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Having driven over 1,200,000 miles since 2016, I’m always on the lookout for the best travel gear. And now, I’m convinced I’ve found the best travel adapter on the market: the Satechi 145W GaN Travel Charger.
It’s a compact and efficient solution for my international and domestic charging needs, and I’ve never seen my iPhone 15 Pro Max charge this quickly: I’m talking from empty to 50% charge in 15 minutes.
Here’s a closer look at this charger’s features and why it’s a must-have on your packing list, no matter where your travels take you.
This is a compact and efficient travel adapter, perfect for international and domestic use. It offers ultra-fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously and includes four power adapters.
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Before using this travel adapter, I was unaware of gallium nitride (GaN) technology. The charger operates at a cooler temperature and is more efficient than traditional chargers. This results in less heat generation and a more compact design without sacrificing performance. Even at maximum power, it only gets slightly warm.
The manufacturer claims that the charger charges three times faster than conventional chargers. I plugged my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 7 into ports 1 and 2 (each with a 65W output) — here’s how the batteries performed after 20 minutes of charging:
iPhone 15 Pro Max:26% to 81% charge.
Apple Watch Series 7:14% charge to 92% charge.
The device can output up to 145 watts, but the actual power depends on how many devices you charge simultaneously. Here’s a look at what you can expect.
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I used this charger at home for a few weeks before taking it on a recent trip to Europe. There’s no doubt it was designed with travel in mind.
Its compact size and four interchangeable international plugs (US, UK, EU and AU) make it ideal for globetrotters. The charger also comes with a mesh carrying bag that fits the charger and its included adapters.
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This charger has four USB-C ports, which may be a drawback for those still using USB-A chargers. However, as more devices adopt this updated port, I appreciate that it’s all USB-C.
I usually carry six rechargeable devices: an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a MacBook Pro, an Apple Watch Series 7, an iPhone 13, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX headphones, and a Suri electric toothbrush. With this charger, I can charge two-thirds of these devices simultaneously with a single outlet.
This is a game changer for my travels. Gone are the days of having to carry a separate phone charger, MacBook charger, and travel adapter. Now I can travel with just the Satechi GaN Travel Charger and the necessary cables.
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At $120, the Satechi GaN Travel Charger is more expensive than its competitors. While its features and performance may justify the cost for frequent travelers, casual users may find that more affordable options like the Foval European Travel Plug Adapter meet their charging needs at a fraction of the price.
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If you’ve already migrated to USB-C, this isn’t a problem. But if you have a mixed ecosystem of chargers, you might find yourself limited with only USB-C ports. However, you can purchase a USB-C to USB-A adapter to use USB-A cables with this device.
Charging ports 4 USB-C
maximum production 145W (max 140W from USB-C port)
Size 3.8 x 3 x 1.2 inches
Weight 12.6 ounces
Power ports USA, EU, UK, Australia
Price
$120
Charging ports 3 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port
maximum production 100W (max 100W from USB-C port)
Size 2.4 x 2.4 x 1 inches
Weight 7.1 ounces
Power ports United States, EU, United Kingdom
Price
$59
Charging ports 3 AC, 4 USB-A, 1 USB-C
maximum production 2500W (single USB-C is 15W max)
Size 3.9 x 1.1 x 0.1 inches
Weight 9.2 ounces
Power ports United States, EU, United Kingdom
Price
$20
If you use USB-C and travel frequently, the Satechi GaN Travel Charger is for you. Its compact design, high output power, and intelligent power distribution will simplify your travel charging setup.
That said, the lack of USB-A ports and its higher price may deter some travelers. But if you can fully utilize its capabilities, I think its high cost is worth it for frequent international travelers.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN highlighted the money chosen as best travel credit cards currently available.
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