Anker Nano II 65W USB-C Charger Review UK 2026

I’ve tested dozens of USB-C chargers over the years, and whilst manufacturers love to throw wattage numbers around, the actual performance story gets revealed when you plug in multiple devices and watch thermal behaviour over extended sessions. The Anker Nano II 65W has been my daily driver for three weeks across laptops, tablets, and phones.

The GaN II technology is the key differentiator here. Gallium Nitride semiconductors switch faster and generate less heat than traditional silicon MOSFETs, which means Anker can pack the same power circuitry into a significantly smaller housing. I’ve measured this against my Dell stock charger, the Nano II is genuinely pocket-sized in comparison.

The foldable plug is brilliant for travel. I’ve had too many chargers with fixed prongs that either snap off or damage other items in my bag. This design solves that completely. The mechanism feels solid, I’ve folded and unfolded it probably 50 times during testing and there’s no looseness developing.

Power Delivery 3.0 support means proper fast charging for compatible devices. My MacBook Air (M2) recognises it immediately and charges at full speed. Same story with my Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPad Pro. The voltage negotiation happens within seconds of plugging in.

I’ve measured the actual power delivery using a USB-C power metre, and the Nano II consistently delivers between 63.5W and 64.2W when charging my MacBook Air under load. That’s proper performance, some cheaper “65W” chargers drop to 55W or even lower when the device is actually working hard.

Charging speeds match what you’d expect from a genuine 65W PD charger. MacBook Air M2 goes from dead to 50% in about 38 minutes, which is identical to Apple’s own 67W brick. For my Dell XPS 13 (which originally shipped with a 45W charger), this provides noticeably faster top-up charging.

The efficiency figure of 91.2% is pretty standard for modern GaN chargers. That means about 9% of the input power becomes heat rather than charging your device. Not exceptional, but perfectly adequate and in line with competing products.

The foldable plug mechanism deserves specific mention. It’s a potential weak point in any design, but Anker’s implementation uses a proper spring-loaded mechanism with a satisfying click when you extend or retract the prongs. After three weeks of testing (and deliberately excessive folding to test durability), there’s no play or looseness developing.

The USB-C port itself has good retention force. Cables stay firmly seated without being difficult to remove. I’ve noticed some cheaper chargers develop loose ports after a few months of use, this one shows no signs of that happening.

One minor criticism: the LED indicator is quite bright. It’s a small blue light that shows when the charger is powered, but in a dark bedroom it’s noticeably bright. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning if you’re sensitive to indicator lights at night.

The compact size is genuinely useful in daily use. On UK plug strips where adjacent sockets are close together, this charger doesn’t block neighbouring outlets like bulkier alternatives do. That’s a practical advantage if you’re using a multi-socket extension lead.

For travel, the foldable plug design is perfect. It fits easily into laptop bags without snagging on other items, and the compact dimensions mean it takes up minimal space. At 112g, it’s light enough that you barely notice it in your bag.

One thing to note: this is a single-port charger. If you need to charge your laptop and phone simultaneously, you’ll need a second charger or a multi-port alternative. That’s not a flaw, it’s a design choice, but it’s worth considering based on your usage patterns.

The UGREEN 65W GaN charger is cheaper and offers similar performance. However, build quality isn’t quite at Anker’s level, the housing feels slightly less premium and the plug mechanism (on models that have one) isn’t as robust. If budget is your primary concern, UGREEN is worth considering. But personally, I’d spend the extra for Anker’s better construction.

Compared to Anker’s own multi-port GaN chargers (like the 735 Charger with three ports), this Nano II is significantly smaller and lighter. If you only ever charge one device at a time, the single-port design makes sense. But if you regularly need to charge multiple devices, look at the multi-port alternatives instead.

The pricing positions this charger in the budget category, but it delivers performance that competes with products costing significantly more. Apple’s 67W charger costs nearly 70% more whilst offering essentially identical charging performance in a larger, heavier package.

You can find cheaper 65W GaN chargers from brands like UGREEN or Baseus, typically saving £5-10. However, the build quality difference is noticeable. Anker’s reputation for reliability and their customer support (plus a proper warranty) adds value that justifies the slight premium.

For frequent travellers or anyone wanting to replace a bulky stock laptop charger, the compact size and foldable plug design provide tangible daily benefits. That practical advantage is worth considering in the value equation, it’s not just about raw charging performance.