You may have noticed that some new chargers are surprisingly small, yet they charge even a laptop. The secret is called GaN. Let us explain what it is, why it is better and whether it is worth paying extra.

What GaN is

GaN is the abbreviation for gallium nitride, a modern semiconductor material from which the insides of chargers are made. It replaces classic silicon, which was used for decades.

Thanks to its better properties, GaN lets a charger deliver the same power in a smaller body and with less heating. That is why GaN chargers are significantly more compact.

Why GaN chargers are better

In practice they bring several advantages:

  • Smaller and lighter. A GaN charger with the same power is much smaller than a classic one. Ideal for traveling.
  • Cooler. Less energy is lost as heat, so they do not heat up as much.
  • More powerful in a small body. A single small GaN charger can charge even a more demanding laptop.
  • Often more ports. Many GaN chargers have two or three ports, so you charge a phone, a tablet and a laptop with one.

Is it worth paying extra

A GaN charger tends to be a bit more expensive than an ordinary one, but it is usually worth it, especially if you:

  • travel a lot and want one small charger for everything,
  • charge a laptop over USB-C and want to get rid of the big original adapter,
  • want to serve several devices at once with one charger.

If you only charge an older phone at low power, an ordinary one will do. There is more on choosing in the articles how to choose a laptop charger and how to choose a phone charger.

What to watch out for when choosing

  • Sufficient power (watts). A smaller power suffices for a phone, for a laptop you need more (often 65 W and above). Beware, the stated power is divided across several ports at once, more in the article adapter power: stated versus real.
  • The right ports and standards. USB-C with support for fast charging (USB-PD) is ideal. There is an article on connectors, USB versions and connectors.
  • A quality brand. With chargers it does not pay to go for the cheapest unknown piece, it is a matter of safety.

Conclusion

Thanks to a modern material (gallium nitride), GaN chargers are smaller, cooler and more powerful than classic ones. With one small charger you charge a phone and a laptop, and often several devices at once. For a slight surcharge you get convenience and saved space, which everyone who travels will appreciate especially. When choosing, think about sufficient power, the right ports and a proven brand.

Not sure which charger to choose for your devices? Get in touch, we will be happy to advise.

This article is part of our Hardware and components overview.