Using a third-party charger may have an unexpected effect on your devices

If you’re in the market for a charger, purchasing one from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is usually the safest bet. However, you may not want to, say, drop $39 for a 40W dynamic power adapter from Apple or even $24.90 for Samsung’s 45W super fast charging mode. Not when you can get a super-fast third-party charger for less than $5 at your local supermarket, gas station, or even on eBay that can charge your phone to 50% in 30 minutes or less. Yes, this charger, whether fast or slow, will probably do its job, but there’s also a chance that it’s so bad that it’s not worth it.

The biggest problem with these ultra-cheap chargers is that they lack the fundamental components that charge your device safely and consistently. Because of this, they can cause all sorts of harm to your phone, from accelerating the rate of battery degradation to damaging motherboard components. They could even pose a danger to you and your home. So, if you’re considering purchasing a third-party charger, be sure to choose one from a reputable brand that meets safety standards, such as those from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), or Made for iPhone (MFi). It will cost more, but a good charger is one of those tech products that you should never buy cheap for a good reason.

Ultra cheap chargers usually fail to deliver consistent current because they are made from poor quality materials. They constantly fluctuate between high and low current, which can stress the lithium-ion battery, accelerating the rate of chemical degradation and leading to decreased capacity. Additionally, to reduce costs, these manufacturers often do not equip chargers with the necessary chips that support communication protocols such as USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). USB-PD allows the charger and the phone to negotiate safe charging levels, and without it, a fast charger, for example, will constantly send high currents that can overheat the phone and accelerate the rate of thermal degradation of the battery.

Certified chargers undergo a battery of safety tests, ensuring they pass each one before being released to market. On the other hand, the manufacturers of these ultra-cheap chargers make chargers that could fail these same tests. Which?, a consumer protection organization in the UK, purchased 15 cheap chargers from marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, Shein and Temu. They found that nine of them were likely to shock you, while eight of them were also likely to explode or catch fire.

One fake Apple charger in particular, presented as a genuine product, was found to be filled with modeling clay to make it look premium. Which? also found that it made arcing noises after 10 seconds. This likely means there are tiny sparks inside the device that can damage a phone’s charging port over time.

There are many reputable brands that make high-quality wall chargers. Anker is a well-known brand. It has a certified charger that can power all your devices, called the Anker Nano Laptop 100W Charger, and costs $35.99. As the name suggests, it has 100 watts of power and can quickly charge a laptop like a MacBook M2 or MacBook Pro M1 (or later models). Since it uses the USB-PD charging protocol, it is also safe to use with your phone.

This Anker model also comes with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, which facilitates the necessary communication between the charger and the device (cheap USB cables might not do this). Additionally, it uses gallium nitride (GaN) for its internal circuitry instead of silicon to conduct electricity more efficiently, meaning less excess heat generation. A built-in temperature control mechanism slows charging or stops it completely, depending on the temperature of the charging process.

Another good option is Ugreen, with its $54.99 Ugreen Nexode 100W 4-Port Charger that also supports USB-PD charging, GaN technology, and temperature control. Its four ports include three USB-C ports and one USB-A port for older devices. INIU is another well-known brand, with the INIU 100W 3-Port USB-C Charger having similar features to the Ugreen charger but with one less USB-C port. These are all highly rated chargers, with a minimum rating of four out of five stars from Amazon customers. All of these chargers have good safety features, such as overheating and overcurrent protection.