Key Takeaways
- Satechi’s 145W GaN USB-C charger charges four devices.
- The charger uses GaN technology for fast charging, intelligently allocates power, and has interchangeable plugs for global use.
- This charger is bulky and heavy, but versatile, perfect for travelers, and well worth the price.
If you’re a geek like me, you probably realize that you carry a lot of devices around with you. It’s not unusual for me to leave the house with an iPhone 15 Pro, an Apple Watch Ultra, Meta Ray-Bans, AirPods Pro, a 16″ MacBook Pro, a 13″ iPad Pro, and a MagSafe battery pack. Yep, that’s a lot of gear. Why do I carry so much stuff around with me? I don’t know. Maybe my shoulders hate it.
Seriously, a lot of people carry multiple devices on the go, and for a long time I carried a cable for each of my devices in my messenger bag, along with Apple’s 140W power adapter. That adapter was fine; it was big and heavy, and only had one USB-C port, but it charged my devices quickly.
Before heading off to Europe for two weeks, I searched Amazon for a new travel adapter and found the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger – the only power adapter I’ll ever need, whether I’m at my desk, at the local coffee shop, or halfway across the world.
Recommendation
Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger
This powerful 145W GaN charger from Satechi comes with four USB-C ports for super-fast charging of all your devices simultaneously, plus it comes with four interchangeable international plugs so you can charge in almost any country around the world.
- Charge 4 devices simultaneously
- 140W for charging one device
- Includes 4 international travel adapters
- It’s very big
- This is a heavy charger
- Does not come with travel adapters for all countries
Pricing, Availability and Specifications
The Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger, available on Amazon for $119.99, is definitely not the cheapest power adapter out there, but it’s not the most expensive either. Frankly, I think this 145W power adapter is too cheap for what it’s worth. The charger only comes in grey, but the four USB-C ports and 145W total output more than make up for that.
What’s especially special about this charger is that it comes with four interchangeable power adapters that allow you to charge in North America, Europe, Australia, and the UK.
Of the four USB-C ports, the top two can charge devices at up to 140W when only one port is in use. At the same time, the bottom two ports have a maximum output of 45W. As expected, this power brick intelligently allocates power to all connected devices to ensure that they all charge at the right speed. Even when all four ports are in use, it’s still able to fast-charge most connected devices.
Made with a plastic housing, the Satechi uses GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology for a smaller, more durable build that charges devices faster and produces less heat. Using GaN in chargers is nothing new, lots of companies do it. What’s especially special about this charger is that it comes with four interchangeable power adapters that allow you to charge in North America, Europe, Australia, and the UK. Does it cover every country in the world? No. But it’s pretty damn good.
What I like about the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger
Perfect for home or travel
I usually carry a Satechi 145W GaN USB-C charger in my messenger bag. At home, I mostly charge on my nightstand or at my desk via MagSafe. But this charger is great when I’m working on the go. With this Satechi power brick in my bag, I can always charge my devices on the go.
In fact, a week before writing this review, my partner and I had an internet outage so we went to a local coffee shop, where we sat near a power outlet to charge our iPhone and MacBook. This was a lifesaver as we weren’t planning on leaving the house that day. It’s great to know that wherever we go, we can easily take out this powerful power adapter, flip the American-style plug, and plug in up to four devices or fast-charge our 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Usually, I keep 3 spare travel adapters in my suitcase and other travel gear to keep them together. But when I’m traveling, this power adapter is my best option. A few months ago, I spent 2 weeks traveling to 8 European countries.
Naturally, I used the US plug while in North America. When I arrived at my hotel in London, I swapped it out for the UK adapter I had in the front pocket of my backpack. A few days later, after crossing the English Channel, I swapped it out again, this time for a European plug. Then a week and a half later, when I landed in Toronto after a 16+ hour journey, I swapped it back out for a US plug.
If you used this power brick with an external adapter, it probably wouldn’t be secured to the wall — it would sag under its weight — or you’d have to sacrifice the convenience of being able to charge four devices at once overnight. Trust me, when traveling with two other people in hotel rooms with limited outlets, there wasn’t a single night where all four ports went unused.
What I didn’t like about the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger
Additional adapter required
Luckily, there aren’t many complaints about this charger. Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger is that it only comes with four travel adapters, meaning there are entire continents that aren’t supported unless you use a third-party travel adapter.
Europe, Australia, and the UK make up a significant portion of people’s travels, so for many it’s not a major issue – it certainly is for me – but it would have been nice to see more adapters included in the box or as a separate purchase option.
Another complaint is its size and weight. This isn’t an unportable adapter; Satechi made it as small as possible, with functionality in mind. Still, at 12.2 ounces, this adapter is heavy to carry around compared to smaller single-port or dual-port chargers.
Should you buy the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger?
This is an easy product for me to recommend. I continue to use this charger frequently and have no plans to replace it. There are smaller, less expensive adapters available if you just want to fast charge your iPhone or iPad, but if you carry more than two devices or want to fast charge your 16″ MacBook Pro, this adapter is hard to beat. For the price, the Satechi 145W GaN USB-C Charger offers incredible versatility and functionality wherever your work takes you.
Recommendation
