Phones are capable of increasingly fast charging, but it’s rare that a charger that can support these top speeds is supplied in the box with the phone. That’s if a charger is supplied at all, and many of us are still using old 5W chargers that are painfully slow.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The likelihood is your phone can be charged at a much faster rate than you even realise, and all that’s missing is a decent charger. We’ve rounded up a bunch of single- and multiple-port USB chargers that offer fast charging for your phone (or tablet or small laptop, too) at up to 45W.
Wall chargers plug directly into a power socket. If they boast multiple ports they are extremely convenient if you have more than one device to charge at the same time, freeing up power sockets in your home and doing away with the need to carry multiple adaptors. (And if you know someone who doesn’t already have one of these, it will make a great gift.)
Desktop chargers plug into the socket via a separate cable, and usually lie flat on the surface, able to charge multiple phones or other devices at the same time.
Most of the USB adaptors tested here are not powerful enough to charge a laptop and some games consoles, however. For that you need a Quick Charge 4/4+ or Power Delivery charger, which can output up to 240W over USB-C. We’ve rounded up the best laptop chargers in a separate article. That said, a compatible 45W phone charger is enough for a small laptop such as a MacBook Air or other 13-inch notebook.
You don’t need to worry too much about how much power your phone or tablet can accept, since it will draw only the amount of power it requires. Buying a fast charger now will offer you some level of future-proofing for when you later upgrade to a new model that supports faster charging. That’s why we prefer at least a 30W phone charger as the latest phones can suck up power at well over 20W.
While officially iPhones charge with a maximum of 20 watts, tests prove that the iPhone 13 and 14 Pro Max models can charge at up to 29W, and the iPhone 14 at up to 25W—so a power supply with at least 30W could offer more than the official 20W charger from Apple. Samsung’s S23 Ultra can benefit for 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0.
Most of the phone chargers reviewed here are built using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology that means you get incredible charging power in a very small device.
Fast charging a phone
Any charger that supports the BC 1.2 charging standard can power a device at 7.5W, but there are much faster charging standards, depending on the make and model of your phone.
Apple and Google phones use the USB-PD standard for fast charging from 18W. USB-PD kicks in when battery capacity is between 0% and 79% but stops when it reaches 80%. This is to preserve battery health—generally you should try to keep a phone’s battery charged between 30% and 80%. See How to Properly Charge a Phone Battery.
Apple’s Fast Charge can power from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes using USB-PD. See: The fastest way to charge an iPhone.
Qualcomm’s Quick Charge is one of the most widely implemented charging standards. Look for at least Quick Charge 3.0, which can provide up to 18W of power. Quick Charge 4.0 is good for 27W and supports USB-PD.
For Samsung Galaxy phones, Adaptive Fast Charging can power up to 18W, its Super Fast Charging from 25W, and Super Fast Charging 2.0 to 45W.
Huawei’s Fast Charge Protocol is divided into FCP (Fast Charge Protocol) and SCP (Super Charge Protocol), the latter supporting up to 40W.
Safe phone charging
There are hundreds of cheap phone chargers on the market but we seriously recommend you buy from a trusted brand such as the manufacturers listed here, which you can expect to have engineered short-circuit and high-voltage protection, as well as temperature control to safeguard not just your phone but your house from damage.
Best Phone & Tablet USB Charger reviews
1. Anker 313 Charger (Ace, 45W) – Best overall phone charger
Pros
- Small and light
- Fast 45W charger
- Supports Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0
- Foldable prongs on US model
Cons
- UK model's prongs don't fold back
Port: 45W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 4.0; Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0; FCP/SCP
This new USB-C charger from Anker is more powerful than most reviewed here, and it supports the latest 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 for the newest Samsung phones, from the Galaxy S22 series to latest S23 Ultra phones.
It is also compatible with fast charging for other types of phone, from Apple’s iPhone to Huawei. Its 45W is more than the iPhone requires for fast charging but it won’t harm it through being so powerful, and it will even charge a MacBook Air or other small laptops.
Built using GaN technology, the Anker 313 Ace 45W Charger is super powerful, but still very small. The US version weighs 71g (the second lightest on test here) and measures 38-×-35-×-41mm, while the Type G UK plug model weighs a little more at 80g, and measures 48.5-×-44-×-42.55mm (excluding prongs).
The US model features foldable prongs so it can slip comfortably into a pocket, and, while the UK model has a fixed plug, it is still tiny for what you get in terms of power.
At 45W it’s even powerful enough to charge a small laptop, so you might not need to carry more than one charger with you between home and office or on your travels.
2. Ugreen AceCube 30W USB-C GaN Charger – Best iPhone charger
Pros
- Small and super light
- Fast charger for most phones
- Foldable prongs
Cons
- Doesn't support 45W SFC 2.0
Port: 30W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 4.0; Samsung Super Fast Charging; FCP/SCP
This GaN USB-C Charger is small and made even more compact with both the US and UK models featuring foldable prongs, which makes them comfortable to pop into your pocket.
The US model weighs an incredible 48g and measures just 32-x-32-x-40mm. Only the 20W Anker 511, reviewed below, is smaller and lighter.
It supports PD 3.0/2.0 QC 4.0/3.0/2.0 PPS and BC 1.2 fast charge protocols, and supports 25W Samsung Super Fast Charging.
We recommend it for iPhone users specifically because it offers as fast charging as iPhones allow at a slightly cheaper price than the Anker 313 Ace 45W Charger reviewed above. It’s also a great choice for Android phones. It offers Samsung Super Fast Charging but not Super Fast Charging 2.0 as it maxes out at 30W.
3. Anker 511 20W Charger (Nano Pro) – Lightest USB-C iPhone charger
Pros
- Small and super light
- Fast-charge iPhone
- Color options
Cons
- No Samsung Super Fast Charging
- Prongs don't fold back
Port: 20W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 4.0; Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging
Another charger from specialist Anker, this GaN charger is lightweight and easily portable, and so it won’t be much bother to keep it to hand, ready for emergency top-ups.
The US model is ludicrously lightweight at just 31.2g (1.1oz) and measures just 29.5-x-29.5-x-3cm. It’s the lightest that we have tested!
Its 20W power is enough to fast-charge an iPhone (from iPhone 8 on), but it doesn’t support Samsung Super Fast Charging for Galaxy S20, S21, or Note 10/10+/20/20 Ultra.
The UK version looks like Apple’s old 5W charger but is far more able.
It’s available in four colors: Arctic White, Black Ice, Glacier Blue, and Cool Lavender
4. Ugreen 100W USB-C Desktop Charger – Best desktop phone USB-C charger
Pros
- Charge up to 4 phones at once
- Charges laptop and phone
- Supports Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0
Cons
- Not as portable as a wall charger
Ports: 2x 100W, 2x 22.5W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 4.0; Samsung Super Fast Charging; FCP/SCP
This slim desktop phone charger is perfect for setting up ready for multiple phones to be plugged in and charged at the same time. Its 100W USB-C ports mean it can charge even a large laptop, or a medium-sized laptop and three phones simultaneously.
There are three USB-C ports (2x 100W and one 22.5W) and one USB-A (22.5W).
While it’s not as readily portable as a wall charger that has its plug built-in, it’s easy enough to carry this and its power cable around with you—and you can swap out the power cable (figure of 8 type) for another country’s plug if travelling.
5. Minix 66W NEO P1 Turbo Wall Charger – Best USB-A/USB-A multiport and travel phone charger
Pros
- Three ports
- Fast charger for most phones
- Travel adapters
Cons
- Larger than single-port chargers
Ports: 2x 65W, 1x 36W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 3.0; Samsung Super Fast Charging; FCP
With 66W of power to play with, this USB charger boasts two USB-C (supporting Power Delivery 3.0) and one USB-A (supporting Quick Charge 3.0) ports, so you can simultaneously charge your mid-sized laptop, smartphone, and another USB device all at the same time.
Using two ports at the same time it supports two 30W feeds or one 45W and one 18W. Using all three supports 30W and 2x 18W charges.
It also comes with UK and EU adapters that slip onto the foldable US prongs, so is the perfect travel companion.
While it’s larger than single-port chargers, it’s not gigantic
6. Anker 711 Nano II 30W Fast Charger – Tiny USB-C phone charger
Pros
- Small
- Fast charger for most phones
Cons
- Non-foldable prongs
Port: 30W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple); Quick Charge 4.0; Samsung Super Fast Charging; FCP/SCP
Anker’s ultra-compact single-port 30W charger uses the latest generation Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology that means it’s a fraction of the size of silicon-based models.
The Nano II family of Anker chargers transmit energy more efficiently and operates at twice the frequency of the first generation of GaN.
The 30W model (711 in Anker’s catalog) is the smallest we’ve seen at this level of power. It weighs just 73g and measures 31.5-x-30.4-x-37.9mm, making it a (very) little smaller than the Ugreen 30W charger reviewed above.
It supports Power Delivery, Quick Charge and Anker’s own PowerIQ smart charging, plus PPS. This means it can fast-charge smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 that require the Super Fast Charging protocol for their proprietary charging standards.
The prongs aren’t foldable, which would have made it even more compact, but it’s still a very portable charger that can be recommended for all phones.
7. SyncWire 40W Dual Type-C Convertible Plugs Type Charger – Best budget travel charger
Pros
- Two ports
- Travel adapters
Cons
- Doesn't support Quick Charge or Samsung Fast Charging
Ports: 2x 20W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple)
This SyncWire USB-C charger features two 20W outputs and interchangeable adaptors for the US, UK and Europe.
This compact charger is well-sized for travel, with those adaptors lending it extra convenience. (Do note that it cannot be used in Australia, South Africa or India.)
This is a PD charger that does not support Quick Charge, but does support a maximum 20W on each of its two USB-C outputs. You will need to supply your own charging cable.
When plugged in a thin LED ring surrounding each port glows brightly, making it easy to plug in your devices in a darkened room.
8. Alogic Rapid Power 30W Mini Car Charger – Best car phone charger
Pros
- Compact
Ports: 1x 30W (2x 12W)
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple)
Using your phone while driving is a big no-no, but it’s a great chance to catch up on charging it before you step onto the pavement.
Alogic has a couple of USB phone car chargers. There are two version of the Rapid Power 30W Mini Car Charger. The one shown here has two modern USB-C ports. The other features both USB-C and USB-A ports, which is handy if your charging cable has the old rectangular connector.
Fast-charge using just one port (USB-C), or charge two devices with each port delivering 12W of power.
9. Spigen PowerArc 20W ArcStation Pro
Pros
- Small
- Fast charge iPhone
- Foldable prongs on US model
Cons
- No Quick Charge or Samsung Fast Charging
- No foldable prongs on UK model
Port: 20W
Fast charging: PD 3.0 (Apple)
This GaN USB-C charger is one of the smallest we tested (39.4-x-34.5-x-27.7mm) and is affordable. Its 20W charging capacity is enough to fast charge most modern phones, and it supports PD 3.0 but not Quick Charge or Samsung’s Adaptive Fast Charging.
The US model features folding plug prongs, but this is not the case on the UK model.
10. Anker PowerPort +1 – Best Value USB-A Charger
Pros
- USB-A
Cons
- Not USB-C
- No iPhone Fast Charge
Ports: 1x 18W
Fast charging: Quick Charge 3.0
This 18W Quick Charge adaptor hails from one of the best known names in charging tech, and offers very good value. It will charge non-Quick Charge devices at up to 12W.
The PowerPort +1 has an ultra-slim design, but with more squared-off corners than some. We like it.
We’ve put together a range of articles to help you choose the best charging tech for the mobile devices you carry everywhere. You’ll also like:
- For charging away from home: Power banks for phones & tablets | Power banks for laptops | Travel adaptors
- Best Wall & Desktop Chargers: For phones & tablets | For laptops | For iPhones
- For convenience: Best wireless chargers | Best MagSafe chargers
- Best charging cables: Micro-USB | USB-C | Lightning
Author: Simon Jary, Contributing writer
Simon was Editor of Macworld from the dark days of 1995 to the triumphant return of Steve Jobs and the launch of the iPhone. His desk is a test bench for tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, Powerline adaptors and Fitbits.