The Genki TurboCharger is launching at $48 on Kickstarter and can power two USB-C devices simultaneously.
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If you’re in need of a compact and portable USB-C charger, then Genki’s TurboCharger might fit the bill. The gaming accessory maker says its new gallium nitride (GaN) accessory is the “flattest” 100W wall charger on the market, capable of folding to a thickness of 18 millimeters (0.7 inches) to make it easier to pack.
The TurboCharger is compatible with Power Delivery (PD 3.0) and has a pair of USB-C ports on the bottom, which can each supply up to 100W or a 65W / 30W split if charging two devices simultaneously. Its skinny design also means it can fit snugly in tight spaces like behind couches or cupboards, and it keeps its weight closer to the wall to provide a more secure connection that’s less likely to fall out. And while the TurboCharger is targeting owners of handheld gaming PCs — providing enough juice for the ROG Ally’s Turbo performance mode, for example — there’s no reason you can’t use it for other gadgets.
It is, however, launching as part of a Kickstarter campaign. If crowdfunding risks don’t concern you, then it can be had for a special $48 price, which the company says will later increase to $60 for general availability.
One criticism of this design is that the charger could block secondary outlet ports or even an entire row on a power strip. Rival offerings like Anker’s $84.99 foldable Prime Charger avoid this by placing the prongs at the end. But for the best of both worlds (at the expense of wattage), Anker is also set to release a slim 65W charger later this year that can fold its prongs into either orientation.
Crowdfunding is a chaotic field by nature: companies looking for funding tend to make big promises. According to a study run by Kickstarter, roughly 1 in 10 “successful” products that reach their funding goals fail to actually deliver rewards. Of the ones that do deliver, delays, missed deadlines, or overpromised ideas mean that there’s often disappointment in store for those products that do get done.
The best defense is to use your best judgment. Ask yourself: does the product look legitimate? Is the company making outlandish claims? Is there a working prototype? Does the company mention existing plans to manufacture and ship finished products? Has it completed a Kickstarter before? And remember: you’re not necessarily buying a product when you back it on a crowdfunding site.
