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“The best charger is the one that shipped with your laptop” is old advice that needs updating because there are often superior options available either as your principal laptop charger, as a spare, or as a flexible travel charger. usb fast charging cable
You know that the charger that came with your laptop will work, but it won’t do much else and there are third-party USB-C chargers available that do much more.
Some laptops still ship with their own cumbersome AC power brick and barrel-shaped DC connector, but most premium laptops today also or solely charge via USB-C—including all the models in our roundup of the best laptops.
USB-C chargers are much smaller and more convenient than proprietary chargers, and will work with multiple and varied devices, making them a more flexible, more portable solution.
Thunderbolt ports on laptops are compatible with—and look identical to—USB-C, the reversible connector that is fast replacing the rectangular USB-A standard.
Of course, not every laptop with a USB-C port can be charged with a USB-C charger. The determining factor is support for USB Power Delivery (PD); more details below.
Assuming that your laptop supports charging via USB-C, the following products reviewed are, in our estimation, the best USB-C PD chargers you can pair with your device.
For USB-C chargers you don’t need to buy an HP laptop charger to charge an HP laptop. Each of the third-party USB-C chargers tested and reviewed below will work with any laptop that supports USB PD charging. Note that cheaper low-quality chargers can pose a significant risk due to their lack of safety measures, and can lead to electric shocks or short circuits that could damage your laptop’s battery or cause a fire. Here, we have reviewed and highlighted only superior laptop chargers, ensuring top-end performance, safety, and compatibility.
Smaller laptops often require just a 35W or 45W charger, mid-sized need 65W, and larger laptops demand 100W or higher.
PD chargers will be rated at either PD 3.0 or PD 3.1. PD 3.0 can charge at up to 100W depending on the maximum output of the charging port; PD 3.1 at up to 240W, although few current laptops require anything over 140W.
Consider the total output of the charger when it has multiple ports. Most multi-port chargers are quite flexible in spreading that total output between ports. We have listed the default port maximums and the total all-port output for each charger reviewed.
Also look for chargers offering Programmable Power Supply (PPS), which makes charging supported devices more efficient; note that not all devices support PPS. See below our list of the best chargers for more information on PD, PPS and other technologies.
Below we have tested and reviewed wall chargers that plug directly into a wall power socket, desktop chargers that connect to the socket via a longer cable and usually offer a lot more USB ports, and power extender strips that boast AC outlets as well as USB ports. We have also chosen our best laptop charger for car, and even some fun laptop chargers that might even make you smile.
You can learn more about wattages and what else to look for in a USB-C charger and how we test them below our recommendations.
Dimensions: 1.38 x 1.49 x 1.62in (3.5 x 3.8 x 4.1cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (45W PD 3.0)
If you are used to a standard laptop charger with proprietary power brick, plug, and cable, or even an older USB charger, you’ll be stunned at the ultra-compact size and super-light weight of most GaN USB-C chargers—and this GaN 2 charger is the smallest we have tested.
At 45W it’s not appropriate for medium or large laptops, but is fine for smaller models—check the required wattage on your laptop, and read our advice below this list.
You can use the Anker 713 to charge your phone or tablet, too—at 45W it supports Samsung Super Fast Charging and Apple Fast Charge—but not at the same time as your laptop, as it has just the one port and only 45W to share.
The only problem you might have is losing it—it’s that small.
The U.S./CA model of the Anker 713 Nano II features foldable plug prongs for extra portability. The U.K. model is therefore a little larger, but still almost unbelievably tiny. U.K. buyers instead might prefer the Ugreen Foldable 45W Nexode GaN Dual USB C Charger that does have foldable plug pins and boasts two ports.
Dimensions: 1.65 x 1.42 x 1.74in (4.2 x 3.6 x 4.4cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0)
This 65W charger is a little larger than its 45W sibling above, but the GaN 2 Anker 715 is still pocket-sized and can power up larger laptops or fast-charge compatible phones.
Its plug prongs fold back, making it ultra-portable for a 65W charger.
If, however, you want to charge more than one device at the same time, look for a charger with more than one USB port.
Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.6 x 1.3 inches (5.5 x 4 x 3.2cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)
Ugreen’s Nexode Pro 65W is larger than the Anker 715 Nano II, reviewed above, but boasts three ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time, using just one compact charger. When I say larger, don’t get me wrong, it’s tiny.
The two USB-C ports each support 65W, and the lower USB-A port can charge at up to 22.5W—powerful enough to fast-charge most phones—but note that maximum simultaneous output is 65W.
Other same-time charging options include 45W for a laptop and 20W for a second device, or 45W plus 15W shared between the other two outputs.
We also recommend the Anker 735 Nano II (U.S. / U.K.) in the 65W three-port wall charger category. The two chargers are very similar in terms of charging functionality.
You can save a little money for the (barely) larger non-Pro Ugreen Nexode 65W USB C GaN Charger-3 Ports Wall Charger ($44.99), which is has a lower energy density but is a few bucks cheaper.
U.K. recommendation: The prongs on the U.K. version of the non-Pro 65W Nexode do fold back, unlike on the fixed Nexode Pro version, so we recommend that version to readers from that country.
Dimensions: 1.6 x 1.5 x 1.9in (4 x 3.8 x 5cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (67W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)
Anker’s compact Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger has three ports just like the Ugreen Nexode Pro 65W USB-C Charger reviewed above and is roughly the same size and weight.
This excellent charger ties with the Ugreen as our favorite three-port 65/67W wall charger. Both are tiny for what they offer and represent great value for money.
You get 2x 67W instead of 2x 65W (remember that the total charger output is 67W, so using both will share that power) but this extra 2W is not significant enough to make the Anker outright champion, and the Ugreen has a slight edge in being a tiny bit lighter. You can pretty much choose on price—check our live pricing above.
Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.6 x 2.2in (6 x 4 x 5.5cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (20W)
Colors: Purple, Green, Gray or Pink
All the other laptop chargers reviewed here are either white, black or gray—not very imaginative. The Acefast Crystal Charger, however, rocks the monochrome boat with its range of pastel 65W chargers that may well bring joy to your office or home.
The two USB-C ports can both charge at 65W, although not at the same time as the rated wattage of any charger indicates the maximum total output.
If using all three ports, the top USB-C port will charge at 45W, and the other two share 18W between them.
Acefast hasn’t yet announced color-matching USB-C cables, but Anker sells some colored USB-C cables in similar hues.
Dimensions: 1.18 x 2.64 x 2.64in (3 x 6.7 x 6.7cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (100W PD 3.0)
Cable included: 2m 100W USB-C cable
Larger laptops usually require more power than 65W and ship with a 100W charger. For a spare, the single-port Nekteck 100W Charger is a budget winner—especially as it ships with a 2m 100W USB-C cable.
But we think multiple ports are worth spending that extra cash on.
Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.72 x 2.72in (3.3 x 6.9 x 6.9cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (22.5W), and 1x USB-A (22.5W)
It might be larger and twice as heavy as the single-port chargers, but you can’t argue with four ports with multiple charging options, such as simultaneous 65W for laptop charging and 30W PD for light-laptop powering, plus lower outputs for phones and other devices. Or just use all 100W on your favorite large laptop.
Using three ports you could charge at 45W, 30W, and 22.5W at the same time. Using all four, it can support laptop power delivery at 45W and 30W plus two devices each at 10.5W.
The inclusion of an old-style USB-A port will please owners of that type of cable—probably for older phones or other gadgets.
And its foldable prongs win extra portability points on a larger charger. The barrel-shaped UK model looks quite different and doesn’t have foldable prongs, but offers the same ports.
Ugreen offers a slightly smaller 100W Nexode Pro ($74.99) that has a higher energy density but only three ports, so we still prefer the 100W non-Pro Nexode ($69.95) for its extra port.
Dimensions: 1.7 × 1.1 × 2.7in (4.4 x 2.9 x 6.8cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)
While it lacks the fourth port of the Ugreen Nexode 100W USB-C Wall Charger, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger is smaller and lighter while carrying the same 100W credentials. Anker has recently updated an older model with this slightly smaller and lighter version.
It features two 100W USB-C ports and one USB-A for those older charging cables still required by some devices.
Both the U.S. and U.K. versions have neat foldable prongs.
Read Macworld’s full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger review.
Dimensions: 1.22 x 2.66 x 2.31in (3.1 x 6.8 x 5.9cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1)
For larger laptops with higher battery capacity, a USB PD 3.1 charger is essential if you want to charge or fast-charge at 140W or higher.
While it has just the one port, the Anker 717 goes further at 140W than most wall chargers. Pair it with Anker’s own 765 140W USB-C to USB-C Cable in either 3-foot or 6-foot lengths.
Again, we applaud the foldable prongs for added portability.
Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.3in (7.1 x 4.3 x 3.3cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 1x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (30W PD 3.0) and 1x USB-A (22.5W)
This is the first multiport 160W charger (PD 3.1) we’ve tested, and it is barely larger than the single-port Anker 717 charger.
The top USB-C port is rated at 140W, and below it is another 100W USB-C port, then a 30W USB-C port, with a 22.5W USB-A port at the bottom.
There are multiple charging options: Any one of the above-mentioned ports, two 65W laptops simultaneously, or an impressive 65W+65W+30W charging at the same time.
The Nexode Pro 160W charger has foldable plug prongs in the North American version—U..K. users will have to put up with the plug always extended.
Dimensions: 6.49 x 4.9 x 4.2in (16.5 x 12.5 x 10.7cm)
Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (45W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (22.5W)
Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable + 2m 240W USB-C cable
With four USB-C ports and one USB-A, this desktop charger should fulfil most of your charging needs.
It’s the first maximum 300W desktop charger that we’ve tested. That’s a hell of a lot of power that can be shared around. You could power one 140W laptop and another at 100W—impossible with a 200W charger.
With all ports in action it follows a port hierarchy of 140W / 65W / 45W / 10W /22.5W, which beats the full-use capability of the Satechi 200W USB-C 6-port PD GaN Charger reviewed below. However, that rival desktop charger boasts two 140W PD 3.1 ports to Ugreen’s single 140W PD 3.1 port—that said, you can’t use both of them at that power output at the same time as the Satechi’s max power is 200W.
The inclusion of an USB-A port may also swing you to the Ugreen 300W charger, as the Satechi charger lacks one.
Bonus points, too, to Ugreen for including a 240W charging cable as well as the unit’s own power cable.
Dimensions: 4.13 x 4.13 x 1.38in (10.5 x 10.5 x 3.5cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 4x USB-C (100W PD 3.0)
Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable; no USB-C cable
Boasting six USB-C ports, this desktop charger plugs into a power socket via cable rather than directly as a USB-C wall charger does.
Its total output is 200W across the six USB-C ports, but its special bonus are the two 140W PD 3.1 ports for fast-charging larger laptops. Do the math, however, and you realise that you can’t use both 140W ports at full power at the same time.
Each of the remaining 100W ports is USB-C so you’ll need an adapter to use a USB-A charging cable if your device demands it.
With all ports in action it follows a port hierarchy of 65W / 45W / 20W / 20W / 20W / 20W.
As a desktop charger, it comes with a power cable but you’ll need to add your own USB-C cables—and remember you’ll need a 240W PD 3.1 charging cable to take advantage of the 140W port. Mac users should note that Apple requires you use its own MagSafe 3 charging cable to fast charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro as that model’s USB-C ports (actually Thunderbolt 4) are still rated at 100W PD 3.0.
Dimensions: 4.4 x 3 x 1.4 inches (11.2 x 7.6 x 3.5cm)
Ports: 4x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 2x USB-A (22.5W)
Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable
This desktop charger lacks the PD 3.1 support that is essential for higher-than-100W charging, so if you’re looking for 140W large-laptop fast-charging you’d do better choosing the Satechi 200W USB-C 6-port PD GaN Charger, reviewed above.
That said, the Anker Prime 200W 6-Port desktop charger includes two USB-A ports for devices that require the older USB connector.
With all six ports in action, you could charge one laptop at 65W, two at 45W, fast-charge a phone at 20W, and have the two USB-A ports share 24W of power—enough for most busy working desks.
Arch power rival Ugreen sells a similar Nexode 200W USB-C Desktop Charger, which just loses the crown with only two 100W USB-C ports, dropping to 65W for the other two.
Dimensions: 4.2 × 1.6 × 3.6 inches (10.6 × 4 × 9.3cm
Ports: 1x USB-C (140W PD 3.1), 3x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (22.5W)
Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable
If your laptop benefits from 140W charging, this pricier Anker desktop charger will suit you better than the 200W PD 3.0 model reviewed above. It also has some neat features not found on its rivals.
First, the power: you get one 140W USB-C port (PD 3.1) and three 100W USB-C (PD 3.0) ports, plus two 22.5W USB-A ports on the side. Maximum power output is 250W so you could fast-charge a 140W laptop and still have over 100W for another laptop and a smaller device.
You can customize charging priorities and energy output using the unique twist smart control dial next to the USB-A ports. In Port Priority Mode, you can manually set power priority for one or two ports as you require. There’s also a Dual-Laptop Mode to make sure that the laptops are at the front of the charging queue, and a Low Current Mode to preserve battery life of phones and low-power devices. Or you can leave it in AI Power Mode, where the charger itself works out the best prioritization of output by port.
There’s also a large 2.26-inch LCD display that gives you visual feedback on the charging status and speed of each USB-C port, and can even be set as a clock.
Read Macworld’s full Anker Prime Charger (250W, 6 ports) review.
Dimensions: 4 x 3.66 x 1.75in (10.3 x 9.3 x 4.45cm)
Ports: 2x USB-C (100W PD 3.0), 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0), 1x USB-A (18W)
Cable included: 1.5m AC power cable
Another desktop charger that lets you manually change port output with the press of a button is the Acefast Z4. It then shows you which ports are set for which wattage on its TFT HD display.
types of charger The maximum total output that you can share around devices is 218W. That’s enough for three medium-sized laptops and a smartphone, or two larger laptops plus a phone on the side. There are four options for the four USB ports (three USB-C and one USB-A).