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Details
- Weight 3.99 oz / 113 g
- Dimensions 2.1" (w) x 1.6" (h) x 1.2" (d) / 54 (w) x 40 (h) x 30 (d) mm
Overview
There’s a common belief that Japanese electronics are always the best in the world. After living in Japan for nearly a decade, I can say that’s not quite true. What Japan does excel at is reliability. My Muji rice cooker, Sony Bravia TV, and even my first Muji roller luggage have lasted well over a decade with daily use. They just don’t die.
But reliability doesn’t always mean innovation. Many Japanese companies play it safe—solid design, dependable performance, but rarely anything that feels cutting-edge. That said, smaller players sometimes push the envelope in ways the bigger brands won’t. CIO is one of those companies.
In just a few years, they’ve become known for squeezing serious power into unbelievably small chargers, betting on GaN (gallium nitride) tech and smart power distribution. The NovaPort TRIO II 67W 3C is a perfect example of that philosophy: a three-port charger that’s powerful enough for laptops, tablets, and phones, but small enough to disappear in your pocket.
Style
Like most of CIO’s lineup, the NovaPort TRIO II doesn’t scream for attention. The design is matte black with a subtle grainy finish, not unlike a DSLR body—tough, scratch-resistant, and understated. The only visible branding is a small CIO logo, tastefully placed.
It’s the kind of design you’ll appreciate if you prefer gear that blends in rather than stands out. There are no glossy accents, no unnecessary LEDs, and no oversized text. Just a simple, compact block of functionality. Even within the ports, the accents are a tasteful purple.
On the bottom, there are regulatory labels and logos that I thought were tastefully adjusted to be subtle, but they didn't have the NOMAD-level attention to detail.
At about 54 × 40 × 30 mm and 113 g, it’s genuinely pocketable. Compared to something like the Anker 735 Nano II (65W, 132 g, 66 × 38 × 29 mm), CIO manages to shave off weight and bulk while delivering similar or better charging flexibility. Where Anker goes taller and slimmer, CIO opts for a squat, compact footprint that doesn’t block other outlets when you plug it into a crowded power strip.
Technology
The NovaPort TRIO II isn’t just about shrinking a 67W charger—it’s about how smartly it handles that power.
At its core is GaN (gallium nitride) technology, which is far more efficient than the old silicon chargers. Less wasted heat, more efficient conversion, and smaller components. CIO goes a step further by adding its in-house NovaEngine, which doubles up GaN chips to reduce energy loss even further.
Then there’s NovaIntelligence, CIO’s smart distribution system. Instead of memorizing which port delivers what, you just plug in and let the charger figure it out. If you connect a laptop, tablet, and phone, it automatically balances power based on what each device needs.
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For safety, CIO includes NovaSafety 2.0, a real-time monitoring system that keeps an eye on heat and load. It’ll throttle power if temperatures get too high, which in practice means the charger stays warm under stress, but never uncomfortably hot.
Compared to other chargers in the same price and wattage bracket—like Anker’s Nano II 65W or UGREEN’s Nexode 65W—the NovaPort TRIO II feels more refined. CIO isn’t the only brand using GaN, but its combination of dual GaN chips, intelligent distribution, and strong heat management makes it stand out in real-world use.
Usage
I tested the NovaPort TRIO II with my daily setup: a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro 16-inch, a 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3 years old), and an iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Single device: My MacBook Pro hit the full 67W draw on a single port, enough to keep it charging steadily while editing video. From 10% to 50% took just over 40 minutes, impressive for something this small.
- Two devices: Plugging in the MacBook and iPad, the charger splits into 45W + 20W. The MacBook charged at a sustainable pace while the iPad climbed from 20% to 55% in about half an hour.
- Three devices: With the iPhone added, distribution settled around 30W + 20W + 20W. The MacBook wasn’t at full tilt anymore, but it still charged while the iPad and iPhone gained battery without fuss.
This is where CIO NovaIntelligence shines; you don’t need to think about which port is which. Just plug in and go.
Heat management was equally impressive. Even when pushing two big devices at once, the body stayed warm but never hot to the touch.
Conclusion
The CIO NovaPort TRIO II 67W 3C is the kind of charger that makes you rethink carrying multiple bricks. Compact, efficient, and smartly engineered, it delivers real-world charging power for laptops, tablets, and phones in a package smaller than most single-device chargers.
If you’re looking for a single, good-looking charger that can handle your MacBook, iPad, and iPhone without breaking a sweat, this is one of the best-balanced options out there.
I designed a thing.
I found a 100 year old company that would create these heirloom quality canisters for me. They are handmade and will keep your tea leaves, coffee beans or anything that you need dry for years to come.
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