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

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Model: PA-D5

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C x2
• USB-C Output:
  • USB-C1 : 18W USB Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/1.5A)
  • USB-C 2: 60W USB Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A)
  • 63W total output limit
• Input: 100V–240V, 1.6A, 50/60Hz
• Size: 2.6 x 2.5 x 1.1 inches | 67 x 64 x 29 mm
• Weight: 5.2 oz | 148 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

• AUKEY PA-D5 Focus Duo 63W

Good For:

• Additional charger for home or work
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Power banks
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• Nintendo Switch (handheld & docked)
• iPad Pro
• 12-inch laptop
• 13-inch/14-inch laptop
• 15-inch laptop

First Impression

The AUKEY PA-D5 Focus Duo 63W is the smallest and lightest dual USB-C 60W charger I’ve come across. Thanks to its use of GaN tech. An excellent candidate for a single home, work, or travel charger for USB-C early adopters. Its split of 18W/45W is better for small device/large device setups than an even 30W/30W split.

It has the same look as AUKEY’s other PA-D series chargers. With orange around the USB-C ports. Making it easier to plug a black cable into a black charger. And its most distinguishing features. Unfortunately, you also can’t as easily read the printed specs, as they went with dark gray print. The power indicator LED is green and dim. A nice feature for anyone sleeping in the same room they are using the charger.

 

Compared To Similar Chargers

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-11-23.

 

You can see more USB-C chargers here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

• Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. Either USB-C port will offer the same output to a phone and other small devices. And you can fast charge two phones at once. But with one phone you should stick to the top port. Leaving the bottom port available for a larger device.

iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, also not included.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

• HTC
• LG
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Samsung Galaxy
• Sony
• Xiaomi Mi 5/6
• ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we get normal charging rates. As no Quick Charge or compatible fast charging, the standard is supported that’s as fast as it goes. Still, 9-10W is a decent charge rate.

I did see slightly faster charging on the bottom port. But not enough to justify taking it away from a larger device.

Nintendo Switch

 

The top port offers a near max charging rate for an updated (2019) Nintendo Switch. But a slower charge for an original model Switch. The original Switch will still charge while playing, but closer to 12W than the maximum 18W possible.

The bottom port charges either model Switch at its max rate, up to 18W. It’ll fast charge while you play. And it can power the Nintendo Switch’s dock.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 56W from this charger when solo. And up to 42W when duo. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general, a 45W charger (duo mode) can support 12-inch, 13-inch, and 14-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

A 60W charger (solo mode) can support up to 13-inch/14-inch laptops under any condition. It can also support a 15-inch laptop under light use. Or charge it while sleeping.

Dual USB-C Output

The top USB-C port has a max output of 18W. And the bottom USB-C port has a max output of 60W. As seen above both USB-C ports perform as expected on their own. AUKEY also lists the max total output of the PA-D5 at 63W. I performed a couple of tests with both ports in use together. That is, after all, the point of a dual-port charger.

Phone + Laptop Test

The first test was for the common scenario of using this charger for both your phone and laptop. In this case an iPhone 8 and a 13-inch MacBook Pro.

 

Stress Test

For the second test, I wanted to stress the charger. So I swapped the iPhone 8 with an updated Nintendo Switch. Which has a higher power draw in a low battery state. The MacBook Pro stayed, as it was already maxing out the bottom USB-C port.

 

Results

In both test cases, the bottom port output drops from 60W to 45W, as expected. It doesn’t matter how much power is drawn from the top port. As soon as the charger detects a connection on the top port it resets the bottom port to a 45W power profile. Any devices on the bottom port will see a momentary interruption in power. But it reconnects at up to 45W on its own.

The top port maintains its same charge rate under both tests. It can offer up to 18W output whether solo or duo. There’s no interruption in power when connecting/disconnecting the bottom port.

The charger can out up to 63W total. With 18W on the top port and 45W on the bottom port. Plugging your phone in for 30-60 minutes will slow down the charge to a 13-inch or larger laptop. But you’ll be able to keep working and shouldn’t notice a significant loss in battery level. Just remember to unplug the top port when done to get full output back to the bottom port.

GaN (gallium nitride)

GaN (gallium nitride) is a replacement for traditional silicon. It can sustain higher voltages than silicon and offers less resistance to the current. That makes it more efficient (10-25%) and able to handle more heat. In 2014 GaN performed the same as silicon 3-5 times larger. The most recent leap (2017) reduced the size of GaN transistors to half their previous size.

GaN is not new. It is in the laser diodes of Blu-ray players. And the transistors in various wireless infrastructure. In 2018 we started to see USB-C chargers with GaN hit the market. Since then many brands have released GaN chargers. With more on the way.

There isn’t an output advantage for GaN chargers. A 45W GaN charger charges as fast as a 45W silicon charger. And both heat up to similar temperatures. The difference is the GaN charger is smaller and lighter. While matching the silicon charger’s performance.

Costs continue to drop, but GaN is still more expensive than silicon. As such GaN chargers are usually priced at the high end of their peers. As with many things getting the smallest and lighter version costs a bit more.

Summary

The AUKEY PA-D5 Focus Duo 63W is a great addition to the dual USB-C charger market. It currently wins as the smallest and lightest charger. A feature GaN tech allows for, though at a higher price. And its 18W/45W split works for the more common setup of a small and larger USB-C device charging together. While offering 60W to a single, large device.

Its USB PD tech allows it to fast charge iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. It won’t fast charge Quick Charge Android phones. Nor Huawei or OnePlus phones. But it can provide a normal charge rate on either port.

For the Nintendo Switch, it charges while you play in handheld mode with either port. And the bottom port can power the Switch in TV mode.

And the bottom port charges most USB-C laptops without issue. Larger laptops will charge better with nothing connected to the top port. But topping off your phone isn’t going to do much to your laptop’s battery level.

The orange rings around the ports distinguish AUKEY’s charger. And makes connecting a black cable to a black charger a bit easier. Folding prongs seal it as a good travel charger. The only real downside is you need to provide your own USB-C cables.

I’m planning to take the AUKEY PA-D5 on my next trip. It is almost as compact as a single port 45W USB-C PD charger I often use. And will fast charge all the devices my wife and I travel with. I expect it’ll serve us well. Allowing her to charge her iPhone and iPad on either port. And I can keep my Nintendo Switch and MacBook Pro topped off.

About AUKEY

AUKEY has U.S. based support (web and email) and a 24-month warranty. You must have purchased the product either from them or through Amazon for support.

Bottom Line

The AUKEY PA-D5 Focus Duo 63W is the smallest and lightest dual USB-C port 60W charger. It’ll fast charge any USB PD supporting phone/tablet and Nintendo Switch (handheld or TV mode). It’ll power a 15-inch laptop in a solo connection. Or a 12 to 14-inch laptop in a solo or duo connection.

Buy if you:

• Are looking to travel with a single charger for several devices
• Need to charge a small and larger USB-C device together, such as a phone and laptop
• Want the smallest/lightest dual USB-C 60W charger

Don’t buy if you:

• Need to charge two laptops at the same time
• Want to fast charging for your Quick Charge phone

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