Czechs love the small AlzaPower Compact A520 charger. It costs only 179 CZK in the Black Friday sale.

Looking for a charger you can slip into your jacket pocket and forget it’s even there? The small Alza adapter, which Czechs have fallen in love with, is now available at its lowest price this year. The AlzaPower Compact A520 costs 179 CZK in the Black Friday sale, with over 50,000 units sold and a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 1,442 customers.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense if you want a lightweight charger for your backpack for a phone, tablet, or headphones.
⚠️ Consider that the cable is not included, and it won’t charge laptops or provide the fastest Samsung charging.
💡 At 179 CZK, it hasn’t been cheaper this year.

Weighs 54 grams and fits in any pocket

At first glance, its dimensions are striking. The manufacturer states 31 × 81 × 28 mm and a weight of 54 grams; in reviews, buyers describe it with words like “tiny” or “super size.” However, note that it has a single port, a USB-C with 20 W output. Those who want to charge two devices at once must opt for the sister product, the AlzaPower Compact A530 with two ports.

Power consumption without a connected device is 0.1 W according to the manufacturer, so the block can remain in the bedside socket, and you won’t notice it on your electricity bill. The warranty is 36 months.

Sufficient for iPhone, not for laptop

The 20 W output matches Apple’s original 20W adapter, so it will charge an iPhone just as quickly. According to one customer, it charges as fast as an iPhone charger. It can also handle tablets, headphones, or the Meta Quest 3S headset, which another buyer praises it for in a review.

For newer Samsung phones, expect regular fast charging, not Super Fast Charging. According to Samsung, this requires a 25W adapter with PPS technology, which the manufacturer does not list for the A520. Although the description on Alza mentions laptops, 20 W is insufficient for them. As Acer, for example, points out, a laptop with an adapter weaker than it needs will charge slower, or not at all.

You have to get the cable yourself

In the box, you’ll only find the adapter itself. Since it exclusively has USB-C, you cannot plug in an old cable with a classic USB-A connector – a few buyers also point this out in reviews. For newer iPhones and most Androids, you need a USB-C to USB-C cable; for older iPhones, a USB-C to Lightning cable. Alza also offers a set with the AlzaPower CompactCore cable, which costs 348 CZK instead of 378 CZK when purchased separately.

Objections appear only occasionally in reviews. One customer complains about loud hissing during charging, another mentions slight heating, and another writes that it charges slowly and some devices didn’t even detect the connection.

Best suited for iPhone and travel

At 179 CZK, the A520 makes the most sense for iPhone owners and anyone who bought a phone without a charger in the box. It also serves as a second charger for work, a cabin, or travel, where you’ll appreciate its minimal footprint.

Those who need to charge a laptop should opt for a more powerful adapter. For owners of newer Samsung phones who want Super Fast Charging, a 25W charger with PPS support will be suitable, and those who charge two devices simultaneously will appreciate the dual-port A530.

Do you carry a charger in your backpack, or do you rely on finding one at your destination?