VOLTME Revo 140 Review: A Sleek, Compact GaN Charger That Will Keep All of Your Devices Topped Off

VOLTME Revo 140 Review

GaN chargers are everywhere these days, and we have had the opportunity to evaluate some of those awarded for innovation by CES and other venues. The VOLTME Revo 140 differentiates itself by including USB-A as well as USB-C ports. With just a single USB-C cable connected to its Power Delivery port, the charger puts out 140W of power, charging a MacBook Pro in about an hour.

What we like

The $99 VOLTME Revo 140’s orange and black design would fit into many science fiction show aesthetics without betraying its 21st-century origins. And it’s compact at only 3.05 x 1.24 x 2.89″. The charger weighs a relatively light 9.52 ounces compared to Apple’s 67W charger, which weighs in at 8.8 ounces but only offers a single USB-C port.

The charger, which leverages 3rd Generation Gan Power IC, sports three ports: one USB-A and two USB-C ports. The 140W max capability arrives only when using the first USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 (28V 5A) USB-C port. VOLTME suggests that MacBook MagSafe cables be attached to the first USB-C port. The second port, on its own, rates at 100W. Two USB-C ports deliver up to 65Ws in tandem. Add in a USB-A device, and the Revo 140 will charge three devices simultaneously, albeit at an overall slower rate. With three devices, the power distribution moves down to the following:

• USB-C 1: 65W
• USB-C 2: 45W
• USB-A: 22W

You really have to dig into the specifications to find this, as the overwhelming narrative is about the 140W single port feature as a comparative replacement to an Apple power supply.

Other output combinations include:

• C1+C2=65W+65W
• C1+A=100W+22.5W
• C2+A=100W+22.5W

The Revo 140 also supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 5 protocol.

All that compact power calls for safety precautions, and VOLTME put their V-Dynamic Power Dispenser System device through CE, RoHS, and FCC certifications. The device is designed to manage short-circuit, over-voltage and temperature issues.

VOLTME Revo 140 regularly charges my iPad Pro 12.9 and has been effective at keeping it 100% charged while watching hours of video. It also powers my review laptops, USB-C hubs and other devices that we test at Serious Insights. When new laptops arrive, their power supplies often remain in the box because tools like the Revo 140 eliminate the need for a unique power supply per device.

The Revo 140 also comes in white.

What could be improved

As with most ambitious GaN chargers, the VOLTME Revo 140 suffers from a weight-forward design that results in it having a difficult time staying put on vertical outlets, especially those found in older homes and offices. The design, as the marketing images show, works very well when placed on a desktop outlet or powerstrip where gravity pulls down on the bulk of the device, using its weight to stabilize it.

Place the power block on a wall, however, and the two prongs, along with the outlet socket, are the only things holding the 9.52-ounce device, which pulls away as the mass faces the forward of downward gravity. Placing the VOLTME Revo 140 in a horizontal wall socket does improve its ability to stay put, as does plugging it into new sockets. For best results, deploy the charger in outlets that face the earth.

One way to remedy the weight issue is to include a cord, which is what I like so much about Mophie’s Speedport alternative to the VOLTME charger. It isn’t as convenient as a travel companion, but it is a more adaptive solution when encountering weak, overloaded, or out-of-the-way sockets.

I would love to see VOLTME include at least one high-quality, high-speed Power Deliver certified USB-C cable in the box. A good cable is better than a warning to make sure owners use a good cable.

The warranty is confusing with the company’s website stating 18 months, while the Amazon listing states it comes with a 24-month warranty. Unfortunately, the box shows an 18-month warranty. A 24-month warranty is a better fit for a power product.

VOLTME Revo 140: The bottom line

I like the VOLTME Revo 140 despite a bit of overhype on its capabilities when used for multiple devices. It does offer a compelling travel accessory that can help cut down on power supply selection challenges. I do have a bias toward a corded option as I’ve been in too many places, including my own office, where an overstuffed power strip would more easily accept a two-prong cord into its maze of wires than a power block. Those with less challenging situations, however, might find the VOLTME Revo 140 the perfect accessory for being the go-to USB charging port for their digital arsenal.

VOLTME provided the Revo 140 for review. Images courtesy of VOLTME unless otherwise noted.

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