Charger Types Compared: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for Your Devices

Just like there are many different types of devices and charging cables, there are many different types of chargers. Whether you are looking for the best fast charger or wondering what is the best fast car charger, today we will explore the different types of chargers and offer examples of each so you can find the perfect new charger for your needs.

Understanding Different Types of Chargers

Knowing which charger (or collection of chargers) best fits your needs can be challenging, but once you know what each type of charger does, you should be able to pick your ideal type (or types) pretty quickly. After all, not everyone has the same devices, and not everyone uses those devices in the same way.

All this is to say, even if you and your best have the exact same device, the chargers that each of you picks may be dramatically different depending on how you like to use your device and how you like to charge it. But, no matter your preferences, there is a perfect charger on the market today. So, without further ado, let’s get into the nine most popular types of chargers today so you can find the right solution for your charging needs.

1. iPhone Chargers

The most common type of charger for most of us is the simple wall charger for our phones. While today many of us have a variety of chargeable devices, more often than not, our phones are the ones that need the most charging — after all, we use them every day.

Finding the best iPhone charger can be challenging with so many different options. But if you know what you are looking for, you can easily find a great charger for your iPhone. We like this slim USB-C Fast charger that uses GaN safe tech to protect your devices while providing quick and effective charging. It can charge your iPhone to 50% charge in just 30 minutes and only takes two hours to charge your MacBook Pro to full. This charger offers two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, so you can easily charge your Apple devices without remembering to queue them up properly.

2. Android Chargers

High-quality phone chargers allow you to charge your devices quickly and efficiently to use them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, however, not all chargers are as fast as others when charging your devices. A quick charging charger allows you to spend less of your time charging your phone and more of your time using it.

When you are looking for the best fast charger for Android, you will want to think about what you need. This USB-C fast charger is a great option for Android phones because it offers a wide compatibility range and charges devices up to 70% more efficiently than other chargers. It supports Samsung super fast charging and can charge a Samsung S20 Ultra to 70% charge in an hour.

3. Wireless/MagSafe Chargers

If you are not a fan of stray cords or plugging your phone in each time you need to charge it, then a wireless charger is a good choice for you. These chargers allow you to charge your device by simply placing it face-up on the charging pad and letting the charger do all of the work. As smartphones and other small devices advance, more advanced wireless charging options (like MagSafe chargers) are available.

 

MagSafe chargers are just like normal wireless chargers, except they can hold your device up so that you can see it while it charges. This makes them an excellent choice for people who charge their phones during the day while they are using them rather than charging them at night while they sleep. The best MagSafe chargers even allow you to charge the angle of your phone so you can easily see and use your screen while your phone charges.

Keep in mind that wireless charging typically takes longer than wired charging, so if you opt for a wireless charger, make sure to invest in one that offers quick charging, like this MagSafe charger.

4. Magnetic Power Banks

If you don’t like charging your devices at night (or you do a lot of work outside of the house), a Magnetic power bank with built-in USB-C cable would make an excellent addition to your charging collection.

The best magnetic power bank will be easily portable, compact, compatible with many different devices, and able to hold enough power to charge your devices while you are away. It will also offer more than one port so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.

5. Portable Phone Chargers

The best portable phone charger is small, powerful, and quick-charging. While technically, any charger is portable if you have a large enough bag to store it in, portable chargers are designed to be easy to transport. This means they are typically smaller, sleeker, and easier to store than your generic wall charger.

If you have multiple devices to charge, then try opting for this 3-port charger since you’ll be able to charge more than one device with a single outlet. We like this portable charger because it offers universal compatibility for 100-240 V Global Voltage, making it an excellent option if you like to travel. Another plus of these multi-port chargers is that they can offer different types of USB ports to charge different devices. This is a great option for trips or when you need to charge your devices away from home where you do not know how many outlets will be available.

6. Car Chargers

Car chargers are meant to connect to the 12-volt port or cigarette lighter in your car’s dashboard. While they may not necessarily be the charger you use daily to charge your phone, they come in handy when you are on a long drive or running errands and forgot to charge your phone the night before.

When looking for the best car charger for your devices, you’ll want to focus on chargers that offer multiple USB ports. The best options offer different types of USB ports so that you can charge different types of devices at the same time. For example, this car charger has USB-A and USB-C ports for fast dual-port charging while on the go.

7. USB-C Chargers

Many devices use USB-C cables now to charge. Whether you have an iPhone or Android or even a pair of earbuds that uses this cable, having a reliable charger is crucial. The best USB-C chargers are small and fast charging so you can get back to using your devices promptly.

We like this USB-C fast charger because it has an ultra-fast technology that charges your phone faster. It is designed for the iPhone 14 series but can easily charge other devices at full-speed fast charging so you can get back to using them as quickly as possible.

8. Fast Chargers

We have all felt the frustration of the low battery life reminder interrupting us in the middle of something we are doing with a phone, tablet, laptop, or other devices. The last thing we want to do is wait hours for our device to recharge before we can use it again. This is where fast chargers come into the picture.

The best fast chargers dramatically cut down on charging time and allow you to get back to your work (or play) much faster than traditional chargers do. We personally like fast chargers that offer multiple ports, like this 4-port fast charger, because you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. This comes in handy when you have your most-used devices all dying around the same time of day.

9. Charging Stations

If you are looking for a more powerful charger — like for your home office or desk — then a charging station will be the best option for you. Charging stations offer various charging options, including different types of ports, AC outlets, and even charging cables. The best charging station will offer circuit protection to ensure that your devices are safe while charging, and even though it offers various charging options, it should be compact. After all, you do not want your charging station to take up too much space on your work desk.

We like this 6-in-1 charging station because it offers great charging options. It has 1 USB-A port, 1 USB-C port, a USB-C retractable charging cable, and 3 AC outlets. It also has power surge protection and includes a 5ft cord to plug in the charging station itself and reusable nano tape to keep it in place on your desk.

Picking the Right Charger

The most important part of picking out the right charger is doing your homework. Unfortunately, not all chargers offer the same level of quality and reliability. The last thing you want is to invest in a charger that dies in just a few uses. So, you must take the time to compare your options before you commit to a new charger.

Now that you know what you will be getting from each of the charger types listed above, you have a better idea of the type of charger that you are looking for. Think about when and where you will be charging your device. Think about what you need from the charger — does it need to be portable? Wireless? Does it need multiple USB ports? How powerful do you need it to be?

These questions can help you to narrow down your results so you can focus more carefully on comparing specific chargers. Once you’ve paired your options down to just a few chargers, you can pick the one that suits you best, but make sure that you take the time to assess the capabilities of each of your options before simply settling on the one that you find the most aesthetically pleasing!