Your gadgets are only as good as their battery life. If you can’t live without being connected and online at all times, you should invest in a powerful charger that can quickly restore your device’s power levels to the maximum.
Back in the day, every device you owned had a different charging cable to go with it. Today when you can use one USB-C cable to power up most of your gadgets, it’s time to buy a GaN charger and enjoy.
What’s a GaN Charger and Why Do You Need One?
With more power-hungry devices appearing every day, the technology behind charging is evolving as well. Today, traditional wall chargers face a lot of competition: wireless chargers, environmentally-friendly solar charging options, and finally, the GaN fast chargers.
GaN stands for Gallium Nitride – a type of material used to make power electronics. It’s a semiconductor that runs cooler than standard charger components like silicon. Thanks to this material, the manufacturers can increase the charger’s efficiency while reducing the size and weight of their product.
GaN chargers are known for their fast-charging capabilities. They can charge your devices up to 3 times faster than a traditional wall charger due to the higher power density. Basically, these chargers provide more power to the device while charging.
Thanks to the material used to make them, GaN-type chargers are smaller and lighter than traditional, mostly silicon-based chargers. GaN chargers are also compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. They’re compatible with both USB-C and USB-A devices, making them a versatile choice for an all-in-one travel charger.
In this article, I’ll share the results of testing two different GaN chargers – the Ugreen 65W travel-oriented model and the VOLTME 140W powerful compact charger. We’ll compare them in terms of charging speed, power delivery, portability, and of course, pricing to see whether you should buy one of these chargers to use and take it with you on your next trip.
Ugreen 65W GaN Charger For Travel
Our first contestant is the 65W GaN multi-port travel charger by Ugreen. Here’s the full list of tech specifications of this power adapter:
- Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.25in (6.5 x 6.5 x 3.2cm)
- Weight: 7.4oz (210g)
- Total USB ports: three – two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port
- Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 1.8A Max
- Max power output: 65W (for single-port charging)
- Type of plug: US, EU, UK switchable plugs
- Multi-protection: short circuit protection, over-voltage protection, thermal guard to overheat protection, overcurrent protection, power dispenser system, overcharge protection
- Compatibility: Apple MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Dell XPS, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPad, Galaxy S23, Google Pixel, Apple Watch Ultra, Steam Deck, and more – you can see the full list of compatible devices on the Ugreen website
- Price: from $52.99 (currently on sale) on the Ugreen website or $55.99 on Amazon .
Design & Unpacking
The key selling point of this GaN charger is its size. It’s tiny and light for a 65W charger and, from the get-go, looks just like your regular USB-C charger that you’d use with your smartphone. It weighs about 7.4oz with the US adaptor on.
Like the Ugreen Nexode line, this Ugreen GaN charger follows the same color pattern: a two-tone look with a matte black charger’s body and grey side plates. On one side, you’ll see the Ugreen branding, while the max wattage is listed on the other side of the charger.
The charger’s body feels solid and is made of quality materials, so you don’t have to worry about tossing it around in your bag when traveling. Inside the box, you’ll find three interchangeable plus – for the US (with foldable prongs), EU, and UK sockets. Changing them is extremely easy – press the button on top of the charging block, and replace one plug with another.
Together with the charger block, you’ll receive a Ugreen-branded carrying pouch. This reinforces the idea of the Ugreen 65W being a perfect travel charger – just put the charging block and all the plugs in the carrying pouch and put it in your bag. That way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring travel adapters with you.
Ports Selection and Plug Type
The Ugreen travel charger has three charging ports – 2 x USB-C and 1 x USB-A. You can charge up to three devices simultaneously using the Ugreen GaN charger. For example, when traveling, you can charge your smartphone, your laptop, and your powerbank at the same time.
However, bear in mind that you’ll only get the maximum 65W output if you’re using only one charger’s port at a time. Otherwise, the power output will differ depending on how many ports you’re using simultaneously.
I found that when you want to use the Ugreen adapter as a laptop or desktop charger, the best way is to only use single-port charging. As soon as you start using two ports simultaneously, the max amount of power changes to 45W, and that might not be enough power to charge your laptop efficiently.
Performance & Safety
Using the Ugreen 65W GaN fast charger, I was able to charge my 13-inch MacBook Air from 0% to full in just under an hour (using the single-port charging). This time increased significantly when I tried charging it with my Android phone and a powerbank. However, all gadgets still charged quickly compared to charging them using their native chargers.
The Ugreen 65W charger did get slightly warm when I used the three charging ports simultaneously, but not alarmingly warm. Ugreen is a big brand that specializes in power solutions (like power adapters, charging stations, cables, and more) on par with such brands as Anker with their GaNPrime chargers or Belkin and their BoostCharge line.
All Ugreen gadgets come with an extensive warranty, and the 65W travel charger is no exception – as a buyer, you’ll get the two-year product warranty, as well as the 30-day risk-free trial.
VOLTME Revo 140 PD3.1 GaN Charger
The Revo 140 PD GaN charger by VOLTME isn’t labeled as a travel charger but is just as portable and comes with multiple charging ports to make it easy to charge multiple devices at once. Let’s have a look at the list of technical specs of this GaN wall charger:
- Dimensions: 3.05 x 1.24 x 2.89in (7.7 x 3.1 x 7.3cm)
- Weight: 10.2oz (289g)
- Technology: GaN III/V-Dynamic/PD3.1/QC5/PPS support
- Total USB ports: three – two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port
- Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 2A Max
- Max Power Output: 140W (for single-port charging)
- Multi-protection: dynamic power protection, short circuit protection, over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, overheating protection, over-current protection
- Compatibility: MacBook Pro/Air, HP Elite/Spectre/ZBook, Google Pixelbook, ASUS ROG, iPad, iPhone, Samsung, AirPods and other earbuds, Steam Deck, and more – you can see the full list of compatible devices on the VOLTME website
- Color: black, white
- Price: $95.99 on Amazon .
Design & Unpacking
The VOLTME 140W is a three-port GaN charger you can plug in and charge up to three devices simultaneously. If you don’t travel to countries that use a different type of plug or use gadgets that require more power, this charger is a great do-it-all option.
The charging block has a matte black finish with VOLTME branding on the side. On the front side of the device, you’ll find the three charging ports. On the back side, you’ll find the plug (non-interchangeable). The charger I received for testing has an EU plug, but the US version comes with foldable prongs that are convenient for transportation.
This is not the smallest charger (even out of the two we tested here), but it’s not particularly heavy, and it’s definitely worth it for the power it’s packing.
I received the VOLTME 140W charger together with the VOLTME Powerlink Moss series USB-c cable . The cable is made of liquid silicone, that is super soft and has a pleasant texture. The cord is covered with a graphene coating that makes it stronger and more flexible and will ultimately make it last longer.
Ports Selection and Plug Type
Even though there’s no choice of a plug here (you only get one plug which you cannot change), I’d still consider the VOLTME 140W GaN a great charger for traveling. It’s still very small and lightweight, and when you’re plugging in only one device, the top USB-C port will provide up to 140W, which is a very impressive amount of power.
The second USB-C port can provide up to 100W, and the USB-A port – up to 22.5W. With this multiport charger, you can plug in multiple gadgets simultaneously and still expect a quick charge.
Performance & Safety
The VOLTME 140W GaN charger delivers exactly what it promises – up to 140W on a single charge or the same amount distributed to multiple gadgets. Thanks to the USB-C PD 3.1 charging technology, the VOLTME 140W managed to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro from zero to 50% in just half an hour.
This charger is definitely my personal choice when it comes to USB-C charging, and it’s still portable enough for me to throw it in a bag whenever I’m going on a trip.
In the few months I spent testing this device, it proved a reliable charger that never failed to keep my devices at full power. This particular model also comes with an 18-month VOLTME warranty.
Which GaN Travel Charger Should You Buy?
The ultimate question is, which one is the best GaN charger to take with you on a trip: the Ugreen 65W or the VOLTME 140W model? Once again, the answer depends solely on your personal needs.
If you’re after the multiple interchangeable plugs and don’t mind having less power, we recommend going with the travel-specific Ugreen 65W charger. However, if you want more power packed in a small-sized charging block and don’t mind paying extra for it, the VOLTME 140W would be the best USB-C accessory for you.
Finally, if you own devices that support wireless charging, you may have to look elsewhere and check out some charging stations for your gadgets.
- Tribit StormBox 2: The Under $70 Portable Speaker that Stands Out
- ENGWE L20 2.0 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Foldable E-Bike?
- TopDon TC004 – a Thermal Imaging Camera That Will Give You Predator Vision
- Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal A4 Printer Review
- Eskute Star Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike Review
If you don’t have a full-sized printing machine at home and often need to print a document on the go, check out the Newyes portable printer . This wireless printer is lightweight and small enough to fit in your bag. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly, since it uses thermal paper instead of ink.
Follow our review of the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer to see if it suits your printing needs.
Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal A4 Printer: First Impressions & Specs
When I was a student, I remember my university always required hard copies of documents. Luckily, there was a print shop on campus where I could always pop in to print something.
Then I became a professional, and to my surprise many life spheres still required me to have printed versions of documents with me. Of course you can get your own full-sized machine to print things at home, but if like me you live in a small apartment, you value every extra bit of space and don’t want a massive printer to take it up.
One day, when I was looking for a neighbor with a printer to help me with my event tickets, they introduced me to the concept of a portable printer. Seeing how easy it is to use, I immediately wanted to get my hands on one of those. So here I am, reviewing one of the most useful gadgets I received recently – the Newyes portable thermal printer.
Before we continue with this review, here is the full list of specs of this printer.
- Model: Newyes LD0801
- Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.2 x 2.28 in (265 x 58 x 30.5 mm)
- Weight: 16.8oz (475g)
- Paper format: A4
- Paper width: 210mm or 218mm
- Printing Type: thermal paper
- Resolution: 203DPI
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging port: USB type-C port
- Input Voltage: DC 5V / 2A
- Battery: 1200mAh lithium battery
- Charging time: 75 min
- Automatic shut down: after 30 minutes
- Stand-by: about 30 days
- Extra features: LED light, reset, on / off switch button
- Color: white, black
- Warranty: limited one year warranty
- Price: $199 on the Newyes website
If you find yourself in need of hard copies of important documents while on the move, the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer will become your go-to gadget. Newyes calls it “the world’s smallest printer”, and with the weight of under 500g this seems plausible. This mini printer offers a handy solution for those moments when you need to quickly print an important document but don’t have access to an office setup.
Operating this printer is a breeze – a simple Bluetooth connection is all that’s required. Once connected, just fire up the app, choose the file you want to print, and send it over. Efficiency is at the forefront, and you can easily print multiple sheets by inserting new pages back to back.
The only limitation this printer has is that it can only print in black. So even if your original file is in color, the printed document will still come out in black and white. Other than that – you can print a variety of file types including Excel, Word, PDF, JPG, PNG, and web pages – and it only takes seconds.
The Newyes portable wireless printer combines convenience, portability, and efficiency – all the things I appreciate in a modern gadget.
Design and Unpacking
Let’s have a closer look at the design and build of this smart printer, as well as what you get included in the package when you purchase it.
What’s in the Box
Here’s everything you’ll find when unpacking your Newyes portable thermal printer:
- The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer
- Bracket
- USB type-C cable
- Storage/carrying pouch
- 100pcs thermal printing paper
- User manual
You can use the Newyes portable printer right out of the box, as you’re all set with essential accessories. Aside from the printer itself, the package includes a bracket which will make printing more than one page smoother, a convenient storage bag for carrying your printer with you, a USB-C cable for charging, and a supply of 100 pieces of thermal paper to get you started.
One important thing to remember is that this printer only works with thermal paper. While thermal paper is significantly more expensive than normal paper, this printer also uses inkless printing and works without a ribbon and toner. Since you don’t have to spend money on ink, carbon ribbons or toner cartridges, you ultimately end up saving money with thermal paper.
The Newyes LD0801 is a pocket-sized printer that features straightforward design. For the purpose of this review, I had a printer in white color. The printer looks like a small white brick with just two pressable buttons on top – one for switching it on and off, and another for opening the printer’s cover. You’ll also see the paper entry slot on top of the printer.
On the side of the printer, you’ll find a single charging port.
The printer is made of plastic, but the build feels sturdy. I never have to worry about throwing it into my bag or damaging it when traveling. Besides, you can use a nice carrying pouch included in the package for protection.
Performance & Features
According to Newyes, the portable printer has a “handheld size and two times the weight of an iPhone”. This can give you an idea of how portable and convenient this little gadget is. In a month of testing, I used it at home, in a store, and even in a car while on the road.
Using the printer is unbelievably easy. Connect it to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, press the button to turn the printer on and put a sheet of thermal paper into the paper entry slot. Make sure to use thermal paper and not standard paper, and put it with the black marks facing down. Bear in mind that the thermal printer can only print in black and white and only on one (marked) side of the thermal paper sheet.
Then open the iPrint app on your smartphone. If you’re printing an A4 document, you can select one of two options – Photo Printing and Document Printing . Then choose the document from your phone’s files and print it.
The printer is reliable and in the time that I used it the Newyes LD0801 never let me down. The printing quality will surprise you, as it’s sometimes better than what you get from a full-sized printer. The printer supports printing in various formats, and you can use it to print documents from your smartphone (Android and iPhone), iPad, and Android tablet.
When fully charged, the printer can support up to 90 pieces of paper continuously, which is very impressive for a gadget of such a small size.
Software
The Newyes portable printer requires an iPrint app to operate. The app is available for free on iOS and Android. You’ll need to download the app on your device from the App Store or Google Play before you begin printing your documents.
The app has a simple and user-friendly design. You’ll need to pair your device with the printer on the first use via Bluetooth.
Depending on the type of document you want to print, you can choose different options from the app. There’s photo printing, document printing, web printing, and banner printing.
The app also has Materials and Template sections, where you can find various pictures and templates for printing to-do lists, post-its and holiday cards. You can also use the Newyes LD0801 as a label printer using these templates.
Battery Life
The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer is equipped with a decent 1200mAh lithium battery. This high-capacity battery allows you to print on the go without constantly worrying about running out of charge. When I received the printer, I charged it fully once, and it still hasn’t run out of battery after one month of use (I use it to print something almost every other day).
Charging this printer is quick and takes just over an hour to charge the printer from zero to full. The type-C charging cable facilitates a rapid charging experience. And if you run out of battery while on the go, you can quickly charge the printer from a portable power station or a power bank to continue printing.
The printer doesn’t support wireless charging, so I’d recommend always bringing the usb-c cable with you just in case.
Should You Buy the Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal Printer?
The Newyes portable thermal printer ensures high-quality wireless printing while on the go and easy operation. It’s not the most budget-friendly option, but this purchase will save you money and nerves in the long run thanks to its versatility and portable nature.
Personally, I can say that this printer made my life easier. So much that it’s probably my favorite smart gadget of the year. If you’re looking for a portable printer that won’t take any space in your house, I’d certainly recommend considering the Newyes LD0801 model.
- Tribit StormBox 2: The Under $70 Portable Speaker that Stands Out
- ENGWE L20 2.0 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Foldable E-Bike?
- TopDon TC004 – a Thermal Imaging Camera That Will Give You Predator Vision
- Eskute Star Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike Review
- The 70mai Power Station Tera 1000 Review
