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My Impressions of the Anker 511 Nano Pro

The Anker 511 Nano Pro charger is the industry standard when someone wants the smallest and lightest charger for their phone (or small tablet or handheld Nintendo Switch). It leverages GaN technology better than any other charger in its output range to obtain its compact size. It is also a part of Anker’s new design philosophy, where they want to offer more color options beyond the basic black and white.

The fixed prong is the standout downside of this Anker charger. Adding a hinge and housing for the prong to fold up would add mass, so Anker opted for the smaller fixed prong design. Advantageous if plugging it into a dedicated outlet, as the size and color options give better aesthetics. But if you plan to travel with it, you need to pack it in a pocket away from your other electronics, to remove any risk of scratches. As with other 18-20W USB-C chargers, don’t expect it to fast charge an iPad/tablet or to support larger devices. It didn’t get a perfect safety rating above because it is not USB-IF certified, which is common among still good USB-C chargers.

If I wanted to travel as light as possible, where every ounce mattered, the Anker 511 Nano Pro would be at the top of the shortlist. And I’ll likely put this one into a wall outlet behind furniture to add a dedicated iPhone charging location. But I prefer folding prongs on my travel chargers, so whether this is the ideal option for you depends on your priorities and needs.

Fast Charging With GaN and High Temperatures

Some owners note this charger gets hotter than others, which is normal for the GaN tech and aggressively small size. While fast-charging an iPhone I only ever saw temperatures up to 104°F and that was only in one spot. Most of my temperature readings were between 84 and 95°F while the charger was providing maximum output for an iPhone for 30 minutes. This is warm to the touch but not dangerous. You can touch solid objects up to 120°F safely. The Anker 511 Nano Pro boasts updated safety internal designed to monitor temperature and adjust (lower) the power output if necessary.

Anker 511 Nano Pro vs Anker 511 Nano

Not long after the Anker 511 Nano was released an updated model can out, the Anker 511 Nano Pro. The differences between the two models are minor enough that whichever is cheaper at the time is probably your best bet.

• Same fast charging rate. Both chargers offer the same power output specs and will fast charge your phone in the same amount of time.
• The Nano is slightly smaller (1.1 x 1.1 x 1.1 in vs 1.16 x 1.16 x 1.18 in) and slightly lighter (1.05 oz vs 1.1 oz).
• The Nano Pro comes in more colors, part of Anker shifting their design away from just black and white.
• The Nano Pro boasts an improved ActiveShield safety function to monitor your phone’s temperature during charging. But Apple, Samsung, Google, and most other modern phones already do this on their own.
• On average the Nano Pro has been $3 cheaper.

Compare this charger with the best fast chargers for your iPhone or Android.

Buy the Anker 511 Nano Pro if you:

• Want a more discrete (or more colorful) wall charger setup for your phone
• Need an iPhone or Android fast charger where size matters more than folding prongs

Don’t buy if you:

• Require folding prongs from any travel charger
• Would prefer a charger that supports Samsung Super Fast Charging standards