Anker’s 715 Nano II 65W USB-C charger, a palm-sized GaN power adapter, has dropped to $19.99 in a limited-time deal. The discount, first reported by TechEBlog, slashes $10 off its usual $30 street price and positions it as a compelling travel companion for Windows laptop owners tired of bulky power bricks.
A Deal That Shrinks Your Charger Kit
The $19.99 price point is a promotion, not a permanent drop. At the time of writing, Anker’s own website lists the charger at $29.99 with a $10 coupon, and third-party retailers often mirror the deal. Buyers should verify the final price before purchasing, as these discounts can vanish quickly. The charger itself, formally named the Anker 715 (part of the Nano II series), is a single-port USB-C wall adapter rated for 65 watts of output. It measures just 1.65 x 1.42 x 1.74 inches and weighs 3.96 ounces, according to Anker’s specs, making it noticeably smaller and lighter than the OEM power bricks bundled with most Windows ultrabooks.
Why does size matter? Traditional laptop chargers often come with a long cable, a rectangular block, and a dedicated AC cord. The Nano II folds this all into a compact cube with foldable prongs (on the US version) and a universal 100–240V input, so it works globally with a plug adapter. It’s a charger that can live in a jacket pocket or the side pouch of a backpack rather than demanding its own bag space.
Why 65W Hits the Sweet Spot for Windows Laptops
For Windows users, the 65W rating lands in an unusually useful power category. It’s above the 45W level common to entry-level ultrabooks and below the 90W+ requirements of gaming laptops and mobile workstations. Microsoft’s own support documentation says many Surface devices, including several Surface Laptop configurations, fast-charge optimally at 60W. A 65W charger can therefore double as a full-speed replacement or travel spare for a wide swath of portable PCs.
The charger supports USB Power Delivery (PD) with four output profiles: 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 15V/3A (45W), and 20V/3.25A (65W). This means it can negotiate a safe charging rate with laptops, tablets, and phones alike. A phone won’t accidentally get 65W shoved into it; it requests the appropriate profile. The charger also supports PPS (Programmable Power Supply), a USB PD 3.0 feature that allows finer-grained power adjustments. However, as the USB Implementers Forum notes, the full benefit of PPS requires compatible devices, cables, and chargers. In practice, the Nano II works well with most USB-C laptops, iPhones, Galaxies, Pixels, and even the Nintendo Switch.
Independent testing by Android Authority confirmed broad standards support: USB PD PPS, Quick Charge 2.0/3.0, and Apple 2.4A charging. The 30W model tested reached wall-to-device efficiency of 82–85%, suggesting the larger 65W variant will perform similarly.
The Single-Port Reality: When One Is Enough
The Anker 715 has exactly one USB-C port and zero USB-A ports. It cannot charge a laptop and a phone simultaneously. That’s by design: a single-port charger can be smaller, simpler, and avoid the dynamic power reallocation headaches that plague multi-port hubs. For solo travelers, commuters, and anyone who typically charges one device at a time, this limitation is barely noticeable. You plug in your laptop overnight, then top up your phone in the morning. On a flight, you charge the device you’re using. The simplicity is part of the appeal.
Who benefits most:
- Owners of thin-and-light Windows laptops that charge via USB-C at 65W or less (Surface, Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad X1, HP Spectre, ASUS Zenbook, Acer Swift, etc.)
- Users who want a dedicated travel charger that disappears into a bag
- Anyone looking for a backup charger to keep at the office or in a go-bag
- Smartphone and tablet users who occasionally need to top up a laptop
Where it falls short:
- Gaming laptops, mobile workstations, and 15-inch+ performance notebooks that demand 90W or higher
- Families or power users who need to charge multiple devices at once (consider the Anker PowerPort III 65W Pod or similar multi-port GaN chargers)
- Devices that rely on proprietary charging protocols beyond USB PD
Dell’s USB-C power delivery documentation warns that a laptop may charge slowly or not at all if the adapter can’t supply enough wattage under load. So before buying, check that your specific laptop model supports 65W USB-C PD—most ultrabooks do, but it’s worth a quick look at the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
Cable Choice Is Critical
A powerful charger is only as good as the USB-C cable it’s paired with. The Anker 715 does not include a cable; it’s a bare adapter. For laptop charging, you need a USB-C cable rated for at least 65W (ideally 100W for headroom). A cable that works fine for a phone may not pass enough current for a laptop, leading to slow charging or errors. When in doubt, use the cable that came with your laptop, or buy a certified USB-IF cable from a reputable brand.
This is a pernicious USB-C pain point: the connector is uniform, but underlying capabilities vary wildly. A cheap, uncertified cable can limit charging speed or even damage a device. Spend a few extra dollars on a quality cable—it’s the bridge between a great charger and a powered-up laptop.
Should You Buy This Charger?
At $19.99, the Anker 715 Nano II 65W is a low-risk experiment for anyone who carries a USB-C laptop. Even at its normal $30, it’s competitive. But the deal price makes it an impulse buy worth considering for its sheer portability.
For Windows ultrabook owners, it’s a practical way to ditch the heavy OEM brick. If your laptop charges at 65W or less, this becomes a capable everyday adapter. For higher-wattage laptops, it’s still a useful travel or emergency charger—capable of slow-charging your device overnight or keeping it alive during light work.
Gamers, video editors, and anyone with a power-hungry machine should look for a 100W–140W charger. And if you frequently need to charge multiple gadgets at once, Anker’s own multi-port lineup or a 100W+ GaN hub will serve you better.
How to Snag the Deal
Check Anker’s website and major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The $19.99 price may appear with a clickable coupon or a limited-time promo. If the deal has expired, the charger frequently drops to around $25 during sales events. Set a price alert if you aren’t in a rush.
Before buying:
1. Confirm your laptop’s USB-C PD wattage requirement.
2. Ensure you have a suitable 65W-capable USB-C cable.
3. Decide if a single port meets your charging habits.
If all three boxes are checked, this is one of the most space-efficient ways to power a modern Windows laptop from a wall outlet.
Outlook
The GaN charger market continues to mature. What cost $55 in 2021 now trades hands for $20, and the technology has already moved on to multi-port, higher-wattage designs. But the core formula of the Anker 715—small, simple, 65W—remains a sweet spot. As more Windows laptops adopt USB-C charging and thinner profiles, the demand for compact adapters will only grow. Anker is likely to refresh this line, but for now, $20 for a proven, travel-friendly brick is a deal worth grabbing.