports, check that the power distributed between them is still sufficient when charging power-hungry devices at the same time. Also, check the compatibility with the cable to avoid losing power.
- Technologies: some models include technologies such as Quick Charge for fast charging (if your smartphone is also equipped with this technology), smart charging to calibrate the best charging current for your device, and protection against short circuits, overvoltage, overcurrent and overheating.
- Size: if you need to take the charger with you everywhere, it is best to make it as compact and lightweight as possible. Also, consider its size if you plan to install it behind furniture or in tight areas.
PS To accompany these types of chargers, we have an article on the best USB-C cables.
Other models we recommend
Ugreen mini 20W (£12.99 upon publication): an economical option for small devices. This classic charger has a USB-C port and a charging capacity of 20W. This means it is suitable for fast-charging smartphones, but not for power-hungry devices. In addition, its flame-retardant ABS housing is robust and protected against short circuits, overvoltage, overcurrent and overheating. We didn’t notice any overheating during our test. We also found it to be compact and lightweight, making it easy to store or place on a power strip.
Anker 737 (£59.99 upon publication): a powerful charger. It has a much better total power than its direct competitor (120W), but it has fewer ports (two USB-C and one USB-A). Although it is compact, it is still a little heavier than other models in its range. Thanks to its technologies, it automatically adjusts power according to the device and ensures fast charging. On paper, it’s supposed to perform much better than its rival, but it didn’t stand out much during our test. And while we didn’t notice anything else, some buyers cite some shortcomings in its use.
Other models tested
Ugreen 65W (£32.99 upon publication): slight overheating and limited performance with a PC. It has a decent design in terms of size and weight considering its two USB-C ports and 65W total power. Its universal compatibility is interesting, but despite its many protections, we noticed that it tended to heat up when two devices were connected to it at the same time. It also showed its limits when charging the notebook PC with a much longer charging time.
Mophie global powerstation hub (£49.00 upon publication): with a handy rechargeable battery, but with less capacity for the PC. It has two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Among its advantages, it includes indicator lights and comes with a multitude of adapters for high compatibility in foreign countries. However, it is awkward to place (especially behind a cupboard or on a power strip), and its performance is very limited for charging a notebook PC.
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
