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The proliferation of USB-C-powered gadgets means it’s easier than ever to juice up everything from phones to laptops with a single charger. Using the same charger to power multiple devices is handy, but what’s even more useful are dual and multi-port slimline USB-C plugs. This means you can charge multiple electronic devices at the same time in a port that’s smaller than ever, thanks to GaN technology.
One dual USB-C plug on the market that has our attention is the new Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C PD GaN 63W wall charger. Sporting 63W of power (up to 68W in the US), Belkin’s latest charger is built to power a wide range of gadgets.
Belkin has a solid reputation for various charging accessories, but does this charger meet Android Authority’s expectations? Let’s find out in our Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C PD GaN charger review.
See also: The best phone charging accessories
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What you need to know about the Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
- Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C PD GaN 63W: $54.99/€59.99/£59.99
The Belkin Dual USB-C GaN charger provides two USB-C ports with USB PD compatibility. The top port caps out at 18W, while the bottom USB-C port provides 45W (50W in the US) in dual mode, or up to 60W when used on its own. The first port supports 5V 3A and 9V 2A modes. The second port offers 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V options all up to 3A. This should be everything you need to charge up all USB-C gadgets.
In traditional Belkin fashion, white is the only color option available. Dimensions come in at 62.3x30x62.3mm for the US model. The length of the UK plug is longer at 66mm, but GaN technology means both are very compact. The Belkin Dual USB-C GaN charger is not much larger than Apple’s 30W charger yet offers twice the power.
| Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C PD GaN 63W Test | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Microsoft Surface Book X | Honor MagicBook Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB Power Test | 14.6W / 25W | 20W / 20W | 54.4W / 60W | 56.6W / 65W |
| Voltage & Current | 8.84V, 1.65A | 8.75V, 2.54A | 19.8V, 2.75A | 19.8V, 2.86A |
| Charging Standard | USB PD 3.0 | USB PD 3.0 | USB PD 3.0 | USB PD 3.0 |
| Power from wall | 17.9W | 27.3W | 65.7W | 67.2W |
| Energy Efficiency | 81.5%, good. | 81.3%, good. | 82.8%, very good. | 84.3%, very good. |
On the power front, typical charging efficiency clocks in at a maximum of 82%. While still rather good, this is a fraction lower than the other GaN chargers we’ve tested, which can reach 85%.
What’s good
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Belkin’s GaN multi-device charger is simple to use and works as advertised. On its own, the adapter can output up to 60W from the second port, making it an excellent slimline replacement for your USB-C laptop charger. As an example, my Surface Pro X could charge in under an hour and a half when it was the only device plugged in.
Plugging another device on the 18W port sees the second port drop to a maximum of 45W. This can still charge both a phone and laptop, along with other USB-C gadgets, at fast speeds. Just be sure to maximize speeds by plugging larger gadgets into the 45W port.
60W is quite a lot of power, yet the Belkin Dual USB-C GaN does not overheat while charging up. It’s also very slimline and lightweight, making it a solid portable option to keep your more power-hungry gadgets charge up on the go.
What’s not so good
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C charger offers no support for the latest USB PD PPS specification. This is a requirement for devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 series at 25W. Instead, you’ll receive a measly 15W of power from either port when charging Galaxy devices.
This isn’t a multi-port charger for older gadgets either. Support is available only on newer devices with USB-C and USB PD specifications. As a result, you might not see the fastest charging speed available from older micro-USB and Quick Charge gadgets, such as drones or cameras. This might be important if you’re in the market for a more universal multi-port hub.
Sadly, the various plug models aren’t replaceable with other international variants, and an extra bulky travel adapter ruins the plug’s slimline nature.
Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C PD GaN review: Should you buy it?
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C GaN is an extremely competent USB-C Power Delivery plug. While it’s not a suitable plug for Samsung Galaxy S21 owners or those with older USB gadgets, it will charge up all your modern USB-C devices without issue. The 18W and 60W dual-port approach is designed with phone and laptop charging in mind, and it’s an ideal setup for most users.
Ultimately though the Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C GaN charger is a little expensive for a two-port plug. While it’s very competent for charging power-hungry USB-C devices, the Aukey Omnia 65W PD GaN ($38) offers very compatible specs and can often be found at much lower price points. At least in the US. Meanwhile, the RavPower PD Pioneer GaN ($50) is a more universal multi-port hub that costs about the same price and will cater to your older gadgets too.
Belkin Boost Charge Dual USB-C GaN 63W of next-gen GaN charging for two USB Power Delivery gadgets
Belkin’s Gallium Nitride (GaN) charger promises fast, cool charging power for USB-C Power Delivery gadgets. Two USB-C ports with up to 63W of combined power can charge a laptop and smartphone together.
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