I switched to a 140W charger and can’t go back

With most modern devices moving to USB-C, finding a charger is easier than ever. However, that 15W phone charger you have lying around might not cut it. I’ve switched to a 140W charger and it’s the best charging solution I’ve been looking for.

It charges everything I have

One of the biggest benefits of owning a high-performance charger is that you can charge virtually any USB-C device you have. My 140W charger works with everything from my laptop, phone, keyboard, mouse, headphones and anything else I want.

Since USB-C devices and chargers communicate to decide the optimal performance from the charger, you don’t really have to worry about pumping too much power into a small device. Batteries usually benefit from this as well, lasting more cycles than if you were just using a lower powered USB-A charger.

However, keep in mind that as the range of devices you charge from the same brick increases, so do the compatibility issues. For chargers up to 65W or 100W, this is not a problem, but for devices that require more power, some manufacturers set the voltage and current combinations differently.

This means that even if your charger supports the total power capacity required to charge the device, it may not work with your device if the voltage or current rating of the charger differs from the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s always a good idea to read the fine print and make sure you’re buying a compatible charger, especially if you intend to use it for your laptop.

There are some things to consider before buying a USB-C charger for your laptop. For example, my HP Omen Transcend 14 can be charged with both a 100W and a 140W charger, with the latter providing full charging speed if the charger’s output voltage is 20V. Besides, I doubt you’ll run into such problems with a phone or other smaller devices.

It can charge multiple devices simultaneously

Having just one power cube that can charge multiple devices simultaneously is one of the best charging conveniences you can afford. The charger I use has allowed me to get rid of the extension cord on my desk and only use two cords for charging – one for my laptop and one for everything else.

Depending on your charger, there may be some drawbacks. Plus, it’s a really handy way to make sure you don’t spend hours waiting for your device to charge or creating a mess of power adapters and cables charging everything at the same time.

This is especially great if you travel a lot. Just one charger for everything reduces the weight of your backpack, and a quick break at the power outlet can power up multiple devices without too much trouble.

Fast charging issues

As good as fast charging is, it has a few drawbacks that you need to be aware of.

1. Overheating

Charging devices at their highest possible speed is bound to generate heat. This is generally not a problem if you’re at your desk, but it can cause problems when traveling, as your device and charger will take a while to cool down, even if you haven’t used them while charging.

Fortunately, manufacturers are actively working on this problem, and if you spend a little extra and get a Gallium Nitrite (GaN) charger, you’re pretty much covered. It’s not too much of a problem, but it’s something you have to watch out for.

2. Not all devices charge at maximum speed

Finally, not all devices charge at full speed. Multi-port chargers often reduce the output power on each port when charging multiple devices. Again, this isn’t a problem for smaller devices or even most phones, as a 100W or 140W charger has enough power to charge two or even three phones at full speed without a problem.

However, if it’s bigger, you’re looking at slow charging speeds. For example, the INICIO 140W GaN charger I use can only charge my laptop at full speed when a single device is charging. If I use two ports on the charger, the power on the primary port drops to 65W on each port (still enough to charge two MacBooks at once).

Some careful reading of the charger specs will tell you how the charger distributes power when charging multiple devices, so be sure to check. If you need help, we’ve got a list of some of the best USB-C chargers in 2024.

Switching to a high-powered charger goes a long way in reducing the number of power adapters you’d need, while still charging most of your devices at or near full charging speed. It’s a bit of an investment as most good 100W or 140W GaN chargers can cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth it.