I’ve been testing AOHI’s MagCube 30W and 40W PD fast chargers. The former is a GaN charger, while the latter isn’t. Nonetheless, they prove that it’s not the size of the potion but the motion in the ocean that matters 😉.
AOHI MagCube chargers review: Safe and visible charging with
Before we get into how well the chargers perform and other details, here’s something unique and interesting about AOHI’s MagCube chargers. And that unique feature is an LED indicator that glows in three colors to indicate charging stages/speeds.
Amber/Yellow breathing light: Initial stage indicates fast charging at lower battery levels. Blue static light: Intermediate stage indicates standard charging. Green static light: Final stage indicates trickle charging (usually when the battery is full).
Suppose you’re someone who doesn’t like to use their devices while on a charge; this feature is quite helpful as you need not even touch your device to check the charge levels. A glance at the LED on the charger will help you estimate what percentage the device’s battery has charged up to.
AOHI Magcube 30W PD Fast Charger
AOHI MagCube 30W PD fast charger is so small that it can fit in your fists. Yet, so powerful that it can charge a MacBook Air at full speed, let alone an iPhone. Finally, we also get an 18-month warranty. Read along to find out how well it performs.
GaN technology explained
As I already mentioned, AOHI MagCube 30W is powered by GaN+ technology. For those unaware, GaN stands for Gallium Nitride, and this material has enabled manufacturers to fit a big punch in a small pack. It is made possible as GaN material is in a crystal form and can pass higher voltages faster than its silicon counterpart. If you’re interested in knowing more about GaN, here’s an article you should review.
Build and Design
GaN chargers are compact, which is something we’ve already established. But how small is the AOHI MagCube 30W charger? Well, the dimensions of the charger are 1.1×1.1×1.26 inches, and it weighs 0.09lbs or 40.8 grams. For scale, look at the image below, where you can compare its size when placed on a 13″ MacBook Air. Even though I have small hands, I can clench the charger with my fist. And while doing so, I’m reminded that the charger pins do not fold into the body. However, I’m not complaining as the charger is also very compact, but a foldable design would be a bonus. The well-thought LED indicator and the USB-C port is on the opposite side of the charger pin. While all the charger’s sides have a matte finish, the side housing the LED indicator and USB-C port have a grainy texture. Also, the connector pinout PCB within the USB-C port is yellow, which is a refreshing design choice. It also adds a touch of personality and AOHI branding to the charger.
Charging speeds
The AOHI MagCube 30W PD fast charger has over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection. It also features the PI chip, which helps with the 3-stage charging. Safety protocols are the most important factor to consider before buying chargers. Let’s now look at the charging speeds. I tested the MagCube 30W charger with iPhone 13. I began the test at 05:09 PM when the phone had a 6% battery. In half an hour at 05:39, the battery was at 59%. That is more than 50% charge under 30 minutes, which is comparable to what Apple claims with its 18W first-party charger. At 06:09 PM, an hour after I first plugged in the charger, the iPhone 13 was at 80%. After which, it took around 10 minutes for the battery to charge 1%. Can’t figure out what led to this, as the iPhone 13 had optimized charging turned on and was also on the iOS 16 Beta. The company promises a 20W charging speed for iPhones and a 25W charging speed for Android devices. They also claim that it can charge the MacBook Air at 30W, and in the short time I plugged it into my Mac, it indeed does charge the MacBook at the same speed as the bundled MacBook charger, which is easily 5 times the size of AOHI MagCube 30W charger.
Conclusion
If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, carrying separate chargers for all your devices is a hassle. The AOHI MagCube 30W PD fast charger can charge your iPhone, AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook Air, helping you get rid of carrying separate chargers.
Compact designPowerful performanceExcellent buildUtilitarian LED indicator 18-month warranty
Not a con, but I would love it if it were a foldable charger.
As the charger supports several PD protocols and charges devices like AirPods at a lower power level, you need not worry about safety. Moreover, thanks to PD support, the charger is compatible with several global gadgets. If you’re looking to buy a new charger for travel that does not occupy much space, the AOHI MagCube 30W PD fast charger might be the right fit. Even otherwise, it is a great buy for $24.99.
AOHI Magcube 40W PD Foldable Charger
But if you want to charge multiple devices simultaneously, AOHI has covered that, too; read along. The AOHI Magcube 40W PD Foldable Charger features a pair of USB-C ports and, as the name suggests, is a foldable charger. Foldable here refers to the ability of the charger pins to collapse and rest in the charging brick when not in use. Unlike the previous model, the MagCube 40W is not a GaN charger, and I’m surprised at how AOHI managed to cram so much power in so little space.
Build and Design
Since the AOHI Magcube 40W PD Foldable Charger features two USB-C ports and has a 40W power delivery, it is expected to be a little larger than its sibling. Its dimensions are 1.9X0.7X0.8 inches. And it weighs 0.16lbs and 74 grams. Like I did previously, I’ll place it on the MacBook Air for scale. The MagCube 40W charger is small and has foldable pins, making traveling with the charger ever more convenient. The pins rest in the power brick so that even the edges do not budge out, thanks to the well thought design on the power brick. You no longer need to worry about charger pins bending, breaking, or puncturing bags. The LED light that indicates charging stages is on the opposite side of the charger pins. Under which is the pair of USB-C ports. Like its younger sibling, the connector pinout PCB within the USB-C port is yellow. But it’s not as prominent on the Lemon Yellow variant. Also, Lemon Yellow is a polarizing color, and I love it.
Charging speeds
The AOHI MagCube is a 40W PD charger. It also features over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection alongside the PI chip for 3-stage charging. It has two ports, and when both are plugged in, the 40W of power is equally divided between them. I tested the AOHI MagCube 40W PD fast charger with the M1 MacBook Air and the second-gen iPad Pro 10.5 inch separately to check the max output speeds of the charger. And here are the results. I plugged in the MacBook Air M1 at 05:58 PM at 31% battery, and within half an hour at 06:28 PM, the battery was 62%. After another 30 minutes at 06:58, it reached 83% battery. AOHI claims that you can fully charge the MacBook Air in 2 hours, and my tests further prove their claims. I’m extremely satisfied whenever a product stands up to the claims made by the company. The second-gen iPad Pro had no charge and was completely dead. I plugged it in at 12:35 PM, and I checked it later on at 02:17 PM, and it was at 85% battery level. Again, it took around 1.5 hours to go from 0-85%. We also need to factor in that after reaching 80%, Apple devices tend to charge slower if you’ve enabled optimized charging.
Conclusion
I think the saying, “The more, the merrier,” fits perfectly for the number of ports a charger houses. Especially in this day and age when even our watches need to be charged, let alone our phones and earphones, it is a hassle to carry multiple chargers.
Compact designFoldableDual portsExcellent buildUtilitarian LED indicator
No significant cons
Thanks to its foldable design, the AOHI MagCube 40W PD fast charger solves this problem without creating more problems. Again, as it is a PD charger and supports PI technology, it can detect different devices and charge them accordingly. So, you can be carefree when charging your AirPods or your MacBook. Carrying a single charger to charge multiple devices is a god-sent for those that frequently travel. And that is what the AOHI 40W fast charger is made for. At a price tag of $32.99, it is a value-for-money investment.
Which AOHI charger is the right pick for you?
The answer to the question can be answered by looking at your requirements. The AOHI 30W MagCube charger is a great fit for someone looking for a compact charger for a single device or a couple of devices. For example, the AOHI 30W MagCube can be a great gift for someone who recently got a new iPhone, or you could get one for yourself if you plan on getting a new iPhone and don’t have an older fast charger. If you intend to charge more than one device simultaneously, getting the AOHI 40W MagCube charger would be a better choice. The foldable design ensures that it doesn’t create problems when packed in a bag, and also, you need not worry about the pins bending or breaking. I hope this review helps you make an informed choice. List down your needs, and the choice will be clear. Also, which color appealed more to you out of the two options? Let me know in the comments. Read more:
Best MagSafe accessories for iPhoneBest car chargers for iPhoneWireless chargers for AirPods 3, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
