AUKEY is continuing to shrink their chargers thanks to GaN (gallium nitride) technology. Can small chargers provide a big amount of power to charge a laptop?

Design

The AUKEY GaN 65W charger (model PA-B3) is definitely smaller than most laptop chargers, and it’s even smaller than a comparable Anker model.

A soft white LED on the top glows to let you know that the unit is receiving power. It’s not too bright that it would keep you up at night if you use it in a bedroom.

Features

The AUKEY charger features a 65W USB-C port on top, with a regular USB-A port on the bottom that can provide up to 12 watts (5V ⎓ 2.4A) to smartphones and tablets. Please note that when both ports are in use, the total wattage cannot exceed 65 watts.

The charger features a technology that AUKEY calls “Dynamic Detect“ that allows it to allocate most of it’s power to the USB-C port if it is the only one in use, or to divide the 65 watts of power appropriately if both ports are in you use. If both ports are in use, the top port will typically only output about 45 watts.

This charger also has foldable prongs, making it ideal for backpacks and travel.

Performance

Please note that the following tests were performed when using just the USB-C port of the Aukey charger.

Nintendo Switch Charging

The Switch requires about 18 watts (15V - 1.2A) to charge and play at the same time in handheld mode, and the AUKEY PA-B3 charger was able to provide the needed 15V to charge and play at the same time.

Acer R13 Chromebook Charging

My Acer R13 Chromebook is not compliant with the USB-C Power Delivery standard, however the AUKEY PA-B3 charger was able to charge it anyways. The stock charger can reach 45 watts (20V ⎓ 2.25A) while the AUKEY PA-B3 charger provided 41 watts (14.5V ⎓ 2.86A).

Lenovo 14W Laptop Charging

The stock Lenovo 14W laptop charger output 45 watts at 20V ⎓ 2.25A. The AUKEY PA-B3 charger was able to output the 20V profile (well, close enough at 19.687 V) and provide the 45 watt charge the Lenovo 14W requires.

Dell Latitude 5590 Laptop Charging

The Dell Latitude 5590’s stock charger is 65 watts. The AUKEY PA-B3 charger was able to support the 20V profile. The laptop recognized it as a 60 watt charger (and complained that the 60 watt charger was not a “full speed” 65 watt charger). Despite the message, the laptop continued to charge while in use.

iPhone Fast Charging

Starting with the iPhone 8 and including the iPhone X, XS, XR and 11, you can use a Power Delivery charger (and a USB-C to Lightning cable, which needs to be purchased separately) to fast charge your iPhone to 50% in as little as 30 minutes. For more information about this, please refer to the Apple support article regarding fast charging. This Aukey charger supports the Power Delivery requirements needed for fast iPhone charging.

Technical Specs

USB-C Maximum Output (when only the USB-C port is in use): 5V ⎓ 3A / 9V ⎓ 3A / 12V ⎓ 3A / 15V ⎓ 3A / 20V ⎓ 3.25A

USB-A Maximum Output: 5V ⎓ 2.4A

When both ports are in use, the total output will not exceed 65 watts.

Our Verdict

9.3

Great

Smaller than most laptop chargers, the AUKEY GaN 65W PD PA-B3 charger can charge most modern laptops that support USB-C charging, while providing a regular USB port for charging your phone or tablet at the same time.