10 best phone chargers - charge quickly and correctly

Because some manufacturers do not include a charger and force consumers to choose the charger for their new smartphone. It's annoying, but maybe this trend will ultimately benefit the environment? Whether you're using an old charger, buying a proprietary one, or a third-party option, you'll need to do a little research to make sure you're choosing the right charger to power your phone.

Luckily, we've tested a lot of chargers and you'll get the hang of them! This list will make it easier for you to buy phone chargers.

What you need to know about phone charging

When it comes to choosing the best chargers, there are two key things to consider: what standard is required to charge your phone quickly and how much power is required.

Most modern phones support the USB Power Delivery PPS standard provided via USB-C. This is a less common part of the enhanced Power Delivery standard and requires certain chargers to operate at full speed. USB PD PPS is also used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 series and is supported by a growing range of first-party and third-party plugs.

Most modern phones support power up to 30 W and you should not take a charger with a power of less than 18 W. A more powerful charger, can charge phones faster, no need to buy custom chargers. If your phone supports wireless charging, make sure that the charger supports the Qi standard.

The cable does not charge. What to do

This cable can actually be cut. That's why it has a removable connector

But for the charger we also need a normal wire. Usually everyone recommends cables with woven or metal braid . But I don't like them. Over time, the fabric begins to fray, and burrs form on the metal, which scratch the furniture, the device itself, and sometimes even clothing. That's why I chose this cable for myself.

Convectors can be changed at your discretion

It's called an "adjustable length cable" and the idea is that you can cut as much of it as you need. But I liked it primarily because if suddenly, during use, creases form inside the cable, preventing the passage of current, I can simply cut off the damaged fragment.

Buy cutting cable

This thing is inexpensive - from 100 to 250 rubles, depending on the connector: USB-C is cheaper, Lightning is more expensive. But either way it's pretty affordable. Therefore, you can buy a batch of such cables in reserve and not know grief for the rest of your life. The main thing is to remember that you can only cut the cable when it is disconnected from the network.

How to make a USB cable with your own hands

​​​​​Sometimes, to conveniently connect USB devices to a computer, you need an extension cord with the appropriate connector on hand.

Such cables can often be found on sale, but if desired, each craftsman can make it himself. Its production will take no more than 20 minutes, and such a cord will be of great use if there are many gadgets powered by USB, and the system unit itself is located inconveniently.

How to choose a car charger for a smartphone: basic criteria

First of all, the motorist must decide what he needs: a full car charger or a USB adapter . An adapter is an adapter from a cigarette lighter to a USB cable.

The adapter has a significant drawback: it turns into a completely useless thing if the motorist forgot the USB cable at home. Therefore, when contacting a communication store, the driver is recommended to take a full-fledged charger - it costs only a little more in retail than a USB adapter.

Other criteria for choosing an ASU include the following:

Output current. To charge smartphones, you need a current of at least 1 A , and given modern smartphones, this may not be enough, so the best option is 2 or 2.4 A per port, or better yet, even more. If you choose a charger with a current of 2 A , then the motorist will be able to recharge both a smartphone and a tablet. There is no need to worry that a smartphone will burn out at 2 A In addition, a similar controller is installed in high-quality chargers.

Output voltage. There is such a rule: the voltage specified in the technical specifications of a car phone charger should not exceed the value indicated on the gadget’s battery by more than 5%. Otherwise, the ASU will overheat and very soon fail.

Wire length and type. Experts unanimously recommend taking an ASU with a twisted wire. The likelihood that the twisted wire will break (which could lead to a fire) is extremely low. In addition, the twisted wire is adjustable in length - a very useful feature considering how varied the interior of modern cars is.

Wire fastening. It is worth making sure that there is a corrugated sheath at the place where the wire comes out of the adapter. Here's what we mean:

The corrugated sheath prevents the wire from breaking at bend points. The fastening of the wire to the plug must also be protected by it.

Number of ports. This criterion is relevant if the motorist chooses a USB adapter. The optimal number of ports is 2 : both must have a current of at least 2 A. You can consider an ASD with a 1 A , but only if the device is old or from the budget category.

In addition, we should not forget that in 2022 the vast majority of smartphones have a Type-C connector, so you can consider a charging option that has one USB-A output and the other USB-C.

Buying adapters with a large number of ports is advisable only for those motorists who are the heads of large or simply large families. Otherwise, the driver will pointlessly overpay for the accessory, because some of the ports will be idle.

Wireless and fast charging. If you are the proud owner of a smartphone with fast or wireless charging, then it makes sense to consider a charger that supports them. When choosing, you should pay attention to the fact that the supported fast or wireless charging technology in the car adapter matches the one used in your device. Otherwise, the option may not work and the battery will take a long time to gain capacity.

Wireless charging is also convenient because it is very easy to install your phone on it. There is no need to get the wire into the connector, which is unsafe while driving.

Design. The driver should pay attention to the fact that there is no metal ring around the central contact of the AZU.

Since the charging body is most often made of plastic, the metal ring will sooner or later break off the thread and remain in the car’s cigarette lighter. A stuck part can short-circuit the contacts inside the cigarette lighter, which can lead to a fire. To be fair, it should be noted that chargers with metal rings are now very rarely , although previously a significant part of the chargers had just such a design.

A useful advantage from a design point of view is the presence of an LED, thanks to which the driver can be sure that the charger is working correctly. And in the dark, finding a charger is easier than trying to connect the cable by touch.

Otherwise, as far as design is concerned, the motorist should rely on his own opinion. For example, he may prefer a charger with an LED display informing about the state of charge and voltage of the car’s battery.

However, such an accessory will cost more than a regular adapter.

Replacing the charging connector using the example of devices

Next we will show several examples on the following phones: Xiaomi, Sony, Lenovo, Samsung, iPhone, Meizu. And an example on a tablet from Samsung. Let's start with the iPhone.

If the iPhone has stopped charging and when you connect the charger you do not see any reaction, or there is a reaction, but the charge level continues to drop, then you need to replace the charging connector. But on the iPhone there is one feature - the charging connector is replaced together with the cable, since most often it is not the connector itself that fails, but the elements on the cable. This is what the cable and charging connector assembly looks like:

Samsung tablets and phones have very high quality connectors. The connector tongue has a metal base and a durable plastic backing. But even such charging connectors may stop working after exposure to water or very careless use. Most often, this is severe oxidation, which cannot be removed mechanically, or it is a broken tendril that bends deep into the connector and cannot be returned back. In this case, the charging connector is changed, but the new original one and the tablet/phone will charge again and work perfectly. Here are some examples in the photo:

Xiaomi, LG, Lenovo or Meizu phones use regular quality USB charging connectors. They often break due to the carelessness of the owner. Most often, phones come in for repairs with loose connectors and broken tabs. But there are cases when the connector is pulled out completely, along with the contacts on the board.

In this case, the cost of repair increases due to the high complexity of the work, since it requires a microscope, a high-quality soldering iron and increased accuracy, which is possible with non-shaking hands. This is because when restoring severed contacts, the sealed elements nearby can be damaged, which in turn complicates the situation and further requires qualified repairs. Here are some illustrative examples in the photo:

And the last example is Sony phones, which have very good USB charging connectors. They have a durable metal case that does not need to be soldered again. Inside the connector, the tongue and the back wall are made of high-quality plastic, which does not fall apart and only melts at temperatures above 250 degrees Celsius. Here is a photo where you can see a high-quality sealed connector under a microscope:

The best wireless chargers for smartphones

These are already new generation chargers, the main advantages of which are ease of use and functionality.

Mi Wireless Charger

5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

The charger, made of silicone and aluminum alloy, is incredibly lightweight. The device is made according to the Qi standard, that is, it can automatically recognize a mobile gadget, determine its charge level and turn off after replenishing energy to save electricity.

The device operates with an output voltage of 5 to 9 V, depending on which gadget needs to be charged. The outgoing current is 2 A, and taking into account the QC 2.0 function, mobile devices will charge very quickly.

Pros:

• Two speed modes.
• Five levels of protection.
• High charging speed.
• Stylish design and high-quality assembly.
• Intelligent Qi standard.

Minuses:

• There is only enough space on the site for one smartphone.

One of the best representatives of wireless devices in terms of speed and quality. The device automatically recognizes when to charge your smartphone and when to just let it sit. This will not only save energy, but will also extend the life of the phone battery.

Native Union Dock Wireless Charger

5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

Dock Wireless Charger is made according to Qi standards and is compatible with most smartphones of famous brands, including Apple.

The device has a silicone coating, thanks to which it reliably holds the phone even at a large angle - up to almost vertical. This is one of the main features of the device, as it allows you to significantly save space on your desk.

Another useful function of the charger is temperature control, thanks to which the charge is used as efficiently and safely as possible. True, the platform is capable of charging only one gadget at a time, but at a good speed with a current of 2 A.

Pros:

• High quality build.
• Suitable for almost all phone models.
• High charging speed.
• Standard
• Stylish design, special design.
• Protective functions.

Minuses:

• Can only charge one smartphone.
• Cost 7000 rubles.

One of the most reliable chargers on the market. Even if it is expensive, but for this money you buy excellent quality and good speed.

ZEDC05

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

97%

buyers recommend this product

The charger is compatible with most name brands. One of its features is the ability to simultaneously charge up to 3 mobile devices - from headphones to watches.

The length of the platform is 19.2 cm, which allows you to freely place two smartphones on it. A smart watch or fitness tracker is placed on a special stand.

As for the current strength of the device, it produces 2 A, which slightly affects the speed of recharging the gadgets. But thanks to the presence of QuckCharge, this is almost unnoticeable.

Pros:

• Stylish design.
• Ease of use.
• Simultaneous work with 3 gadgets.
• Compatible with any device that supports wireless charging.
• QuckCharge function.
• MFi certified – works with Apple equipment.

Minuses:

• High cost - 10 thousand.
• The charging speed slows down a bit.

A stylish and modern gadget with which all smartphones (and other mobile equipment, including those from Apple) will always be charged.

Defender WPL-02Q

4.7

★★★★★

editorial assessment

86%

buyers recommend this product

The representative of the budget line of wireless chargers is a 2-in-1 device. You can charge your mobile device using either a USB-micro USB cable or wirelessly. There is also a fast charging function, which doubles the process thanks to the device’s 10 W power.

The operating speed of the charger with a current of 1.1 A is a little disappointing, but with QC support it is practically unnoticeable, especially since the efficiency of the device exceeds 80%. The charger looks modern and discreet, compact, which will allow it to fit into any interior.

Pros:

• Stylish design.
• Compact sizes.
• There is a fast charging function.
• Two ways to charge smartphones.
• High power.
• The cost is only 500 rubles.

Minuses:

• Long charging without QC.
• The cable is too short (50 cm).

The main advantage of this model is its low cost, with fairly decent characteristics and compatibility with most smartphones.

Red Line Qi-05

4.6

★★★★★

editorial assessment

82%

buyers recommend this product

This charger is one of the most compact on the market. It is a thin panel made to the size of a standard smartphone. The charger is assembled from plastic and aluminum, thanks to which it is quite resistant to shock and temperature changes.

The charger works in networks from 100 to 240 V, delivering a current of 1 A and an outgoing voltage of 5 V. It is compatible with absolutely any smartphone model, but it is better to use it for devices with small batteries.

Pros:

• Compact sizes.
• Stylish design.
• High-quality assembly and reliable design.
• Works in networks with unstable voltage.

Minuses:

• No QC.
• Low amperage.

One of the best wireless chargers for travel is attractive due to its compact size. At the same time, it is reliable and strong, so it will last a long time.

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Which charger is better to buy for a smartphone?

All phone chargers can be divided into car, wired and wireless. But in any case, you need to look at the current strength - it is determined by the type of smartphone battery and its capacity.

In most cases, this figure ranges from 1 to 2 A, but powerful flagship devices may require 2-2.1 A.

Almost all modern smartphones operate on 5V voltage. Make sure that the charger has this indicator, unless otherwise indicated on the phone, otherwise you can easily burn the device.

The length of the wire and the range of action are not the most important point, but this affects the ease of use. Choose a charger so as to calculate the distance from the outlet to the place where your phone will be.

Protective functions will also not be superfluous. Good chargers have protection against short circuits, overheating, etc.

Recommendations: 12 best wireless chargers

14 best power banks

15 Best Portable Chargers

Is it possible to charge a phone battery without a phone?

It is inconvenient to charge two or more batteries in turn through the same telephone set and there is not always time or opportunity. Moreover, frequent opening and closing of the device cover can lead to breakage of its clamps, as a result - it will simply stop holding on over time, and the battery will fall out.

It is more convenient to charge additional batteries separately from the phone while the main one is being used for its intended purpose. And this is quite possible. This can be done in different ways. Among them there are both special devices and handicraft methods, from more advanced to completely primitive opportunities to extend the life of the battery even a little more.

Important! If charging additional batteries is required regularly, then it makes sense to purchase a special device. It is reliable and durable. Home methods are best used only in emergency situations, because their use is always associated with some degree of risk.

The main thing is that your phone or smartphone has a removable battery.

Haven't bought it yet? Rules for choosing a power bank

If you have already heard a lot about the benefits of power banks, but have not yet managed to choose a model for yourself, we will help you. We recommend choosing among trusted brands, and paying attention to several important parameters:

• capacity. Everything is simple here: the higher it is, the more energy the power bank can store and, accordingly, the more charge cycles will be available;
• current strength. The charging speed depends on this indicator; it must be at least 1 ampere, otherwise it will take a very long time to charge the smartphone (for tablets the indicator should be higher - from 3 A);
• real capacity. Check the actual battery capacity and do not trust manufacturers' statements;
• self-discharge Remember that over time, the battery capacity will gradually decrease (self-discharge per year with active use can range from 5–15 to 35%);
• number of USB ports. As practice has shown, it is more convenient when the external battery has several USB inputs at once (to charge several devices at the same time or if one of the ports begins to work poorly).

Now you know how to use an external battery. Tell us in the comments if you have a battery, what brand it is and whether you like it.