Mini PDF 65W
Enjoy a lightweight, inexpensive 65W PD USB-C GaN charger from RapidX. The lightweight, portable device provided plenty of power for my iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9", AirPods Pro, Nintendo Switch, or MacBook Pro. Despite the quality packaging, portability, and ease-of-use, some may find the single USB-C port to be a limiting factor.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- PORTS
- PACKAGING
Portable, powerful and practical charger to juice up your gear.
Despite modern tech advancements, we remain limited by the quality of our batteries and the tether to wall outlets. Most devices come packaged with a charging block of some kind. Some traditional power blocks are larger than others and take up a large footprint. With portable, on-the-go space at a premium, I have turned to GaN (Gallium nitride) chargers to fulfill my charging needs.
GaN chargers seemed to spring to the market around 2020 and were quite ubiquitous at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2020. Originating in LED lights and satellite solar arrays, the material was found to produce much less heat than silicon chargers and allowed the internal components to pack tighter together.
Smaller chargers with the same or greater power output have allowed GaN chargers to surpass traditional chargers. In fact, the charbycharge.com website suggests that GaN chargers run at 95% efficiency, while silicon-based chargers only acquire 87% efficiency.
The 3.8-ounce RapidX Mini PD65 65 Watt GaN Charger arrived in a 3 3/8 inches wide by 5 inches tall by 1 3/16 inches thick hanging style retail package. The main panel provided the product name along the top left in a grey/royal blue font, the RapidX company name along the bottom left in a blue pill-shaped panel, and USB-C 65W Wall charger icons along the top right in royal blue and regular blue bars.
You will find three blue-colored product feature icons along the bottom right that detailed the single USB-C Port, 65W PD 3.0 output, and the Smart Intelligent Charging. I loved the splashes of color and the contrast against the clean white background. Despite the positive features, the main visual focus was the large central image of the black charger with a foldable Type A Wall plug.
The right side panel provided three circular white icons on a sky-blue background. The icons detailed the power delivery, 65W output, Quick Charge ability, Smart IC tech, and USB-C output. The left side panel provided a list of compatible devices upon a similar blue background. The packaging suggested that the product would work for gaming systems, headsets, cameras, laptops, tablet PC, and iPhones.
In addition to the plastic hanging tab, the top panel provided the www.rapidx.io web address. The white-colored bottom panel listed the specific product manufacturing labels and a warning label. The royal-blue rear panel proved to be busier than the other panels.
You will find the same USB-C 65W Wall Charger icons along the top right, but the midsection provided a significant amount of text detailing the product features (foldable plug, compact travel-friendly design, compatibility list) and specifications (AC 100-240V input 50/60Hz 1.5A, USB-C PD Output 5V/3A 9V/3A 12V/3A 15V/3A 20V/3.25A, PPS Output 3.3V-21V/3.25A, total output 65W).
Beneath the text, you will find ink outline drawings of the charger/laptop, a side view of the charger with foldable plug, and the PD output port. Lastly, you will find information about the 1-year warranty, RapidX trademark information, icons for the ultrafast charge, universal charger, and an SKU barcode.
I lifted the top panel, slid the clear inner tray out from within the outer shell, and removed the 1 15/16 inches long by 2 inches tall by 1 1/8 inches wide Gan Rapid X miniPD65 from the tray. The front panel had a single “USB PD” USB-C 65W port located 1/2 inch from the top of the device. The remainder of the front panel was a clean glossy-black surface. The right side panel provided the RapidX 60W logo, while the left panel was left blank.
I would have preferred symmetry in this instance and would have liked the RapidX logo on the left panel as well. The top panel listed the model number and product specifications, while the bottom panel listed the manufacturing labels, and the rear panel provided a retractable type-A wall plug.
I liked how the central matte black segment contrasted against the shinier front panel and the 3/8 inches thick segment at the rear. I was not too fond of the verbiage on the top layer l and would have preferred that to be hidden on the bottom panel with the manufacturing labels.
I plugged the type-A wall prong into a standard Type B wall outlet to test the power output. I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into the outlet and then a Kick Power USB-C to USB-C Cable (REVIEW SOON) into my iPad Pro 12.9”.
The multimeter displayed 15.10V/2.32A while the iPad Pro registered 1% power at 9:49 PM. By 9:51, the iPad Pro was at 4%; by 10:09, it was at 23%, and by 10:15, it was at 30%. I removed my iPad Pro from the charger and then plugged an atom studios USB-C to lightning cable (REVIEW SOON) into the multimeter. I plugged the lightning cable into my iPhone 13 Pro Max and found the multimeter displayed 9.08V/2.45A. At 10:15 PM, my iPhone was at 48%, by 10:20 PM, the phone was at 55%, and by 10:29 PM, my phone was at 61% power.
I then plugged the Kick Power USB-C to USB-C into my Nintendo Switch and found the multimeter displayed 15.10V/0.48A output. Lastly, I plugged the device into my MacBook Pro and found the multimeter displayed 20.02V/2.20A. Each of the cables fit snuggly within the RapidX charger and never loosened throughout the testing process.
I loved the small size of the charger and the lightweight nature of the device. I found it paired nicely with my RREAKA Type C HDMI Digital AV Hub, and Nintendo Switch PowerA Everywhere Messenger Bag. The combination allowed me to leave the large TV dock at home, and also doubled as a phone/iPad charger.
My only complaint about the device was with the single USB-C output. I do not like to plug a single item into an outlet with charging ports at a premium. I typically travel with a Bestek 3 outlet hub with three USB-A ports and a single USB-C port to solve this problem. Combined with a few power bricks, I can often charge several phones, gaming systems, and other devices. Combined with classy packaging and a sub $35 cost, the product exceeded my expectations.
Learn more about the miniPD 65 GaN charger.
Follow RapidX on Facebook and Twitter.