The charger that comes with your Apple device – or the one recommended by Apple for iPhones – usually does not provide the fastest charging. Spending a little more on a more powerful charger can be beneficial.

On the other hand, each Apple device has its own maximum charging speed, and getting a charger that exceeds this speed is just a waste of money...

Most new Apple devices come with a charger, while iPhones are a notable exception. However, in most cases, the provided charger is not optimal for the device. Typically, Apple saves costs by providing a charger with an output much lower than the maximum charging speed supported by the device.

For example, the M4 13-inch iPad Pro comes with a 20-watt charger, but the iPad can accept up to 35 watts of charge. Switching to a more powerful charger literally doubles the charging speed.

Rands in Repose has compiled all the necessary information for you to purchase the optimal charger for every Apple device. The comprehensive tables provide the following information:

  • Power of the charger provided by Apple
  • Maximum power the device can accept
  • Charging time from 0 to 50% for the provided charger
  • Charging time from 0 to 50% for the optimal charger
  • Percentage increase in charging time

There are a few things to note here.

Firstly, the reason the table focuses on charging from 0 to 50% is that this is where devices accept the fastest charge. From 50% to 80%, even if you are using the most powerful accepted charger, the charging speed will slow down. From 80% to 100%, Apple devices are set to switch to slow charging to protect the battery.

Secondly, there are those who suggest that a more powerful charger will stress the battery more and shorten its lifespan. These days, this is mostly not true, as Apple’s built-in battery management adjusts the power draw appropriately for the battery.

The highest charge occurs only during the first 15 minutes. Specifically, Apple devices measure the battery temperature and reduce the power draw to keep it below temperatures that would cause stress. Rands also addresses many other concerns in small print.

An interesting note here is that with the latest Apple Watches, the cable has become more important than the power adapter.

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 2: Fast charging to 80% in 30-45 minutes — but only with the Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charge Cable and any USB-PD adapter (5W+). Wrong cable? About twice as slow.

Finally, the maximum power draw of AirPods cases is so low that the charger becomes completely insignificant.

  • USB-C chargers
  • Official Apple Store on Amazon
  • Apple's iPhone cases: iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max | iPhone Air
  • Wireless CarPlay adapter (2026 update)
  • AirTag holders and accessories
  • Mac Pro style Mac mini case
  • NordVPN – privacy-focused VPN, no logs, and verified by independent audits

Photo by Isaac Makhumisane on Unsplash