Looking for a compact charger that won't weigh down your carry-on? This guide covers the best GaN travel chargers for UK travellers, from a versatile everyday pick to a do-it-all multi-port unit for charging several devices at once.
Top picks
1. UGREEN Nexode 65W GaN Charger (3-Port) - Best Overall
SPP Score: 9.0 / 10 - 65W output, three ports, GaN build. Our all-round pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 8.0/10 - Build 9.4/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 9.8/10
Fit for this guide: Carry-on charging wants one plug for laptop and phone, and 65W across three ports folds flat.
Every pick here is scored out of 10: four marks rate the product and are the same in every guide, and the fifth rates its fit for this guide - how we test and score.
The UGREEN Nexode delivers 65W across three ports, so it can serve as a single charger for a laptop plus a phone and one more device on the move. With two USB-C ports and one USB-A, it takes modern and older cables alike, and the foldable UK plug tucks flat into a bag. GaN (gallium nitride) internals keep it compact and cooler than an older silicon brick, while PD 3.0 and PPS support means it can fast-charge a wide range of phones and ultrabooks.
Pros
- ✓ 65W output can charge many ultrabooks alongside a phone
- ✓ Three ports (2x USB-C, 1x USB-A) cover a mix of devices at once
- ✓ Foldable UK plug and GaN build keep it travel-friendly
Cons
- ✗ 65W covers ultrabooks, but a more demanding laptop wants a bigger plug than this
- ✗ With two USB-C ports, a third USB-C device has to charge from the USB-A port instead
Who it's for: Travellers who want one charger to handle a laptop, phone and a third device from a single wall socket.
Who it's not for: Minimalists who only ever need to charge a single phone.
2. UGREEN USB C Charger 65W GaN 2-Port - Best Budget
SPP Score: 8.6 / 10 - 65W output, compact GaN build. Our value pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 7.6/10 - Build 9.4/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 8.9/10
Fit for this guide: Two USB-C ports cover a laptop and phone abroad from an ultra-compact plug that keeps the bag light.
The UGREEN 65W GaN is the pick when bag weight matters more than port count, with two ports and enough power for a laptop as well as a phone. 65W is comfortably in ultrabook territory, so it can serve as a single charger for a work-and-play trip. Two USB-C ports is the whole design: one plug, a laptop and a phone, and nothing else to carry.
Pros
- ✓ 65W output is enough to charge many ultrabooks and laptops
- ✓ Two ports let you charge a laptop and phone from one wall socket
- ✓ GaN build stays compact despite the higher wattage
Cons
- ✗ Total wattage is shared, so charging two devices splits the available power
- ✗ Two ports only, so a tablet or a watch waits its turn on a trip
Who it's for: Travellers who want one charger to cover a laptop plus a phone and keep their bag light.
Who it's not for: Anyone needing three or more ports for a tablet, watch and earbuds too.
3. Anker 100W USB C Charger (3-Port GaN, Smart Display) - Best Premium
SPP Score: 8.7 / 10 - 100W output, compact GaN build, a live wattage display. Our pick for maximum capability.
Capability 9.4/10 - Versatility 7.6/10 - Build 9.8/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 8.0/10
Fit for this guide: 100W and a smart display are more than a travel plug needs unless a laptop travels with several devices.
This is the do-it-all pick: 100W across three ports means it can power a demanding laptop and still have headroom for a phone and a tablet. The smart display shows live output so you can see how power is being distributed, which is genuinely useful when juggling several devices in a hotel room. GaN internals keep a 100W charger this capable down to a travel-friendly size.
Pros
- ✓ 100W total output can fast-charge power-hungry laptops
- ✓ Three ports cover laptop, phone and a third device at once
- ✓ Smart display shows real-time power delivery across ports
Cons
- ✗ The 100W is a single-port figure, so a laptop drops back once the other two ports are busy
- ✗ The wattage display is overkill if you only ever charge one device
Who it's for: Frequent travellers and remote workers charging a laptop plus multiple devices.
Who it's not for: Light packers who charge one device at a time and want the smallest plug possible.
Quick verdict
For most travellers the UGREEN Nexode 65W GaN Charger (3-Port) is the easy choice: three ports and 65W cover a laptop, phone and a third device from one compact plug. If you want a simpler two-port option, the UGREEN USB C Charger 65W GaN 2-Port is the value pick, while the Anker 100W USB C Charger (3-Port GaN, Smart Display) is there when you want maximum power for everything at once.
How we chose
Packing light forces trade-offs, so we judged each charger on: real wattage (65W and 100W across our picks), the number of USB-C ports, GaN construction for a smaller and cooler package, and overall portability for a carry-on. We weighed UK fit and sensible value alongside raw capability, favouring chargers that do one job well over gimmicks. Every link goes to the Amazon UK listing, so give the current price a quick look before it earns its place in your carry-on.
FAQ
Q: What is a GaN charger and why is it better for travel? A: GaN (gallium nitride) is a semiconductor that handles power more efficiently than older silicon, so chargers run cooler and pack the same wattage into a much smaller, lighter body that's ideal for a carry-on.
Q: Will a UK GaN charger work abroad? A: Check the small print on the plug for a 100-240V input before you rely on it abroad. You will also need a plug adapter for the local socket type, since UK plugs differ from those in Europe, the US and elsewhere. For the flight itself, when there's no socket at all, a travel power bank fills the gap.
Q: How much wattage do I need to charge a laptop while travelling? A: Many ultrabooks charge happily at 65W, while more demanding laptops are better served by a 100W charger; check your laptop's own charger rating as a guide before choosing. For the 65W class on its own, including a single-port pick chosen for being the smallest plug, see our 65W GaN charger guide.
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