If you buy a new iPhone these days, the necessary components to charge it won't be included in the box. Apple made the decision a few years ago that, as part of its environmental initiative, all new iPhones will not ship with a companion wall adapter. So if you buy any of the latest iPhones, all you'll get in the box is a charging cable. (If it's an iPhone 15, you get a USB-C to USB-C cable. If you have any earlier iPhone, you get a USB-C to Lightning cable.)
The good news is that the new iPhones can charge faster — up to 50 percent after a 30-minute charge — but you'll need at least a 20-watt wall adapter to take advantage of it. To that end, we've rounded up the best cheap USB-C wall adapters to pair with your new iPhone.
Editor's note: If you are unclear on charging terminology, you'll find a quick roundup of key terms at the bottom of this page.
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Anker 711 (Nano II 30W) Read More -
Nomad 20W Power Adapter Read More
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Case-Mate Fuel 30W USB-C Wall Charger Read More
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Anker 511 Charger (Nano Pro) Read More
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Belkin BoostCharge Pro USB-C 30W Charger Read More
Does your iPhone charge faster over USB-C/Lightning (wired) or MagSafe (wireless)?
The last several iPhones — iPhone 12 or later, specifically — all support MagSafe wireless charging. This allows them to wirelessly charge at up to 15 watts when paired with a compatible MagSafe charger; this is twice as fast as the 7.5 watts that any iPhone can charge when using a Qi-wireless charger. If you have a MagSafe charger and want to get these fast charging speeds, you'll want to pair it with a 20-watt (or higher) wall charger ... like the ones below.
However, wired charging is still the faster option. The past several iPhones (iPhone 13 and later) support fast charging at at least 20 watts when using a wired connection; Apple's latest iPhone 15 line can charge up to 27 watts. You just need to use the cable included in the box and pair it with a 20-watt (or greater) charger.
In a nutshell: If you want to fast charge your iPhone, either wirelessly over MagSafe or wired over Lightning, get a wall charger that's at least 20 watts. If you're looking for the absolute fastest charging speeds over Lightning or USB-C (for iPhone 15/15 Pro), get a 30-watt adapter.
How We Tested
We've been writing about and reviewing smartphone accessories products for a decade. We've had hand-on testing with the vast majority of the below wall chargers. We've also included a few wall chargers that are made by brands we trust and aim to get hands-on with them in the near future.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The Best iPhone Wall Chargers
Anker 711 Charger
- Power: 30-watt
- Ports: USB-C
The Anker 711 is the newest super-compact USB-C charger. It's a GaN II charger that packs 30-watts of power, which is more than enough to fast charge your iPhone; in fact, it's powerful enough to charge your MacBook Air. It lacks foldable prongs and is a little more expensive than other high-speed chargers (but that's because it boasts more power).
Nomad 20W USB-C PDCharger
- Power: 20-watt
- Ports: USB-C
Nomad's wall adapter is tiny yet powerful — it supports power delivery (PD) — and is a great option for anybody looking for a really compact option that comes in black (carbine). Nomad also offers a 30-watt option that's just a tiny bit larger and $10 more expensive. This 30-watt model is also available with a transparent finish.
Case-Mate Fuel Brite 30W Charger
- Power: 30-watt
- Ports: USB-C
Released in late 2022, Case-Mate's line of Fuel Brite chargers are standouts because of their colorful and translucent casings. They're available in four different colors — green, orange, blue (shown) or white — which you can buy individually ($30) or in a four-pack ($100). Each is a 30-watt charger with Power Delivery (PD).
Anker 511 Charger (Nano Pro)
- Power: 20-watt
- Ports: USB-C
The Anker 511 is essentially an older, less powerful, more affordable version of the Anker 711 (above). It's a 20-watt wall charger that's capable of fast-charging any of the iPhones. Its prongs are not foldable. It comes in five different colors: white, black, purple, blue or pink.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro USB-C 30W Charger
- Power: 30-watt
- USB-C: USB-C
Belkin offers a wide variety of wall chargers in its BoostCharge Pro line. This one stands out because of its slender design and its bottom port location. It's meant to squeeze in tight places, like behind a desk or couch, where a lot of other wall adapters can't fit. It also packs 30 watts of power and can charge a MacBook Air.
Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter
- Power: 20-watt
- Ports: USB-C
This is the exact 20-watt wall adapter that Apple recommends pairing with its most recent M1 iPad Air, but it's just as perfect for using with the latest iPhones. The downside is that it's larger than most other options and lacks foldable prongs.
Mophie USB-C PD Wall Charger
- Power: 30-watt
- Ports: USB-C
This is the same wall charger that ships with several of Mophie's wireless chargers — including its 3-in-1 Travel Charger. It's a 30-watt power adapter that supports Power Delivery (PD). It's available in white or black.
Anker 737 Charger (GaNPrime 120W)
- Power: 120-watt
- Ports: USB-C (2x), USB-A
The Anker 737 is an outlier on this list because it's the only multi-port charger. It's part of the company's new GaNPrime series and, yes, it's made of Gallium Nitride (GaN) so it's able to safely pack a lot of power in a really portable size. The 120-watt charger is able to simultaneously charge two laptops and your iPhone. Yes, it's overkill. But it's awesome.
Terms to Know
Here are a few terms (or rather technologies) to know because you'll inevitably see some wall adapters supporting them.
Power Delivery (PD)
This is a charging technology that allows a charger to output higher currents and higher voltages. It can be integrated into many devices whose power outputs can range from 18 watts to 100 watts. It's also the only charging standard that can charge a laptop. Power Delivery is only supported by iPhone 8 and later.
Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
This is a fast-charge technology that is able to help a wall adapter charge a device up to 4x times faster than the conventional 5-watt charger. But iPhones don't support this technology, so it's a non-issue for iPhone owners.
Gallium Nitride (GaN)
Gallium nitride is a new material that is significantly more energy-efficient and space-efficient than silicon, which is the traditional material used in wall adapters. GaN allows the wall adapters to be smaller and lighter but still really powerful.
