Anker 736 100W Nano II Power Adapter Review and Test

Summary

The Anker 736 Nano 200-watt power adapter review delves into its performance, revealing both strengths and weaknesses. Despite its compact size and safety certifications, the adapter suffers from instability in AC connection, lack of power factor correction in certain modes, and overheating issues. The review highlights efficiency and compliance with energy standards but criticizes the device's uneven performance and high price point, suggesting it falls short of expectations for a top-tier power adapter.

Takeaways

• 📦 The Anker 736 Nano 200W power adapter comes in minimal packaging, with the box only indicating the model and charger function.
• 🔄 The charger includes a small plastic tray and a user manual in a separate plastic bag, raising concerns about unnecessary plastic use.
• 🔌 The device features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, with a compact size compared to 100W competitors.
• 📚 The user manual provides details on port operations, efficiency, and idle power consumption, but it's small and difficult to read.
• 🌍 The power adapter has safety listings for the US, Canada, and some global markets, which is a positive aspect for user safety.
• 🔋 The idle power usage of the adapter is higher than claimed in the manual, but it meets the Department of Energy's efficiency requirements.
• 🔌 The USB-C port offers fixed output voltages and a variable output voltage mode, while the USB-A port supports QC power delivery modes.
• 🔄 The adapter requires unplugging and replugging the USB cable to restart after exceeding power limits, which is an inconvenience.
• 🌐 The device exhibits instability with large AC current spikes, which raises concerns about radio frequency emissions.
• ⚡ The power factor correction is only active in the 20V mode, leading to inefficient power consumption in other modes.
• 🔥 The casing temperature can reach up to 55°C during full-load operation in a 25°C environment, indicating potential thermal shutdown risks.
• 💰 Priced at $86, the Anker 736 Nano is an expensive option for a 100W class adapter, with mixed performance and quality issues.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is a review of the Anker 736 Nano 200-watt power adapter, discussing its features, performance, and comparison with competitors.

What is the purpose of the video series mentioned in the script?

The purpose of the video series is to answer the question of which power adapter to get, by providing technical reviews and comparisons of different power adapters.

What are the issues with the packaging of the Anker 736 Nano power adapter?

The packaging includes unnecessary plastic, such as a separate plastic bag for the user manual, and the manual itself is small and difficult to read.

What discrepancies were found in the compliance with energy efficiency and idle power consumption requirements?

The user manual claims the device is compliant with the Department of Energy and European Union requirements, but the actual efficiency and idle power consumption rates suggest it may not meet these standards.

What safety listings does the Anker 736 Nano power adapter have?

The power adapter has a safety listing for the United States and Canada through TUV and is also safety listed for some global markets.

What are the different output modes supported by the Anker 736 Nano power adapter?

The adapter supports various output modes including 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V Power Delivery 3.0 modes, as well as a 16V programmable power supply mode.

How does the Anker 736 Nano power adapter perform in terms of idle power consumption?

The adapter uses about 0.2 watts of idle power and about 3 VA of idle apparent power, which exceeds the idle power claim in the user manual but meets the DOE 6 efficiency requirements.

What is the issue with the power adapter's performance when overloading?

The power adapter has a safe overload threshold at 104 watts, but it does not recover to 5 volts once the load is turned off, requiring the cable to be unplugged and replugged.

What are the concerns regarding the power adapter's AC power quality?

The power adapter exhibits very large peak currents and is unstable when connecting to the AC grid, which could lead to issues with radio frequency emissions.

How does the Anker 736 Nano power adapter perform in terms of temperature during full load operation?

The casing reaches around 55 degrees Celsius during operation at full load in a 25-degree Celsius space, which could lead to thermal shutdown if the space is warmer.

What is the reviewer's final assessment of the Anker 736 Nano power adapter?

The reviewer concludes that while the power adapter has good build quality, ratings, and appearance, it falls short in terms of internal features, leading to lower power quality and some operational quirks, making it a middle performer in its class.