Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I purchased the product in this review.

My Impressions of the ZMI zPower 33W

The ZMI zPower 33W has tremendous value as a fast charger for any phone, but especially for tablets and newer Samsung and Google Pixel phones. It supports 18-20W fast charging, so it’ll recharge an iPhone, older Androids, or a handheld Nintendo Switch as fast as anything else on the market (which likely costs more). For tablets, including all model iPads, it’ll meet their fastest charging rate with its 33W power output capacity. Unless most similarly sized and priced chargers, it supports Samsung Fast Charging (25W) and PPS. So newer Samsung and Google phones will see their best charge times with this charger over most of the competition.

The larger size is a good trade-off for supporting up to 33W (to support Super Fast Charging/PPS) over the usual 18-20W found on most phone chargers. But the fixed prongs are not the best feature for some travelers. For your commuting or traveling bag, you’ll want to pack the ZMI zPower 33W in a pocket away from your other electronics, to remove any risk of scratches. 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.

As I don’t use Android, I would look at the ZMI zPower 33W as an inexpensive way to get a second fast charger for my wife’s iPad Pro. It would handle my iPhone and Nintendo Switch in handheld mode great, but there are smaller and lighter options for only a few dollars more I would prefer. But if I had a Samsung phone with Super Fast Charging, I’d look at this as one of my primary phone chargers. I’ve loved my other ZMI chargers for my larger devices, and I know I couldn’t find another charging support 25W+ PPS for the same low price.

More on Samsung Super Fast Charging and PPS

Programmable power supply (PPS) is part of the USB Power Delivery standard. Not all USB-C devices support it, with the iPhone being the best example. Samsung supports PPS at the 25W and 45W levels but calls them Super Fast Charging and Super Fast Charging 2.0. The names are just marketing terms, with the technology still the PPS open standard. Google Pixel, LG, Motorola, Razer, and Xiaomi also have phones which support PPS. The newer the phone, the more likely it supports PPS.

A typical USB PD charging uses a consistent voltage starting with a higher current (amps) and, over time, lowers the current as the battery charges. PPS starts charging with a consistent current and a fluctuating voltage for the first phase. Then it swaps to USB PD charging during the second phase. The charging speed is a bit faster during the first phase and it puts less strain on the device’s battery, increasing its lifespan. If your device supports PPS, then a matching PPS charger (especially at this low price point) is a no-brainer. But PPS isn’t so much better that you should stress over not having a PPS-supporting device or charger.

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

Buy the ZMI zPower 33W if you:

• Need a charger that’ll support fast charging of both your iPhone and iPad
• Have a Samsung Super Fast Charging or PPS-supporting phone
• Want the cheapest phone charger possible, while sticking with a high-quality brand

Don’t buy if you:

• Require folding prongs from any travel charger
• Have no interest in Super Fast Charging/PPS and are willing to pay more for a smaller charger