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Short answer: a 100W GaN charger like the UGREEN Nexode 100W can replace your laptop brick, phone charger and tablet charger at once, and it’s smaller than most laptop chargers. For power on the go, the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W) fully recharges most ultrabooks and is airline carry-on friendly.
In this article
Will a USB-C charger work with my laptop?
- If your laptop charges over USB-C (all MacBooks, most ultrabooks and many business laptops since 2020), any good USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger works. It negotiates the right voltage automatically.
- How many watts? Match or beat your original charger: 30–45W for the MacBook Neo/Air and small laptops, 65W for most 13–15-inch Windows laptops, 96–140W for MacBook Pro 14/16 and performance laptops.
- A smaller charger is safe, it just charges more slowly (and may drain under heavy load).
- Gaming laptops with 200–330W barrel chargers can’t run at full power over USB-C. A USB-C charger is fine for topping up while you work, but keep the original brick for gaming.
Quick comparison
| Best laptop charger for most peopleUGREEN Nexode 100W (4-port GaN) | Check price |
| Most compact 100WAnker Prime 100W (3-port) | Check price |
| Best for MacBook Pro 16 and power usersAnker Prime 160W (3-port) | Check price |
| Best laptop power bankAnker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W) | Check price |
| AlternativeUGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 165W Power Bank | Check price |
| Most powerfulAnker Prime Power Bank (26,250mAh, 300W) | Check price |
Best laptop charger for most people
UGREEN Nexode 100W (4-port GaN)
Three USB-C ports and one USB-A, with up to 100W from a single port. That’s enough to fast-charge a MacBook Pro 14 or any 65W Windows laptop, plus your phone and earbuds at the same time. GaN (gallium nitride) technology makes it far smaller than a traditional brick.
Good: Charges a laptop + phone + more from one outlet, compact, great price.
Not so good: Power is shared when multiple devices are connected (the laptop drops to ~65W).
Most compact 100W
Anker Prime 100W (3-port)
Anker’s Prime charger squeezes 100W and three ports into a foldable body about the size of a deck of cards. It’s ideal for travel.
Good: Very small, foldable plug, premium build.
Not so good: Pricier than UGREEN, gets warm at full output.
Best for MacBook Pro 16 and power users
Anker Prime 160W (3-port)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro fast-charges at up to 140W, and this charger can deliver that from one port while still charging a phone. It has a small display showing the wattage going to each device.
Good: 140W single-port output, smart display, handles two laptops.
Not so good: Expensive, larger than 100W chargers.
Best laptop power bank
Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W)
Three USB-C outputs at up to 100W each (165W total), two built-in retractable cables and a display showing remaining charge. Its 25,000mAh (about 90Wh) capacity refills a MacBook Air or a typical ultrabook roughly once, and stays under the 100Wh carry-on limit most airlines use.
Good: 100W laptop charging, built-in cables, flight-friendly capacity.
Not so good: Heavy (about 1.3 lb), takes a few hours to recharge itself.
Alternative
UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 165W Power Bank
Similar capacity and output to the Anker, with two built-in USB-C cables, often for a little less money.
Good: Built-in cables, 90Wh, good value.
Not so good: Slightly bulkier.
Most powerful
Anker Prime Power Bank (26,250mAh, 300W)
Can push up to 140W from a single port, enough to charge a MacBook Pro 16 at full speed, and recharges itself very quickly. It’s overkill for most people, but ideal if you work on a power-hungry laptop away from outlets.
Good: 140W single-port output, fast self-recharging, app control.
Not so good: Expensive.
Don’t forget the cable
A charger can only deliver more than 60W through a cable rated for it (look for “100W” or “240W”). A 240W-rated cable like this Anker 240W 6 ft 2-pack works with every charger above. These are charging cables, not fast data cables; for external drives use the drive’s own cable.
Flying with a power bank
Power banks must go in your carry-on, never checked luggage. Under 100Wh (about 27,000mAh) is allowed by most airlines without approval. A growing number of airlines also restrict using or charging power banks during the flight, so check your airline’s rules before you fly.
Is my charger working properly?
If your laptop says “slow charger” or charges slowly, an inexpensive USB-C power meter shows exactly how many watts you’re getting. Usually the culprit is a low-rated cable. More troubleshooting: laptop slow or laggy while charging, and how to get more battery life.
