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Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger review
Anker is back with another quirky, display-equipped charger that somehow adds a splash of fun to your phone’s charging process. I spent a week testing it at home, using it to revive a number of devices, and it generally impressed me – but is it worth the money? Stick around for my verdict.
Let’s start with the display, which is the big selling point of this model. First, there is a lil’ charging stick character that appears, and expresses a variety of emotions depending on the charging status, temperature and so on. This adds a bit of charisma and charm to the charger that most plain white or black blocks just don’t exude.
The display itself is bright, responsive and a good size – but it’s not just here for fun, it’s also quite informative. You can touch a button next to the screen to access the visualization on a number of factors – such as power output and temperature. But you can also use it to switch to Care Mode, which keeps the charger about 20°C cooler than the international safety limits allow, and cools the battery of your current device by 5°C more, which can protect your devices long-term battery health. That in itself is a function that even some of the best iPhone chargers skip.
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In practice, I never found this model to get too hot during use, even despite its small size. Speaking of its size, this charger has a brilliantly compact form factor. It has a significantly smaller footprint than many 45W chargers on the market, making it ideal for use in tight spaces or to take on the go. My only nitpick would be that the UK model I tested doesn’t have foldable prongs. This isn’t ideal if you want to keep the charger in your pocket, as the prongs can cause discomfort when pressed against you, although it’s worth highlighting that the US variant folds out completely.
In terms of performance, this charger works as well as you would hope. I tried to charge my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which has a battery capacity of 4,700mAh. It brought the phone back to life as quickly as I predicted (about 80 minutes from 0%). However, my main device, the Xiaomi 17, cannot charge to maximum capacity with this model. That phone supports 100W wireless charging, so if you have a device with similarly advanced charging capabilities, it might be worth looking for something with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger.
Something else to note is that this charger has a single USB-C port, so you can only charge one device at a time. That’s fine if you just want a simple phone charger, but there are models that allow you to charge your phone and other devices at the same time, like the UGreen Nexode Charger 65W with Retractable USB-C Cable.
Still, there’s a lot to admire about this compact charger. For example, this model has dynamic, three-stage charging, with a Fast, Steady, and Trickle mode, automatically providing your device with the power it needs in a safe, managed way. There is also smart device recognition for iPhones, which means that the charger can recognize your specific model and display it on the screen. Free updates are also planned to recognize the upcoming iPhone models.
Another thing I like about the Anker Nano 45W is its look. It comes in a number of color options, meant to mirror those of the iPhone 17 line, and they all look fantastic. I used the Orange model, which is bold and eye-catching, but also built to a high standard. This helps justify the $39.99 / £34.99 (about AU$55), which is by no means cheap, but fair for the quality and performance you get back.
All in all, the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger is a very solid model that delivers consistent and reliable performance, significant visual flair, and an informative, personality-filled display. It’s not the most powerful option on the market, but if 45W is all you need, and you’re fine with a single USB-C port, I’d certainly recommend it.
Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger Review: Price & Specifications
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Price | $39.99 / £34.99 (about AU$55) |
total power output | 45 wt |
Number of ports | 1 |
port type(s) | USB-C |
Dimensions | 3 x 1.4 x 1.3 inches / 77.3 x 35.8 x 34 mm |
