This GaN charger is a cross between a yo-yo and a tape measure - and goes with me everywhere

3 days ago 8

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Counterpart's charger is simply a 35W gallium nitride (GaN) instrumentality with a retractable, four-foot cord and a foldable partition plug for $44.
Its yo-yo-esque plan keeps everything you request to complaint successful 1 place, and the USB-C cord is compatible with galore devices.
It whitethorn not beryllium for you if you privation a multi-port GaN charger.

Recent economic events person made definite that my iPhone 14 Pro (and its lightning adapter) volition beryllium hanging astir for the foreseeable future, but the cosmopolitan relation of USB-C for each my different devices remains. If you're similar me, you cognize that owning much gadgets and gizmos means your upland of chargers and cables continues to turn until it resembles thing alien-like retired of a sci-fi movie.

That's wherefore I jumped a the accidental to effort the Counterpart Charger.

Also: This 5-in-1 charging presumption replaced respective table accessories for maine (and it conscionable got cheaper)

This yo-yo-like charger includes a built-in four-foot USB-C cablegram that retracts backmost similar a portion measurement with a elemental fastener press. It offers 35W of gallium nitride (GaN) charging, which is much than capable for astir tablets, e-readers, headphones, and smartphones (the modular cord-hoggers successful my house). I was besides capable to get an mean complaint connected my MacBook.

I americium nary alien to retractable cables, like these from Baseus, which I rave astir for charging connected the go, oregon this 5-in-1 charging station. Even though I inactive trust connected MagSafe charging the most, determination are plentifulness of times erstwhile you privation to usage a instrumentality (like a newer iPhone) portion it's charging oregon boost your laptop artillery portion you work. For that, you'll request a cable.

Also: This retractable USB-C charger is my favourite question accessory (and it's nether $10 now)

Counterparts' stand-out diagnostic is that it doesn't lucifer a charger. It comes successful 5 colors, features a foldable partition plug, and has a soft-to-touch silicone fastener that initiates cord retraction. It's much abstract creation than tech with its shell-like design, but it remains highly functional.

It's besides round. The bulk of chargers are square, oregon the somewhat modernized "squoval" signifier Anker has acclimated to. I've seen much options successful presumption of colour implicit the past fewer years, similar this Anker Nano charger or Baseus PicoGo charger, but astir of the marketplace inactive favors a boxy look. It's admittedly bully to spot Arhaus-esque plan conscionable the tech accessory world.

After utilizing it for a fewer weeks, I'm blessed with its performance. It works large for boosting my Kindle Paperwhite, charging up MagSafe batteries I americium investigating for ZDNET, and topping disconnected my AirPods. The cosmopolitan USB-C plan besides charged my Renpho oculus massager, JBL speaker, and more.

The (cord) kinks

Although aesthetically appealing, I person a fewer dislikes if I'm being picky (I am). I privation determination were aggregate cables, making it much utile for travel. Though the elevated look and hidden cord are great, it's hard to bushed much functional options similar this Anker GaN Prime charger, which tin complaint up to 3 devices simultaneously (even if the cords don't neatly loop up).

Also: This almighty Anker Prime charger replaced each my adapters

And I cognize what you're wondering: "Can I usage the different plug successful the outlet with this happening connected?" It depends connected the different device's plug shape. When I utilized the Counterpart charger successful the bottommost outlet, I was capable to get a modular Apple iPhone charger into the apical plug with nary issue. When Counterpart's charger was successful my apical plug, it covered the 2nd outlet.

Also, I deliberation 35W is connected the debased broadside for charging laptops. While it's good for astir phones, tiny tablets, and different handheld devices, it's not my penchant to complaint larger devices, similar my MacBook Pro M3, which I usually complaint with a 65W charger. If Counterpart considered making adjacent a 45W version, I deliberation it would person served a amended saccharine spot regarding worth for your money.

I'm besides funny astir the cord's longevity, though I'll person to study backmost to you. Most cords are notorious for bending oregon breaking, rendering them unusable, and since you can't abstracted this cord from the adapter itself, you'd person to ditch it altogether. Counterpart does connection a two-year warranty though.

ZDNET's buying advice

The Counterpart charger sells for $44. That's a smidge high, considering you tin drawback 35W GaN chargers (with aggregate ports) for arsenic debased arsenic $20 -- like this 1 from Ugreen. But what you're paying for present is the aesthetic, the function, and the cord retractability. Combined, I haven't seen these 3 elements executed successful the ways Counterpart has managed to.

Utimately, what's worthy your currency depends connected your needs and wants. Counterpart's charger whitethorn beryllium cleanable if you're looking for a cosmopolitan charger with fantabulous cablegram absorption and an art-like finish. On the different hand, if you request to complaint much than 1 instrumentality astatine a time, don't attraction astir the look, oregon request a higher wattage option, you whitethorn beryllium satisfied with a accepted partition charger and immoderate cablegram ties.

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