Third-Party Macbook Air M2 Fast Chargers

[StoneJack]

quick question - was anything else plugged into the other ports on the anker ones?

Thats total power not per port

 

[Nahmeanz]

I can't seem to get anything to fast charge my 15" MBA M2 other than the Apple charger. With Apple, I get 70W (20V/3.5A). I tried a bunch of Anker chargers and found the following using an AVHzY CT-3 USB tester and both original Apple USB-C cables and Anker 100W rated cables, with the MBA battery around 50%:

Anker 737 (120W max): 28W (19.3V/1.5A)
Anker 715 (65W max):30W (20V/1.5A)
Anker 577 TB3 docking station (85W max): 30W (20V/1.5A)
Anker 737 Power Bank (140W max): 58W (using device screen's output, bypassing CT-3)
Apple 96W: 70W (20V/3.5A)

If it wasn't for the Apple charger results, I'd think my tester isn't set right. For those without a tester, what are you using to gauge whether the machine is fast charging?

This is worrisome, so none of the third-party chargers are getting 70w through MagSafe. Can you test them using USB-C charging?

 

[jkaa]

A little late to the party with this one, but I'm using a UGREEN charger, and getting a charging rate of 65w using my MagSafe cable.

Should also add that this charger is grounded so TouchID works as expected. I was using a cheaper 3rd party charger before which was a right pain.

Deal: UGREEN USB C Charger, MacBook Charger Nexode 65W Foldable Fast GaN Charger 3-Port USB C Plug Support PPS/PD3.0 Compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 16 Pro/16/15, iPad, Galaxy S24/S23, Steam Deck

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amzn.eu

 

[raythompsontn]

Is it possible to use USB-C/MagSafe cable with Anker 715/735 charger?

Yes, I use that charger to charge my MBA M2 along with my iPhone and Watch connected to the USB-C ports on the MBA. I used that combination when traveling to Europe to reduce bulk and only carry one charger.

 

[awer25]

quick question - was anything else plugged into the other ports on the anker ones?

Nothing else was plugged in, just the M2 laptop.

 

[awer25]

This is worrisome, so none of the third-party chargers are getting 70w through MagSafe. Can you test them using USB-C charging?

The laptop was for an employee, I don't have it anymore unfortunately. Just my lowly M1 MBP

 

[kp98077]

Anyone know if you can use a 35W charger on a 14 MBP?
For the OP question I don’t believe any of the 3rd party chargers work well.

 

[raythompsontn]

Anyone know if you can use a 35W charger on a 14 MBP?

You can use a 10 watt charger on a MBP if you are willing to wait a long time for the device to charge, and you are not using the MBP at the time. So, yes, a 35W charger will work.

I don’t believe any of the 3rd party chargers work well

I use 3rd party chargers. I have two of them, both Anker. They work just fine for charging my MBA. And my cell phone and watch connected to the MBA while the MBA is charging.

 

[GoatmealJones]

PS 2: Just now I received an updated response from Anker customer support: "Because of the charging strategy of the M2 Macbook that disconnects its MagSafe port when it receives a power adjustment, there will be disconnections when charging the M2 MacBook with the original Magsafe charging cable with multi-port chargers. It's recommended to use a standard USB-C to USB-C cable to power the M2 Macbook."

This is consistent with other comments I've seen here & from customers on Amazon. My best understanding now is that Anker chargers (and/or other multi-port chargers) will work with the Magsafe cable without issue, as long as it is the ONLY cable drawing power from the charger. If one of the other ports on the charger is drawing power to charge another device, there will inevitably be fluctuations in power delivery via the Magsafe cable, which will cause it to disconnect.

So it appears that problems (if any) are due to "the charging strategy of the M2 Macbook". However, this leaves open the question if the same problems occur with Apple's new 35w dual-port charger. I haven't tested it myself but I'm guessing not, since by now we would have heard a loud chorus of complaints, so it's probably safe to say that the Apple dual-port charger is specifically tailored to the M2's charging strategy.

The other question is whether incompatibility with M2 Magsafe charging is unique to Anker chargers or extends to other brand multi-port chargers using some variant of the IQ system to distribute power among connected devices. If anyone reading this has an answer to that one and can recommend another brand of multi-port charger that avoids such issues, please chime in!

* NOTE: They also pointed out that there are TWO VERSIONS of the 735 charger: Anker 735 Charger (GaNPrime 65W) vs. Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W). They say the former model will ONLY work with a USB-C cable, NOT a Magsafe cable (I verified that this model is the only one with the warning on their website and Amazon quoted in my first post). The latter model WILL work with the Magsafe cable when charging only one device individually, to avoid "power adjustments". ... So if you want to use Magsafe, consider only the Anker 735 (Nano II 65W) and avoid the 735 (GaNPrime 65W). They say that is the only one of all their chargers that will not work with Magsafe under any circumstances. (Based on this experience, I'm impressed with Anker's customer service.)

It seems clear from comments above by Rustyfan and others that the 735 (Nano II 65W) and other Anker chargers can function well with a Macbook M2 Magsafe connection, at least if no other devices are connected, which is obviously best for fast charging in any case. Apologies for the length of this post, but hope it includes some info helpful to others with similar questions.

What about the single port Anker 715 charging unit (65 watt PD)? Will this be able to support fast charging by using the OEM apple mag safe cable that comes with the computer in the box?

 

[fweber]

I have the European version of Anker 715 as well as the 735 GaNPrime. Both only charge the MBA at 20V/1.5A with a 5A rated Anker cable, there is actually no difference to a 30W Nano II charger. I also had trouble using the USB-C meter with the Magsafe cable, as the meter seems to disturb the cable and disables charging at all.

In comparison, the Anker 737 powerbank delivers 60W. Does this have to do with some PD EPR specification (from my understanding, these are voltages above 20V)?

So I'd also like to know which specification a charger should meet to enable faster charging.

 

[vanc]

I can't seem to get anything to fast charge my 15" MBA M2 other than the Apple charger. With Apple, I get 70W (20V/3.5A). I tried a bunch of Anker chargers and found the following using an AVHzY CT-3 USB tester and both original Apple USB-C cables and Anker 100W rated cables, with the MBA battery around 50%:

Anker 737 (120W max): 28W (19.3V/1.5A)
Anker 715 (65W max):30W (20V/1.5A)
Anker 577 TB3 docking station (85W max): 30W (20V/1.5A)
Anker 737 Power Bank (140W max): 58W (using device screen's output, bypassing CT-3)
Apple 96W: 70W (20V/3.5A)

If it wasn't for the Apple charger results, I'd think my tester isn't set right. For those without a tester, what are you using to gauge whether the machine is fast charging?

3rd party chargers work fine for me. Tested with magsafe 3 charging cable.

Anker Nano II (45W): 44.1W
Elecjet (100W): 61W (under performing)

First party chargers from Apple:

140W charger from MBP 16: 71W (close to max)
2-port 35W charger came with MBA 15: 35W

 

[GoatmealJones]

Upon use I have found the same to be true as well. Anker 65W GalN w OEM cord