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Desktop chargers are one of those devices that you didn’t realise you needed until you’d actually owned and used one. I’ve lost countless hours of my life swapping plugs, chargers, and cables around, and I’m sure you have too. It’s time for the madness to stop. If you’re fed up with cable switching, then Anker has a fantastic solution called the Nano Charger.
The Anker Nano Charger achieves this by delivering a total of 130W of power through six ports – that’s four USB-C and two USB-A. I’ve spent some time testing the device, and I’m not sure how I lived without it.
Anker Nano Charger: Key specifications
Output: | 130W total |
Ports: | 4x USB-C, 2x USB-A |
Dimensions: | 93 x 98 x 19 mm |
Weight: | 320g |
Display: | Not applicable |
Design and Build
- Four USB-C and two USB-A ports
- Slim and compact design
- Temperature control protection
The Anker Nano Charger boasts a solid number of ports, with a bias towards providing more USB-C ports than USB-A. That makes sense given the future of charging technology. Users can take advantage of 100W charging from the first USB-C port, 65W from the second, and 20W from the third and fourth. If you have older USB-A compatible devices, then they can be charged at 12W. These charging speeds are reduced if you’re powering multiple devices simultaneously.
At 93 x 98 x 19 mm this charger is incredibly compact, hardly taking up any room on the desk. Once you’ve set it up, you won’t know it’s there. The unit weighs 320g, which is too heavy to make it portable but perfect for giving it enough substance to weigh it down on the desk. That being said, it’s no brick so it will move around a little when you’re shifting cables. The AC cord boasts a tight fit and is sufficiently flexible to fit most setups.
As is vital for any device of this type. Anker has included ActiveShield 2.0, which performs three million temperature checks every single day. If that’s not real-time safety, then I don’t know what is. My personal experience was that the unit got a little warm but certainly not to a temperature to be concerned about.
Design score: 4.5/5
Features and performance
- Fast charging across devices
- Balanced power delivery
The Anker Nano Charger is capable of powering a range of different devices, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Google Pixel phones. I set it up on my desktop, which includes a MacBook Pro, an iPhone, a keyboard, a USB-C monitor, and a range of other smaller peripherals.
My overall experience of using the charger was very positive. I’ve used these types of devices in the past and found that some struggle to balance power across ports. Thankfully, the Anker Nano was perfectly balanced, never struggling to distribute power even with multiple devices connected. There’s also a light located on the top which reliably indicates when charging is occurring.
My MacBook Pro charged to 50% in around 30 minutes, while a full charge took about 75 minutes. Given that most people will use this charger for their fixed desktop setup, these charging speeds are more than sufficient. Charging power and speed drops when you look to charge two power-hungry laptops at the same time, but it’s still pretty fast. If you’re looking to use this charger to cover two desks in a shared space, then the Anker Nano is definitely up to the task.
Features score: 4/5
Performance score: 4.5/5
Price
The price of the Anker Nano Charger is typically $59.99 / £59.99. Given that this could be considered a non-essential device for your desk setup, you might think this is priced rather highly. In many ways I would agree with you, but if you’re looking for a well-made, high-performing charger, then this Anker Nano is worth every penny.
Value score: 4/5
Who’s it for?
- Desktop workers who are fed up with cable clutter
The Anker Nano Charger has been expressly designed for desktop users who have more than two devices that need powering on a regular basis. This could include laptops, phones, wireless earbuds, and more. This type of device reduces the clutter of cables and makes cable switching redundant.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design and build: | A solid and compact charger that has an abundance of USB ports. | 4.5/5 |
Features: | The Anker Nano includes almost everything you could want from a desktop charger. | 4/5 |
Performance: | Fast charging speeds were delivered reliable and efficiently. | 4.5/5 |
Value: | More affordable alternatives are available but they’re not built to this quality. | 4/5 |
Buy it if…
- You want a neat and tidy solution to your cable clutter
- You have more than two devices on your desk that need power
- You’re looking for a premium charger from a reputable brand
Don’t buy it if…
- You’re on a super tight budget
- You want a greater breadth of connectivity
