RAVPower 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger Review: a Lofty Charge

POSITIVES

✓ Ease of use

Simple and efficient - easy to use and setup

✓ Price

Won't break the bank

✓ Build quality

Premium feel and high quality

NEGATIVES

✘ Has weight

I would consider this to be a little lofty

✘ Some charging nuances

There are times you can't charge 4 devices simultaneously

Retail Price: $49.99

Buy on RAVPower Site

DISCLAIMER: RAVPOWER SENT US A REVIEW UNIT OF THE DESKTOP CHARGER BUT ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE OUR OWN

The RAVPower 65W 4-Port Desktop Power Delivery GaN charger is a simple device that is convenient, efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Known for their electronic and wireless charging products, RAVPower sent us a unit of one of their newest desktop chargers for us to review. For those looking to save space on their desks or exploring convenient travel options for electronics, this charger can do it all.

Easy Setup

Out of the box, instructions and packaging were clean and simple. The charger itself comes with an AC input cable that has a good amount of length to it in case you need an extension. The charger feels high quality with a matte material finish and a dark grey sheen surrounding the ports adding some premium flare. I was impressed with the build quality and compact size of the charger. The rectangular shape makes it easy to throw into a backpack or travel bag, despite some lofty weight at 5.6 ounces from the charger itself.

After plugging the desktop charger to a power outlet, an LED indicator light will show green on both the top and bottom ridges. This is a useful and aesthetically pleasing feature, letting users know when there is power going to the charger. Facing outwards are two USB-C PD ports along with two USB-A iSmart ports allowing users to charge or power up to four devices simultaneously. RAVPower advertises 65 watts of power and claims that a 15.4” MacBook Pro can be fully charged within two hours when it is the only device connected via USB-C to the charger. The Intelligent Power Allocation feature also manages power flow to multiple devices when they are connected together, distributing the full 65W effectively. If you are only plugging in via USB-A, each iSmart port allows for 18W max each.

During my time reviewing the RAVPower desktop charger, I was impressed with how quickly it was able to charge devices and how it didn’t heat up. The GaN technology allows it to charge efficiently without sacrificing your device’s battery. This is an especially useful function when charging high powered items like laptops. RAVPower advertises compatible charging devices such as the MacBook Air, Huawei MateBook, Samsung Notebook, and more. 

Some Nuances

Although the desktop charger can charge the Note 10 series and S20 Ultra, it does not support 25W/45W fast charging. There are also a few additional nuances to be aware of. For example if you are charging a MacBook and Windows laptop, you cannot charge the Windows laptop if the MacBook is being charged first. Additionally if you have two Windows laptops, they cannot be charged simultaneously for obvious reasons. Essentially, just because the ports are there, doesn’t mean there is enough power to go around for high drawing devices. Additional details can be found on the RAVPower site here.

Overall Thoughts

Nevertheless, for those looking to simplify their desk setup or find a more convenient way of charging multiple devices while traveling, the RAVPower desktop charger is a solid option for those looking for both USB-C and USB-A connectivity. Despite some nuances and a loftier weight than a normal brick, the benefits outweigh the cons and for the price of $49.99, it’s hard not to recommend the RAVPower desktop charger.

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