You’re in the market for a small fast charger for your new iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel. Or for an iPad Pro, Nintendo Switch, or other devices that takes 18W USB-C PD. And Anker offers several 18W USB-C PD chargers which would work well. But which one should you buy? This guide will help you answer that question.

What Devices Charge Best with 18W USB-C PD?

First let’s make sure you’re looking for the right type of charger. An 18W USB-C PD is on the low end of USB Power Delivery. It is best suited for smaller, handheld devices which support USB PD.

Phones:

iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10

Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9/10*

Google Pixel series

LG ThinQ series

LG V30

Razer series

Xiaomi Mi 8

Xiaomi Mi A2

Xiaomi Mi 9

ZTE Axon Pro 9

ZTE Axon Pro 10

Handheld Devices:

iPad Pro (Lightning port)

iPad Pro (USB-C port)*

Nintendo Switch (handheld mode only)*

Nintendo Switch Lite

Anker Power Banks:

PowerCore 10000 PD

PowerCore Slim 10000 PD

PowerCore 10000 PD+

PowerCore 10000 PD Redux

PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition

Any non-Anker power bank which outputs 18W USB-C PD

If you have a Quick Charge compatible phone. Or older Samsung phone keep reading. The Anker PowerPort III Nano may have you covered.

Device Notes

*Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ uses PPS technology to maximize their fast charging speeds. The Note 10 goes up to 25W. While the Note 10+ can go up to 45W. You can use an 18W USB-C PD charger with either phone. But you won’t get the same charge speed as their included chargers. Unfortunately Anker doesn’t offer any PPS supporting wall chargers currently. So stick with Samsung. Or check out my list of USB-C PD wall chargers, looking for PPS support.

*The latest iPad Pro with USB-C port will charge well with an 18W USB-C PD. But it can draw up to 35W from a faster charger if available. That said, its included charger is only 18W so if you’re happy with that you’ll be happy with an 18W from Anker.

*The original Nintendo Switch model (sold up until August 2019) under draws power from an 18W source. It draws more than enough to charge its battery while you play the most demanding games in handheld mode. But a 30W charger will charge it a bit faster (14.5W vs 18W).There is no difference in charge times when asleep.

Who Should Not Buy One Of These Chargers?

If you want one charger for both your phone and a larger, more power hungry device these are not for you. If you want to charge one of these devices you should check out my Anker Wall Charger Buying Guide.

Laptops or all-in-ones with USB-C:

MacBook/MacBook Pro

Dell XPS

HP, Lenovo, and other laptops with USB-C ports

Microsoft Surface Go

Google Pixel Slate

Anker Power Banks:

PowerCore Speed 20000 PD

PowerCore 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition

PowerCore+ 19000 PD

PowerCore+ 26800 PD

PowerCore+ 26800 PD 45W

They also won’t power a Nintendo Switch’s dock. But they do work fine with the Switch in handheld or tabletop mode.

Comparing Anker’s 18W USB-C PD Chargers

Anker currently offers three 18W USB-C PD wall chargers. Here’s a quick look at their specs and how they compare.

From left to right: Anker PowerPort PD 1, Anker PowerPort III Nano, Anker PowerPort PD Nano, Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1 From left to right: Apple 5W USB Power Adapter, Anker PowerPort III Nano, Anker PowerPort PD Nano Anker PowerPort III Nano vs Anker PowerPort PD Nano Anker PowerPort III Nano box vs Anker PowerPort PD Nano box

For the devices listed above they all perform the same. My own testing showed no distinguishable differences in power draw. So for most potential customers it will come down to design, price, and availability.

Anker PowerPort PD 1

Anker’s older 18W USB-C PD charger. But as viable as their newer options. And with design offerings the newer models lack. It is also one of two chargers on this list with USB-IF certification. Meaning it meets all standards for USB-C and USB Power Delivery implementation.

Design

The PowerPort PD 1 has some design features not found on Anker’s newer 18W USB-C PD chargers.

Foldable Prongs – A must have feature for some. Folding prongs create a neater form for packing. With no concerns about the metal snagging or scratching something else in your bag. But it also requires the charger to be larger and heavier than necessary.

Power Indicator LED – A blue LED ring lights up when the charger has power.

Light Gray Color – Unlike most other Anker chargers which are white or black, this model is a light gray. Among a pile of white Anker chargers it stands out.

Price & Availability

Amazon – $24.99 (bundled with USB-C to Lightning cable)

Anker – $35.99 (bundled with USB-C to Lightning cable)

Best Buy – $37.99 (bundled with USB-C to Lightning cable)

Target – $19.99 (charger only)

Anker PowerPort III Nano

Anker’s most advance 18W USB-C fast charger. Featuring PowerIQ 3.0, it supports USB-C PD and Quick Charge 3.0. So it can fast charge a larger selection of devices. But at the cost of being out of compliance with USB-C specifications.

Design

The PowerPort III Nano has the exact same form factor as the PD Nano. It only stands out against the PD 1.

Fixed Prongs – Required to get a charger this small. Hinges take up space and add weight. And you save space by not needing to enclose the prongs when closed. But be mindful of what it rubs up against in your bag.

Tiny Charger – This charger is about the same size as the 5W USB power adapter included with most iPhones. But it charges the same iPhone three times as fast. It is also smaller than the fast chargers included with Samsung and Google phones. And is the smallest Quick Charge compatible charger from Anker, too.

PowerIQ 3.0

The PowerPort III Nano supports PowerIQ 3.0. Proprietary technology from Anker. Which combines USB Power Delivery (as at the top) with their older PowerIQ 2.0 tech. PowerIQ 2.0 is Quick Charge 3.0 compatible. And will fast charge devices which support Quick Charge. As well as Samsung Adaptive Charging and Motorola TurboPower.

So the PowerPort III Nano can support all the devices listed above. As well as these devices.

Phones:

HTC

LG G5

LG G6

LG Q9

LG V20

Moto G7

Nokia

Samsung Galaxy S7

Sony

Xiaomi Mi 5

Xiaomi Mi 6

ZTE Axon 7 Max

ZTE Axon M

ZTE Blade Z Max

Handheld Devices:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Anker Power Banks:

PowerCore+ 10050 QC 3.0

PowerCore Speed 20000 Upgraded

PowerCore+ 26800

Again, this second list of devices is only compatible with the Anker PowerPort III Nano. So if you’re needing to fast charge one of these then your decision is already made. For everyone else, continue reading.

Price & Availability

Amazon – $17.99

Anker – $19.99

Anker PowerPort PD Nano

A USB-IF certified 18W USB-C fast charger. In a tiny form factor that rivals the iPhone’s included (and much slower) charger.

Design

The PowerPort PD Nano has the exact same form factor as the III Nano. It only stands out against the PD 1.

Fixed Prongs – Required to get a charger this small. Hinges take up space and add weight. And you save space by not needing to enclose the prongs when closed. But be mindful of what it rubs up against in your bag.

Tiny Charger – This charger is about the same size as the 5W USB power adapter included with most iPhones. But it charges the same iPhone three times as fast. It is also smaller than the fast chargers included with Samsung and Google phones.

Price & Availability

At the moment the PowerPort PD Nano is only available at Best Buy. It isn’t even listed on Anker’s site yet.

So Which 18W USB-C PD Charger Should I Buy?

Anker PowerPort PD 1

Only option with folding prongs for those who demand that feature

USB-IF certification for peace of mind

Can pick up today from Best Buy or Target

Bundled with a USB-C to Lightning cable for fast charging iPhone 8 through 11

Anker PowerPort III Nano

Smallest/lightest option

Quick Charge compatible

Fast charges older Samsung phones, while being future proofed for your next upgrade

Cheapest option based on MSRP

Anker PowerPort PD Nano

Smallest/lightest option

USB-IF certification for peace of mind

Can pick up today from Best Buy