Review: Chargeasap Omega 200W is the world’s smallest, most powerful USB-C GaN charger

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter

Chargeasap, a Sydney, Australia-based consumer electronics brand, markets the Omega as the world’s first and smallest GaN chargers rated with up to 200W output, and that’s a spot-on description. They’ve kindly sent me a review sample of their flagship 200W Omega charger, an incredibly compact and versatile device that can charge four devices at once at full speed.

It weighs in at just 9.3 ounces, or about 220 grams (its 100W counterpart is even lighter, at just 120 grams). It’s about the size of a credit card, albeit a bit chunky but not too much. I was able to easily fit the charger inside my laptop bag without issues (yes, it slips into my jeans).

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter sitting on a MacBook Pro with a credit card for size comparison
Weighing in at just 220 grams, the 200W Omega has a smaller footprint than a credit card

With this compact, powerful adapter, I was able to fast-charge four devices simultaneously, including my MacBook Pro, iPhone XS Max, iPad Pro and an Android phone. The device is wrapped in a minimalist fire-resistant polycarbonate enclosure that looks gorgeous.

When’s the last time you could say that about a charger?

Enter GaN technology

All this power comes in an incredibly compact package, courtesy of GaN technology. With GaN, which stands for gallium nitride, a charger doesn’t need as many components as a silicon-based version and they’re densely packed and more than ten times smaller than in traditional chargers, making the Omega chargers are 66 percent smaller than traditional chargers.

→ Featured USB chargers for the iPhone and other devices

Another advantage of gallium nitride is its ability to conduct way higher voltages over time than silicon. And lastly, this semiconductor material reduces heat dissipation so GaN chargers are more energy-efficient compared to current chargers.

Chargeasap Omega chargers - GaN technology illustration

The Omega’s logic board is surrounded by high-density thin heat sinks to help with heat dissipation. And a graphene ribbon sheet wrapped around components that helps with cooling. As the world’s first second-generation GaN charger, the Omega fixes some of the annoyances that plague first-generation GaN chargers, namely overheating and the lack of accurate intelligent power distribution.

Tons of power in a tiny package

The Omega rocks two USB-C ports with individual 100W power output, providing a combined output of up to 200W. Both USB-C ports support the USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 protocol. With that kind of power output, a single Omega 200W charger is capable of charging two 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks (which ship with a 96W adapter) at full speed, simultaneously.

You also get a pair of USB-A ports (22.5W each) with VOOC and QuickCharge 3.0. In fact, a variety of fast-charging standards are supported. Whether your device works with, AFC, SCP, FCP or other major protocols used by brands like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus, these fast-charge USB-A ports will handle it.

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They thought of everything to ensure that the Omega can be used in more than 200 countries worldwide: the Omega supports 100V-240V universal voltage and comes with three plug converters (AU/EU/UK) complementing the built-in US prong.

My impressions and quick thoughts

During testing, I was able to use my 200W Omega to charge my MacBook Pro (2018 model), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018 model), iPhone XS Max and Doggee Android smartphone—all at the same time, at full speed, in one plug socket. Moreover, I’ve tested the accessory by powering up my AirPods Pro and Apple Watch, in addition to my 10,000mAh Mophie power bank and other USB devices. If I had to sum up my experience in one sentence: Being able to charge all of the devices I regularly use for one location definitely feels liberating.

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter with two USB-C ports at 100W each and two USB-A ports at 22.5W each
Two USB-C PD ports (100W each) and two USB-A ones (22.5W each)

The foldable outlet prongs are tucked into the casing, preventing breakage or other damage in transit. This is a firsts we’ve seen and Chargeasap tells us that this two-way prong solution is patent-pending (only the flagship 200W version has it, other Omega chargers don’t).

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter with foldable prongs
Chargeasap’s patent-pending 2-way foldable prongs can be adjusted at a 90° or 180° angle

From there, it rotates into two positions. It can stick out directly out of the casing or can be rotated by 90 degrees. This gives you the flexibility whether you’re plugging this thing into a horizontal power strip sitting on the floor or vertically, into a wall socket.

The 2-way prong flows the 200W Omega to be plugged into vertical sockets or horizontal power strips

In conclusion: Awesome chargers

The Omega chargers, and especially the 200W version that I’ve tested, impressed me with their looks, performance, functionality and versatility. Based on GaN technology and being about the size of a pack of playing cards is a tremendously useful feature in a sea of bulky chargers. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that these chargers look sexy, even though it will spend most of the time hidden from view, plugged in to an outlet.

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter in use, with cables connected to all four ports

I’ve had some mixed experience with the first-generation GaN chargers. Some of them were overheating and others wouldn’t provide accurate power distribution when charging multiple devices at once. I’m happy to report that I’ve had no such problems with the Omega. It’s easily the first GaN charger that solves those common issues plaguing first-generation GaN chargers.

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 200W adapter sitting on a desk with cables plugged in

And best of all, versatility. With support for all the major fast charging standards, the Omega is compatible with all your Apple devices, all Android devices and pretty much any other accessory as long as it wires with one of the many power protocols that the Omega supports.

→ Featured USB-C Power Delivery battery packs

The Omega chargers are ideal for offices and work-from-home setups. I would also recommend them for traveling and for situations where space is restricted. If you’re in the market for a reliable all-in-one charger, doesn’t suffer from first-generation GaN issues and can power all your devices at once, you can’t go wrong with the Omega chargers.

Technical specifications

Check out the technical specifications for the Omega chargers.

Omega 65W

  • Dimensions: 46mm x 42mm x 26mm (1.81″ x 1.65″ x 1.02″)
  • Weight: 85g (0.18lb, 3oz)
  • Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 2.5A
  • Output: 65W
  • Ports: 1x USB-C and 1x USB-A
    • USB-C port 1: 65W Power Delivery 3.0: 5V 3A / 9V 3A / 12V 3A / 15V 3A / 20V 3.25A (PPS)
    • USB-A port 1: Quick Charge 3.0: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A (18W), SCP, VOOC: 5V/4.5A (22.5W)
  • Operating temperature: -10ºC to 60ºC
  • Enclosure: PC + ABS
  • Protection: Over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature and short-circuit protection

Omega 100W

    • Dimensions: 60mm x 55mm x 26mm (2.36″ x 2.17″ x 1.02″)
    • Weight: 120g (0.26lb, 4.23oz)
    • Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 2.5A
    • Output: 10W
    • Ports: 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A
      • USB-C port 1: 100W Power Delivery 3.0: 5~15V/3A, 20V/3.25A, 20V/5A (PPS)
      • USB-C port 2: 100W Power Delivery 3.0: 5~15V/3A, 20V/3.25A, 20V/5A (PPS)
      • USB-A port 1: Quick Charge 3.0: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A (18W), SCP, VOOC: 5V/4.5A (22.5W)
    • Operating temperature: -10ºC to 60ºC
    • Enclosure: PC + ABS
    • Protection: Over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature and short-circuit protection

Omega 200W

  • Dimensions: 88mm x 55mm x 42mm (3.46″ x 2.17″ x 1.65″)
  • Weight: 220g (0.49lb, 7.76oz)
  • Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 3.5A
  • Output: 100W
  • Ports: 2x USB-C and 2x USB-A
    • USB-C port 1: 100W Power Delivery 3.0: 5~15V/3A, 20V/3.25A, 20V/5A (PPS)
    • USB-C port 2: 100W Power Delivery 3.0: 5~15V/3A, 20V/3.25A, 20V/5A (PPS)
    • USB-A port 1: Quick Charge 3.0: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A (18W), SCP, VOOC: 5V/4.5A (22.5W)
    • USB-A port 2: Quick Charge 3.0: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A (18W), SCP, VOOC: 5V/4.5A (22.5W)
  • Operating temperature: -10ºC to 60ºC
  • Protection: Over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature and short-circuit protection

For further information, visit chargeasap.com.

A few competing GaN chargers

For other options, take a look at some of the best GaN chargers on the market that we have rounded up for you. For instance, the Freedy 90W travel charger also offers USB-A ports and two USB-C ports with fast-charge support.

USB chargers

Then there’s Aukey’s Omnia Duo, which gives you 65W output via its USB-C PD and USB-A ports. Anker’s PowerPort 4 charger offers four USB-A ports with 40W total power, powerful enough to charge two iPads at once. And if you don’t need to charge multiple devices at once at full speed, RavPower’s 61W foldable wall charger with a single USB-C PD port fits the bill.

What we liked and disliked about the Omega

Here’s what we liked about the Omega and where it could be improved:

Pros

  • GaN technology with small footprint
  • Reliable performance
  • Proper power distribution
  • 200W of combined power output
  • 2x 100W USB-C Power Delivery ports
  • 2x 22.5W USB-A ports
  • Included plug adapters for worldwide compatibility

Cons

  • The black casing is a fingerprint magnet
  • Retail price is a bit on the high side

Pricing and availability

The Chargeasap Omega GaN chargers are available on Kickstarter.

The campaign has been a massive success, having raised $600,000 of the $10,000 goal in just 14 days and over $1 million to date. It will continue to run until Friday, October 10, with shipping expected to start January 2021.

The startup recently added a stretch goal to the campaign where backers can now get a tiny 65W USB-C GaN charger, for just $33. Measuring 46mm x 42mm x 26mm and weighing just 85 grams, this is the smallest GaN charger in the world. And yet, it has enough oomph to charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro (2019 model) at full speed.

Chargeasap Omega chargers - 65W, 100W and 200W adapters

Although it supports 100V-240V worldwide universal voltage, this one doesn’t come with any travel adapters included as it is compatible with the 100W and 200W Omega adapters (available for $2.50 each, adapters allow the device to be used in 200+ countries worldwide).

The list price for the 100W Omega will be $99/£79 while its 200W counterpart will be priced at $149/£118. Early-bird rewards for the 100W Omega start at only $45/£36 and the 200W Omega at just $75/£60. If you decide to back the project, you’ll save more than 50 percent versus the retail price. The 100W Omega can be had in Black and White. The 200W Omega is available in Black, White, Navy and Gold.

Chargeasap’s previous crowdfunding campaigns have brought us the 20,000mAh Flash Graphene power bank, the Infinity magnetic cables and the X-Connect cables.