What is a USB-C charger & how to choose the right one?
Smartphones, tablets, laptops and accessories let you work, play, and stay in touch, anytime, anywhere – until your battery runs down. You want to make sure you can charge your devices whenever you need to -- and charge them fast.
If you’re ready for a better alternative to your out-of-box charger, it’s time to look at upgrading with to the right USB-C wall charger for your device.
Read on to learn what to look for when shopping for a reliable USB-C charger and the benefits they offer.
What is a USB-C Charger?
A USB-C charger uses the USB-C power delivery (USB-C PD) standard, enabling slimmer and lighter form factors than chargers in the past. But don't let the size fool you. USB-C chargers also deliver more powerful, faster charging than last-generation devices.
Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits of USB-C chargers.
7 Benefits of a USB-C Charger
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Faster than Your Old Charger
USB-C Power Delivery (PD) technology is designed for optimal charging speed. USB-C PD chargers recognize your device’s power requirements and adjust to power it safely in as little time as possible. With a USB-C PD charger, your smartphone can charge up to 160 percent faster than a charger with 5-watt capacity*.
*Based on internal testing, a 20-watt USB-C PD charger powers an iPhone 12 battery from 0% to 50% in 24 minutes compared to 63 minutes with a 5-watt charger.
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Universal Compatibility
There are USB-C chargers for everyone. Leading manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, LG, HP, Lenovo, DELL, Microsoft, and Nintendo, use the USB-C PD protocol, so that it’s compatible with the smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices you use.
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A Wide Range of Wattage to Fit Any Power Need
You can find a USB-C charger that provides the wattage you need for fast charging of any device. Refer to the wattage of the charger to see if it’s right for your device.
| USB-C Wall Charger Wattage** | Devices |
|---|---|
| 18-27W | Smartphones, cameras, drones |
| 27-45W | Tablets, small laptops |
| 45-100W* | Large laptops, displays |
*For large laptops and displays, the wall charger must be paired with a 5A cable to support charging up to 100 watts, instead of using a standard 3A cable that only supports charging up to 60 watts.
**Wall charges that deliver lower power outputs will usually charge devices that specify a charger with higher wattage, but the charge will require more time.
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No More Worries About Which Way Is Up
USB-C wall chargers are more user-friendly than USB-A chargers. Symmetrical USB Type-C charger plugs don't require you to orient the cable in a certain way. With the reversible connector feature, you can easily connect your universal laptop charger or phone charger to USB-C cables, including USB-C-C, and USB-C-LTG.
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More Power in a Portable, Lightweight Package
Some USB-C chargers are small, sleek and easy to carry. The reason is a material called Gallium Nitride (GaN), which is now used in semiconductors. Space-age GaN, used on solar arrays and satellites, is a crystalline material capable that conducts electricity faster but also generates less heat. That means components within the charger can be closer together, and charges can be smaller than older models and still meet safety standards.
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Single and Multi-Port Options
If you use a charger solely for one device, a single port USB-C charger is probably the right choice for you. However, if you want to charge a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and more, a dual USB-C charger or multi-port charger is a smarter investment.
A multiport wall charger allows you to charge all of your devices at the same time, rather than one after the other. Moreover, some Belkin chargers are designed with intelligent power sharing, which results in quicker charging for all devices. Belkin multiport chargers also have a small footprint, so they're ideal for taking multiple devices on the road.
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Programable Power Supply (PPS) for Samsung Devices
Manufacturers such as Samsung are advancing to the USB Power Delivery Programmable Power Supply (USB PD PPS) standard. This technology delivers safer charging for your devices. USB PD PPS allows for stepwise changes in voltage and current – and by making smaller steps, it can adjust power output based on the battery level, The result is less heat, longer battery life, and the best charging efficiency.
Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets are compatible with wall chargers using this standard, and the new technology will also support other USB PD devices in the future.
USB PD PPS is optimized for iPhone and Samsung smartphone charging, as well as for other USB-C PD-enabled devices that run on iOS, Android, or Windows.
What to Look for When Shopping for a USB-C Wall Charger
It’s smart to shop around to make sure your USB-C charger offers the greatest peace of mind. Two features to look for are USB-IF certification and a Connected Equipment Warranty (CEW).
- USB-IF certified chargers meet all the electrical and mechanical requirements of the Universal Serial Bus Implementers Forum, Inc. compliance program. This certification lets you know the product meets the highest standards for safety and performance.
- A CEW states the manufacturer will pay for repairs to connected equipment if it sustains damage from transient voltage when properly connected to the charger.
Why Belkin
For 35 years, Belkin has created products that simplify your life and empower you to fully leverage technology. We ensure that every product is thoughtfully engineered, made of the highest-quality materials, and thoroughly tested before making its way to you.
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