What Cable Do I Need for Fast Charging with a GaN Charger?
GaN chargers are a trendy thing now, and many people are attracted by their ability to charge electronic devices quickly and efficiently.
However, after you buy a gallium nitride charger, you are often confused by its output power and fast charging protocols and don't know what cables to use to match your charger and electronic devices.
Here we will understand the importance of cables in achieving fast charging of devices, recommend suitable cables for you for fast charging with GaN chargers, and the compatibility of various devices with GaN chargers.
Do cables matter in fast charging?
Yes, cables do matter in fast charging, especially when using GaN chargers. The right cable can significantly impact your devices' charging speed and efficiency.
For more information about fast charging, read How Fast Charging Works and Is It Bad for the Battery?
Here are the key reasons why cables are important for fast charging:
1. Power Delivery Capability
Wattage Rating: Cables are rated for different power levels (e.g., 60W, 100W). Using a cable that supports the required wattage is crucial for achieving the maximum charging speed
For a device that supports 100W charging, you need a cable rated for at least 100W. Using a lower-rated cable may result in slower charging or failure to charge.
2. Fast Charging Protocols
Compatibility: Cables must support the specific fast charging protocols (PD3.0, PPS, QC5, etc.) used by your charger and device.
To utilize PPS for optimal charging speed, the cable must support PPS.
Here we list some popular electronic devices that support fast charging protocols for your reference. If there are other devices you want to know what fast charging protocols they support, you can browse the product page or contact customer service for consultation.
Smartphones
Apple iPhones / Google Pixel support the USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 protocol.
Samsung Galaxy Series supports the USB Power Delivery (PD), Programmable Power Supply (PPS), Quick Charge (QC) 2.0/3.0/4.0/4+ protocols.
OnePlus supports the Warp Charge, USB Power Delivery (PD) protocols.
Xiaomi Mi Series supports the Quick Charge (QC) 3.0/4.0, USB Power Delivery (PD) protocols.
Huawei supports the SuperCharge, USB Power Delivery (PD) protocols.
Oppo supports the VOOC, USB Power Delivery (PD) protocols.
Tablets
Apple iPad / Microsoft Surface supports the USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 protocol.
Samsung Galaxy Tab supports USB Power Delivery (PD), Programmable Power Supply (PPS), Quick Charge (QC) 2.0/3.0/4.0 protocols.
Laptops
Apple MacBook / Dell XPS / HP Spectre / Lenovo ThinkPad supports the USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 protocol.
3. Cable Quality and Materials
Conductivity: High-quality materials (e.g., copper) ensure better conductivity, reducing energy loss and heat generation.
Durability: Good-quality cables are more durable, reducing the risk of wear and tear that could affect charging performance.
4. Data Transfer and Communication
Chipset and Wiring: Some fast charging protocols require data communication between the charger and the device. The cable must have the necessary wiring and chipsets to support this communication.
USB-C cables with an embedded E-marker chip can communicate the cable's power rating to the charger, ensuring safe and efficient power delivery.
5. Physical Build
Connector Quality: Sturdy connectors ensure a stable connection, which is essential for consistent fast charging.
Length and Thickness: Shorter and thicker cables typically offer better performance due to reduced resistance.
When purchasing cables, you need to check not only if their power rating meets the fast charging requirements but also if their fast charging protocols are compatible with your electronic devices and chargers.
What cables do I need for fast charging when using a GaN charger?
Have trouble understanding GaN charger and it's benefits? Learn more about What is GaN Charger and GaN Charger VS Normal Charger.
There are many GaN chargers on the market now, which often have 1-6 output ports, and each output port has different fast charging protocols and output power. To achieve fast charging and protect the batteries of the devices, we also need to buy the right cables to match the GaN chargers.
If you have other brands of GaN chargers and don't know what cables to buy to match your electronic devices and chargers, you can refer to the following recommendations.
Here we take the EXINNO 300W GaN Charger as a general example and tell you what cables you should use to quickly charge your devices when using a GaN charger by explaining the fast charging protocols and maximum output power of its various output ports.
The EXINNO 300W GaN charger has 6 output ports, 5 type-c ports and one usb-a port. Below are the recommended cable types for each port along with their specifications.
1. Type-C1 output supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, with a maximum output of 100W, providing 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V@5A (PD3.0 Max. 100W).
Recommended Cable: USB-C to USB-C 100W Cable
- Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 up to 100W
- Supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS)
- Supports Quick Charge 5 (QC5)
2. Type-C2 output supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, with a maximum output of 105W, providing 3.3V~21V@5A (PPS Max. 100W).
Recommended Cable: USB-C to USB-C 100W Cable (PPS Compatible)
- Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 up to 100W
- Supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS) up to 105W
- Supports Quick Charge 5 (QC5)
3. Type-C3 output supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, with a maximum output of 100W, providing 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V@5A (QC5 Max. 100W).
Recommended Cable: USB-C to USB-C 100W Cable
- Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 up to 100W
- Supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS)
- Supports Quick Charge 5 (QC5) up to 100W
4. Type-C4 output supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, with a maximum output of 60W, providing 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V@3A (PD3.0 Max. 60W).
Recommended Cable: USB-C to USB-C 60W Cable
- Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 up to 60W
- Supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS)
- Supports Quick Charge 5 (QC5)
5. Type-C5 output supports PD3.0, PPS, and QC5, with a maximum output of 60W, providing 3.3V~21V@3A (PPS Max. 60W).
Recommended Cable: USB-C to USB-C 60W Cable (PPS Compatible)
- Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 up to 60W
- Supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS) up to 60W
- Supports Quick Charge 5 (QC5)
6. USB-A output supports QC3.0, with a maximum output of 18W, providing 5V/9V/12V@1.5A (QC3.0 Max. 18W).
Recommended Cables:
- USB-A to USB-C Cable: Supports Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3.0) up to 18W
- USB-A to Micro-USB Cable: Supports Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3.0) up to 18W
- USB-A to Lightning Cable: Supports Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3.0) up to 18W
Additional Cables
USB-C to Lightning Cable: Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 for fast charging up to 20W
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable: Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 for fast charging up to 100W
What kind of devices are compatible with GaN chargers?
Likewise, if you want to know whether your electronic devices can be charged with a GaN charger, you can refer to the compatible devices of the EXINNO 300W GaN Charger.
EXINNO 300W GaN charger is highly versatile and compatible with a wide range of devices due to its efficiency and support for various charging standards like USB Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge.
Here are the types of devices that the EXINNO 300W GaN charger is compatible with:
Smartphones
- Apple: iPhones (all models)
- Samsung: Galaxy S23/S22/S10, Galaxy Note 20/10, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Z series
- Google: Pixel phones
- OnePlus: Recent models
- Other Phones: Many modern smartphones from brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and others
Tablets
- Apple: iPads (iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, standard iPad with USB-C or Lightning ports)
- Samsung: Galaxy Tab S6/S7, Galaxy Tab A series
- Microsoft: Surface tablets with USB-C
Laptops
- Apple: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
- Dell: XPS series, Inspiron series with USB-C charging
- HP: Spectre x360, Envy series, EliteBook series
- Lenovo: ThinkPad series, Yoga series
- Microsoft: Surface Laptop series, Surface Pro series with USB-C
- ASUS: ZenBook series, ROG Zephyrus G14, ROG Flow X13
- Razer: Razer Blade Stealth, Razer Book 13
- Acer: Swift series
Gaming Laptops
- ASUS: ROG Zephyrus G14, ROG Flow X13
- Razer: Razer Blade Stealth 13
Accessories
- Wireless Earbuds: AirPods, Galaxy Buds, and other USB-C or Lightning charging earbuds
- Smartwatches: Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and other USB-C or proprietary charging watches
- Portable Speakers: Many modern Bluetooth speakers with USB-C charging ports
- Power Banks: USB-C power banks
Cameras and Drones
- Digital Cameras: Some modern cameras with USB-C charging capability
- Drones: Some models with USB-C charging
Other Devices
- e-Readers: Amazon Kindle, other USB-C e-readers
- Portable Gaming Consoles: Nintendo Switch
These fast charging protocols are also included: DASH / DCP / AFC / FCP / MTK / PE2.0, etc.
Conclusion
To achieve the fast charging function of a charger, especially a gallium nitride charger, suitable cables are essential.
If you use the original cable of the device, of course, there is no problem. If you want to buy a third-party cable to charge your device, you need to pay attention to its rated power and fast charging protocol, as well as quality and safety certification.
In addition, understanding the compatibility of gallium nitride chargers and electronic devices can ensure that you make the right choice.
By pairing your device with a gallium nitride charger and a suitable cable, you will enjoy the convenience of faster and funnier power transmission.
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