Hey, Anker fans!
It seems like you can’t go anywhere in the charging space these days without hearing about Power Delivery technology. Since Apple made the switch to USB-C for the iPad in 2018, more and more users are becoming familiar with the benefits of the high-speed USB-C protocol. But with so many PD chargers on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Read on for a simple introduction that demystifies the choices you have regarding USB-C Power Delivery. There’s a surprise at the end, so you stand to gain something more than a better knowledge of Power Delivery!
Classifying PD Chargers
Based on your devices and charging needs, we can group PD chargers into the following categories: 18W, 30W, 45W, 60W, and Over 60W.
It’s worth noting that higher wattages are compatible with lower ones, meaning that a 30W PD charger has all the features of an 18W charger, just with a higher potential output for devices that demand it. Therefore, the chargers we recommend as ideal for certain devices are not the only compatible chargers by a long shot.
18W Chargers
An 18W Power Delivery charger meets the high-speed charging threshold of smartphones and some tablets, including iPhone 8 and later, Samsung Galaxy 8+ and above, the latest generation of Pixel phones, and Nintendo Switch.
Power Delivery chargers in this class or above have a distinct advantage over Apple’s stock chargers. An 18W PD charger gets iPhone up to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes, while a stock charger only reaches 20% in the same amount of time. This means Power Delivery chargers are 2.5 times faster than an iPhone stock charger.
Recommended Chargers: PowerPort PD 1, PowerPort PD 2, PowerDrive PD 2
30W Chargers
30W chargers provide all the above-mentioned benefits of 18W chargers, but with the additional ability to provide full-speed charging for laptops and most tablets, including the 12-inch MacBook and iPad Pro. It’s worth noting, however, that Apple’s stock charger for the 12-inch MacBook is sufficient to provide full speed charging, though users may still seek out other options for their improved portability; chargers that use GaN technology, like PowerPort Atom PD 1, are a good example.
Recommended Chargers: PowerPort Atom PD 1, PowerPort Speed+ Duo, PowerDrive Speed+ Duo, PowerPort II PD, PowerDrive Speed+ 2 PD, PowerPort Speed PD 30W
45W Charger
Not many devices have reached this threshold yet; the most notable is the 2018 MacBook Air. Although we don’t have a 45W charger at this time, it’s certainly something we’ve thought about. What about you, Anker fans? Do you support the idea of Anker releasing a 45W PD charger?
60W Charger
This next-tier option expands compatibility even further, reaching the full-speed charging threshold for the 13-inch MacBook, Dell XPS 13, and Xiaomi Air. Currently, we only have one charger in this class: PowerPort Speed 1.
Over 60W Charger
There are very few 60W chargers on the market because, except for the 15’’ MacBook Pro, relatively few devices require such a high output for full-speed charging. However, coming this February is PowerPort Atom PD 4, a 100W charger.
But that’s not necessarily 100W of power for just one device. With 4 charging ports, this iteration of the Atom series needs all the power it can get. Capable of providing up to 100W of charging power when one device is connected to a Power Delivery port, or splitting the power to charge 2 laptop and 2 phones at the same time, PowerPort Atom PD 4 is a great choice for families or frequent travelers who often carry a ton of devices.
If you kept up with our adventures at CES, you’ll know that PowerPort Atom PD 4 caused enough excitement to garner an Honoree recognition. But we know, it can be a little difficult to get excited about a product you haven’t even seen yet. That’s why we’re giving away PowerPort Atom PD 4 for free!
All you have to do is share this blog entry on social media, and screenshot it in the comments below for your chance to win. We’ll announce the winners by February 15th, 2019. Giveaway open to residents in the US only.
We hope you feel a little more informed about your purchase decisions, Anker fans. Let us know your thoughts below, and as always, Power On!
Winner Announcement
We’re happy to see that you’re enjoying reading this post and we will bring up more informative posts in the future.
The lucky winner who can get this PowerPort Atom PD 4 goes to @Cshenoy. Congratulations!
Perhaps it will change on my next phone, whatever it may be…
