Budget
€0–€20
Published category bar
USB Chargers / Multi-Port Power Adapters (GaN)
This is the exact versioned market bar used by the deterministic engine. It defines what is mandatory, typical and above-class for each European price class.
- Version
- 2026.07-4
- Status
- Active
- Price classes
- 4
European price classes
Mid-range
€20–€40
Upper mid-range
€40–€80
Premium
€80+
The lowest documented European price selects the class. Within ±10% of a boundary, both neighbouring classes are calculated and the better result counts.
Mandatory category features
CE conformity for mains operation (Low Voltage and EMC directives); for combo devices with radio (Qi pad) additionally RED conformity
Fast charging via the open USB Power Delivery standard (PD 3.0 or newer) on at least one USB-C port, not exclusively via a proprietary protocol
Expected features by price class
Budget
- Fast-charging output of at least approx. 20 W via USB-C (smartphone fast charging)
- Compact wall-plug format (travel size, plugs straight into the socket)
- Wide-range input 100–240 V (usable worldwide)
Mid-range
- GaN technology (compact, efficient design)
- Total output of approx. 65 W (notebook-capable)
- At least 3 ports, incl. at least 2× USB-C
- PPS support (e.g. Samsung Super Fast Charging)
- Documented power allocation for multi-port use (stated in the datasheet, manual or on the product page, e.g. as a port combination table)
Upper mid-range
- Total output of approx. 100 W or more
- A single USB-C port alone delivers approx. 100 W (full notebook charging)
- At least 3 ports, incl. at least 2× USB-C
- PPS support (Samsung/Google fast charging)
- Power is automatically redistributed depending on the ports in use (documented — e.g. as a manufacturer statement on dynamic power allocation or via a published port combination table)
Premium
- Total output of approx. 140 W or more
- At least one port with USB PD 3.1 EPR (28 V, approx. 140 W)
- At least 4 ports (predominantly USB-C)
- Can sensibly charge two notebooks simultaneously (e.g. approx. 65 W + 65 W) — evidenced by the port allocation table or an equivalent manufacturer statement
Above-class bonus features
- Output/features clearly above class expectation (e.g. approx. 65 W in budget, approx. 100 W in mid-range, EPR/140 W port below premium)+5
- Integrated display with real-time per-port power readout+4
- Documented uninterrupted multi-port charging (no restart of other ports when plugging/unplugging)+4
- Independent safety mark beyond the CE self-declaration (GS, TÜV Rheinland, VDE or equivalent) with a traceable certificate+3
- High PPS level up to approx. 45 W / 5 A (Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0)+3
- Integrated retractable USB-C cable+3
- Interchangeable travel plugs (EU/UK/US) or foldable plug+3
- Integrated wireless Qi/MagSafe charging pad (combo device)+3
- Matching USB-C cable included (with e-marker/100 W rating for over 60 W)+2
- Broad protocol support beyond PD (QC 4+, AFC, SCP/FCP, Apple 2.4 A)+2
- Protection circuits listed individually in the datasheet (over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit and over-temperature protection)+2
- Documented active real-time temperature monitoring (e.g. per-second sampling with power adjustment)+2
Negative characteristics
- Product recall or EU Safety Gate/RAPEX entry (electric shock/fire hazard) documented-8
- Misleading power claims: advertised total or per-port output not achievable per measurements in a published test, or throttling under multi-port load not disclosed-5
- Charging interruptions/port resets during multi-port use documented repeatedly (several independent tests or buyer reports)-4
- Full charging power only with the maker's proprietary protocol/special cable-4
- Frequently documented quality defects (early failures, loose/worn-out ports) — evidenced by several independent sources or a conspicuously high share of matching buyer reviews-4
- Loud coil whine during operation, documented repeatedly (several independent tests or buyer reports)-3