With many smartphone makers no longer providing a wall charger with new handsets, finding a great charger that is small, fast, and reliable has become a need for more users. There are many options on the market, but I took the EZquest UltimatePower Mini(s) for a spin.
EZQuest is one of many accessories makers that use GaN chargers designed for a wide range of smartphones, including big-brand Android and iPhone handsets. Such chargers are typically smaller and have higher peak power than non-GaN chargers, so this is a significant technological advantage in size (total volume) and charging speed.
The “EZquest UltimatePower Mini” series comprises 20W and 30W USB-C chargers that look nearly identical, except for the power output. Both models feature a USB-C connector, which aligns with today’s best practices.
These chargers abide by the USB-PD (Power Delivery) standard, which phone makers widely support. The peak charging power can only be achieved if the phone’s power input matches the charger’s output. USB-PD is one mechanism by which the phone and charger can communicate to find a safe maximum charging speed.
Some phone makers also have their protocol running alongside USB-PD. Apple and Samsung have their protocol, and most OEMs with super-charging capabilities that go beyond USB-PD will also have a proprietary solution in addition to USB-PD. OnePlus is one example that comes to mind.
You might want to check if your phone is compatible with USB-PD, and to what maximum power. However, the EZquest UltimatePower Mini chargers are designed to match that output to their respective 20W and 30W maximum.
I wanted to check real-world data, so I plugged in some popular phones to see what charging speed we were getting using the EZquest UltimatePower Mini(s), and here are the results. The table shows the power output we’ve seen using the chargers, as measured by TOPGREENER Smart Mini Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring (Amazon link).
Recognized charger brands will typically provide a device compatibility list. However, it is rarely possible to confirm if your specific device will reach maximum charging speed based on the basic specifications found online.
That’s partly because the phone maker can decide what maximum power to use based on software algorithms that could potentially change. Opting for a standard like USB-PD makes it much more likely (but not 100% guaranteed) to ensure the best compatibility. The USB Consortium has its set of tests for both chargers and phone makers.
Not surprisingly, this matches what we expect from the product’s specifications, and these chargers work as they should. Compared to competitors, their small size-to-power ratio is a significant advantage for those requiring a low footprint, like frequent travelers or people who always carry a charger with them.
The $9.99 UltimatePower Mini 20W and $19.99 UltimatePower Mini 30W are priced aggressively, especially when compared to options offered by big-brand phone manufacturers. For most people, the 20W provides excellent value for the price. However, if you need to replenish your phone quickly, the 30W is worth the extra $10.
EZquest also has products that cater to even higher-power devices such as laptops. The EZQuest UltimatePower 90W GaN Wall Charger is a good example.
Filed in . Read more about Chargers.
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