Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger review: a quirky and compact charging companion
Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger review
Anker’s back with another quirky, display-equipped charger that somehow adds a splash of fun into the process of juicing up your phone. I’ve spent a week testing it out at home, using it to revive a number of devices, and it’s impressed me overall — 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 of all, there’s a lil’ charging blob character that appears, and expresses a variety of emotions depending on 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 well-sized — but it’s not just here for fun, it’s also pretty informative. You can touch a button next to the screen to get the visual on a range of factors — like power output and temperature. But you can also use it to toggle on Care Mode, which keeps the charger about 20°C cooler than international safety limits allow, and your actual device’s battery around 5°C cooler, which can protect your devices’ long-term battery health. That in itself is a function that even some of the best iPhone chargers skip on.
In practice, I never found that this model got too hot when in use, even in spite of its small size. Speaking of its size, this charger has a brilliantly compact form factor. It has a considerably smaller footprint than a lot of 45W chargers on the market, making it ideal for use in tight spaces or taking 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 stow the charger in your pocket, as the prongs can cause discomfort when pressed against you, though it’s worth flagging that the US variant folds away fully.
In terms of performance, this charger works as well as you’d hope. I tried charging my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which has a battery capacity of 4,700mAh. It brought the phone back to life just as quickly as I’d anticipated (about 80 minutes from 0%). However, my main device, the Xiaomi 17, cannot charge at maximum capacity with this model. That phone supports 100W wired charging, so if you have a device with similarly advanced charging capabilities, then it may be worth looking for something with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger.
Something else worth noting 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 let you charge your phone and other devices simultaneously, 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 supplying your device with the power it needs in a safe, managed way. There’s also smart device recognition for iPhones, meaning that the charger can recognize your specific model, and will display it on the screen. Free updates are also planned to recognize upcoming iPhone models.
Another thing I love about the Anker Nano 45W is its look. It comes in a range of color options, intended 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 to justify the $39.99 / £34.99 (about AU$55), which is by no means cheap, but fair for the quality and performance you get in return.
All in all, the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger is a very solid model that supplies consistent and reliable performance, considerable 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, then I’d certainly recommend it.
Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger review: price & specs
|
Price |
$39.99 / £34.99 (about AU$55) |
|
Total power output |
45W |
|
Number of ports |
1 |
|
Port type(s) |
USB-C |
|
Dimensions |
3 x 1.4 x 1.3 inches / 77.3 x 35.8 x 34mm |
Should I buy the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger?
Buy it if…
You want an ultra-compact charger for travel
The Anker Nano 45W Smart Display charger is incredibly compact and very lightweight, making it ideal for taking on the go. Its small size also makes it ideal for slotting into tighter spaces, say if your power outlet is close to your desk.
You want a charger with character
This charger has an emotive, personality-filled display, and comes in a range of funky colors — including the Orange model I tested, which is my personal favorite.
Don’t buy it if…
You need to charge multiple devices at once
This model from Anker has a single USB-C port, meaning you can only charge one device at a time. There are plenty of rivals with multiple ports if you want to juice up your phone as well as a pair of wireless earbuds, for example, without having to revive them individually. If you need multi-device charging, check out my recommendation in the ‘also consider’ section.
You have a particularly power-hungry handset
My Xiaomi 17 phone supports wired charging up to 100W, so this Anker model can’t provide me with top-level performance. While 45W is plenty for a lot of flagships, such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, look elsewhere for peak performance. My personal go-to is the UGreen Uno Charger 100W.
Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger review: also consider
UGreen Nexode RG 65W
Need a bit more power, but still want a charger with a fun display? Then look no further than the UGreen Nexode RG 65W. It can be found for a very similar price as the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger, has three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) for juicing up multiple devices at once, and will make quirky faces at you while bringing your gadgets back to life. Read my full UGreen Nexode RG 65W review.
