USB-C cords are capable of transferring both power and data faster than their older counterparts; if you’ve recently upgraded to a phone with a USB-C connection, you may have noticed that it charges faster (or charges a longer-lasting battery in the same amount of time). As this speedier cable becomes more popular, you may run into issues where you have a USB-C cord and a USB-A port without any way to connect them. When that happens, a USB-C adapter can help bridge the gap. Charging Speed: 60W | Compatability: Android and iOS | Ports: 5 Beyond power, Cable Matters added overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection to prevent all of your devices from overcharging. Measuring 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches and weighing 13.3 ounces, the Cable Matters USB-C model is beefy compared to the similarly priced competition, but given its price-to-performance ratio, it’s hard to overlook. Charging Speed: 72W | Compatability: Android and iOS | Ports: 4 Travel-friendly, the PowerCore+ measures a backpack-friendly 6.5 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches in size and weighs 1.3 pounds. Fortunately, the PowerCore+ doesn’t take too long to recharge on its own courtesy of the 30W USB-C wall charger that can refill the entire battery in just over four hours. Charging Speed: 45W | Compatability: Android and iOS | Ports: 3 Like other Aukey chargers, the PA-B4 can automatically detect and adjust to the optimal power output for whatever device you plug in, and it has built-in safeguards to prevent overheating and overcharging. It’s also designed to be smaller and lighter than the last generation of chargers, which can make a big difference if you’re carrying it to class or to work every day. Charging Speed: 65W | Compatability: Android and iOS | Ports: 2 Gannon Burgett is passionate about photography and writing and brings together his decade of experience in both fields to give real-world insights from someone who doesn’t just write about photography, but is also out in the field actually taking photos. He reviews photography-related products for Lifewire, like chargers, cameras, printers, and more.
What to Look for in USB-C Chargers
Reliability
The newer USB-C standard can deliver a more significant amount of electricity than its past counterparts. As a result, it’s extremely important to purchase your chargers from a reliable and well-known manufacturer. Inexpensive USB-C chargers can quite literally destroy expensive electronics. If you’re getting a charger for Apple products, be sure to look for MiFi certification.
Wattage
Find out the wattage needed for the device you own before purchasing a charger. While most USB-C chargers will be able to accommodate smartphones and tablets, those looking to charge compatible USB-C laptops will need to ensure that their charger has enough juice for the job. A mid-range wattage is around 45W, while on the higher end you can get output of 72W or more. The Power Delivery standard (PD) also indicates the type of high-power devices that can be supported.
Ports
Are you merely charging a single device or do you want to charge multiple USB-C devices at one time? Some chargers offer the ability to charge more than one device at a time, which can be an excellent feature if you don’t want to be bogged down by a travel bag full of chargers. A nice option is that some chargers will have a mix of USB-A and USB-C ports, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to charging devices that may not have USB-C ports.
