iPad charging tips for pilots—on the ground and in the air
One of the standout features of the iPad is its long battery life—a fully charged battery should last you about 9-10 hours (more like 4-6 when using an ADS-B receiver and when the screen is on full bright). Even though most general aviation flights rarely last that long, it’s always a good idea to charge the iPad the night before your flight and start with a full battery. In fact, running out of battery power is about the only problem we’ve had in ten years of flying with the iPad.
Using the included wall charger
Make sure you’re charging your iPad with at least a 10- or 12-watt charger, and preferably more.
One of the few accessories included with the iPad is a USB power adapter, which will charge the device from a wall outlet. It’s worth taking a close look at the adapter and noting the specs to understand what they mean. The power output of these adapters (measured in watts) has steadily increased over the years so it can quickly get confusing.
Here’s a quick rundown of what is included with each iPad model:
- 5 watts (1 amp): almost all iPhones. Note that newer iPhones do not come with a wall charger anymore, just the cord.
- 10 watts (2.1 amps): iPad Air, Air 2, mini 2-4, iPad 2
- 12 watts (2.4 amps): iPad Pro 9.7″, 10.5″, 12.9″ (1st and 2nd gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini 5, iPad 5-7
- 18 watts (3 amps): iPad Pro 11″ (1st and 2nd gen), iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd and 4th gen), iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max. Note that this power adapter uses a USB-C connector on the plug instead of the older USB-A plug on the lower watt models.
- 20 watts (3 amps): iPad mini 6, iPad 8-9, iPad Air 4-5, iPad Pro 11″ (3rd gen), iPad Pro 12.9″ (5th gen), iPhone 12-14 Pro Max. Also a USB-C connection.
Understanding your power adapter’s specs is important since most iPhone, Apple Watch, and other replacement USB power adapters are typically rated at 5 watts and 1 amp. The higher 2.1/2.4/3 amp charger allows the large battery in the iPad to charge more quickly than when using the traditional 1 amp adapter (it will take around 4-5 hours to charge a completely drained iPad battery).
- You can still charge an iPad with a 5 watt/1 amp USB power adapter, but it will take longer than 5 hours to fully charge. This is really a last resort.
- A 12/18/20 watt charger is still safe to use with your other USB devices (iPhone, Airpods, etc.) and will not damage them.
- You can even use your laptop’s higher-wattage power adapter (some are rated up to 140W) to charge your devices if needed.
- For additional convenience when charging multiple devices on the go, consider a wall plug with 3 charging ports—this one has a total output of 65 watts.
Sidebar: fast charging options
Not all chargers are created equal.
Newer Apple devices support a technology called fast charging, which is designed to charge your device up to 50% in just 30 minutes. Newer iPad Pro and iPhone models support this right out of the box with the included 18/20W USB-C power adapter. You just need one of Apple’s 18-watt (or higher) USB-C power adapters, or a third-party charger that supports USB Power Delivery, and a USB-C to lightning cable. The following devices support fast charging:
- iPad Air (3rd-5th gen)
- iPad mini 5-6
- iPad Pro 10.5″
- iPad Pro 11″ (all generations)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (all generations)
- iPhone 8 and later
Charging in the airplane with a cigarette lighter adapter
A dual 3-amp USB charger is an essential cockpit accessory.
You can also use a 12-24V cigarette lighter charger in your airplane to charge your iPad, and this is often the most convenient and affordable option. We carry two of these pretty much every time we fly. Pay close attention before just buying any USB charger though, as you’ll want to make sure it provides at least 2.1 amps for optimum charging. This model offers two USB ports, both rated at 3 amps, and works on both 12V and 24V electrical systems. It also has a built-in screen that displays battery voltage and amp draw—a handy backup. There’s a version with one USB-A port (the standard, larger plug) and one USB-C port (the newer style found on the latest Apple wall chargers), or one with dual USB-A ports.
Top Picks: Best iPad Chargers
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- Offers fast charging
- Compatible with any USB‑C-enabled device
- Fast-charging feature for iPhone 8 or later
- Works with all iPhone, Airpods, iPad, and Apple Watch models
- USB-C wall charger only
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- 100 Watts
- 4 ports (1 USB-A, 3 USB-C)
- Protection from overheating/ overcharging
- Super fast charging compatible
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- Apple MFi Certified
- Built-in device detection
- USB port provides up to 2.4 amps of power
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- 100 Volts
- Fast Charger
- USB-C connector type
- Worry-free 18-month warranty
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Best Overall iPad Charger: Anker Nano 3 30W Charger
Anker Nano 3 30W Charger is an incredible charger for iPads. It is small but powerful, featuring a 30W output. Its small form makes it easily portable, so you can carry it on your trips. It is also easily foldable so that it can fit in your s.
Anker Nano 3 is 70% smaller than an original 30W charger. It is compatible with many devices, including iPhones, earbuds, smartwatches, and tablets. Therefore, besides charging your iPad at 20W, this tiny charger can fast charge all your other devices.
It also supports Samsung 25W fast charge, making it ideal for Apple users with alternative Samsung devices. The cable is long enough for convenience.
It also features ActiveShield 2.0, an upgraded protection feature that monitors the temperature and adjusts power output to ensure your device is safe from excess heat. ActiveShield 2.0 monitors temperature two times more than ActiveShield 1.0.
Best Apple iPad Charger: Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter
The Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter is Apple’s proprietary Charger and offers fast charging for most Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Airpods, and Apple watches. You can use the adapter with any USB‑C-enabled device; however, it delivers optimal performance when used on Apple devices. It is lightweight and compact, making it convenient for travel.
This charger has an input voltage of 15V which is safe for your iPad because it draws just the amount of power the adaptor needs. Apple provides this charger out of the box for its devices, so it will be available when you purchase a new iPad.
It is also affordable, so if your charger is old or no longer functional, you can buy the Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter from Apple stores or their authorized resellers.
Best iPad Charger for Multiple Devices: UGREEN 100W 4-Port Charger
If charging multiple devices simultaneously is your concern, the UGREEN 100W 4-Port Charger is the best option. This charger has a maximum output of up to 100W, allowing you to multi-charge four devices simultaneously through the provided USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port.
Because of its multiple ports, it is compatible with a wide range of devices, including MacBooks, iPhones 12,13, and 14 series, iPad, Galaxy, and Steam decks. UGREEN 100W 4-Port Charger guarantees your device’s safety because it features Dynamic Temperature Sensors for monitoring and adjusting power output.
Also, the thermal dissipation design will safeguard your phone from heat damage even when left charging overnight. Its compact and foldable plug design makes it highly portable and convenient for travel. When folded, it becomes a small package that comfortably fits your s and pulse so you can retrieve it whenever needed.
I have an iPad Pro. What charger and cable should I use?
You can double your iPad Pro’s charging speeds with a charger capable of 45 watts or higher.
The Best USB-C Laptop and Tablet Chargers
The best replacement for your original charger is the Nekteck 60W USB-C GaN Charger. It’s cheaper and smaller but just as powerful and reliable.
Even though iPad Pros can fast-charge with 45 watt chargers, the USB-C charger that Apple puts in the box supports only 20-watt speeds. The higher wattage makes a huge difference: A 45-watt or faster charger will get the large iPad battery to 33% from empty in half an hour and to 65% in an hour—almost twice as quickly as the in-the-box charger.
The cable that comes with your iPad Pro will work with any fast charger, too.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
While Cable Matters’s USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable is our favorite USB-C option, we also have recommendations for almost every need you could imagine.
Unlike with the iPhone, you don’t need to buy a special cable for the iPad Pro since it uses USB-C input instead of the Lightning connector. But if you need a replacement, our USB-C cable guide has sturdier and cheaper options than the Apple-branded cable.
I have an Android phone with USB-C. What charger and cable should I use?
Most modern Android phones will charge quickly with a good USB-C charger.
The Best USB Phone Charger
No matter what kinds of USB-powered devices you own, we have picks to power them at their fastest charging speeds.
Most Android phones, especially flagship models from bigger companies like Google and Samsung, charge through USB-C ports. Even though Samsung brands its fast-charging capability as Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge, and other companies have promoted the declining Qualcomm Quick Charge standard, we’ve found that you can fast-charge a modern Android phone with any good USB-C Power Delivery charger. When we ran charging tests on the Samsung Galaxy S10, for example, we saw the same battery increase from the bundled charger, Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 chargers, and an 18-watt USB-C charger: All of them yielded about 41% after half an hour and 80% after an hour.
And a simple USB-C cable is all you need for Rapid charging.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
While Cable Matters’s USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable is our favorite USB-C option, we also have recommendations for almost every need you could imagine.
If you need a replacement USB-C–to–USB-C cable, our guide to cables outlines which one to get based on our research and testing. They’re all relatively inexpensive, and they’ll ensure the fastest charging speeds for your phone.
I have an accessory or an Android phone with Micro-USB. What charger should I use?
In addition to newer fast chargers, we have USB-A charger picks that will work great if your device has a Micro-USB connection.
The Best USB Phone Charger
No matter what kinds of USB-powered devices you own, we have picks to power them at their fastest charging speeds.
Android phones that use Micro-USB are becoming less common, though plenty of other accessories—from Kindle e-readers to wireless headphones—still rely on that connection. Micro-USB charging is generally limited to 12 watts, regardless of whether the other end of the cable is USB-A or USB-C.
Although a USB-C charger might be a more future-proof purchase in case you upgrade away from Micro-USB in the near future, it can’t give you any charging benefits right away. Any USB-A charger from a reputable brand will charge your Micro-USB devices as fast as possible, and we still recommend a few in each of our charging guides. Note that although some phones were using the Quick Charge standard to speed up USB-A–to–Micro-USB charging, that standard is quickly falling out of favor as manufacturers FOCUS on USB-C options.
Anker 30W PIQ 3.0 GaN Wall Charger
With a maximum output of 30W, this Anker adapter can quickly charge any iPhone. It’s also super thin, which makes it a good choice for those hard-to-use outlets behind nightstands and desks.
iPhones have long supported faster charging with a 12W iPad adapter, and Apple improved on that rate by introducing fast charging via USB Power Delivery (PD) with the release of the iPhone 8 in 2017. Most newer iPhones, such as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, can charge at between 25W and 27W.
Apple stopped including power adapters with iPhones back in 2020, so you need to either use an old (and potentially slow) power brick you already own or pick up a new one from our list above. Make sure your new adapter supports the fastest charging speeds possible.
What You Need for Fast Charging Your iPhone
You must keep a few things in mind when shopping for a fast charger. First and foremost, you need to make sure it supports PD. An adapter with a USB-C port is also essential for the fastest charging speeds.
Because Apple only began shipping USB-C-to-Lightning cables with the iPhone 12 in 2020, people with older phones likely need to buy one from Apple or a trusted third party to get the fastest charging speeds. This is an area where you don’t want to skimp, as we’ve seen some unintended consequences from using off-brand cables. For most people, Apple’s USB-C-to-Lightning cable (Opens in a new window) (starting at 19) does the trick, but we also like some cables from reputable brands such as Native Union and Nomad.
Next, take time to assess your needs. Do you frequently charge multiple devices simultaneously? If so, buying a charger with multiple ports probably makes sense. Do you have Airpods or an Apple Watch to charge? Look into a wireless charging pad (but expect slower speeds).
When multiple ports are in the mix, it’s important to check the adapter’s total power output and each port’s power output. Watch out for underpowered ports that lead to longer charge times.
Should You Buy a GaN Charger?
The majority of chargers on the market use silicon semiconductors. Gallium nitride (GaN) is a relatively new alternative to silicon that offers a lot of benefits: GaN chargers are smaller, more efficient, and require fewer components than silicon chargers. They’re also more expensive. Ultimately, traditional silicon chargers are fine for most people. If you’re looking for the absolute slimmest option on the market, however, it’s likely to be a GaN charger.
If your nightstand is cluttered with Airpods, Apple Watch, and iPhone cables, it’s time to streamline your power routine with a wireless charging pad. We assembled a list of our favorite wireless charging stations for Apple products, with phone-only and multi-device options at various prices. Several of them support fast charging.
iPhone 12, 13, and 14 models also offer MagSafe as a faster alternative to Qi wireless charging. MagSafe allows you to wirelessly charge your device at up to 15W. Check out our favorite MagSafe chargers, but remember that you won’t get the same 27W speeds as with a wired charger and the right adapter.
Steven Winkelman contributed to this article.