Best USB-C chargers for MacBook Pro or Air in 2023
If you’re a proud MacBook owner, you probably know that Apple provides an adapter in the box to keep your device juiced up. However, there are situations where you might find yourself in need of an alternative. Perhaps you’ve lost your original charger, it’s no longer functioning properly, or maybe you’re simply seeking an alternate upgrade. Whatever the reason may be, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best USB-C chargers for MacBook Pro or Air. So, let’s dive in and help you find the perfect charger that keeps your Mac powered and ready!
Apple 67W USB-C power adapter – Editor’s Choice
Apple’s very own 67W USB-C power adapter is undoubtedly the best charger for MacBook. So, in case you have lost the original adapter you got in the box, just buy one these bad boys again! As for its compatibility range, this power adapter supports both USB-C and Lightning cable devices.
Apart from being sleek and lightweight, it is one of the fastest chargers available on the market. With its streamlined design and robust build quality, it’s also an ideal travel companion. As long as you use the MFi-certified cable that came in the box, you can be assured that your MacBook is protected during charging.
Overall, the 67W USB-C power adapter from Apple is an optimal choice for MacBook users looking for functionality, style, and safety. With its impressive features and capabilities, this power adapter truly exemplifies Apple’s commitment to delivering top-notch charging solutions.
- Delivers up to 67W of power
- Compatible with a wide range of USB-C devices
- Built-in safety features to protect your devices
Anker PowerPort Atom III – Compact and lightweight
With the latest PowerIQ 3.0 technology, Anker PowerPort stands as one of the top draws in the list of the best USB-C chargers for Mac. The multiple ports provided by this wall adapter are sure to take care of all devices at once. Based on the type of usage, you can plug in the port to the respective device.
This 64W 4 port charger is enough to power every MacBook released to date as well as other devices such as phones, tablets, and even external hard drives. The ports are also reversible, so they can be used with either USB-C or Lightning cables. The integration of gallium nitride against silicon has turned PowerPORT Atom III into the slimmest charger without compromising power.
It features a square design with a built-in LED indicator, so you can easily monitor the power output. Additionally, the built-in safeguard features ensure complete protection of your devices. So, the Anker PowerPort Atom III is the perfect choice for power users who need a reliable and versatile charger.
- Delivers up to 65W of power
- Supports Power Delivery (PD) charging protocol
- Affordable price
Belkin Boost 68W – GaN technology
Being one of the most powerful wall adapters available on the market, Belkin Boost Charge is operated on a whopping 68 watts of power. It’s the fastest way to keep your Mac charged at all times, so you never miss a beat.
The power delivery technology of this charger allows it to exhibit up to 3 amps of power without any hassle. What’s more, there are two incredibly powerful ports offering to charge two devices at once. Based on preference, you can charge an iPhone at 60W or a laptop at 50W. The Belkin Boost Charge 68W USB-C Charger is also compatible with every USB-C device, so you don’t have to hold yourself back.
Engineered with a modern and sleek design, Belkin boost charge offers great portability to its users. over, you get a 2-year limited warranty and Combined Equipment Warranty worth 2500 for your devices. All in all, you can get the Belkin Boost Charge 68W USB-C Charger and ensure that your laptop is always charged and ready to go.
- Device Insurance
- Built-in safety features to protect your devices
- 2-year warranty
Here’s How to Check and Troubleshoot the Wattage on Your MacBook’s Charger
Charging your Mac laptop is pretty straight forward: just plug in the cable and let your battery juice up. If you want to make sure your charger is working as it should that’s easy to check out, plus you can troubleshoot charging issues, too. Read on to learn how.
Here’s how to see the expected wattage of your MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro charger, along with the wattage delivered to your laptop:
- Go to Apple menu About This Mac
- Click System Report
- Choose Power from the column on the left
- Scroll down to AC Charger Information
Look for Name to see the wattage your charger is rated for. In my case, that’s 87 Watts because I have a 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro. Now look for Wattage. That number should be about the same, which in my case is 86 Watts. Apple’s current 13-inch laptops ship with a 60 Watt charger.
What if My Mac’s Charger and OutPut Wattage are Different?
Let’s say your Mac’s charger is 87 Watts, but you’re seeing significantly less than that going into your laptop. That might be a problem, or maybe not.
As your Mac’s battery gets closer to a full charge the electrical current feeding it decreases. That’s normal and could account for a discrepancy.
A dirty or damaged charger connector or port can cause problems, too. Check to make sure the cable and plug connecting to your Mac is in good condition.
Macs that charge with a USB C cable add an extra variable in the mix: passthrough charging. If you connect your Mac to a passthrough charging port it’s possible you aren’t getting the wattage you’re expecting. Try connecting your Mac directly to your charger.
If your charger cables, plug, and port all look good and you aren’t finding any other issues that could be causing an unexpected lower wattage reading, it’s possible you have a hardware-related problem. The next step is to make a Genius Bar appointment to get your Mac and charger checked out.
thoughts on “ Here’s How to Check and Troubleshoot the Wattage on Your MacBook’s Charger ”
Constructive criticism of your article. The actual term is Power not Wattage. The unit of measure for Power is Watts. There really is no such thing as Wattage.
Yea but that’s like the scenario where: you lie… and I know you’re lying… and you know that I know you’re lying… therefore you are not deceiving me so you are not lying. Roundabout way to say, sometimes incorrect is more correct than correct. This website does not exist to serve Merriam-Webster. It exists to serve Mac aficionados. Wattage is generally a more meaningful term for this audience than power. Every once in a while (not all the time, just now and then) it is an editorially better decision to use a word like wattage than the technically correct word.
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Best for Performance:
If you are looking for a USB-C charger with multiple ports, go for the 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 Charger. This heavy-duty charging block features four ports (3 USB-C and 1 USB-A), so you can charge 2 laptops at high speed, or charge 4 devices simultaneously. If charging a single device, it operates with a charge up to 100W.
The 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 sports ActiveShield 2.0 technology, proprietary to Anker, which protects this device as well as those charged by monitoring temperature and adjusting power output. It comes in at about 110.
Best for Budget: MINIX NEO P1 66W
If you like the versatility of multiple ports, but don’t like the price, the MINIX NEO P1 66W should top of your list. This charger offers a 3-port setup for nearly half the cost of the Anker PowerPort. It has enough wattage to charge most MacBooks and even comes with handy socket adapters for international travelers.
The NEO P1 has a max wattage of 66 W, enough to fast-charge the new MacBook Pro 13-inch model. Its two USB-C ports and its single USB-A port allow you to charge your iPhone and MacBook simultaneously. At just under 50, this device is more affordable than an Apple model with the same wattage.
Best for MacBook Pro 16-Inch: KOVOL PD 3.1
Apple released their newest MacBook Pro 16-inch model in 2021. This laptop uses a 140 W charger, nearly a third larger than previous models. Any chargers on this list will work with it, but none will charge it in about an hour, except KOVOL PD 3.1.
But the charger’s massive wattage isn’t the only aspect that makes it awesome. The KOVOL comes with two ports to charge your laptop and phone simultaneously. But unlike other models on this list, the KOVOL’s A port is Hyper-powerful, with a wattage max of 18 W instead of 12. So not only will your laptop charge quickly, but so will your phone. The charging block costs 90, which is cheaper than the Apple version.
USB-C PD 3.1 just got ratified in May
We’re not even a half a year after revision 3.1 of the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specification was ratified, and Apple has launched a product using this standard. We know work began on the project in 2019 or earlier, so this required some forethought.
Brad Saunders, chairman of the USB Implementers Forum, told 9to5Mac:
Apple is one of the seven USB Promoter companies that co-sponsors the development of the USB base specifications, including of course the USB Power Delivery specification so it is not a surprise that they would develop a charger that aligns with the newest USB PD R3.1 spec. Powering higher performance laptop computers is clearly once of the primary use cases for the new higher power capabilities of the spec.
(From here on out it’s useful to know the Volts x Amps = Watts formula – more)
Key characteristics of the USB PD 3.1 specification include:
- A choice of three new fixed voltages: 28V (above 100W – which MBP uses), 36V (above 140W) and 48V (above 180W) joining previously defined 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V fixed voltages.
- A new adjustable voltage mode enabling a range from 15V to one of three maximum voltages (28V, 36V, or 48V) depending on the available power allowing the device being powered to request specific voltages to a 100 mV resolution.
My mind immediately went to e-bike chargers, which are typically 36V-48V and 2-4A on the low end.
USB-C is already the future in cars
We’re already seeing USB-C replace the “12V lighter” adapter in cars. At 100W, USB-C can fully replace that plug a few times over, which usually is usually fused at around 8amps or ~100W. At 240W, new possibilities emerge: direct powering a TV or efficient projector and some camping gear without an inverter would be easy. Hey, keep that MacBook Pro and e-bike charged from the car!
Another possible use: Solar panels are often sized below 240W and instead of inefficient AC microinverters that would eventually need to convert inefficiently back to DC, could simply carry DC power over USB-C. Jackery currently makes a 100W version of this but the USB-C port is limited to 15W. Imagine a solar panel to e-bike battery setup that could also provide 240W backup power to lots of computing devices. Sign me up!
Why move from 120V/240V AC to 240W USB-C?
So why convert a house over to USB-C at 240W? Fewer DC-AC-DC conversions which sap around 10% of the energy, for starters. Even without efficiencies, the easy answer is that you’d no longer need those power bricks that convert AC to DC on every item in your house – most of which require the AC energy flowing through your plugs to DC, which is required by micro-electronics.
Ironically, you wouldn’t need that elegant but also 99 140W power brick that Apple is shipping. You’d simply plug your USB-C MagSafe cord into your household USB outlet.
And the beauty of USB-C is you can already do this if you have USB-C built into your outlets (just not at 140W yet).
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