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

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Model: RP-PC128

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C x2
• USB-C Output – Single Port:
  • 90W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/4.5A)
  • Apple 2.4A
• USB-C Output – Dual Port:
  • 30W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A)
  • 45W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/2.25A)
  • 60W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A)
  • 90W max total output
• Input: 100V–240V, 2A, 50/60Hz
• Size: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.3 inches | 65 x 65 x 32.5 mm
• Weight: 7 oz | 198 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

• RAVPower PD Pioneer 90W 2-Port
• USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable (5A/100W), 5 feet

Good For:

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

First Impression

The No products found. manages to be smaller than most included 60-100W chargers for Apple and PC laptops. While offering a second USB-C port those don’t. It does have some heft to it, weighing just under half a pound. But that’s probably lighter than carrying two separate chargers.

The two USB-C ports are decently separated, so you can unplug one without disturbing the other. The prongs (on the USA model) fold in. And the exterior is a basic matte black that doesn’t soak up dust or fingerprints. A basic form factor, but one that works for most people.

 

Compared To Similar Chargers

 

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-12-21.

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/SE/11/12
• Apple iPad Pro
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10/S20
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9/10
• 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. 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, which is included.

Either USB-C port will always offer enough output to fast charge a USB PD compatible phone, no matter what other device is on the other port.

For iPhones it also supports Apple 2.4A, but only when a single port is being used. Apple 2.4 is an older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge ~15 minutes slower than a newer iPhone using the same USB-C to Lightning cable.

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 standard is supported that’s as fast as it goes. Still, 9W is a decent charge rate.

Nintendo Switch

 

Works well for all model Nintendo Switch in handheld/tabletop mode.

• Nintendo Switch (original) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch (2019 update) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch Lite – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.

It also supports the Switch’s dock. Providing enough power for video output to your TV. But with some conditions.

• Works perfectly when only the Switch dock is plugged in.
• Can work well with a USB-C to Lightning cable for iPhone/iPad in the other port. Plug in the USB-C to Lightning cable first, then the Switch dock. You can connect and disconnect your Apple product without disrupting the Switch.
• Can work with any other USB-C device connected, but you’ll have to reset the power connection for the Switch. Whenever you plug in a second device you’ll need to unplug/replug the cable going to the Switch dock. Otherwise the dock will lose power and not come back up.

The USB-C to Lightning cables act like a device, so chargers activate with just those cables in a way they do not with a USB-C to USB-C cable. This is a function of the USB-C to Lightning interface, not an issue with the charger.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 53W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

In single port mode this charger offers up to 90W. That’s enough to support 15-inch/16-inch laptops under any condition.

When both ports are in use you can get 45-60W, depending on what other device is connected.

45W 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.

60W 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.

Charging Two Devices At Once

Each port’s output potential is based on is connected to either USB-C port. It ranges from a single 90W to various ways to split 90W between two devices.

I tested the power output to a MacBook Pro 13-inch with various other devices connected to the second port.

MacBook Pro solo

• 90W to MacBook Pro (my MBP has a max draw limit of 60W)

 

MacBook Pro + iPhone 8

• 60W to MacBook Pro
• 30W to iPhone (only draws up to 15W, usually closer to 9W)

 

MacBook Pro + Nintendo Switch

• 45W to MacBook Pro
• 45W to Nintendo Switch (overkill for handheld, and doesn’t support the dock)

 

MacBook Pro + MacBook Pro

• Each 13-inch MacBook Pro got up to 45W

 

By my testing the power output options are:

• 90W
• 60W + 30W
• 45W + 45W

You cannot control which of the paired options you get. You are reliant on RAVPower’s Intelligent Power Allocation which reads both devices and makes a call. The phone and laptop pairings were quite good. It gives more power to the Nintendo Switch than is necessary, taking some away from the laptop. Tablet and laptop combos will likely see the same thing.

Note that if you leave a USB-C to Lightning cable plugged in the charger will act like there is a device on that port. Even if your iPhone isn’t connected on the other end.

GaN (gallium nitride)

GaN (gallium nitride) is a replacement for traditional silicon. It can sustain higher voltages than silicon and offers less resistance to 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 65W GaN charger charges as fast as a 65W 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.

USB-C Cable with 5A/100W Support

The USB-C to USB-C cable RAVPower includes is necessary for the charger to reach its greatest potential in single port mode. The cable includes an eMarker and supports 5A current, allowing for up to 100W. When both ports are in use any USB-C to USB-C cable will work just as well.

Most USB-C cables are only rated for 3A current. Limiting them to 60W power throughput. When a charger offering more than 20V/3A (65-100W) connects it checks the cable for an eMarker. The eMarker tells the charger about the cable’s capabilities. Such as increased power throughput. If it doesn’t detect an eMarker, then the charger assumes the cable is only rated for 3A current. In this case the charger will then only offer up to 60W.

So if you connect most any other USB-C cable you have to this charger it’ll limit itself to 60W. That’s fine if your device only draws 60W or less. But if you want the full 90W you’ll need to use the included cable. Or another USB-C cable you know allows for 5A/100W. I recommend marking RAVPower’s cable with colored tape or by some other means. So you know it should remain paired with its charger.

Find a 5A/100W USB-C to USB-C cable.

Summary

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 90W 2-Port lives up to its name, supporting up to 90W power output in single port mode. But like other dual port chargers you need to understand how it divides up power to make sure it’ll be a good fit for you.

For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11/SE/12, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. Galaxy Note 10 and S20 series don’t get their full 25W/45W charge speed due to lack of PPS tech. There is no Quick Charge support for fast charging most other Android brands.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode as fast as any other option. And can power a docked Switch, but you may need to fiddle with the device connection order.

It works with the full range of laptops with USB-C power support. A 12 to 14-inch laptop will get a good charge rate under any condition. A 15 to 16-inch laptop will charge the fastest in single port mode.

The power allocation is great if you have an iPhone/Samsung Galaxy/Google Pixel and a laptop. My MacBook Pro and iPhone both got all the power they could want. Any laptop up to 15-inch should do well, and a 16-inch model will be fine under many conditions. It also worked well for me with the laptop and Nintendo Switch. But it allocated more power to the Switch than needed, taking away from the laptop. I was able to get a good rate split between two MacBook Pros. Not enough to meet their max power draw, but it would keep them both running under normal conditions.

This might become my new go to travel charger when I plan to be on the laptop more.

About RAVPower

RAVPower has U.S. based support (web, email, phone) and an 18 month warranty. The warranty can be extended to 30 months if you register the product with RAVPower. They are a respected brand within the USB-C community.

Bottom Line

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 90W 2-Port supports the largest USB-C devices in single port mode, using its included USB-C cable. In dual port mode it is great for laptops and phones or two small to medium sized laptops. It is less efficient with a laptop and Nintendo Switch or large tablet, but will be fine for most people under most conditions.

Buy if you:

• Need to charge a laptop and phone together without compromising their charge rate
• Want a single travel charger that’s flexible with small, medium, and large devices
• Don’t want to memorize which port works with which of your devices

Don’t buy if you:

• Have a Quick Charge Android
• Only have a 12-inch laptop as your largest device

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Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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