Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Review: Is This a Must-Have Charger?

The Anker Nano 45W Smart Display. On paper, it looks like a charger. In reality, it’s a small, complicated piece of kit that forces you to ask: what, exactly, is the built-in screen supposed to do for me?

If you’re just looking for a reliable 45W charger to juice up your laptop or phone, you can buy dozens of options that do that job perfectly well. The question here isn’t about charging power; it’s about the screen. Is that little display a genuinely useful feature, or is it just an expensive way to make a charger look fancier?

We spent time with the unit to figure this out. My initial thought was that the screen would be a gimmick—a nice touch for marketing materials. But after using it, I have a clearer take on where this device actually shines and where it just adds unnecessary bulk.

The Screen: Utility vs. Distraction

The display itself is the whole story. When it works, it shows you useful, at-a-glance information. It’s designed to give you status updates without needing to pull out your phone or open a companion app. For example, seeing the current charging rate or the remaining battery percentage of connected devices right there on the unit is handy. It’s immediate feedback, which is always valuable when you’re juggling gear in a coffee shop or on a plane.

However, that utility is limited. It doesn’t replace a dedicated monitor, and its information density is low. If you expect it to be a mini-dashboard for your entire tech setup, you’ll be disappointed. It’s a status window, not a control panel.

Power Delivery: The Core Job

Let’s talk about the charging itself. The 45W output is what matters most for most people. It’s solid power for modern devices. When we tested it, the charging performance met expectations for a unit in this category. It gets the job done—it moves electrons from point A to point B efficiently. The build quality feels appropriate for the price point, feeling sturdy enough to toss in a backpack without immediate worry.

The Tradeoff: Size and Cost

Here’s the practical judgment call you need to make. You are paying a premium for the screen. If your primary need is simply to charge a MacBook Air or a pair of wireless earbuds, you are paying extra for a feature that might only be useful 20% of the time. That extra cost needs to be weighed against the convenience of having that small visual confirmation.

Who should buy this? If you are someone who constantly monitors power levels, or if you use this charger in a scenario where you need quick, visual confirmation of multiple connected devices without touching your phone, this unit has some niche value. It’s a gadget for the detail-oriented traveler or the desk setup enthusiast.

Who should skip this? If you are budget-conscious, or if you just need a reliable brick to power up your phone on the go, stick to a simpler, non-display model. The screen, while clever, is the weak link that makes the whole package feel over-engineered for the average user.