If we talk about a significant change in the wired connectivity segment of the tech industry, USB Type C or simple USB-C has brought somewhat of a revolution. USB Type-C ports are now found on many devices ranging from simple external hard drives to laptops and the latest smartphones.
The most useful protocol that a USB-C port supports is Thunderbolt 4, or the upcoming USB 4. These add support up to 40Gbps of throughput, coupled with reduced power consumption and the ability to move almost 100 watts of power over the interface. In addition, Thunderbolt enables the connection of discreet peripherals, such as an external graphics card, to a laptop.
While every USB-C port may look the same, its capabilities differ with changes in functionality. USB-C may have wide-ranging applications, but it doesn’t serve the same functions everywhere. Today we will deal with one of USB-C’s most useful protocols when designed, which delivers enough power to charge a host device, such as laptops or smartphones. We will look at some USB-C chargers you can get to replace your misfiring laptop or smartphone charger.
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USB-C and Power Delivery
While USB-C is a commonly known term, USB-C Power Delivery is a concept we ought to know when choosing a USB-C charger for laptops. A regular USB-C port operates using USB 3.1 charging standards that deliver up to 3 amps of current.
USB-PD protocol is a fast-charging technology that is dynamic. It allows for the device to negotiate the optimum level of power it needs.
Power Delivery is a single wire protocol that deals with handling higher power and allowing a range of devices to receive the optimum power it requires to get charged rapidly. When two devices supporting USB-PD are plugged into each other, it enables a conversation between the two devices that determine how much power should be pulled from the charger. Next, they settle on a compatible rate that both the supply unit and the device support, after which the charging (or discharging) begins.
While standard USB-C cable support up to 60 watts, designated EMCA cables can push it up to 100 watts.
Note that all USB-C ports or chargers do not support USB-PD, nor will all USB-C supporting devices charge with all USB-C chargers.An exciting and valuable feature of Power Delivery is that there is no set direction for the charge to flow based on the circuit or a connection. Instead, power Delivery allows for the power to flow in both directions. With Power Delivery, USB Type-C ports can be either a source, sink, or both. For example, if two smartphones that support Power Delivery are connected using a USB-C charging cable, one smartphone could quickly charge the other and vice versa.
USB-C and PPS
PPs or Programmable Power Supply is technology provided by USB Implementor’s Forum, which is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports further development of Universal Serial Bus for USB-C devices. PPS is an adaptive technology that enables incremental changing of voltage to any device by 0.02V to match the voltage of the charging device’s battery. PPS modifies the voltage and current in real-time depending on the charging status.
USB-C Chargers and GaN
You might be wondering if GaN is another protocol for fast charging. Well, no, GaN is a compound that is the brains behind the best USB-C Power Delivery chargers. However, if you take a close look at your laptop charger, you will see that although the laptop might be sleek, thin, and portable, the charger is still a handy tool for bludgeoning someone in self-defence.
Well, complex circuitry that provides optimal amperes to your laptop, fail-safes that ensure safety, and room to compensate for the electrical heat generated in a closed environment, take up a lot of space. Hence, the chargers are big in size and heavy. In addition, conventional laptop chargers, rightfully called power bricks or adapters, have silicon circuitry inside that generates a lot of heat.
GaN or Gallium Nitride is a compound that generates considerably less heat than Silicon and has been used in LED-powered lamps for a long. Gallium Nitride allows electrical current to pass through it faster and offers minimal resistance, and thus, less heat is generated. In addition to faster processing, low heat generation means that more components can be placed closer to each other, significantly reducing the space required for complex circuitry.
Hence, USB-C Chargers with GaN in them are smaller in size, and more portable, and the best part is they offer multi-port support that lets a user charge multiple devices simultaneously. Imagine doing that on a laptop brick. The best part is that it is cheaper too, and a multi-port USB-C charger with PD and GaN is available at a fraction of the cost of a conventional laptop charger.
100 Watts USB-C Chargers Compared
Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|
Hyphen-X 100W Quad Port USB-C Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2- max 30Watts GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: Yes Extras: All Ports Support Fast Charge | Check on Amazon | |
Nekteck 100W Single Port, Foldable USB Laptop Charger | USB-C Ports: 1 USB-A Ports: None GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extras: 2 Metre USB-C to USB-C Cable Provided with the Charger | Check on Amazon | |
Cirtek 100W All in One, PD Enabled USB-C Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extras: Quick Charge 3.0/4.0 enabled USB-A ports. | Check on Amazon | |
Key Power 100W USB Charger with Power Delivery | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 3 GaN: No PD: Yes PPS: Yes Extra: Quick Charge 3.0/4.0 enabled USB-A ports. | Check on Amazon | |
CHOETECH 100W Universal USB-C Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: None GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extra: Fast Charging from both USB-C Ports | Check on Amazon | |
HyperJuice 100W Apple Compatible, USB Laptop Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extra: UK/EU/AU Pin Converters Inside Charger Box | Check on Amazon | |
Amazon Basics 100W Foldable, Quad Port USB-C Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extra: Over-Voltage, Overheating, and Short-Circuit Protection | Check on Amazon | |
Cosano 100W Four Port, Wired USB Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extra: Quick Charge 3.0 Enabled USB-A Ports | Check on Amazon | |
AVLT 100W Wire Detachable USB Charger with PD | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: No PD: Yes PPS: Yes Extra: Both USB-A Ports have Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 enabled. | Check on Amazon | |
Minix 100W, Foldable and Compact USB-Charger | USB-C Ports: 2 USB-A Ports: 2 GaN: Yes PD: Yes PPS: No Extra: UK/EU/AU Pin Converters Inside Charger Box | Check on Amazon |
1. Hyphen-X 100W Quad Port USB-C Charger
The Hyphen X USB-C charger comes with Accurate Intelligent Power Distribution that supports most of the fast-charging protocols and ensures that your devices are fast charged safely. It intelligently distributes 45 watts for 2 in 1 convertible laptops that need the least power in laptops and 65 watts for regular laptops. It supports high ends laptops too, such as gaming laptops with 100 watts of power.
With extensive warranty coverage, Hyphen-X 100 watts USB-C charger is your safest bet.The device has four ports that charge four devices simultaneously. All ports support Quick Charge and have 3rd generation GaN semiconductors that provide double power density and reduce power losses by 80%. These increase the power efficiency and value for money percentage of the Hyphen-X USB-C charger.
Our TakeThe Hyphen-X 100 watts charger good internals to replace your stock charger, and it comes with an excellent warranty to back up its bold claims. Barring some downsides, which are anyways hit or miss, it is a very capable charger that you can use to get rid of your stock laptop charging brick.
- Foldable wall plug
- All ports support fast charge
- Four ports
- Great Price
- 18 Months Warranty
- No real cons
2. Nekteck 100W Single Port, Foldable USB Laptop Charger
The Nekteck 100W USB-C charger is a highly rated and reliable charger compatible with PD 3.0 and works on GaN technology. The device is very efficient and has a claimed efficiency of over 90 percent. In addition, GaN technology works at least three times faster than old silicon-based chargers.
The single port Nekteck is not a jack of all trades. It is a master of just one.The Nekteck has a single 100W PD port that is good at charging laptops up in less than 2 hours. In addition, it is universally compatible with most laptops and can charge a Macbook Air in less than 2 hours. The only complaint is its lack of multiple ports and weight, which is comparatively heavier than other USB-C chargers.
Our TakeNekteck 100 watts USB-C charger has rave reviews on eCommerce portals worldwide and should be a top choice for people looking for a charger that meets universal standards. However, the question here is that when quad-port chargers are available at similar prices, would you still like to stick to a single port charger?
- Reliable Performance
- Compact Design
- Meets Multiple Safety Standards
- Single Port
3. Cirtek 100W All in One, PD Enabled USB-C Charger
Here we have a four-port USB Type C charger from Cirtek that is PD and GaN compatible with 90 percent operating efficiency. Its USB A port supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. The charger is CE, FCC, ETL, RoHS certificated and offers protection against high voltage, overheating, and short circuit.
This handy charger comes with universal compatibility and a foldable plug that makes it very handy to carry around. In addition, it offers simultaneous charging from all four of its ports and can charge an iPhone in about thirty minutes.
Our TakeIf you need a charger specifically for your laptop, then Cirtek 100-watt charger is what you should go for. It is good at charging two regular laptops together. Since both USB-C ports support Power Delivery, your laptop and this charger can quickly become inseparable.
- 2 USB-C PD 3.0 ports
- Intelligent Power Allocation
- Protection from Voltage and other Electrical Issues
- No PPS
4. Key Power 100W USB Charger with Power Delivery
The Key Power USB C Charger offers a little more utility to the user than its predecessor due to its more ports. There are five ports, of which two are USB-C PD-enabled ports that support Quick Charge 4 and three USB-A ports for charging a lot of devices at the same time.
Key Power USB-C charger comes with quality standard certification as well as five charging ports.The device comes with an in-built multi-protection system with premium microchips that deliver stable performance over a prolonged period. In addition, the USB A ports can be allocated a maximum of 35 watts during simultaneous usage.
Our TakeIf you are looking for a value-for-money option, this USB-C charger from Key Power ticks all the correct boxes. Quick charge on simultaneous connection and five ports to charge your device, and that too at throwaway prices. What more could you ask?
- TUV certified
- Dual PD 3.0 USB C ports
- Five ports
- Flimsy Build
5. CHOETECH 100W Universal USB-C Charger
The Choetech 100-watt charger, although relatively unknown, is highly rated at Amazon and does an excellent job at charging high-powered laptops with its two USB-C 100-watt Power Delivery ports. GaN makes the charger highly efficient, and there is virtually zero wattage loss. In addition, the device has an ultra-compact build and is lightweight, making it very portable to carry around compared to the OEM laptop chargers.
The device has a slight downside in featuring two ports over some other chargers in the same price range that offer more ports. However, both the ports are Quick Charge compatible and universally work with almost all USB-C devices to charge themselves up.
Our TakeBarring fewer ports and lack of certification about standards, there is nothing much to complain about the Choetech 100 watts charger. Its internal circuits are made of high-quality conductors that ensure maximum efficiency, which can aid you in fast charging your devices.
- Compact Size
- Broad Compatibility
- Power Delivery and GaN
- Only Two Ports
6. HyperJuice 100W Apple Compatible, USB-C Laptop Charger
HyperJuice 100 watts charger, although widely compatible, performs best with Apple devices. It is Power Delivery 3.0 compatible and operates in a 100V-240V range. It has the latest Navitas GaN Fast NV6117 Power IC inside that can operate at higher voltages. This IC can switch frequencies efficiently, which results in a smaller and more efficient charging unit.
There are four ports, of which 2 are USB-A and two USB-C, but the labels are missing. The USB-C ports are Power Delivery compatible, and the USB-A ports are Quick Charge compatible. The charger has most protection protocols inside and comes with travel-friendly pin converters that make this charger universally compatible in almost every power port worldwide. In addition, the HyperJuice has Intelligent Power Distribution inside that automatically regulates the output wattage in the four different ports.
Our TakeIf you have many devices that need to be charged at the same time, this 4 Port adapter is an excellent pick. If you travel abroad, the pin convertor feature will come in handy, allowing you to use the local power outlets without any adapters.
- 4 USB Ports
- Interchangeable Pin Convertors
- Comprehensive Warranty Policy
- The price is on the high side
7. Amazon Basics 100W Foldable, Quad Port USB-C Charger
Next, we have a 100-watt charger from Amazon Basics that has GaN conductors inside, Power Delivery 3.0, and the reliability of Amazon. However, the charger does not have PPS in its 2 USB-A ports. Of the two USB-C ports, one is a PD port that does 100-watt maximum. The second USB-C port has a maximum wattage of 18-watts.
The Amazon Basic USB-C charger is reliable but perhaps not suited for speed-charging multiple devices.The two USB-A ports have a maximum of 12 watts of power and are suitable for charging smartphones simultaneously. Unfortunately, Intelligent Power Distribution is missing, but the device comes with a one-year warranty from Amazon. However, a significant downside of the charger is its hit or miss compatibility with Apple devices.
Our TakeAmazon has forayed into tech space with a host of their ‘homemade’ products. Good for you that they have good ratings on the website. However, usual fast-charging protocols are missing, and there are some doubts about the charging speed when multiple devices are being charged.
- Reliable
- 1 Year Replacement Warranty
- Four ports
- PPS Missing
8. Cosano 100W Four Port, Wired USB Charger
The Cosano USB-C charger comes in a flat form factor that makes it easy to carry around in even a pocket. The difference between this charger over the other in the list is a cooling feature that keeps the charger cool. The user manual clearly describes the wattage of every port. A single USB-C port can output 100 watts which is adequate for laptop charging.
Different devices need different ranges of power to charge up. What more to ask of a device which can do this allocation on its own?The Cosano USB-C charger has four ports that can be used parallelly to charge multiple devices, but the wattage, in that case, is divided between each port. The USB-A ports are Qualcomm Quick Charge compatible, and a single USB-C port is PSS and PD compatible. The charger comes with a 5 feet detachable power cord and a travel pouch.
Our TakeCosano, 100 watts charger, is an excellent value-for-money charger. It is built on intelligent power distribution technology that lets it decide about power allocation while you rest. It is an excellent option with all the necessary speed charging protocols.
- Ultra Slim Build
- Auto Cooling Feature
- Quick charge Compatible USB-A ports
- Electrical Protection Protocols Missing
9. AVLT 100W Wire Detachable USB Charger with PD
A unique feature of the AVLT USB-C charger is its dual Power Delivery on its USB-C ports and dual Quick Charge 3.0 on its USB-A ports.
Dual power delivery allows fast charge of two 60W laptops simultaneously and up to four devices with 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports but total wattage up to 100 watts. In addition, the device has a palm-sized design that allows for on-the-go usage while traveling or in offices, or at homes.
The AVLT charger has four ports that allocate power based on the first device connected. Intelligent Safety Protection is a multi-faceted protection system that reduces the risk from any over-load, over-voltage, over-current, and short-circuits. However, a significant drawback is its non-universal compatibility. There are some laptops from LG, Dell, and Lenovo that are not supported.
Our TakeThe 100 watts USB-C charging space has many quality players now, and AVLT does not want to stay behind. Backed by most safety certifications and innovative technologies, the AVLT charger offers good value at a slightly premium price. The issue, however, is its limited compatibility.
- Dual PD enabled USB-C slots
- USB-A slots are Quick Charge Compatible
- ETL, FCC & CE certified
- Not Universally Compatible
10. Minix 100W, Foldable and Compact USB-Charger
Finally, we have the Minix 100-watt USB-C multi-utility charger that is compatible with smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. GaN technology gives the charger better efficiency in charging tech and makes the charger small in size. In addition, the charger comes with pin converters that make it compatible with all the standard pin sockets in the world today.
The four-port charger comes with a Dynamic Smart Detection system that automatically adjusts the power output of each port depending on the devices connected to it. Single port usage yields 100 watts for USB-C and 18 watts for USB-A.
Our TakeIf you have Nintendo Switch, you should probably go for Minix 100 watts USB-C charger as it is good at fast charging handheld consoles. In addition, it is equipped with innovative technologies that automatically regulate power flow and charging speeds to ensure better and safe power delivery to your devices.
- Universally Compatible with Power Sockets
- Dynamic Smart Detection System
- Power Output on USB-A is Low
100 Watts USB-C Chargers – Frequently Asked Questions
Are USB-C Chargers Reliable?
Absolutely, most USB-C chargers have short circuit, over-voltage, under voltage and overheating protection inside that keep your device safe in case of electrical failures.
Why are USB-C GaN charges cheaper than regular ones?
Most USB-C chargers use Gallium Nitride-made electrical components inside, which is an excellent conductor of electricity and generate considerably less heat than Silicon. Gallium Nitride cost less than Silicon and hence the chargers are available at cheaper rates. There is usually no compromise on quality. However, you should do your research first and look for reviews by previous users before you buy one.
Why are some chargers single-port and some multi-port?
Since there are a lot of USB-C devices today as the world is transitioning towards USB-C, many manufacturers try to embed multiple ports in chargers to aid the user in charging all of their devices from a single charger.
How will the charger know which port needs how much power?
Usually, multi-port chargers have automatic power allocation systems that can detect the power needed by the device plugged in the respective port and provide the optimum power needed to charge the plugged-in device. Single-port chargers do not have this feature.
Conclusion
Carrying a stock laptop charger is troublesome at times when you have limited space available. USB-C chargers addresses this main pain point with their portability and universal compatibility. You get a small brick with a short wire and a cable that you can use to charge most of your USB-C port devices. They have fast charging tech inside and cost a fraction of laptop chargers and many have comprehensive warranty policies that have your back in case it fails. It is a great gadget to keep handy when you are short on time and need your device juiced up and ready to go.
How about the HUWDER 150W PD charger? I’m looking for a charger that can charge my multiple devices at the same time.