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My Impressions of the Anker 511 Nano

The Anker 511 Nano charger (also called the Anker PowerPort III Nano) was Anker’s first 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 other chargers in its output range to obtain its compact size. It was made for the iPhone 13, offering the same performance in a smaller footprint than Apple’s 20W USB-C charger, which was no longer included with new iPhones.

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 makes the charger less noticeable or in the way. 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, this 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 vs Anker 511 Nano Pro

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 if you:

• Want a more discrete wall charger setup for your phone
• Need an iPhone or Android fast charger where size matters more than folding prongs
• Find it at a better price than the Pro version

Don’t buy if you:

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

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