I cracked open a '1,000W' portable charger after it failed me in minutes - the cause was clear (and gooey)

1,000W, 10-port charger for $45... predictably disappointing. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Things that look "too good to be true" invariable are just that.

This example got dangerously hot in a short period of time before dying.

There's no legitimate charger that comes close to delivering on the 1,000W promise.

Being a tech reviewer for a living means that I get offered some very interesting things. Not interesting as in Bugatti supercars or jewel-encrusted Fabergé eggs, but interesting as in "this thing could easily be a fire hazard -- want to take a look?"

Also: The best GaN chargers of 2026: Expert tested

Submissively, I often say yes. And I'm glad I did with the most recent pitch, because it was very interesting indeed.

Meet the "interesting" charger

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