Which wattage suits Chromebooks, Windows ultrabooks and gaming handhelds in one mixed bundle?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: There is no single perfect wattage, but a 65W USB-C charger covers many Chromebooks and ultrabooks, and a few gaming handhelds charge acceptably on it. For higher-performance machines and handhelds that run heavy games while plugged in, a higher rating such as 100W gives more headroom. Check each device’s required wattage, and choose the highest you need.

Why one wattage is hard

Different devices use different power. Light Chromebooks may need around the low tens of watts, many ultrabooks need more, and gaming handhelds can draw a lot under load. A charger that is too small charges slowly or cannot keep the device charged while in use.

A practical approach

1. List the devices in the bundle and find the wattage on each original charger.
2. Choose a charger at or above the highest requirement.
3. Check that the charger supports the charging methods the devices need.
4. Choose a cable rated for the power.

Wattage guide

• Lower-power devices. A lower wattage charger is enough, but may be slow for heavier machines.
• Mid-range laptops. A 65W USB-C charger is a common choice.
• Performance machines and gaming handhelds. Look for more headroom, such as 100W, if the maker recommends it.

Why headroom helps

A charger with more power than the device needs will only supply what is requested. Headroom helps the device charge faster, run cooler and keep up while in heavy use. The cost is a larger, more expensive charger.

Consider tiered bundles

Instead of one model, offer two: a compact 65W for light devices and a 100W for heavy ones. It reduces cost for the light group and avoids complaints from the heavy group.

Cables

Higher power may need a cable rated for it. Include one, or state clearly what is required.

Test before you commit

Charge each device with the candidate charger, both idle and under load, and measure charging speed and heat.

Quick summary

Match to the most demanding device, test each one and consider two tiers.

Sample test table

Make a table with each device in rows, with columns for the original charger wattage, time to reach a set battery level on the candidate charger, charger temperature and whether the device holds its level under load. Filling in such a table for five or six devices gives you a clear answer in an afternoon.

Where this answer says to confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the regulators, standards bodies or device makers named in the text.