The Lowdown
The Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger is an excellent product. It offers a huge amount of power in a relatively small package, has two charging ports, and costs less than Apple’s 140W single-port charger.
Overall
Pros
- Small, easy-to-carry package
- 110V prongs fold in for safety
- Up to 140W of charging power; Two ports so you can charge two devices at once
Cons
- Slightly larger and heavier than Apple’s single-port 140W charger
Some months ago, I reviewed two travel charging hubs from Kovol. I took both on a recent trip, and they performed beautifully. The company just sent me their new Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger. It is a total win for someone like me who uses a 14” MacBook Pro as his primary computer. Here’s why.
The Kovol charging systems I recently reviewed shared a similar design despite being able to deliver two different levels of power. Each had a rectangular block of matte black plastic that housed the electronics with two USB-A and two USB-C ports. A detachable cable lets you plug the adapter into the wall, placing it where it would be most convenient.
The Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger takes a different approach to design.
Rather than the matte black of the other Kovol chargers, this charger comes in a nice matte white finish that doesn’t collect fingerprints.
The Kovol Sprint measures 3.43” by 2.71” by 1.3” and has a decent amount of heft.
This 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger is a bit longer and wider than the 67W charger that came with my 14” M1 MacBook Pro; it also weighs significantly more.
That might make this a poor option if you are looking for a replacement for Apple’s charger, but, as I will explain, that is not the case.
Another difference between this charger and the Kovol charger I reviewed is that the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger lacks the detachable cable found on the others. Instead, this wall charger has 110V prongs built-in.
When not in use, the prongs fold into the device; this makes the wall charger a bit more compact and protects the prongs (and your gear) when thrown in a bag.
Like the Apple charger, the Sprint 140W attaches directly to a wall outlet, so you may find that you need longer charging cables depending upon how far the outlet is from where you are working or charging.
I previously mentioned that there were reasons why, despite being larger and heavier than the Apple charger that shipped with my MacBook Pro, the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger might be the better option; there are a few reasons for this.
First, the Apple charger delivers 67W of power while Kovol’s option delivers up to 140W of power. Apple DOES offer a 140W adapter, but at $99, it costs $10 more than the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger.
Kovol explains that their offering can charge a MacBook Pro 16” 2021 to 56% in just 30 minutes. That’s a big deal if you are on the road and running low on power!
But that isn’t the only reason you might want to choose Kovol’s offering over Apple’s.
The second advantage of the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger over Apple’s 140W wall charger is the ports. The Apple wall charger has a single USB-C port. The Kovol offering has a similar USB-C port, but it also has an 18W USB-A port.
That means you can charge your laptop and phone simultaneously, and the latter will charge rapidly.
There are two caveats to consider when using the dual-charging feature. When using both charging ports, the maximum PD charge to a laptop is “just” 120W. In addition, the Sprint 140W does not ship with a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, which will cost you an additional $49.
But, and this is an important consideration, Apple still allows their laptops to charge via USB-C, so the USB-C to USB-C cable you already have on hand should suffice.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger is a “smart charger” that will top off your laptop, tablet, or phone safely. As the company explains:
Kovol’s exclusive Q-Pulse technology provides surge protection, and prevents overheating for a 100% safe charging experience. Plus, this compact GaN-based charger provides higher efficiency while maintaining low surface temperature.
The Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger is an excellent product. It offers considerable power in a relatively small package, has two charging ports, and costs less than Apple’s 140W single-port charger.
I’m glad to have this wall charger in my gear bag; with it, I know that no matter where I am, I’ll be able to quickly and safely keep my MacBook Pro and iPad Pro charged.
The Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger sells for $89.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample.
What I Like: Small, easy-to-carry package; 110V prongs fold in for safety; Up to 140W of charging power; Two ports so you can charge two devices at once
What Needs Improvement: Slightly larger and heavier than Apple’s single-port 140W charger