The Anker Nano 3 stands as a compact powerhouse. Thanks to GaN tech, Anker has managed to shrink the plug's size to unprecedented levels while still delivering ample power to charge a MacBook Air or fast-charge a phone or tablet. If you happen to be reading this within the United States, the convenient folding prong design makes this power adapter remarkably compact. However, for the rest of the world, the bulky upfront plugs do somewhat compromise its aesthetic appeal. But regardless of your geographical location, this diminutive 30W plug performs admirably, charging my iPhone 14 Pro in roughly an hour and a half, and sustaining my MacBook Air (M2) even during demanding usage. If your device lineup consists mainly of lower-powered gadgets, this plug is a stellar choice for on-the-go use.
Pros
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Tiny with folding prongs (US only)
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30W output ample for small devices
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Good looks
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Excellent value
Cons
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UK/EU versions are limited by the size of a socket
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Can get more power or ports for only a marginally larger size
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Power adapters are certainly not the most exciting technology purchase you can make, although they might just be one of the most essential. We all need to keep our various devices and every increasing number of devices topped up with power, and with fewer and fewer devices coming with power adapters in the box it is up to us to figure out the best way to keep our devices powered up.
There are a few things to consider when picking a charger, primarily do you want to prioritze how small your charger can be, or how many devices you want to charge. If you said you’re looking for as small as possible and only one device at a time, then the Anker Nano 3 might just be what you are looking for. As the Nano name suggests, Anker has made this plug as miniature as technology (and sockets) will allow, while still providing 30W of power which is more than the maximum power draw for most small devices like phones, wearables, and tablets.
I am testing the charger in the UK, but the US version has the same technology and design, except with folding prongs instead of the bulky UK plug and shield (Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
Anker Nano 3: Specifications
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Maximum output
30W
Number of ports
1x USB-C
Weight
1.41 oz / 39.97g (US), 2.92 oz / 83g (UK)
Size
1.12 x 1.12 x 1.39 in (US), 10.2 x 7.6 x 4.9 cm (UK)
Anker Nano 3: Key Features
Aiming to pack the same power into a smaller form factor, the Anker Nano is up to 70% smaller when compared to the 30W charger from a MacBook Air. The Anker Nano has a 30W power output, which is enough power for small devices, up to Apple’s MacBook Air and its low-power Apple Silicon chips. The MacBook Air can be powered using 30W, but can also use more powerful 67W power adapters for faster charging.
For charging smaller devices, the Apple iPhone 13 can charge up to three times faster than a standard 5W charger that still comes with so many devices, with Anker claiming an iPhone 13 can charge to full in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Anker’s testing also has an iPad Air (5th Generation) able to reach 50% in 45 minutes
Safety is also a top priority, and the Anker Nano 3 monitors temperature 3 million times a day, cutting off power should the temperature reach unsafe levels. The Anker Nano comes in a range of color options (country dependent) as well as the traditional white or black colors.
The Anker Nano 3 barely takes up any space in a socket (Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
Anker Nano 3: Build & Handling
The Anker Nano is an absolutely tiny little charger. Compared to Apple’s 30W or 20W chargers, then the Anker Nano is dramatically smaller. Apple’s chargers aren’t the smallest on the market however, and compared to other rival third-party chargers from companies like Ugreen, the size saving on the Anker Nano isn’t as groundbreaking.
The adapter is really well designed, in the US you get a pair of folding prongs that make the design so much sleeker. Unfortunately in the UK and EU, the nature of wall sockets means that Anker can’t quite achieve the same level of miniaturization, so there is a cumbersome plug stuck on the front. We might have actually reached the limits of how small plugs can be to fit wall sockets on this side of the Atlantic.
The Anker Nano 3 has a really slim profile (if you ignore the big ugly UK plug) (Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
Anker Nano 3: Performance
The Anker Nano 3 performs admirably when used alongside a number of devices. Starting with the MacBook Air (M2), and while the Anker Nano 3 is not powerful enough for the MacBook to fully take advantage of its fast charging tech, but the 30W speed from the Anker Nano 3 was plenty to keep it going. Even when pushing the laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, Apple’s power management software managed to ensure that it didn’t push beyond the power the Nano was providing.
Onto phones, I tested the Anker Nano 3 by charging my Apple iPhone Pro 14, which has an (unofficial) charging capacity of 27W. The phone charged using the Anker Nano 3 from around 1% to 50% in just over 30 minutes, the phone then finished charging in a little over an hour and a half. In these tests the phone was not used at any time, using a phone while charging inevitably draws more power and slows down the charging to a degree. My Google Pixel 7 Pro with its larger battery but faster charge speed took just under 2 hours.
The Anker Nano 3 can also charge all your devices that aren’t capable of maxing out its top speed, the power adapter had no issues charging my AirPods or Apple Watch, although it doesn’t charge either of these devices faster than lesser powered chargers as both have quite a low max changing speed. So, word of warning, the Anker Nano 3 is not worth buying if you are hoping to charge your accessories faster.
Small enough for the palm of a hand, or to throw into a bag or pocket (Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
Anker Nano 3: Verdict
The Anker Nano 3 is a tiny little powerhouse of a plug. The advent of GaN technology has allowed Anker to make the plug smaller than ever before, while still providing enough power for a MacBook Air or to fast charge a phone or tablet. If you are reading this in the US then you have got lucky with a folding prong design that makes the power adapter outlandish and small, for the rest of the world bulky plugs up front ruin the aesthetic somewhat.
But no matter where you live the 30W, output from this little plug is excellent, managing to charge my iPhone 14 Pro in around an hour and a half, and keeping my MacBook Air (M2) going even during heavy use. If you only have a few lower-powered devices, then this is an excellent plug for taking everywhere.
Read more: check out our top picks for the best iPhone charger, or for something a little more powerful, take a look at our guide for the best GaN charger.
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Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
