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

The AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger is a small, dual USB-C port wall charger. Great for charging your Switch and USB-C compatible phone or tablet.

AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger
PA-Y16

[wpcd_coupon id=7671]

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C x2
• USB-C Output: 5V/3A, 9V/2A (same on both ports)
• Power Input: 100-240V, 1A, 50/60Hz
• Size: 2.52 x 2.48 x 1.14 inches | 64 x 63 x 29 mm
• Weight: 3.74 oz | 106 grams

Switch Chargers Ratings:

• Speed Rating: Great
• Safety Rating: Safe

Included In Box:

• AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger

Pros

• Charges Switch at the fastest rate in handheld mode
• Supports iPhone fast charging with Apple’s USB-C to Lightning cable
• Charge Switch and phone at same time
• Travel friendly design
• Fits in most Switch carrying cases
• Works worldwide with 100-240V power input (may need a plug adapter)

Cons

• Doesn’t included a USB-C cable ($8-10 value)
• Phones without USB-C require a USB-C cable

Compared With Similar Chargers

Good For

• Second home charger
• Work charger
• Travel charger
• iPhone and Android phones (with appropriate USB-C cable)
• iPad and tablets, including new iPad Pro

First Impression

The AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger is small, lightweight, and travel friendly. It fits well in any bag, for work commute or travel. Its two USB-C ports are identical in specs. You can plug any smaller device into either port and get the same performance. And both ports can reach their max output together. The only thing keeping it from being perfect is lack of 15V output. That means it won’t recharge USB-C PD power banks as fast as possible.

Power Meter Readings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dual USB-C Chargers & Safely Charging the Switch

This is my first look at a dual USB-C port charger. Such chargers were rare until late 2018. Now we’re seeing more such chargers by known brands.

Before I had 2+ USB-C port chargers flagged with a warning. This was based on my initial reading of Nathan K’s overdraw warning with the Switch. Upon re-reading his posts, learning more about split PDO, and my own (albeit less technical) testing I’ve removed the warning.

The current generation of chargers are more advance. We’ve seen no split PDO related issues with other power banks. In fact Nintendo licensed two Anker power banks for use with the Switch. And my testing of this and other dual USB-C port chargers have shown no issues.

You can read more about Nathan K’s Switch testing and 2+ USB-C port chargers on my Safely Charging the Switch page.

USB-C Chargers & Phones

I have found dual port chargers to be ideal for traveling. I currently use an Anker PowerPort II PD as a dedicated travel charger. Its single USB-C port works with the Switch. It’s single USB-A port works with my iPhone and a standard Lightning cable. With a USB-C to Lightning cable packed it charges two iPhones overnight.

A dual USB-C port charger such as the AUKEY PA-Y16 does the same, but with better future proofing and higher average output. Like it or not, USB-C is the new connector and power standard. More and more devices will be moving to it. With the newest iPad Pro moving to USB-C it is only a matter of time for the iPhone. And some Android phones have been using USB-C for years. Once you have two or more USB-C devices such chargers make sense.

And for those with the Switch as their only USB-C device you can still get the future proofing with this or similar chargers. But you’ll need to spend a bit more on cables in the present.

iPhone

Any iPhone with Lightning port can use a USB-C to Lightning cable. iPhone 8 and later models will fast charge over USB-C with this charger. You can charge from 0-50% in 30 minutes. Any model iPad Pro will also fast charge. Please note there a no third party USB-C to Lightning cables licensed by Apple and guaranteed to work. MFi certified cables are due in 2019.

Android

Any Android phone using micro-USB can use a USB-C to micro-USB cable. As micro-USB and USB-C are both open standards you’ll have a wide range of cables to choose from. And you’ll pay less than iPhone owners.

Summary

The AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger provides two USB-C ports capable of outputting 18W each. The total max output allows both ports to reach their max. There is no difference between the ports, so plug in where you like. It is ideal for smaller USB-C devices, up to the size of the Switch. And it can work with your older devices with the proper cables.

It is a solid travel charger for USB-C early adopters. The output is ideal for phones, tablets, the Switch (handheld mode), and other small USB-C devices. And it is the same size or smaller to similar single port USB-C chargers and other dual port USB chargers.

Where it doesn’t fair well is larger USB-C devices, including large power banks and laptops. It will recharge USB-C power banks. But with 20,000mAh and larger models it will be at a rate slower than they can handle. It provides near max input for the Anker PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition. But its only 60% of what the RAVPower XTREME 26800 PD can take in. If you can charge overnight it shouldn’t be an issue.

It won’t power any USB-C laptop. They all need 15V or 20V, which this charger does not offer. While it isn’t a good all-in-one charger solution it can be a benefit to those with 15-inch laptops will to carry two chargers. Big laptop chargers are 65W or more, which the Switch doesn’t always play well with. With this charger you can keep your Switch and phone happy without concerns. While your laptop doesn’t lack power from a weaker, but more universal charger.

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

Bottom Line

The AUKEY PA-Y16 Dual 18W PD Charger is solid, early to market charger for two USB-C devices. It works well with phones, tablets, and the Switch. It can handle older devices with a new cable.

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