Let’s shift gears and talk about the Anker 140W Charger—the other half of this dynamic duo from Anker’s High Power Collection that we reviewed before, the Anker 165W Power Bank. If you’ve ever been frustrated by bulky chargers or limited ports, this one might just be your new favourite gadget. I’ve spent some time testing it out, and honestly, it’s packed with features that make it stand out in a crowded market.
Design and Build Quality
First things first, the Anker 140W Charger is compact, sleek, and surprisingly lightweight for its power output. It comes in a single color option—dark gray—which gives it a minimalist, professional look. At 6.9 x 6.9 x 3.6 cm, it’s noticeably smaller than Apple’s 140W charger, which is a big win for portability. Plus, both the US and UK versions come with folding prongs, making it even more travel-friendly.
I weighed it alongside Apple’s charger, and here’s where things get interesting: the Anker charger clocks in at 292 grams, which is actually slightly lighter than Apple’s 302 grams. Weirdly enough, though, it feels denser in your hand. Maybe it’s the compact design tricking my brain, but either way, it’s clear Anker put a lot of thought into making this thing portable without skimping on durability.
One thing I noticed right away is the braided cable that comes included. It’s 1.5 meters long, which is perfect for lounging on the couch or setting up your workspace without feeling tethered to the wall. The cable itself feels sturdy and premium, and Anker says it’s rated for 240W, so it’s future-proofed for more powerful devices down the line. Honestly, it’s nice to see braided cables becoming the norm—they’re just so much more durable than those flimsy plastic ones.
Ports and Charging Capabilities
Now, let’s talk about what really sets this charger apart: its four ports. Unlike Apple’s 140W charger, which only has a single USB-C port, the Anker 140W Charger gives you three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. This makes it a versatile powerhouse for charging multiple devices at once.
Here’s how the power distribution works:
- C1 Port: Up to 65W when used alone, or shared across all four ports during multi-device charging.
- C2 Port: Up to 45W when used alone, or shared across all four ports.
- C3 Port: Up to 12W, ideal for smaller devices like phones or earbuds.
- A Port: Also up to 12W, perfect for older devices or accessories that don’t use USB-C.
When you’re charging multiple devices, the total output caps at 134W (yes, there are technically 6W “missing,” but hey, who’s counting?). The charger does a pretty good job of distributing power intelligently, prioritizing higher-power devices like laptops on the C1 and C2 ports while giving smaller devices like phones or earbuds just what they need on the C3 and A ports.
Smart Display
This is where the Anker 140W Charger gets really cool. Just like the power bank, it has a built-in smart display that shows real-time stats about your charging session. When nothing’s plugged in, it shows a little sleepy face, which is kind of adorable. As soon as you start charging something, the sleepy face switches to a smiley face, and the display lights up with useful info:
- Temperature Monitoring: Keeps an eye on the charger’s temperature to prevent overheating.
- Total Output: Shows you exactly how much power is being delivered to your devices.
- Port Usage: Displays how much power each port is delivering, along with a bar graph showing how much of the port’s potential output is being used.
For example, when I plugged in my iPad Pro, it showed me that the device was drawing 37W out of the 65W available on the C1 port. That’s a neat little feature—it gives you a sense of how efficiently your devices are charging.
Another cool detail? The display is rotatable. If you’re using the charger in an awkward position (like plugging it into a sideways outlet), you can hold down the touch-sensitive button to rotate the display 180 degrees. It’s a small feature, but it makes a big difference in usability.
Performance Testing
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty—how fast does this thing actually charge? I tested it with a few different devices to see how it performs in real-world scenarios.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Plugged into the C1 port, it drew around 5W since the phone was already close to full. Still, Anker claims it can charge an iPhone to 50% in about 25 minutes, which seems plausible based on my experience.
- iPad Pro: This one was more impressive. My iPad Pro started drawing 37W, which is near its max charging capacity. It charged from 27% to 50% in under 30 minutes, which is pretty solid.
- Multi-Device Charging: I plugged in my iPhone, iPad, and a pair of wireless earbuds simultaneously. The charger distributed power efficiently, with the iPad getting priority on the C1 port (around 45W) and the iPhone and earbuds sharing the remaining power.
Port Placement
One thing I want to mention is the port placement. All four ports are located along the bottom edge of the charger, rather than on the back like most chargers. This design choice was made to accommodate the smart display, but it can feel a bit awkward when you’re plugging things in. For example, if you’re using a wall outlet, you’ll need to reach around the charger to access the ports. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to use this charger in tight spaces.
Comparison with Apple’s 140W Charger
If you’re wondering how this stacks up against Apple’s 140W charger, here’s the TL;DR:
- Size and Weight: The Anker charger is smaller and lighter, with folding prongs for added portability.
- Ports: Apple’s charger has a single USB-C port, while Anker gives you three USB-C ports and one USB-A port.
- Price: The Anker charger is significantly cheaper at $89, compared to Apple’s charger, which often costs closer to $100-$120.
For most people, the Anker charger is the clear winner. Unless you’re exclusively charging a single high-power device like a MacBook Pro, the extra ports and smart display make this a much more versatile option.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Anker 140W Charger worth it? In my opinion, absolutely. It’s compact, powerful, and packed with thoughtful features like the smart display and multi-port design. Sure, the port placement can be a bit awkward, but that’s a small trade-off for everything else it offers.
At $89, it’s priced competitively, especially when you consider the included braided cable and advanced features. If you’re someone who needs to charge multiple devices at once—or just wants a reliable, high-powered charger for your laptop—this is a fantastic option.
After spending some time with it, I can confidently say this might be my new go-to charger. If you’re in the market for something similar, I’d highly recommend giving the Anker 140W Charger a closer look.
