In the test: Aukey 60W dual-port PD charger with 2x USB-C

Finally a charger that I've wanted to have in my "fleet" for a long time. If you want to charge a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro with USB-C at the same time, you can't avoid two USB-C charging ports. Since I only had power supplies with a USB-C port here so far, the Aukey charger (here at Amazon) with its two ports is perfect for being put through its paces.

Transparency notice

Aukey sent me the charger for the test and gave it to me free of charge. I received no payment for the contribution and can assure you that Aukey could not influence the content. In terms of objective reporting, I feel more committed to you than to the Aukey employees.

Technical data

The technical data are quickly explained here:

• Model: Aukey PA-D5
• Type: wall charger (without cable)
• Technology: GaN (more about gallium nitrite power supplies here)
• Total power: 60 watts
• USB Power Delivery 3.0 on both ports
• Dynamic Detect on both ports (Explanation here)
• USB-C port 1 (top): 18 W USB-PD
• USB-C port 2 (bottom): 60 W USB-PD
• Dimensions: 67 x 64 x 29 mm
• Weight: 148 g
• Stand-by power consumption: <1,5 W (das Voltcraft measuring device showed 0 watt)

Compared to the Apple USB-C power supply (87 watts)

If you compare the technical data with the Apple USB-C power supply that is supplied with the MacBook Pro, the following advantages and disadvantages arise:

• approx. 47% less weight
• approx. 27% less volume
• approx. 31% less performance

While one can certainly live well with less weight and smaller dimensions, one instinctively does not like to do without the high performance (87 watts) that the Apple power supply offers.
But wrongly, as my MacBook Pro did not use more than 57 watts even under heavy load when I connected the Apple power supply.

When I say "under load" I mean the following: The MacBook Pro is running on a large external monitor, an external hard drive (without its own power supply) is connected, a YouTube video is running, various programs from Photoshop to a text editor are open and Geekbench 5 does another benchmark test. I think you can hardly do more to generate the highest possible load.

The fact is that the 60 watts that the Aukey power supply delivers are completely sufficient if you want to charge your MacBook Pro (15 inch). You don't have to accept any compromises compared to the Apple power supply.

The small design of the Aukey power supply is achieved by the fact that the circuits are no longer based on silicon, but function on a gallium nitrite basis. I've got to take advantage of the GaN power supplies a separate contribution written.

Charging iPad and iPhone

For owners of newer iPad and iPhone models, support for USB Power Delivery 3.0 Interesting. As a result, the devices charge with a higher electrical power than the normal USB-A power supply units that are usually supplied by Apple. Exceptions are the current iPad Pro with USB-C connection, as well as the iPhone 11 Pro models, because here Apple has a USB-C power supply in the scope of delivery, which also supports USB PD.

But here are my measurement results when charging my iPhone and iPad Pro:

• iPhone XS: approx. 7 watts on both ports
• iPad Pro 10,5 inches: Port 1: 18 W / Port 2: approx. 28 W.

Use and charge iPad Pro and MacBook Pro at the same time

For the next test, I connected my iPad Pro and charged my MacBook Pro. Both devices were running and therefore also have a high power requirement. I was able to measure the following values ​​here:

Simultaneous charging of MacBook Pro and iPad Pro

• Measured power at the port of the iPad Pro: 18 W.
• Measured power at the port of the MacBook Pro: 42 W.

The values ​​mentioned show that you can also charge your MacBook Pro and iPad Pro together on the device. Although the MacBook Pro then “only” charges with 42 watts instead of the 55 watts that I otherwise measure on the Apple power supply, the battery is still charged.

A look at CoconutBattery shows that the battery of the MacBook Pro is charged with approx. 42 watts at 10 watts output power of the power supply unit. The battery fills up slowly while you are working on the MacBook Pro - even if you charge your iPad with approx. 18 watts at the same time.

Dynamic Detect briefly explained

At this point, of course, comes the Dynamic Detect function of the new Aukey power supply units, because one port of the power supply unit can deliver 60 watts as well as 42 watts. If you only connect your MacBook Pro to the power supply, the laptop benefits from the 60 watts of power, while the charger reduces the power on this port to 42 watts if you connect another device to the second port at the same time.

Incidentally, it does not matter whether the second device really uses up the 18 watts. For me, the output power jumped down to 42 watts when I just plugged the USB-C to Lightning cable without a device into the other port. The charger recognizes that something is connected here and immediately reduces the output.

Unfortunately no identification of the ports

Nevertheless, I have to note a small criticism: Since both ports do not deliver the same output power, it would have been nice if they could be somehow differentiated by color. Unfortunately, at the moment you have to remember which port can deliver the 60 watts, because you definitely want to plug in your MacBook Pro here.

I helped myself by simply putting a glue dot on the side. So I can immediately see which is the strong port and which is the weak port.

Heat development at a permanent 60 watts

One point that I would also like to note is the heat build-up that occurs when the power supply unit has to deliver 60 watts of output power over a long period of time.

Normally this is not a problem because it does not get so hot that you can no longer put your hand on it. But it could be critical if you put the power supply in a cable box. In this case, you should either ensure good ventilation or you might choose the power adapter from Apple, as it drives less at the limit and only gets lukewarm for me when it charges the MacBook Pro.

My conclusion: a great power supply

I am excited about that Aukey PA-D5. The ability to charge the iPad and my MacBook Pro at the same time is particularly valuable. The output power of the Aukey USB-C charger is good and should be sufficient for most areas of application.

It might be a bit of a squeeze when Apple releases the 16-inch MacBook Pro, as it probably needs more than 57 watts under load. But these are still visions of the future and there is no technical data about this device.

Such a dual-port USB-C charger is extremely practical, especially for users who have a USB-C iPad Pro and a USB-C MacBook.

As for the price, that's it Aukey PA-D5 with about 60 EUR, of course, well below that Apple USB-C power supply (85 EUR) and also offers two ports for this. It can therefore be used much more flexibly.

Source of supply for the Aukey PA-D5

If you are interested in the Aukey USB-C power supply, you can here on amazon or go through this product box.

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Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.

The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de