Anker Nano II 65W GaN Charger Review UK 2026

Most USB-C chargers are boring. They're a lump of plastic, they do a job, and nobody writes home about them. But the Anker Nano II 65W GaN Charger is one of those rare accessories that actually earns a second look, because it solves a genuinely annoying problem: the fact that a 65W laptop charger is usually the size of a small brick and weighs enough to drag your bag down on one side. This one isn't. It's compact enough to forget it's in your bag, and powerful enough to top up a MacBook Air, a Samsung flagship, or an iPhone 13 without breaking a sweat.

So is it worth your money? Based on the published specs, the manufacturer's own claims, and over 3,496 owner reviews averaging 4.6 stars, the short answer is yes, pretty comfortably. This is a well-thought-out bit of kit at a budget price point, and it's earned its reputation. That said, it's not perfect, and there are a couple of things before you click buy. Let's get into it properly.

The Anker Nano II 65W GaN Charger sits in budget territory, which makes the feature set genuinely impressive. GaN II technology, multi-device compatibility, and a size reduction of 58% compared to a standard 61W USB-C charger. On paper, that's a lot for the price. Owner feedback broadly confirms it delivers. But there are some nuances around port count and heat that are worth talking through before you commit.

Connectivity-wise, you get two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, which is a sensible spread for a charger in this size class. The underlying technology is Gallium Nitride (GaN), specifically Anker's second-generation GaN II implementation. The key improvement GaN II brings over the original GaN is a 100% increase in operating frequency, which allows the circuitry to be packed more tightly without generating proportionally more heat. That's how you get a charger this small delivering this much power. It's not magic, it's materials science.

The size comparison Anker quotes is striking: 58% smaller than a conventional 61W USB-C charger. That's not a rounding error. In practice, it means this thing sits comfortably in a jacket pocket, takes up almost no space in a bag, and doesn't hog the wall socket in a way that blocks adjacent plugs. Below is the full spec rundown.

The GaN II technology deserves a proper mention rather than just a marketing bullet point. Standard silicon-based chargers have been around for decades, and they work fine, but they're inefficient at high frequencies, which means manufacturers have to build in more bulk to manage heat. GaN semiconductors switch at much higher frequencies with lower losses, which is why GaN chargers can be dramatically smaller than their silicon equivalents at the same wattage. Anker's second-generation version doubles the operating frequency again and adds a stacked circuit board design, squeezing even more performance into less space. It's a genuine engineering achievement, not just a rebadge.

The rapid charging credentials are worth unpacking too. MacBook Air under two hours is the headline, but the Samsung Super Fast Charging support matters for Android users who've moved away from Apple. And the iPhone 13 claim (three times faster than a 5W charger) is real, though notably, that Apple's own 20W charger is the more relevant comparison for most iPhone owners. Still, the Nano II handles USB Power Delivery properly, which means it negotiates the right voltage and current for whatever you plug in, rather than just blasting everything at the same rate. That's the right way to do fast charging, and it's good to see it here at this price.

The 18-month warranty also matters. Budget accessories often come with minimal or nonexistent warranty coverage. Anker's 18-month offer, backed by their customer service reputation, is a meaningful differentiator. Owner reviews consistently mention positive experiences with Anker support when things go wrong, which is exactly the kind of real-world reliability signal that matters more than any spec sheet number.

The heat question comes up in owner reviews fairly regularly. GaN chargers do run warmer than you might expect from something this small, and the Nano II is no exception. Owners report it gets noticeably warm during heavy use, particularly when charging a laptop at full 65W. This is normal for GaN technology at this power level and isn't a safety concern, but it's worth being aware of if you're planning to leave it plugged in for extended periods in an enclosed space. The stacked circuit board design and GaN II's improved efficiency do help manage thermals compared to first-generation GaN chargers, but warm is the honest word here. Not hot. Not alarming. Just warm.

iPhone charging performance is strong. The three-times-faster claim versus a 5W charger is accurate, and owners with iPhone 13 and later models report noticeably quicker top-ups compared to the basic chargers that used to ship in the box. Samsung users with Super Fast Charging-compatible devices report similarly positive results. Android users on non-Samsung devices should check their phone's charging protocol compatibility, since USB Power Delivery is broadly supported but some proprietary fast-charging standards (like Qualcomm Quick Charge) behave differently depending on the device. The Nano II handles USB-PD properly, which covers the vast majority of modern smartphones and laptops.

Owner reviews at scale tell a reassuring story. With 3,537 and a 4.6-star average, the consistent themes are: it charges quickly, it's genuinely compact, and it works reliably over time. The negative reviews cluster around two things: heat during heavy use (as mentioned above) and the occasional unit arriving dead on arrival, which happens with any mass-market electronics product and is covered by the warranty. There's no widespread pattern of early failure or degraded performance over time, which is the reliability signal that matters most.

The fold-flat plug design (standard on UK versions) is a nice practical touch. It means the Nano II sits flush against the wall socket without sticking out awkwardly, and it's easier to pack without scratching other kit in your bag. Owner reviews specifically mention the compact form factor as a genuine daily-use benefit, particularly for people who travel frequently and used to lug around a full-size laptop brick. The difference in bag weight and space is tangible.

Durability over time is harder to assess from the outside, but the owner review patterns are encouraging. There's no significant cluster of reviews reporting the charger dying after a few months, which is the first thing you look for with budget accessories. The GaN II circuitry is inherently more efficient than older silicon designs, which means less heat cycling over time and, in theory, better longevity. Anker's track record as a brand also matters here. They've been making charging accessories long enough to have a genuine reputation to protect, and their warranty support is consistently praised in owner feedback. That's not nothing.

One small gripe that comes up in reviews is that the charger can be a snug fit in some multi-socket extension leads, depending on the socket spacing. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you're planning to use it in a crowded power strip, it's the physical dimensions against your setup. The compact footprint that makes it great for travel can occasionally be a mild annoyance in a fixed desk setup with a tight extension lead.

The three-port setup (two USB-C, one USB-A) is intuitive to use in practice. Most people will have a primary device on one USB-C port and use the second USB-C or the USB-A for secondary devices. The USB-A port is a useful inclusion for older cables and accessories that haven't made the jump to USB-C yet, and it means you don't need a separate adapter for things like older Kindles, earbuds, or accessories that came with a USB-A cable. In a world that's still mid-transition to USB-C, that flexibility is worth having.

The lack of an included cable is the one setup friction point. Anker ships the charger without a cable, which is increasingly common across the industry but still slightly annoying if you're buying this as a replacement for a lost or broken charger and assumed you'd get a cable in the box. If you need a USB-C to USB-C cable, budget for one separately. Most people buying this will already have cables, but it's upfront rather than discovering it when the package arrives.

Daily use is genuinely friction-free. The compact size means it doesn't dominate a desk or a socket, and the fold-flat pins mean it travels well without needing its own protective pouch. Owners who use this as their primary travel charger consistently mention that they've stopped thinking about it, which is the highest compliment you can give a charger. The best accessory is the one you forget you're using.

Samsung Super Fast Charging support is specifically called out by Anker, and it's a meaningful addition. Samsung's Super Fast Charging uses a higher voltage profile that not all third-party chargers support correctly. The Nano II handles it, which means Galaxy S-series and other compatible Samsung phones get the fast charge speeds they're designed for rather than falling back to slower standard charging. For Samsung users who've previously been frustrated by third-party chargers not delivering the full speed.

The USB-A port handles standard charging for older devices and accessories. It won't fast-charge in the way the USB-C ports do, but it'll keep older kit topped up without any fuss. For anyone still running a mix of USB-C and USB-A devices, the three-port layout means you can handle all of them from a single wall socket, which is the whole point of a multi-port charger.

One compatibility note worth being clear about: the maximum 65W is only available when using a single USB-C port. When multiple ports are in use simultaneously, the power is distributed across the connected devices. The exact split depends on what's connected and what each device requests, but the practical upshot is that your laptop will charge more slowly if you're also charging a phone at the same time. This is standard behaviour across all multi-port chargers and isn't a flaw, just a physics reality. If you specifically need 65W guaranteed to a single device at all times, use one port at a time.

Students are another strong fit. University accommodation typically has limited sockets, bags are already heavy, and the budget price point means it's not a painful purchase. A single Nano II can handle a laptop for lectures, a phone for everything else, and a third device (tablet, earbuds, whatever) via the USB-A port. The 18-month warranty covers most of an academic year, and Anker's customer service reputation means a faulty unit isn't a disaster.

Home office users who want to declutter their desk setup will also find this useful. Replacing a full-size 65W laptop brick with something this compact frees up meaningful desk space and reduces cable clutter. The multi-port setup means a single charger can handle a laptop, a phone, and an additional device from one wall socket, which is genuinely tidier than the alternative. If your desk currently has two or three separate chargers plugged in, consolidating to one Nano II is a satisfying upgrade.

Where it's less ideal is for users who need guaranteed maximum power to a laptop at all times while simultaneously charging other devices at full speed. Power users running a 65W laptop at full load, trying to fast-charge a tablet at the same time, will find the shared power budget limiting. For that use case, a higher-wattage multi-port charger (something in the 100W to 140W range) would be a better fit. The Nano II is optimised for the common case, not the demanding edge case.

The comparison that matters most is against the charger you're currently using. If you're still running a full-size 61W or 65W laptop brick, the size and weight difference alone is worth the cost of switching. If you're buying a second charger to leave at work or in a bag, the budget price makes it an easy decision. And if you're replacing a failed charger, the Nano II is a clear step up from most of the generic alternatives at similar prices.

The cable-not-included caveat does add a small cost if you don't already have a USB-C to USB-C cable. A decent cable adds a few pounds to the total, but it's still well within budget territory overall. It's also that Anker sells cables separately, and their cables have a similarly strong reputation among owners. Buying both from the same brand isn't a bad approach if you're starting from scratch.

Owner satisfaction at scale is the most honest value indicator. 3,537 averaging 4.6 stars is a significant data set, and the pattern of feedback suggests people feel they got what they paid for and more. That's the definition of good value. There are cheaper chargers out there, but the combination of GaN II efficiency, Anker's brand reliability, and the warranty makes the Nano II worth the modest premium over no-name alternatives.

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 65W GaN charger is the most direct competitor. Belkin has a strong reputation for build quality and Apple compatibility, and their 65W GaN option is a solid charger. But it typically costs noticeably more than the Nano II, and the port configuration varies by model. For Apple-centric users who are already in the Belkin ecosystem, it's a reasonable alternative. For everyone else, paying more for the Belkin badge without a meaningful performance advantage is hard to justify.

The Ugreen Nexode 65W is the other strong contender. Ugreen has pushed hard into the GaN charger market and their Nexode range offers competitive specs at competitive prices. In some configurations the Ugreen has a slight edge on port flexibility, but owner reviews suggest Anker's build consistency and customer service give the Nano II an edge in long-term reliability. The Ugreen is worth looking at if the Nano II is out of stock or if you find it at a lower price, but it's not a clear winner over the Anker.

The Belkin's two-year warranty is the one area where it genuinely beats the Nano II, and if long-term warranty coverage is your primary concern, that's a legitimate reason to spend more. But for most buyers, the Nano II's 18-month warranty combined with its lower price and strong owner satisfaction record makes it the more sensible choice. If you don't need the extra six months of warranty cover and you're not committed to the Belkin brand, the Nano II is the smarter buy.

The GaN II technology is a real advantage over older silicon chargers, not just a marketing term. The 58% size reduction versus a standard 61W charger is measurable and meaningful in daily use. The three-port layout covers most real-world charging scenarios without requiring a second charger. And the 4.6-star average across over 3,496 owner reviews is the kind of social proof that's hard to argue with. That's not a handful of enthusiastic early adopters. That's a large, representative sample of people who bought the thing, used it, and came back to say it was good.

The caveats are real but minor. It gets warm under heavy load. Power is shared across ports when using multiple connections simultaneously. The cable isn't included. None of these are dealbreakers, and none of them are surprises if you understand how GaN chargers work. They're just things before you buy.

Who should buy this? Anyone who wants a compact, capable, multi-device charger at a budget price. Frequent travellers, students, home office workers, and anyone still lugging around a full-size laptop brick are the obvious targets. The Anker Nano II 65W GaN Charger earns a solid 8.5 out of 10. It's not the most powerful charger you can buy, and it's not the cheapest either, but it hits the value sweet spot convincingly.

Who should skip it? If you're running a power-hungry laptop that needs a guaranteed 65W at all times while simultaneously fast-charging multiple other devices, look at a higher-wattage option in the 100W to 140W range. The Anker 747 or similar 100W-plus GaN chargers would serve you better. And if you only ever charge one device at a time and don't care about size, a basic single-port 65W USB-C charger will cost you less. But for the majority of people asking whether the Nano II is worth it, the answer is yes.