Zeus 270w Wall Charger review: Big power in a compact body

AppleInsider

Usually, MacBook Pro chargers are not the most exciting accessories, but Zeus plans to change that with the Zeus 270w Wall Charger.

The charger allows you to charge multiple devices at once with high wattage dispersed from each port. There is also a mini-OLED screen accompanying the ports on the charger too.

If you have multiple high-power devices, but don't want to carry around multiple chargers, then the Zeus 270w Wall Charger may be the right fit for you.

Zeus 270w Wall Charger design

The Wall Charger houses a traditional wall charger design with three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Nearly all the ports offer different wattage speeds.

One of the USB-C ports supplies 140w speeds, two USB-C ports offer 100w speeds, and the USB-A port offers 36w speeds.

There are markers next to each port so you know how much power each can supply.

A mini-OLED screen is located on the charger's lower right, below the USB-A port. While it is black when you first set up the charger, once you plug your devices in, it will showcase how much power is going to each device.

Just like the markers next to each port to say how much power it can supply, it also states what each port is called so you can identify it on the screen to how much power it is currently supplying to your device.

The outlet prongs are tucked into the charger and can be taken out to plug it in. The prongs can be set to two prefixes -- straight and cornered -- at up to 180 degrees.

This allows for a better alignment to the outlet design you may be plugging the charger into.

The Wall Charger is slightly heavy, weighing 320 grams (0.7 pounds), and you will notice that when you first hold it. While it is still portable, it is not the lightest portable wall charger on the market, but then again, it does offer a lot of power to make up for it.

Zeus 270w Wall Charger compatibility and functionality

The Zeus 270w Wall Charger works with any device and cable that is compatible with the ports it offers.

You can plug in your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, or even a Bluetooth speaker into it. Zeus advertises that the Wall Charger can send strong power to three MacBooks at the same time, and from what we have seen, we believe it.

Through the USB-C ports, the Wall Charger also offers fast charging capabilities to any of your devices that support it. You can get this feature through either the 140w or the 100w USB-C ports.

Zeus supplies in the box different adapters for different outlets around the world. Changing them out is fairly simple -- you just pop the existing one off and snap in the new one.

This is a great addition for outlet versatility and for people traveling to different countries and territories.

Zeus credits GaN (Gallium Nitride) Technology -- a smaller and more efficient semiconductor material -- for the Wall Charger's compact design while still offering a lot of power supply. This also allows the charger to supply more power to your device without it getting really hot from doing so.

Stay charged

The Zeus 270w Wall Charger is a powerful and beastly wall charger for your devices that may need more power than the charging brick that ships in the device's box.

The Wall Charger offers multiple ports to choose from, and while some may be more powerful than others, you never get the "weak" one when choosing. The inclusion of fast charging is also a nice feature to have -- especially since it's offered with all three USB-C ports.

The addition of having different outlet adapters straight from the box is a great offer from Zeus as it means you do not need to buy a separate adapter that may or may not work with the wall charger itself.

The only downsides to the Wall Charger were that it was slightly big and heavy, but for the power you are getting from it, it makes up for it.

Zeus even includes a carrying pouch for you to put the Wall Charger in when taking it around.

The Zeus 270w Wall Charger is great for anyone who travels a lot with a bunch of devices and doesn't want to carry around multiple charging bricks, but still wants a powerful charging supply.

If that sounds like you, then deeply consider taking a look at this product and if it could be part of your tech bag in the future.

Zeus 270w Wall Charger pros

• Multiple high-power ports


• Multiple USB-C ports


• Compact design


• Informative screen


• Outlet prong adapters for different outlets


• 180 degree prong angles


• GaN Technology

Zeus 270w Wall Charger cons

• On the heavier side


• Could take up two outlet slots on power cords

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Where to buy

The Zeus 270w Wall Charger is currently not available on retail sites, but can be picked up from Indiegogo Indemand after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Packages start from $129, with shipments expected in May.

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ITGUYINSD

Couple things -- OLED display is nice option if this is plugged into something ON your desk.  If plugged into an outlet or strip UNDER your desk, then it's an expensive gimmick that is inconvenient (at best) to use.

Also, I don't think the photo's show how big this gadget is.  Having something like that sticking out of the wall seems pretty heavy and how well does it stay in without falling down?

spliff monkey

ITGUYINSD said:

Couple things -- OLED display is nice option if this is plugged into something ON your desk.  If plugged into an outlet or strip UNDER your desk, then it's an expensive gimmick that is inconvenient (at best) to use.

Also, I don't think the photo's show how big this gadget is.  Having something like that sticking out of the wall seems pretty heavy and how well does it stay in without falling down?

Looks about the same size as Apple's horrendously large 90 watt charger. At least you won't have to carry multiple chargers. Might pick one up for myself. 

wonkothesane

Having a charger with a control display is to me like fiddling with the Registry in Windows - personally, no value.add. I would prefer a charger, where no matter in which port plug what, the power/charging distribution is handled automatically in an opitmum manner for the devices connected. Like is… it just works.

tdknox

I didn’t realize that power draw was a speed.

sgordon

The company had a previous Kickstarter called Omega. This closed October 2020 any many of us are still waiting for our products. Whilst some people have got the product and are happy some people that got the product have complained about quality and safety issues. This is public knowledge and very sad the reviewer didn’t call attention to this. Giving the company credibility is not good. 

shamino

ITGUYINSD said:

Couple things -- OLED display is nice option if this is plugged into something ON your desk.  If plugged into an outlet or strip UNDER your desk, then it's an expensive gimmick that is inconvenient (at best) to use.

Agreed.  I would much rather have a cord for a device like this (just like I do with my Apple laptop power bricks), so I can place it on my desk instead of relying on a wall outlet to hold that much weight.

tdknox said:

I didn’t realize that power draw was a speed.

For battery charging, it is.  The more current your device draws (while charging), the faster it charges.

wonkothesane said:

Having a charger with a control display is to me like fiddling with the Registry in Windows - personally, no value.add. I would prefer a charger, where no matter in which port plug what, the power/charging distribution is handled automatically in an opitmum manner for the devices connected. Like is… it just works.

No disagreement over a "just works" solution.

But seeing the voltage and current draw is useful.  Simply seeing it on your desk all the time (assuming you have it plugged in there), you will get used to certain numbers belonging to certain devices.  When you see numbers that you don't normally see (e.g. unusually high or low), that may indicate a problem before you experience other symptoms.

For instance, if you see your MacBook drawing 5v instead of 20v, then that's a clear sign that the board's charging chip is no longer communicating with the charger - you will want to save your work and power off ASAP, because you're soon going to wind up with a dead battery and no way to charge it.

And the information (what changed and when) can be of help to a repair shop if you bring it to a place that does board repair, although they will probably use their own power meters when they do their diagnosis.