What is the best Adaptor for iPhone?

Whether you just ordered a shiny new iPhone 13 or are still hopping along with an older model, you’re probably all too familiar with the dinky 5W iPhone adapter that takes hours to fully charge your battery. The good news is, with the right fast charger, you can fully power up in less than half the usual time. Here's what you need to know.

Does Your iPhone Support Fast Charging?

iPhones have long supported faster charging with a 12W iPad adapter and Apple improved on that rate by introducing fast charging via USB Power Delivery (PD) with the release of the iPhone 8 in 2017. With PD, most newer iPhones can charge at up to 22W, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max reportedly supports up to 27W wired charging.

Apple stopped including power adapters with iPhones in 2020, so you need to either use an old (and potentially slow) power brick you have sitting around or pick up a new one. Make sure your new adapter supports the fastest charging speeds possible.

What You Need for Fast Charging

You need to keep a few things in mind when you shop for a fast charger. First and foremost, you need to make sure it supports PD. An adapter with a USB-C port is also essential for the fastest charging speeds.

Because Apple only began shipping USB-C-to-Lightning cables with the iPhone 12 in 2020, people with older phones need to buy one from Apple or a third party to get the fastest charging speeds. This is an area where you don't want to skimp, as we've seen some unintended consequences from using off-brand cables. For most people, Apple's USB-C-to-Lightning cable(Opens in a new window) (starting at $19) will do the trick, but we also like some of the cables out there from reputable brands such as Native Union and Nomad.

Next, take time to assess your needs. Do you frequently charge multiple devices simultaneously? If so, it probably makes sense to buy a charger with multiple ports. Do you have AirPods or an Apple Watch to charge? Look into a wireless charging pad.

When multiple ports come into the mix, it’s important to check the total power output for the adapter as well as the power output for each port. Watch out for underpowered ports that lead to longer charge times.

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Should You Buy a GaN Charger?

The majority of chargers on the market use silicon semiconductors. Gallium nitride (GaN) is a relatively new alternative to silicon that offers a lot of benefits: GaN chargers are smaller, more efficient, and require fewer components than silicon chargers. They’re also more expensive. Ultimately, traditional silicon chargers are fine for most people. If you’re looking for the absolute slimmest option on the market, however, it's probably going to be a GaN charger.

With all that in mind, we’ve selected our favorite fast iPhone chargers you can buy right now. Pick the one that best fits your budget and needs and you won't be disappointed.

Best for Charging on the Go

Looking for a fast iPhone charger that can easily fit in your pocket or bag? The Anker Nano is a 20W faster charger that’s about the same size the standard 5W iPhone adapter. This inexpensive adapter supports Quick Charge and Power Delivery protocols, meaning it charges your phone in one-third of the time as Apple’s entry-level iPhone charger. Like all fast iPhone chargers, it requires a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, which you’ll need to buy separately.

Most Durable

Though Anker’s PowerPort PD2 has been around for some time, it remains one of our favorite fast iPhone chargers. It offers dual charging with an 18W USB-C port and a 12W USB-A port. It's easy to throw in a bag or suitcase thanks to a folding plug, and after using one for years, we can attest to its durability. 

Guaranteed Compatibility

Apple’s 20W USB-C Adapter is understated, relatively affordable, and guaranteed to work well with your iPhone. Apple sells it as a standalone item, so you’ll probably want to pick up a USB-C-to-Lightning cable if you don't have one.

Best for Charging All Your Apple Products

Belkin’s USB-C PD GaN Wall Charger is one of the most versatile adapters on our list. With 60W maximum power output, it can recharge a depleted iPhone battery to 50% in half an hour, and a MacBook Pro to the same level in just one hour. It’s also a great all-in-one replacement if you need something powerful enough to charge your laptop without having to lug around a heavy power brick. The Wall Charger ships solo, so you’ll want to pick up a USB-C-to-Lightning cable if you don't have one on hand.

Best for iPhone 13 Pro Max Fast Charging

We know this seems like a strange pick, but we firmly believe Google's 30W power adapter is a good choice for iPhone owners. Not only is it well built and affordable, it also supports maximum charging speeds of up to 30W. It's a good all-around power adapter for iPhones and iPads, and is capable of delivering the fastest charging speeds for iPhone 13 Pro Max owners.

Best for International Travel

Native Union’s Smart Charger PD is ideal for travelers, thanks to included EU, UK, and US adapters. Its 20W USB-C PD port can quickly charge your iPhone with a USB-C-to-Lightning cable or even a MagSafe charger. There's also a USB-A port that maxes out at 12W. Like most of the fast iPhone adapters on this list, the Smart Charger PD doesn't come with cables, but Native Union sells some of our favorite durable USB-C-to-Lightning cables.

Best Eco-Friendly Charger

If you're looking for an inexpensive charger made from responsibly sourced materials, the Nimble Wally Mini Plus Wall Charger is a good bet. It's made from 72% recycled plastic, is shipped without without plastic packaging, and includes a postage-paid bag to recycle your old tech. It has USB-A and USB-C ports and supports PD 3.0.

Best for Tight Spaces

With a maximum output of 20W, the Twelve South PlugBug Slim adapter can quickly charge any iPhone. It's also super thin, making it a good choice those hard-to-use outlets behind nightstands and desks.

What About Wireless Charging and MagSafe?

If your nightstand is cluttered with cables for your AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone, it's time to streamline your power routine with a wireless charging pad. We assembled a list of our favorite wireless charging stations for Apple products, with both phone-only and multi-device options at a range of prices. Several of them support fast charging.

iPhone 12 and 13 models also offer MagSafe as a faster alternative to Qi wireless charging. MagSafe allows you to wirelessly charge your device at up to 15W. Check out our favorite MagSafe chargers.