Review: Acefast made the see-though GaN charger I've always wanted
Acefast is a Chinese accessory maker that started selling its products globally last year. It started out with a charger that included an HDMI port in addition to USB ports, turning it into a portable dock for the Steam Deck and other handheld gaming consoles. The brand followed it up with the introduction of the T8 wireless earbuds, which had a unique see-through design that made them stand out.
Acefast is bringing that see-through design ethos to the charging segment with the launch of the $49 Crystal Charger. As the name suggests, the key differentiator for the charger is the see-through design, and just like the T8 wireless earbuds, Acefast is rolling out attractive color options of the charger. It is available in Mountain Mist, Alfalfa Purple, Mica Gray, and Cherry Blossom colors, and as I couldn't make up my mind as to what version to choose, the brand sent all four models.
The charger has an acrylic finish, and it features see-through panes cut into three sides, giving you a look at the circuitry. Acefast did a great job with the internal design, and the charger looks striking — particularly in the mint green hue (Mountain Mist).
While aesthetics play a big part here, the Crystal Charger backs up its evocative design with all the features you want in a GaN charger. It uses the latest GaN hardware and is designed for portability, and the charging pins fold inward, making it ideal for use on the road.
The charger has dual USB-C ports and a USB-A port, and it hits 65W over the USB PD 3.0 protocol. Both USB-C ports are able to hit 65W individually, and the USB-A port goes up to 20W.
Obviously, a big use case for a charger of this nature is multi-device charging, and the Crystal Charger fares very well in that regard. I used it to charge the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, and other Android phones in addition to wireless earbuds like the Nothing Ear 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and it maxed out its 65W power budget.
The best part is that it also offers the PPS standard, making it a fabulous choice with the best Samsung phones. Here's a look at the various power profiles available with the charger:
USB-C1 (65W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/3.25A (65W), 3.3V-21V/3A (63W PPS)
USB-C2 (65W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/3.25A (65W), 3.3V-21V/3A (63W PPS)
USB-A (20W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/2A (18W), 12V/1.5A (18W), 10V/2A (20W)
USB-C1 + USB-C2 (65W Max): 45W + 20W
USB-C1 + USB-A (63W Max): 45W + 18W
USB-C1 + USB-C2 + USB-A (63W Max): 45W + 18W combined
I used the charger for several months now, and there are zero issues with its charging potential or the design. The build quality is on par with the best GaN chargers, and the see-through aesthetic is a clear differentiator here. The charger is available with EU pins as well, but that model isn't foldable.
The best part of the Crystal Charger is that you're not paying a premium for the design — unlike other see-through products I've used in the past, like the Shargeek Storm 2. The charger currently retails for $49, and that's broadly in line with other 65W GaN chargers with three ports. The only shortcoming is that it isn't up for sale on Amazon just yet, so you'll need to pick it up at Acefast's official store.
So if you're looking to pick up a new charger for use at home or on the road and want something with a unique design, the Crystal Charger is an easy recommendation.
Acefast Crystal Charger
With a striking see-through design, three charging ports, and going up to 65W over the USB PD 3.0 protocol, Acefast's Crystal Charger ticks all the right boxes.
