How to Choose a Charger: Five Things That Matter

A charger is easy to overlook, and it decides more than you would expect.

Picking a good charger matters to your day and to how your devices perform. It draws less attention than a phone or a tablet, but it is the piece that keeps everything else running.
Price is part of the decision, but quality, performance and safety matter more. A good charger delivers efficient charging speed. When you need to bring a phone, laptop, tablet or another device back up quickly, an efficient charger gets you there in less time.

How to choose a charger

A good charger also makes charging safer. Most include several protection features, such as overload, over-temperature and overvoltage protection, which reduce the risk of damage to your devices and make long-term use more reliable.

We rely on electronics all day, so choosing the right charger to get the most out of them is worth a few minutes.
Here are the five points to weigh:

Know the charging technology and the power you need

Start by working out which charging technology your devices need. For example:

• Qualcomm Quick Charge: the fast-charging technology used by most Android phones, which brings a device back up quickly.
• GaN (gallium nitride): GaN lets a charger deliver higher power in a smaller body while staying efficient.

Check compatibility and port types

Different devices use different ports, such as USB-A, USB-C or Micro-USB. Make sure the charger you pick matches the port on your device. It should also be genuinely compatible with your device, which avoids slow charging or a device that will not charge at all.

Safety and build quality

Choose a charger that carries safety certification. A well-made charger includes over-temperature, overload and short-circuit protection. Products from established brands tend to be more reliable, because quality control during manufacturing is tighter.

Budget and value

Going for the cheapest charger is not a good idea, but value still matters. Look for a charger within your budget that has strong reviews and solid performance.

Travel and portability

If you travel often, look for a charger that is small, light and rated for the voltages used around the world. A folding plug also makes it easier to drop into a backpack or a pocket.

Choosing the right charger

Picking a charger looks simple, but the range on the market means it is worth a little research. With the five points above, you should be able to find the one that fits you, and get the best charging performance out of your devices.