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Most of us are living in two eras at once. The phone, the laptop and the tablet have all moved to USB-C. The drawer, meanwhile, is still full of USB-A cables: the older phone you keep as a backup, the smartwatch, a pair of earbuds, an e-reader, a games controller, the little desk lamp nobody wants to replace. Bin one of those cables by mistake and something stops charging.
A USB-C and USB-A charger solves that in the simplest way there is. The USB-C port fast charges the new kit. The USB-A port keeps every old cable useful. You carry one plug instead of two, and you stop rummaging for the right adapter every time you pack a bag.
This guide is about that one job: a single wall charger that speaks both languages. We’re not chasing the highest wattage on the shelf here. If you only want raw USB-C power for a laptop, our best GaN charger roundup is the better read. This page is for people who want a foot in both camps.
Short on time? For most households the UGREEN Nexode 100W does the everyday job: three fast USB-C ports for a laptop, phone and tablet, plus a USB-A port for the cables you haven’t replaced. The rest of this list is for more specific needs, a travel plug, a compact everyday charger or a full desk station.
At a glance
| Charger | Best for | Ports | Power | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UGREEN Nexode 100W | Whole-house all-rounder | 3x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 100W | 🛒 Check latest price |
| Anker 735 (Nano II) | Laptop, phone and a legacy device | 2x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 65W | 🛒 Check latest price |
| Anker Prime 67W | Compact everyday plug | 2x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 67W | 🛒 Check latest price |
| Belkin BoostCharge Dual | Travel | 1x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 42W | 🛒 Check latest price |
| Anker Prime 200W | Busy desk station | 4x USB-C + 2x USB-A | 200W | 🛒 Check latest price |
| Anker Zolo 50W | Value multi-port | 2x USB-C + 2x USB-A | 50W | 🛒 Check latest price |
No prices shown here. Tap any buy link to see the current price on Amazon. Stars are editorial and decorative; SGK does not put numeric scores on roundups.
First, what each port actually does
The two ports aren’t just different shapes. They do different jobs, and knowing which is which is the whole game.
USB-C is the modern port. On these chargers it carries USB Power Delivery, the fast-charging standard a phone, tablet or laptop negotiates for. This is the port that tops a phone up quickly or runs a laptop off a single cable.
USB-A is the older, rectangular port. On a modern charger it’s there for compatibility, not speed. It runs at a lower level of power, often somewhere between 12W and 22.5W depending on the charger, and it doesn’t do full USB Power Delivery. That’s fine for a watch, earbuds, an older phone overnight or an accessory. It’s not the port you want feeding a laptop.
So the rule is easy. Plug the newest, hungriest device into USB-C. Use USB-A for the older cable you never got round to replacing.
“Everything is USB-C now, so why would I still want a USB-A port at all?”
Alan’s answer: because most of us haven’t actually replaced everything. Picture what’s in the drawer: the older phone, the watch dock, the earbuds case, the cable that came with a gadget three years ago. Those are nearly all USB-A. A charger with a USB-A port means all of that keeps working without buying new cables. The day you finally replace the lot, you move over to the USB-C ports and nothing changes. It’s a bridge, and it’s a cheap one.
The short version, for Darleene: USB-C is fast and clever, USB-A is slow and loyal. A charger with both means you never have to pick.
The six picks, ranked
Best all-rounder
Who it’s for: a household that wants USB-C laptop power and a spare USB-A port in one plug.
If you want one charger to cover almost everything in the house, this is it. The Nexode 100W gives you three USB-C ports and one USB-A, so a laptop, a phone and a tablet can all pull fast USB-C power while the USB-A port keeps an older cable in play. It uses GaN internals, a chip material that runs cooler, which is why a 100W charger can be this small instead of the size of an old laptop brick. On its own, one USB-C port drives a mainstream laptop at full speed; plug in more devices and the 100W is shared across them, which is plenty for a household’s everyday mix. TechGearLab rated the Nexode 100W as a broadly compatible, high-power charger for laptops and multiple devices in its testing. UGREEN is the one brand we partner with directly, so buying through the UGREEN link supports the site at no extra cost to you.
Pros
- Three USB-C ports plus a USB-A, enough for a whole household
- 100W runs a mainstream laptop at full speed on its own
- GaN keeps a 100W charger pocket-sized
- Buy-direct option from UGREEN
Con
- Total power is shared across the four ports when they’re all in use
Best for laptop plus phone plus a legacy device
Who it’s for: one plug that runs a laptop, a phone and an older USB-A device on the move.
The Anker 735 is the pocket workhorse. Two USB-C ports handle a laptop and a phone at speed, and the single USB-A port takes the older accessory. Anker rates it to fast charge up to three devices at once, and either USB-C port can drive a mainstream laptop when it’s the only thing plugged in. This is the charger to drop in a carry-on before a long-haul flight: it runs the laptop on the tray table, tops the phone up, and still has a port for the older cable you inevitably packed. For most people it’s the one that leaves the house every day.
Pros
- Two USB-C ports drive a laptop and a phone at speed
- USB-A port keeps an older cable useful
- Pocket-sized GaN body for travel
Con
- 65W is shared, so a laptop slows if a second device draws hard
Best compact everyday plug
Who it’s for: an everyday bag or family-room plug when 65W-class USB-C power is plenty.
Close in spirit to the 735, the Prime 67W offers the same useful mix of two USB-C ports and one USB-A in a neat everyday body. It’s aimed at the reader who doesn’t need a full 100W but wants a tidy plug for the bag or the family room that still charges three things at once. GaN keeps it small. Because it sits so close to the 735, there’s little reason to own both; pick whichever is easier to get hold of.
Pros
- Same 2C+1A mix in an even tidier body
- 67W is plenty for a phone, tablet or mainstream laptop
Cons
- Sits so close to the 735 that owning both makes little sense
- Power is shared once all three ports are busy
Darleene: “I used to think a spare port was a spare port. Turns out the little rectangular one is the old-cables-still-work port, and the oval one is the charge-my-phone-fast port. That one sentence saved me a lot of confusion.”
Best travel plug
Who it’s for: simple travel charging when you just want one of each port type.
Sometimes you don’t want to think about it. The Belkin 42W gives you exactly one USB-C port and one USB-A port, nothing more to work out. Belkin rates the USB-C port at up to 30W, enough to fast charge a phone or a small tablet, and the USB-A port at up to 12W for the older cable. That 12W USB-A port is for topping up an accessory, not fast charging a second phone, so know what you’re buying. It’s the plug to leave in the travel bag so you always have one of each, whether you’re charging a hotel-room phone in Lisbon or a controller on a train.
Pros
- One of each port, nothing to configure
- 30W USB-C fast charges a phone or small tablet
Cons
- USB-A capped at 12W, for accessories not fast charging
- Only two ports and a lower total power
- No laptop-class output
Best busy-desk station
Who it’s for: a shared desk or family charging spot with several C and A devices.
When one plug isn’t enough, this is the step up. The Prime 200W station carries four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, and Anker rates each USB-C port at up to 100W, so it can run a laptop and still have power to share. It’s built for a shared desk, a family charging corner or a creator setup where several USB-C and USB-A devices all need a home at once. It’s overkill if you only ever charge one or two things, where the smaller picks give you better value.
Pros
- Six ports, four USB-C and two USB-A
- Up to 100W per USB-C port, enough for a laptop
- Runs a whole desk from one socket
Cons
- Overkill if you only charge one or two things
- Desktop-sized, not a travel plug
Best value
Who it’s for: families that want several mixed ports without moving to a desktop brick.
The Zolo 50W is the sensible middle. Two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports charge up to four devices from one wall socket, without jumping to a desktop station. If your household leans heavily on older USB-A cables but you still want a pair of modern USB-C outputs, this is the easy pick. The 50W is shared, so it’s built for phones, tablets and accessories rather than fast laptop charging.
Pros
- Two USB-C and two USB-A, four devices at once
- Good value without stepping up to a desktop brick
Cons
- 50W total is modest once several ports are busy
- USB-A ports are low-power, for accessories only
How to choose a USB-C and USB-A charger
How many ports do you need? Count the things that get charged in the same place at the same time. One device on the move is a single-port job. A phone plus a watch is two. A family corner is four or more. Buy for the busiest moment, not the quietest.
How much power? Match it to your biggest device. A phone or small tablet is happy on 20W to 30W over USB-C. A mainstream laptop wants 45W to 65W, and our best USB-C laptop charger guide goes deeper on that end. If you want to charge a laptop and a phone at full speed together, look at 100W and up so the charger isn’t rationing power between ports.
What does GaN change? GaN, or gallium nitride, is the material inside the newer chargers. It runs cooler and lets the maker pack more power into a smaller, lighter body. Every high-power pick here uses it. It’s why a 100W charger can be barely bigger than an old phone plug.
When does USB-A still matter? Whenever you own cables you don’t want to replace. USB-A is slower and it isn’t Power Delivery, but it’s loyal. As long as that drawer of old cables exists, one USB-A port earns its place.
A note on cables. To get fast charging over USB-C you need a proper USB-C cable rated for the power you want. If you’re unsure what the markings mean, our guide on USB-C cables explained walks through it.
The bottom line
If you want one charger to do almost everything, the UGREEN Nexode 100W is the pick: three fast USB-C ports, a USB-A port for old cables, and enough power for a laptop. For a plug that lives in your bag, the Anker 735 covers a laptop, a phone and a legacy device without weighing you down. Travelling light? The Belkin 42W keeps it to one of each. Running a shared desk? The Anker Prime 200W station has ports to spare. Whichever you choose, the point is the same: one charger, both port types, and no more digging for the right cable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a USB-C and a USB-A charger?
Is a USB-C charger faster than a USB-A one?
Do I still need a USB-A port in 2026?
Can one charger have both USB-C and USB-A?
What is a dual USB charger?
How can I charge multiple USB devices at once?
Can I charge a phone and a tablet at the same time from one charger?
Related guides
Best GaN chargerRead the guide
Best USB-C laptop chargerRead the guide
USB-C cables explainedRead the guide
UGREEN Nexode 65W reviewRead the review
Best iPhone chargerRead the guide
Best power banks 2026Read the guide
Tested by people who use this kit
SmartGadgetKit checks every spec against the manufacturer and independent sources, and tells you the trade-offs, not only the wins.
Alan
Network engineer, 9 years
Darleene
Everyday-use contributor
