Almost every piece of mobile technology these days requires a USB charger, and it's easy to see why.
As the industry evolves, USB chargers have evolved with it. The chargers on the market today are more powerful, effective, and affordable than ever.
But with all the options out there, finding the best USB wall charger isn't easy. You need to sort through the different products, know your device's charging requirements, and find the charger that fits your needs.
A great USB wall charger needs to handle different requirements, stop charging once the phone is full, and provide protection from short circuiting and other errors. We've narrowed down the some of the top chargers that can handle all your modern tech.
Check out this guide to the best USB wall chargers of 2021--so you can find exactly what you need.
USB vs USB-C
Before we get into the best USB wall chargers available, let's take a look at some of the different types that are out there.
New innovations in technology are changing the way we use our tech--including wall chargers. It's important that you know what options are on the market and which might be best for you.
USB Wall Chargers
You're probably pretty familiar with these.
The standard USB charger plugs into a power outlet with a traditional two-prong plug. After plugging a USB cable into the wall charger, it converts the AC electrical current from the outlet into DC. Then, it delivers the appropriate level of current through the cable for your device to charge.
While you could connect the USB cable to a computer or other large device to charge your tablet or phone, a wall charger delivers much more output. Using a USB wall charger will help your device charge faster and more efficiently.
USB-C Wall Chargers
Although the name only has one letter added, it makes all the difference.
The USB-C wall charger is becoming more and more popular for new laptops, phones, and tablets--and it's projected to one day replace the typical USB. On top of charging, the USB-C can transfer data from one device to another.
It also attempts to solve a problem with standard USB devices that causes eternal frustration. The USB-C universal connector is reversible, so you won't have to worry about flipping the connector around until you find the right orientation.
Another benefit to the USB-C wall charger is its power delivery. It has an output of up to 100 watts, and it can charge anything from a phone to a laptop quickly. It's also bi-directional, which means that a device can either send or receive power.
How It Works
Now that we've covered two of the standard wall chargers you're likely to encounter, now it's time to get into how to use them.
Have you ever wondered why your phone charges faster in some outlets than others? Have you heard stories of devices blowing up during the charging process?
Let's dive into some of the tips and tricks you can use to charge safely and quickly.
How fast is my device charging?
As long as your phone or device is relatively up to date, you should be able to plug it into a high-quality wall outlet and enjoy fast charging.
An older device is a bit trickier. Some USB ports won't work with older devices, and at the very least, your charging efficiency will probably be slowed down quite a bit.
Keep in mind--the place you plug your phone into will have an effect on the charging speed. Above all, a wall charger will be the fastest and most efficient option. If you're using a computer, try to use the model that best fits your device. For example, use a MacBook or other Apple device to charge your iPhone--it will charge much slower on a PC.
One way to measure the charging speed is to use a device like the Practical Meter, which can show you how much power your USB device is drawing and how quickly it will charge. This can help you measure the efficiency of your wall charger--as well as predict how long it will take for your device to be charged.
Can my device explode while charging?
All of this talk about power levels and outlets leads to an important question: If you take a phone and plug it into an iPad charger, will it explode?
Long story short: No, probably not. You can plug any USB device into any USB cable and any USB wall charger and nothing will explode. If you're using a more powerful wall charger, it should just speed up the charging process.
Just keep in mind--some USB-C wall chargers aren't made to the right standards of safety and quality. If you buy a USB-C online, you might run the risk of getting a counterfeit version which could seriously damage your device--and possibly even set it on fire.
The moral of the story: Always buy your chargers from reputable sellers, whether in-store or online. Don't take a chance on a cheap charger.
The Best USB Wall Chargers for 2021
Although it's important to pay attention to the different types of wall chargers, the safety regulations, and improving charging speed--the quality of your charging experience comes down to the wall charger itself.
Not all USB wall chargers are created equal. Whether it's a standard USB or a USB-C, picking the right wall charger is vital to charging safely and efficiently.
Check this list of some of the best options on the market today.
1. Google USB-C Charger
This USB-C charger doesn't have the strongest output, but it delivers enough power to still charge tablets and laptops at maximum speeds. It fits best with a smartphone or small tablet charging.
If you're looking for something simple to handle your phone charging needs, this is a great option.
2. Ailkin Dual Port USB Charger
This charger is highly rated for its value.
Not only can it charge two devices simultaneously at a high speed, but it's one of the most affordable options out there. It also stops automatically when your device is full, which can help keep you safe from overcharging and overheating.
It comes in a wide range of colors, and a 12-month breakage warranty is included.
3. Anker Powerport USB Charger
With a good USB cable, the Anker Powerport II can recharge a phone battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes. It can also handle any laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other device.
Not only is this charger lightning fast, but it's portable too. It weighs less than three ounces and can fit in the palm of your hand. It comes with an additional 18-month warranty.
4. Aukey USB-C Charger
This USB-C charger delivers 46 watts of power output, which can handle any size device. It can charge two devices at a time at top speed--up to an hour for a smartphone.
Although it's a powerful charger, your device is safeguarded against overheating or damage from overcharging.
It's also compact in size, fits easily in the hand, and has a foldable plug for carrying in a bag or pocket.
5. Anker Premium USB-C Charger
If laptop charging is your main priority, this USB-C charger is the perfect fit.
It has one USB-C port for powering devices at 30 watts, with an additional four ports that can charge your device up to 2.4A per port.
You can charge up to five devices simultaneously--from just one wall outlet. It can take a 2016 or later Macbook and charge it from 1% to 100% in just under two hours.
It includes surge protection and temperature control, as well as a limited warranty.
6. Cable Matters USB-C Charger
This charger can release a whopping 72 watts of power.
With four ports, this charger can handle all different kinds of smartphones, laptops, and tablets--including the Nintendo Switch. You could even charge them all side by side.
While it packs a punch and has short circuit protection, keep in mind that this charger is a little heftier than most. At 13.3 ounces, it's a little heavier than most. But with the price to performance ratio, it might just be worth the extra weight.
7. Anker PowerCore Fusion USB Charger
This charger is a unique hybrid of a wall charger and portable battery. It's equipped with a battery for on-the-go charging for your laptop or smartphone when an outlet isn't on hand.
The battery has enough capacity to completely recharge an iPhone 7 twice. Don't worry--when your charger is plugged into the wall, it prioritizes charging your device over itself. Once the device is fully charged, then it will refill the built-in battery.
The charger itself has two USB ports, a foldable plug, and it comes in a few different colors. At three inches tall and three inches wide, this option is travel-friendly.
8. Maxboost USB-C 3.1 Car Charger
Outlets in your wall aren't the only place a charger could come in handy. This car charger can handle any product you need without batting an eye, allowing you to charge all your devices on the go.
This USB-C charger can charge a device up to four times faster than the average wall charger. It's compatible with most devices and comes with built-in safety measure for the protection of your device.
9. Nekteck USB Wall Charger
This charger can handle anything you throw at it--all for an affordable price too.
It's equipped with three USB ports, in addition to a single USB-C port that can charge any device at full speed. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable and four-foot power cord to reach faraway outlets.
If you have a heavy duty, $1000+ laptop and you're worried about damage, this charger is USB-IF certified. You can be sure that it's safe to use, no matter the device.
10. IClever BoostCube USB Charger
The Boostcube charger is energy efficient, affordable, and flexible. It's compatible with a wide range of phones and devices, including iPhone, Samsung, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, HTC, and Nexus.
It has Smart ID technology, which means it will recognize the type of device and deliver the current that it needs. This means you won't have to worry about overheating or overcharging.
If you're looking for something simple yet sophisticated, this compact, high-quality charger will do the job.
11. Apple USB-C Charger
If you have an Apple device, this charger is a good one to fall back on.
Considering Apple was one of the first manufacturers to adopt the USB-C charger as a standard option, it's no surprise that their wall charger is one of the best on the market.
It delivers over 61 watts of power output and can handle any kind of Apple product out there--from Macbooks to iPads to iPhones. The charger itself is durable, mid-sized, and easy to transport.
Above all, you get a fast, efficient charge for your device--at an affordable cost.
The Bottom Line
A great USB wall charger won't just help you charge your device, but it can help extend its life too.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you have a lot to choose from: USB vs USB-C chargers, single port vs multiple ports, and powerful charge vs portability.
Finding the best USB wall chargers for you is as easy as selecting products from this review. We've done the hard work of narrowing down chargers with good reviews, a solid reputation, and high-performance value--now it's time for you to find a charger that suits you best.