I travel a lot for work and pleasure, and over the years I’ve tried dozens of compact chargers. I’m picky about weight, bulk, and — most importantly — real-world charging performance. After running the Anker Nano through airport layovers, hotel rooms with flaky outlets, and the occasional café table with only one free socket, I’m convinced it deserves serious consideration as the best compact wall charger for frequent travelers.

Why size and power matter more than specs on paper

When I compare chargers, I don’t just look at watt numbers listed on the box. I care about how quickly a phone or laptop gets to a useful charge during a short wait, how hot the adapter runs on a long session, and how easy it is to carry with the rest of my gear. The original Anker Nano and its Nano II range use GaN (gallium nitride) to deliver useful power in a tiny package — and that’s the core advantage for travelers.

GaN lets manufacturers cram higher wattage into a smaller footprint without the heat and bulk of old silicon-based chargers. For me, that means a charger that fits in a pocket, won’t overheat in a crowded carry-on, and can quickly top up a phone or small laptop between meetings or flights.

What I tested and how I use the Anker Nano

I tested the Anker Nano 20W (the compact 20W USB‑C PD model) and compared it to a few close rivals: Apple 20W USB‑C, Anker Nano II 30W, and a couple of budget GaN chargers from Aukey and RAVPower. My routine included:

  • Charging an iPhone (various models) from 10% to 50% during a 30–40 minute layover.
  • Charging an Android phone (Pixel/Samsung) to measure compatibility with PD and PPS.
  • Keeping an iPad and compact laptop (13-inch MacBook Air / Windows ultrabook) usable during a long working session.
  • Carrying the charger in a toiletries bag and a packed backpack to check durability and how much space it took.

    • What stood out in daily use

    Here’s what made the Anker Nano a keeper in my travel kit:

  • Size and weight: The Nano is noticeably smaller than the Apple 20W brick and far tidier than older 30–45W chargers. It slips into a pocket or small pouch without taking up room.
  • Charging speed for phones: On an iPhone, the 20W Nano gets you the same fast-charge benefits as the Apple 20W adapter — roughly 30–50% in 30 minutes depending on the model. For Android phones that support PPS, the Anker Nano II 30W performs even better, but the 20W Nano is perfectly fine for most phones.
  • Heat management: Even during longer charging sessions the GaN design keeps the brick fairly cool. I didn’t see the throttling issues that can appear with cheaper chargers under sustained load.
  • Reliability and build quality: Anker’s construction feels robust. The plug doesn’t wobble after months of travel and the paint/resin finish resists scuffs better than some budget options.

    • Where it outperforms rivals

    Compared to the Apple 20W charger, the Anker Nano is smaller and often cheaper. Compared to budget GaN chargers, Anker tends to be more reliable and avoids the performance cliffs some cheaper units show when powering multiple devices or handling slightly higher wattage demands.

    Caveats and when to choose a different charger

    The standard Anker Nano 20W is great for phones and tablets, but if you regularly need to charge a 13-inch laptop at full speed you’ll want a higher-wattage unit (30–65W). The Nano II series addresses that with a 30W model that still stays compact and supports PPS (important for fast-charging many Android phones). If you need multiple ports for charging two devices at once, look at Anker’s two‑port GaN chargers or a small multiport PD hub.

    Quick comparison table

    Model Typical use Wattage Pros Cons
    Anker Nano (20W) Phones, tablets 20W Very compact, good price, reliable Not ideal for 13" laptops
    Anker Nano II (30W) Phones, tablets, light laptops 30W PPS support, still compact, faster for Android Slightly bigger; still single port
    Apple 20W iPhone/iPad 20W Apple ecosystem compatibility Larger than Anker Nano; pricier
    Budget GaN 30W (generic) Varied 30W Cheap, sometimes feature-rich Variable quality; heating/throttling risk

    Packing tips for frequent travelers

    From my experience, here are small tricks that make life easier:

  • Keep one Nano in your carry-on or personal item and one in checked luggage if you travel with multiple devices — that way you always have a backup.
  • Use a short USB‑C cable (30–60 cm) for your bag. Long cables add tangle and bulk; short ones are perfect for airplane seats and hotel desks.
  • Label your chargers if you travel in a group — I once brought two identical Anker bricks to a conference and it caused confusion at the charging table.
  • If you need multi-device charging, pack a small USB‑C hub with PD passthrough. It’s bulkier but gives flexibility when you’re working at a café table and need to charge a laptop and phone simultaneously.

    • Real-world scenarios where the Anker Nano shines

    Here are a few everyday travel moments where the Nano makes a difference:

  • 30-minute layover: Top up your phone from critically low to usable without juggling outlets or bulky bricks.
  • Business trip with carry-on only: Save space and weight for essentials like a compact hard drive and travel mouse.
  • Coworking day: Plug your phone in at the desk and still have room for a small laptop charger nearby.
  • International travel: Anker offers plug adapters or you can bring a small universal adapter — the Nano’s small size makes it easy to pair with international plug converters.

    • Final practical buying tips

    If you’re deciding which Anker Nano to buy, here’s my quick advice:

  • Choose the 20W Nano if you mainly charge phones and tablets and want the smallest, lightest option.
  • Choose the Nano II 30W if you use Android phones that support PPS, or if you sometimes need to power a lightweight laptop.
  • Buy from reputable retailers (Amazon, official Anker store) to avoid counterfeit chargers — safety matters when you’re plugging things in frequently.
  • Pair the charger with a short, quality USB‑C cable that supports PD. Cheap cables can bottleneck charging speed even with a great charger.

    • The Anker Nano isn’t magic, but it hits the sweet spot of size, speed, and reliability that frequent travelers really care about. It’s the kind of accessory I leave in my daily carry without thinking twice — and when you travel as much as I do, that little bit of peace of mind goes a long way.