Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger Review

Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger Review

Travel chargers come in all shapes and sizes these days. Many chargers that employ GaN technology shrink to diminutive sizes, powering laptops at a fraction of the weight of traditional power blocks. GaN technology packs more punch per ounce and inch than traditional chargers, and that means that a larger, more powerful GaN charger can still be heavier than a traditional block, but that weight translates into more output.

Apple’s older, non-GaN 67W charger includes one USB-C port. It weighs in at about 9.5 ounces. The new $119.99 145W GaN travel charger from Satechi more than doubles that output but only adds a little over 3 ounces. Apple’s new GaN 70W charger weighs only 7.4 ounces, but it still charges just one device at a time. The Satechi charger will take on four devices.

What we like

Pros

• Plenty of power for two laptops
• International adapters and mesh travel bag

As noted above, the Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger offers 145W of power over four USB-C ports. It is truly modern in all ways, from its GaN interior to its USB-C-only output. As with other multi-output chargers, the Satechi Travel Charger changes its output dynamically to account for the devices and ports in use. The following illustration offers a 4-port use scenario. All ports support Power Delivery or PD. Ports 1 and 2 offer PD 3.1, with the others at 3.0

Satechi’s charger is made of high-quality materials. The design dissipates the charging heat, keeping the exterior of the charger cool enough to touch.

The travel charger includes international adapters for the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe. The company includes a mesh bag to manage the charger and its adapters.

Satechi stands behind the Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger Review with a 1-year warranty.

Sustainability is good with soy-inked printing on paper and cardboard packaging. A plastic bag, however, wraps the charger and is not labeled for recycling.

What could be improved

Cons

• Wall stability

All larger charging blocks, regardless of their underlying technology, must literally balance weight and functionality. Too heavy, and they fall from wall sockets, perhaps more in North America than elsewhere, but fall they do from old, worn sockets. In my not-so-worn sockets, the Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger was stable. I purposefully placed it in the lower outlet where there is less support, but it held tight.

Given that weight and worn outlets are known, if not universally experienced, issues, Satechi should consider a cord as an additional adaptor. A cord would also offer charging reach, especially in older hotel rooms, where the power outlets don’t sit on the desk. They do this with their 200W charger.

Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger: The bottom line

Overall, I like the Satechi 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger. I plan on making it part of my international travel kit and using it locally to test new USB-C chargeable devices. When traveling domestically, I will carry smaller, lighter chargers, like the Monoprice 65W GaN charger and the Zagg travel kit. But I’m often challenged for power on international trips. My clients will be impressed to see a power supply that will charge many phones and other devices during long days filled with multiple presentations.

Satechi provided the 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger for review. Images courtesy of Satechi unless otherwise noted.

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