VOLTME Revo 140 review: What’s a GaN charger?

The VOLTME Revo 140 is a three-port USB mains charger, rocking two USB-C ports and a single USB-A. What lifts it above a cheap and cheerful USB charger? For a start, it has a peak output of 140W, enough to charge even the hungriest laptop, but it also makes use of GaN technology (see explanation below).

The downside? With a retail price of almost £100, it’s pricey (although it’s currently selling for £84.99 at Amazon).

Read our VOLTME Revo 140 review to find out if it’s worth the money.

What is GaN?

GaN is the chemical name of gallium nitride, a very hard compound which, when used in transistors, can operate at much higher temperatures and work at much higher voltages. As a result, it’s ideal for power supplies that require higher power output. It also means that size and weight can be reduced, giving us smaller devices.

However, as with any relatively new technology, GaN based power supplies are more expensive than their non-GaN counterparts.

The VOLTME Revo 140: Unboxing

The Revo comes in an attractive light grey and orange box, with an embedded pattern on the front. Inside, the charger is held in place by folds of cardboard and the only plastic packaging present is a simple bag around the charger itself. There are no instructions or accessories inside – it’s all pretty minimal.

The charger is an all-black, plastic affair (although a white version is also available), measuring 72 x 31 x 79mm, or  72 x 50 x 102mm with the UK plug adapter attached. It weighs 264g.

All three USB ports are on the front, along with a white, LED light, which is illuminated when the charger is receiving power. Along the sides are the same indentations that I mentioned were on the box, which make the device easier to grip.

The VOLTME Revo 140: Power distribution

How much power can this thing distribute?

The first USB-C (let’s call this Port 1) has an output of 140W, if used by itself. The second USB-C (Port 2) is 100W. The USB-A (Port 3) is 22.5W. Where it gets more complex is when you use multiple ports:

• Use ports  1 + 2 and you’ll get 65W from each
• Use ports 1 + 3 and you’ll get 100W from port 1 and 22.5W from port 3
• Use ports 2 + 3 and you’ll get 100W from port 2 and 22.5W from port 3
• Use all 3 ports and you’ll get 65W from ports 1 and 2 and 22.5W from port 3

Or, to put it in a simpler way:

• You’ll always get 22.5W from the USB-A port
• You’ll get 100W from either USB-C port if used with USB-A
• You’ll get 65W from the USB-C ports if both are used

The VOLTME Revo 140 review verdict

An equivalent single port 140W USB charger from Apple will set you back £99. That is also GaN based but only has one port. However, it does have something that the VOLTME very much lacks – a changeable socket, allowing you to add others for easier worldwide connection. For travel, you’ll need to make use of an adapter, adding extra bulk to your luggage. Indeed, the Apple version is 14% smaller and 12% lighter, which is something to consider.

Other than this minor bug-bear, the Revo works very well. When you have one device connected and plug in another, there appears to be a brief drop out as the voltage changes. It can get slightly warm to the touch, but not anything that you’d consider as hot, and does exactly what you’d expect it to do – charge your devices quickly. It’s already replaced my separate Apple MacBook Pro and iPhone chargers as my single source of power.