The Best iPhone Chargers of 2021

What to Look for in an iPhone Charger in 2021

It’s easy to assume a lot of wall adapters and Lightning cables are the same. They look and work the same way, after all. However, you should be paying attention to the quality of the cords and wall chargers you’re buying, since they can affect the performance of your iPhone’s battery over time.

The biggest thing to look out for in an iPhone charger is the charging speed. Both wired and wireless charging vary when it comes to performance, with most iPhones charging at around 20W over a cable and 7.5W wirelessly via Qi technology.

Apple’s new MagSafe also has a charging speed standard at 15W. It’s the fastest way to wirelessly charge your iPhone, assuming you have a MagSafe-certified charger on hand.

For context, here’s a list of the charging speeds associated with each iPhone Apple currently sells.

• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 27W wired, 15W with MagSafe, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone 13 Pro: 20W wired, 15W with MagSafe, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone 13: 20W wired, 15W with MagSafe, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone 13 mini: 20W wired, 15W with MagSafe, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone 12: 20W wired, 15W with MagSafe, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone 11: 18W wired, 7.5W wirelessly
• iPhone SE (2020): 18W wired, 7.5W wirelessly

Keep these numbers in mind when shopping for a charger for your iPhone. That way, you’ll get the best performance possible.

It’s also helpful to pay attention to the quality of the cables and adapters you buy, as it can make a huge difference in the long run. Some companies offered braided cables that are less likely to get damaged over time, while other companies have fast-charging wall adapters with compact designs.

With your iPhone’s charging speeds and other knowledge in mind, here are our iPhone charge recommendations.

Best iPhone Wall Charger: Spigen 30W USB-C Power Adapter

If you want a reliable wall charger for your iPhone, the Spigen 30W USB-C Power Adapter is the way to go. This wall wart is capable of 30W charging speeds, over-accommodating for every iPhone currently available (including the 27W-touting iPhone 13 Pro Max). It ships with a compact design and folding prongs so it’s easy to throw in a bag, as well.

The Spigen charger is a touch pricey at $25, but it’s well worth it for the best charging speeds around.

iPhone Wall Charger Runner-Up: Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

If you’d like to save a few dollars, Apple’s 20W USB-C Power Adapter is a decent pick. It’s designed specifically to charge your iPhone, and since it’s straight from Apple, you’re guaranteed optimal power management to help maintain your phone’s battery health over time.

It’s not as fast as the Spigen option with support for just 20W charging, and its design is a little dated. Regardless, if you want a charger you know will work as advertised, this might be the one for you.

Best Wireless Charger for iPhones: Belkin Wireless Charging Stand

If you need a good, reliable wireless charger, look no further than Belkin’s Wireless Charging Stand. Priced at $25, this wireless charger supports any device with Qi wireless charging at up to 15W of charging speed. With the iPhone, that means you’ll get the full 7.5W Apple allows.

It isn’t the most flashy-looking wireless charger, but when it comes to functionality it works really well, especially since it doubles as a phone stand. You can’t beat that price, either!

Best iPhone Charging Cable: Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning Cable

Braided cables are better than non-braided ones—it’s as simple as that. They’re less likely to be damaged over time, so it’s worth going for braided when you’re purchasing any sort of cable. Anker’s New Nylon USB-C to Lightning Cable is one of the best braided cables on the market with its premium and durable design.

Offered in three colors, the cable is Made for iPhone (MFi) certified and can achieve the fastest charging speeds your iPhone supports. Plus, it’s affordable at just $18 MSRP. That’s slightly more expensive than other cables you can find, but the extra few dollars are worth it.

Best Fast Charger for iPhones: Anker 60W PowerPoint Atom PD 2

If you want the best fast charging performance you can get for your iPhone, Anker’s 60W PowerPoint Atom PD 2 is a terrific option. Not only can you charge your iPhone at its fastest supported speed, but you can also charge a second device thanks to an extra USB-C port.

A single device can even charge at up to 60W, so if you have a MacBook or other device that needs power, you’ll be able to juice up quickly.

Admittedly, the design is a bit chunky and the price is pretty high for a wall charger, but it’s a solid pick overall if you want quick charge speeds.

Best iPhone Charging Case: ZeroLemon 5,000mAh Battery Case

One of the few companies that continues to offer battery cases for new iPhones is ZeroLemon. Its new 5,000mAh Battery Case packs in a huge extra battery which will be good for nearly two full charges on your device while on the go. It also comes with wireless charging so you don’t have to plug it in separately from your phone.

For a battery case, ZeroLemon’s design is pretty sleek, although it won’t be for everyone. There also isn’t a version for any iPhone Mini models, so if that was your iPhone of choice, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

Luckily for those that can use the ZeroLemon case, the price is only $40 which should be affordable for anyone.

Best MagSafe iPhone Charger: Apple MagSafe Charger

If you’re looking to get into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem, the company’s MagSafe Charger is the best place to start. For starters, it’s one of the only MagSafe chargers on the market that supports the full 15W of wireless charging performance you can get on an iPhone 12 and up. It has a clean aluminum design as well that is compact and easy to use wherever.

The MagSafe charger is a bit costly at $40, and its cord is only one meter long, but it’s an overall solid option for those who want to use magnets to charge their phone.

Best Portable Charger for iPhone: Anker PowerCore Slim

To keep your iPhone powered up on the go, you should check out the Anker PowerCore Slim power bank.

This dual-port portable charger boasts a 10,000mAh battery which is enough for over three full charges, and it features USB-C Power Delivery which will achieve 20W fast charging on the latest iPhones. There’s also a USB-A port if you have an extra device you’d like to top off, although that charging speed is only 12W.

The PowerCore Slim also has a compact, durable design and comes with a travel pouch to keep it safe. Priced at just $35, this power bank feels like a no-brainer for anyone traveling with an iPhone who needs an extra charge at a moment’s notice.