Apple always includes a power adapter, USB charging cable and wired EarPod headphones with new iPhones. That has changed with the new iPhone 12 series that Apple introduced does not come with a power adapter or headphones in the box - only one USB-C to the lighting cableThis offers the fastest charging speeds when paired with the correct charger.
Now Apple just released a new one 20 watt USB-C power adapter for $ 19, which is $ 10 cheaper than the overpriced 18-watt USB-C power adapter that was overpriced. But there are still many attractive alternatives. We've rounded up some of our favorite chargers to help extend battery life. Many are available for less than $ 20, and others are available for less than $ 10. A few quick basic rules before we start:
- You need a charger with a USB-C port or one USB-A to USB-C adapter. You can also simply buy a new charger at the prices below.
- Two ports are always better than one, so you can charge two phones at the same time, or a phone and an accessory like wireless headphones.
- Chargers with USB-C or PD (Power Delivery) support can generally charge devices faster than chargers with USB-A ports.
- A higher performance is better up to a point. However, when you hit 18 watts or more, you can charge tablets and even one Nintendo Switch. If you get 65 watts or more, you can charge most newer laptops too.
- Many of these new chargers use a material called gallium nitride (or GaN), which allows high-performance adapters to be made in much smaller sizes.
- Any charger can also juice an Android phone here (provided you provide a compatible USB cable).
Although there are a variety of brands of loading, we can generally recommend three brands: anchor, Aukey and RAVPower. All three have similar offerings with similar performance and prices fluctuate almost daily. Our favorites are listed below, including some power bank (battery), WiFi, charging station and car options. We've been using all of this for the past few months (or their immediate predecessors).
While we did not specifically test these models with the iPhone 12, they should all work based on our experience with previous iPhone models. We'll update this regularly to find the absolute best iPhone charger.
With this 30 watt Aukey charger you can charge both an iPhone and an iPad at the same time. If you only use the USB-C port for charging, it delivers the full 30 watts and can charge a smaller MacBook. Use both connectors and the power will drop to 18 watts for USB-C and 12 watts for USB-A.
Typically, it's $ 20 Prime Day and Coupon deals that are currently selling for just under $ 13.
I bought this charger and I really like it. Not only is it quick to charge, but it also has a low profile so it sits flush with your 12 volt outlet. It has a USB-C and a USB-A port for charging.
It costs around $ 15 but is widely available for sale. I bought it for $ 9 but it currently sells for around $ 10.50.
David Carnoy / CNET
While the Omnia 100-watt USB-C PD charger can charge larger laptops such as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it charges every laptop that is charged via USB-C, as well as smartphones and tablets, to a maximum charge rate (automatically fits the Charging power for the device). Most laptops should charge in a maximum of two hours.
Apple's 96-watt USB-C charger costs $ 79. This Aukey is about half as expensive and also significantly smaller.