I've found my ideal Travel Charger

[SeatBackForward]

Over the past couple of years, I've moved to having all my tech gadgets use USB-C charging, which has made life much easier in terms of needing to carry power packs and power adapters around. But Now I think I've found my ideal travel charger system - at least under current requirements:

Powerpod 140W GaN 3 Travel Charger AUD$149

What I like about it:

• Provides a high power supply using USB-C PD Standards. My Laptop requires 65W so I can also power additional gear without compromising the laptop supply using this
• While the charger uses US plugs, they provide adapters for AUS/UK/EU
• They provide a cable that slides into the charger, that can then also use the same adapters. Really good for situations where you can't plug the charger directly into the power socket.
• All fits into the supplied travel case also.

Zyron also makes smaller/cheaper capacity chargers, the 67W is only AUD$55, comes with the adapters but not the cable. Although the cable is only $14 itself. The 67W is quite smaller in physical size too.

Bonus, use promo code LUCKY20 for 20% off as well.

 

[qaz]

Zyron also makes smaller/cheaper capacity chargers, the 67W is only AUD$55, comes with the adapters but not the cable. Although the cable is only $14 itself. The 67W is quite smaller in physical size too.

Zyron via Amazon AU:

• $44.99 with cable after 10% coupon

also

• 100W 4-port USB-C $79.99

 

[SeatBackForward]

Zyron via Amazon AU:

• $44.99 with cable after 10% coupon

also

• 100W 4-port USB-C $79.99

The Amazon price for the 67W doesn't include the adapter cable (all come with a 2m USB-C cable included). But for some reason the Zyron Amazon store doesn't sell the adapter cable alone, you have to get it from their own website.

 

[qaz]

ok thanks, good pickup - so presumably USB-A is needed/wanted, else you would've chosen the cheaper/smaller/lighter 100W?

 

[Human]

I love this forum! I was on the lookout for a new charger but was intimidated by the sheer number out there. Thanks for the recommendation. I just picked up the 100w 4-port USB-C charger on Amazon Prime for $79.99, with an AmEx Offer of a $10 credit so effectively I paid $69.99. Very happy!

 

[SeatBackForward]

ok thanks, good pickup - so presumably USB-A is needed/wanted, else you would've chosen the cheaper/smaller/lighter 100W?

I wanted the 140W for a bit of future proofing in case my next laptop was more power hungry. The USB-A is a bit redundant for me, but I carry an adapter to turn into an additional USB-C if required.

 

[RealtimeY]

The MOGICS bagels are my favourite travel adapters by a wide margin. It's a universal adapter, power strip and USB-A/USB-C charger all in one. It can't really charge laptops - though it can just keep a M1 MacBook powered or charging very slowly.

https://www.amazon.com.au/MOGICS-Super-Bagel-White/dp/B08YD1RQBN/

 

[RB]

There was a bit of discussion on chargers on OzBargain today VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank, 10000mAh 22.5W $17.99 (RRP $47.99) + Delivery ($0 with Prime/ $59 Spend) @ VEEKTOMX Amazon AU - OzBargain

 

[elanshin]

Over the past couple of years, I've moved to having all my tech gadgets use USB-C charging, which has made life much easier in terms of needing to carry power packs and power adapters around. But Now I think I've found my ideal travel charger system - at least under current requirements:

Powerpod 140W GaN 3 Travel Charger AUD$149

What I like about it:

• Provides a high power supply using USB-C PD Standards. My Laptop requires 65W so I can also power additional gear without compromising the laptop supply using this
• While the charger uses US plugs, they provide adapters for AUS/UK/EU
• They provide a cable that slides into the charger, that can then also use the same adapters. Really good for situations where you can't plug the charger directly into the power socket.
• All fits into the supplied travel case also.

Zyron also makes smaller/cheaper capacity chargers, the 67W is only AUD$55, comes with the adapters but not the cable. Although the cable is only $14 itself. The 67W is quite smaller in physical size too.

Bonus, use promo code LUCKY20 for 20% off as well.

I feel the 140w is a bit overkill. I personally have the 100w with 2x USB C PD (max 100W output) slots + 1 USB QC4 slot + 1 USB A (max 20w) slot.

I remember picking it up for around $70 and honestly will be a while before i think the jump to 140w is needed. Also have 4 slots instead of 3 is nice too.

 

[Human]

I feel the 140w is a bit overkill.

It’s interesting that as laptop chips become more power-efficient, the trend is towards less powerful chargers. The new M3 MacBook Air models, for example, ship with 30W or 35W chargers and the most they can take, on fast charge, is 70W. So unless you’re using a “Pro” model laptop, with processing grunt to match, future laptops will need less power rather than more.

 

[elanshin]

It’s interesting that as laptop chips become more power-efficient, the trend is towards less powerful chargers. The new M3 MacBook Air models, for example, ship with 30W or 35W chargers and the most they can take, on fast charge, is 70W. So unless you’re using a “Pro” model laptop, with processing grunt to match, future laptops will need less power rather than more.

I think that's just Apple. They've always been behind in the charging speed game compared to new android phones and pc laptops. Future laptops will move to faster and more powerful chargers so you can "juice up" quicker. This is even more true if you consider they want to push apple vision as the future.

Consider this - even if your laptop is more power efficient and has better battery life, if your charger allows you to stop for 5 minutes and juice up 1-2 hours of battery with its speed instead of the same amount taking 20mins, why wouldn't you want it?

Also if you start draining your battery with intensive workloads whilst also trying to charge it at the same time, that's where you'll find the laptops then start charging at a trickle.

Edit: also my 100w charger is the max the charger can output - so I can see why you would want 140w if you have multiple power hungry devices.

My top 2 ports are 100w on single port maximum, but if I plug both in, the 100w gets split. And it's split even more if I use all 4 ports. So in theory if i max out my bottom port speeds, the top ports get left with about 30ws each of juice (although I doubt I'll have 4 power hungry devices charging at the same time).

 

[SeatBackForward]

There was a bit of discussion on chargers on OzBargain today VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank, 10000mAh 22.5W $17.99 (RRP $47.99) + Delivery ($0 with Prime/ $59 Spend) @ VEEKTOMX Amazon AU - OzBargain

I've read some of those, the main concerns seem to be about these lesser known brands setting on fire!

 

[SeatBackForward]

I feel the 140w is a bit overkill. I personally have the 100w with 2x USB C PD (max 100W output) slots + 1 USB QC4 slot + 1 USB A (max 20w) slot.

I remember picking it up for around $70 and honestly will be a while before i think the jump to 140w is needed. Also have 4 slots instead of 3 is nice too.

That 100W one is the one without the Travel adapters I think?

When I'm using my Laptop (Surface Pro 8) I'll usually be charging a powerbank, using an external monitor or charging up my phone as well, so more than happy to have the extra power without the laptop running into trickle charge.

For me it was the travel element of this one, the adapters and the interchangeable power cable that finally put this one in its place. A lot of others have most, but all these features.

 

[elanshin]

That 100W one is the one without the Travel adapters I think?

When I'm using my Laptop (Surface Pro 8) I'll usually be charging a powerbank, using an external monitor or charging up my phone as well, so more than happy to have the extra power without the laptop running into trickle charge.

For me it was the travel element of this one, the adapters and the interchangeable power cable that finally put this one in its place. A lot of others have most, but all these features.

Mine also has exchangeable adaptors and default has NA plugs built in (so standard zyron travel version). Basically your adaptor is likely a newer more powerful version (and expensive) version of the one I have although I'm surprised with the 3 port output instead of 4.

 

[Batterytraveller]

After messing around with things like the mogics bagel I now just have a non travel Belkin charger like this and separate AU/UK/US/EU cables. I’m a terrible one for loosing fiddley adaptor things and just being able to use a standard cable means I can replace it anywhere.

 

[SeatBackForward]

After messing around with things like the mogics bagel I now just have a non travel Belkin charger like this and separate AU/UK/US/EU cables. I’m a terrible one for loosing fiddley adaptor things and just being able to use a standard cable means I can replace it anywhere.

View attachment 373685

Yep when I'm exhibiting I'll take a second charger like this and have a collection of IEC-C7 (Figure 8 pins) for the destination country.

I also have a bunch of these type of adapters for UK/US/EU, probably electrically a bit sus, but I'm not plugging in toasters or hairdryers. Cheap as chips and easy to get off sites like Aliexpress.

 

[Daver6]

I purchased the 65W version of the Zyron adaptor a couple of years ago. It's pretty good. My only gripe is when you plug/unplug a second device the power drops momentarily on all ports. For 99% of people this won't be an issue. However, I sometimes run a GL.iNet travel router off it too. When I plug my laptop in that momentary drop in power causes the router to reboot which is super annoying.

So just a heads up.

 

[encryptededdy]

I've got the new (as in, released end of last year) Zyron Powerpod 100W with 4x USB-C ports, which I'm quite happy with. It was the most compact charger with lots of USB-C and no USB-A ports that I could find, given I've banished anything non-USB-C from my collection . I don't really care for higher power as whilst travelling I don't need maximum charge speed on every port.

No USB-A also means I can travel with only USB-C to USB-C cables and nothing else, but still take full advantage of the charger's ports.



Pairs really well with my Anker Prime power bank (also USB-C only) as my travel charger set, along with 4x USB-C to USB-C cables of various lengths.

However, I sometimes run a GL.iNet travel router off it too. When I plug my laptop in that momentary drop in power causes the router to reboot which is super annoying.

I haven't done extensive testing yet, however from what I can tell if I have a low-power device connected to port 3 or 4, then connect a high-power device (e.g. laptop) to port 1 or 2, there is no reset. In theory, USB-PD allows a source (charger) to tell a sink (device) that the power capability on the port is changing, but in practice most (if not all) chargers are too lazy to implement this, and instead just reset the connection.

 

[elanshin]

I've got the new (as in, released end of last year) Zyron Powerpod 100W with 4x USB-C ports, which I'm quite happy with. It was the most compact charger with lots of USB-C and no USB-A ports that I could find, given I've banished anything non-USB-C from my collection . I don't really care for higher power as whilst travelling I don't need maximum charge speed on every port.

No USB-A also means I can travel with only USB-C to USB-C cables and nothing else, but still take full advantage of the charger's ports.

View attachment 373702

Pairs really well with my Anker Prime power bank (also USB-C only) as my travel charger set, along with 4x USB-C to USB-C cables of various lengths.


I haven't done extensive testing yet, however from what I can tell if I have a low-power device connected to port 3 or 4, then connect a high-power device (e.g. laptop) to port 1 or 2, there is no reset. In theory, USB-PD allows a source (charger) to tell a sink (device) that the power capability on the port is changing, but in practice most (if not all) chargers are too lazy to implement this, and instead just reset the connection.

Ah I think mine is the older version of this - its very similar but just a usb A port instead of all usb c.

I use a 20k mAH battery bank with 1c port and 2 a ports and pd capable (can charge my laptop but the laptop drains the battery bank fast).

 

[qaz]

I've got the new (as in, released end of last year) Zyron Powerpod 100W with 4x USB-C ports, which I'm quite happy with. It was the most compact charger with lots of USB-C and no USB-A ports that I could find, given I've banished anything non-USB-C from my collection . I don't really care for higher power as whilst travelling I don't need maximum charge speed on every port.

No USB-A also means I can travel with only USB-C to USB-C cables and nothing else, but still take full advantage of the charger's ports.

good to hear - seems to be the same one that i suggested earlier

Pairs really well with my Anker Prime power bank (also USB-C only) as my travel charger set, along with 4x USB-C to USB-C cables of various lengths.

Anker's good - here's Cygnett:

Extra 15% off: e.g. Power Banks 27000mAh 72W (USB-C 60W Max) $83.30, 19200mAh 118W (USB-C 100W Max) $100.30 Delivered @ Cygnett

Deal: Extra 15% off: e.g. Power Banks 27000mAh 72W (USB-C 60W Max) $83.30, 19200mAh 118W (USB-C 100W Max) $100.30 Delivered @ Cygnett, Store: Cygnett, Code: CYGNETT15 COMEBACK15, Category: Electrical & Electronics

www.ozbargain.com.au