USB-C is becoming an increasingly important charging technology for Apple devices. Many devices, like the iPad Pro, have a USB-C port. Other Apple devices, such as the HomePod mini, come with a cord that has a USB-C connector on the end that connects to a power adapter. And some Apple devices that work with either USB or USB-C charge faster with USB-C. Apple calls this fast charging, and is requires a power adapter than can output 18W or more of power. For example, as I noted in my recent review of the Apple Watch Series 7, the cord that comes with that product has a magnetic charger on one end and USB-C on the other end. While you can use the older USB cord to charge it, you can charge the watch over twice as fast if you use the USB-C cord and a USB-c power adapter.
As a result, I'm seeing less of a need for USB chargers in my life and a greater need for USB-C chargers. And I know that I'm not the only one — even just in my own household. We recently gave my son an Apple Watch SE for his birthday, and even though that device doesn't support fast charging, the charging cord included with the Apple Watch SE has a USB-C connector. All of this has resulted in me recently purchasing two new USB-C charging adapters, and today I'm focusing on the first one: the Anker Nano Pro (40W). I purchased that one for my son, but I can see anyone finding it valuable. (The other charger that I bought recently, which I will reviewing in a future post, is the Satechi 108W USB-C 3-Port GaN Wall Charger. Here is my review of that device.)
Nano
When Anker came out with the original Anker Nano, the elevator pitch was to have a charger that was about the same size as the 5W USB charger that Apple used to always include with the iPhone, but it supported 20W USB-C. Anker still sells the Anker Nano for $16.99, but it is being replaced by the 19.99 Anker Nano Pro, which does a better job of doing the same thing because Anker says that the Pro version intelligently monitors the temperature and output power to increase safety, and says that this device is perfect for the new iPhone 13.
Nano nano
Instead of purchasing the Anker Nano, I purchased the $35.99 Anker Nano Pro (4oW), which I've also seen called the Anker Nano Pro (Dual Port). It is a little bit larger than the Nano Pro, but it can provide 20W of power to two different USB-C ports. Thus, you can provide a fast charge to two different devices at the same time.
The Nano Pro is larger than Apple's traditional 5W USB charger, but of course, these are two very different products. One provides 5W to a single device. the other provides 20W each to two devices.
A more appropriate comparison is to the 18W/20W USB-C adapter that Apple sells and has included with many of its USB-C products — although Apple is starting to move away from that practice so that you have to purchase a power adapter separately. The size is similar. The Anker product is more tall and less wide — which is an advantage because it hogs up less space on a horizontal power strip — but the overall volume is similar, even though the Anker Nano Pro (40W) provides twice as much power and can handle two devices instead of just one.
You can purchase this Anker charger in white, black, lavendar, or blue.
The Anker Nano Pro (4oW) works well. In just a small amount of space, you can use your own USB-C cords to recharge two different devices.
Unlike some competing products, the prongs don't fold down, so this is a little less suitable for travel, although it is so small that you probably won't mind the prongs. Also keep in mind that each port only provides 20W of power. That's no different than the 20W charger that Apple provides with many of its products, like the iPad Pro. However, many Apple devices can charge faster when given additional watts. For example, the iPad Pro with a USB-C connector can use up to a 30W charge, so you can charge somewhat faster by using a charger that outputs more wattage. An iPhone 13 Pro Max can reportedly take up to a 27W charge. Apple has confirmed that an Apple Watch Series 7 can connect to up to a 96W USB-C Power Adapter, although I suspect that you don't see much of a speed improvement after around 30W.
Conclusion
The Anker Nano Pro (40W) is a nice product for charging two Apple devices that support USB-C while taking up the minimal amount of space.
Click here to get the Anker Nano Pro (4oW) from Amazon ($35.99).
