Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
Having flown over 1,200,000 miles since 2016, I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest travel gear. And now I’m convinced I’ve found the best travel adapter on the market: the Satechi GaN 145W 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 so quickly — I’m talking from a flat battery 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.
It is a compact and efficient travel adapter ideal for international and domestic use. It offers super fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously and includes four power adapters.
Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
Before using this travel adapter, I was unfamiliar with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. The charger runs cooler 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 warms up only slightly.
The manufacturer claims that it charges three times faster than conventional chargers. I plugged my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 7 into ports 1 and 2 (65W output each) — here’s how the batteries fared 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 generate up to 145 watts, but the actual output depends on how many devices you charge at once. Here’s a look at what you can expect.
James Harris/CNN Emphasis
Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
I used this charger at home for a few weeks before taking a recent trip to Europe. There is no doubt that it was designed with travel in mind.
Its compact size and four interchangeable international plugs (US, UK, EU and Australia) make it ideal for the world traveler. The charger also comes with a mesh carry bag that fits the charger and included adapters.
Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
This charger features four USB-C ports, which may be a drawback for those still using USB-A chargers. However, as more devices move to this updated port, I like that it’s all USB-C.
I usually carry six rechargeable devices – iPhone 15 Pro Max, MacBook Pro, Apple Watch Series 7, iPhone 13, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX headphones and Suri electric toothbrush. With this charger, I can simultaneously charge two-thirds of these devices with just one outlet.
This is a change for my travels. Gone are the days of carrying a separate phone charger, MacBook charger and travel adapter. Now I can travel with just the Satechi GaN travel charger and the necessary cables.
Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
At $120, the Satechi GaN Travel Charger is more expensive than the competition. While its features and performance may justify the price 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 cost.
Kyle Olsen/CNN Emphasis
If you’ve already migrated to USB-C, that’s no problem. But if you have a mixed ecosystem of chargers, you might feel limited to just 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 power | 145 W (max. 140 W from one USB-C port) |
| Size | 3.8 x 3 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | 12.6 oz |
| Power ports | US, EU, UK, AU |
| Price |
$120 |
| Charging ports | 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A |
|---|---|
| Maximum power | 100 W (max. 100 W from one USB-C port) |
| Size | 2.4 x 2.4 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 7.1 oz |
| Power ports | USA, EU, UK |
| Price |
$59 |
| Charging ports | 3 AC, 4 USB-A, 1 USB-C |
|---|---|
| Maximum power | 2500W (single USB-C is 15W max) |
| Size | 3.9 x 1.1 x 0.1 inches |
| Weight | 9.2 oz |
| Power ports | USA, EU, UK |
| Price |
$20 |
If you’re on the USB-C team and travel often, the Satechi GaN Travel Charger is for you. Its compact design, high power output and intelligent power distribution will simplify the setup for travel charging.
However, the lack of USB-A ports and its higher price may deter some travelers. But if you can make full use of its capabilities, I think its high price is worth it for frequent international travel.
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