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

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[wpcd_coupon id=9602]

Model: MZ87PD-1

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C
• USB-C Output:
  • 87W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/2.4A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/4.35A)
  • Quick Charge 3.0
  • Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging
  • Huawei FCP
  • Apple 2.4A
• Input: 100V–240V, 2A, 50/60Hz
• Size: 3 x 3 x 1.2 inches | 77 x 77 x 30 mm
• Weight: 7.9 oz | 225 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

• ZeaLife 87W USB-C PD
• USB-C to USB-C 2.0/5A cable, 6.6 feet

Good For:

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

First Impression

The ZeaLife 87W USB-C PD has a similar look to Apple’s own 87W USB-C power adapter. Both are about the same size, though the ZeaLife is slightly smaller and ligher. Both are white with a USB-C port on one side and folding prongs on the other. The ZeaLife doesn’t include any branding. And has a small, green LED to indicate power availability.

 

Compared To Similar Chargers

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-04-19.

 

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. 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.

For older iPhones the USB-C port also supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge with the same USB-C to Lightning cable. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

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

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we don’t see Quick Charge engage. So charging is at its normal rate. This is normal with Motorola phones when QC is offered over USB-C. Samsung Galaxy, LG, and other QC supporting Android phones would be expected to fast charge.

Nintendo Switch

 

Works well for all model Nintendo Switch in handheld and TV mode. In handheld mode it charges at their max draw rate. It also supports the power profile needed to power the Switch’s dock. Allowing this charger to also work in TV mode.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing it can draw up to 56W from this charger. That’s the draw limit of the laptop I have available. Unfortunately I didn’t have access to a 15-inch model to draw out the full 87W potential of this charger. But my PD sniffer confirmed it was capable of reaching 87W.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 87W charger can support up to 15-inch laptops under any condition. Even for a laptop with a 90W charger this one will be close enough that you wouldn’t notice a difference.

USB-C Cable with 5A Support

All USB-C to USB-C cables of proper design support up to 60W of power passthrough. So for a device and charger operating at 60W or less most any USB-C cable will work. That stop being the case when you want to draw 65-100W. Then you need a cable that is made for the higher power throughput.

USB-C cables which support either USB 3.x data transfer rates or 5A (65-100W) power must include an eMarker. It allows a device to verify the cable supports the higher data or power rates. Think of it as an ID tag, which tells the device exactly what the cable is capable of.

USB-C cables which only offer USB 2.0 and 3A support are not required to include an eMarker. And most do not to save cost.

The cable included with the ZeaLife 87W USB-C PD has an eMarker. Which indicates the cable supports USB 2.0 data transfer and 5A power. Exactly the same as the USB-C cable Apple includes with their laptops.

I recommend marking the ZeaLife cable so you know it should always go with its charger. The cable itself has nothing to identify it supports 5A power. And if you use a 3A cable the charger will limit itself to 60W, regardless of what the device could draw.

Quick Charge 3.0 Over USB-C

The presence of Quick Charge over USB-C is against USB-C specifications. Such chargers have been around for years without issue. But we don’t know what the future holds.

Under section 4.8.2 of USB-C specifications a proprietary charging method cannot change the voltage of USB-C output (between 4.40V and 5.25V) in a manner not defined by USB methods. Quick Charge operates at higher than default voltages. And so goes against the specifications. USB Power Delivery is an open source charging method. Created alongside USB-C, it is with specs even though it also increases voltage. The big difference is USB PD uses communication lines to negotiate power transfer. While proprietary methods take over the data lines for their negotiation. They do so because legacy USB connections, such as USB-A, don’t have comm lines.

There is no known risk with running proprietary charging standards over USB-C. Manipulating the data lines does disrupt data transfers. But when plugging into a wall charger or power bank there is no data transfer anyway. Some USB-C engineers warn against using any USB-C chargers with third party standards. Their concern is unforeseen consequences. Future technology may prove to be incompatible with such configurations. And pulling out a charger several years from now with a new device could have a bad result.

I have not run into any issues with these fast charging standards on this or any other charger. But as it is a spec violation I want you to be informed. If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. If you’re more pragmatic it works fine and has no known issues.

Summary

The ZeaLife 87W USB-C PD works as a second or replacement charger for Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro. Looks similar with similar size and weight. But costs less and includes a properly specced USB-C cable. Apple doesn’t include cables when they sell a charger outside of the laptop. Unlike Apple the ZeaLife charger supports Quick Charge and other fast charging standards. That is a plus for those with non-Apple phones. But it also goes against USB-C specs. But then again Apple’s 87W charger also goes again specs by missing key power profiles.

For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. It should also fast charge other Androids which supports Quick Charge. It won’t fast charge some Motorola phones, but will charge them and any other USB-C phone at their normal rate.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode as fast as any other option. And can power a docked Switch. There have been reports of minor issues with the Switch and some other high output chargers. I have not run across any myself, but it also isn’t a usually pairing for me. Don’t buy just for the Switch. But my testing shows it is fine using it.

The 87W output is ideal for larger laptops that include an 87-90W charger. It will also support smaller laptops. But if overkill if you don’t need more than 60W.

Mark the included USB-C cable so you know it goes with the charger. To get more than 60W out of the charger you need a cable that supports 5A. The included cable does. But your average USB-C cable does not. So keep them together to ensure the fastest charge rate for your larger devices.

About ZeaLife

ZeaLife offers support through their Amazon storefront. Or via email (support@zealife.net). They offer an 18 month warranty and follow standard Amazon return policies.

Bottom Line

The ZeaLife 87W USB-C PD will fulfill the same role as an Apple 87W USB-C power adapter. At a fraction of the total cost of an Apple charger and cable. It also supports more power profiles and fast charging standards. Making it more flexible with charging other USB-C devices.

Buy if you:

• Need a second or replacement charger and cable for your 15-inch MacBook Pro or similar USB-C laptop
• Don’t want to pay more for Apple branding
• Want one charger that can support your large laptop, Nintendo Switch (handheld or docked), and phone (iPhone or most Android)

Don’t buy if you:

• Own a 14-inch or smaller laptop, as you don’t need this much output
• Want to charge your laptop and another device at the same time
• Have concerns with running third party standards over USB-C

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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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