Waiting forever for your device battery to reach full capacity can be a real test of patience. But have you ever wondered if this has anything to do with the wattage of your wall charger? Does the wattage rating really matter in how fast your device charges?
Yes, wattage does matter for a wall charger. The wattage of a charger determines how quickly it can charge your device. But it’s about more than just speed – using the wrong wattage can also damage your device and shorten its battery lifespan.
This blog post will delve deeper into the connection between the wattage of your wall charger and your device and why it’s so important. It may not sound like the most exciting topic, but understanding it can make a big difference in choosing the right wall charger for your needs.
Understanding Wall Charger Wattage
Okay, before we dive in, let’s get the basics down and address some common misconceptions. Wattage is simply a measure of the power consumed or produced by an electrical device. So, in the context of your wall charger, it’s just how much power they can deliver to charge your devices.
You might have seen chargers labelled with different wattage ratings like 5W, 10W, 18W, or even higher. But what’s the deal with these numbers?
It should be pretty simple; the higher the number, the more power your charger can deliver. So, generally, if you have a 10W charger, it should charge your device faster than a 5W charger.
However, here is the thing, that’s not always true if the device being charged does not support a higher wattage. Let’s take a look at some of these common misconceptions.
Common Wattage Misconceptions
Higher Wattage Equals Better Charging
Your devices have charging requirements, which you can usually find on the device itself or in the user manual. These specifications tell you what input voltage and current your device needs for optimal charging. And you need to match those specs with the wall charger you plan to use.
For example, the iPhone 13 Pro maxes out at about 27 watts, and using a wall charger with a higher wattage than what it can handle won’t make it charge faster because the device is smart enough to regulate the charging process and only draw the power it requires.
So, for fast charging to happen, you need to give the device the optimal amount of power, which in this case will be around 27 watts.
Using a High Wattage Charger Damages devices
I totally get why this might worry you, but fortunately, it’s mostly a misconception. Modern devices, like smartphones and tablets, are designed to be smart about power.
They have built-in charging circuitry that regulates the power flow. Think of it like a water faucet. Just because you have a faucet with a high water flow capacity doesn’t mean you’re constantly blasting out water at full force.
Similarly, just as I mentioned earlier, your device will only draw as much power as it needs, regardless of the charger’s maximum wattage. So, even if you plug your device into a charger with a higher wattage, it won’t harm your device. It will simply draw the power it needs and nothing more.
Why Wattage Matters for Wall Chargers
Multiple Device Charging
A wall charger with multiple ports can be a lifesaver if you constantly fight for charging spots in your household. But here’s the catch—each port may not deliver the same wattage. Some chargers distribute the wattage evenly across all ports, while others prioritise specific ports for faster charging. By opting for a higher-wattage charger, you can ensure that each device gets the power it needs simultaneously.
Device Safety
Using the correct wattage charger is not just about convenience; it’s about keeping your devices safe. When you use a charger with too low of wattage, it might struggle to provide enough power to your device. This can lead to overheating, overcharging, and other potential safety risks.
Battery Longevity
We all know how frustrating it is when our device’s battery loses its mojo. But guess what? Matching the wattage to your device’s requirements can extend its battery’s overall lifespan.
Using a charger that delivers the right amount of power prevents unnecessary strain on the battery, which can degrade its performance over time. So, choosing a suitable charger gives your battery a fighting chance to stay healthy and last longer.
Versatility
Technology is constantly evolving, and so are our devices. The last thing you want is to invest in a charger that becomes obsolete in a matter of months.
You future-proof your charging needs by choosing a wall charger with higher wattage. As new devices with increased power requirements hit the market, your high-wattage charger will easily handle them. It’s like having an insurance policy for your charging needs.
Choosing the Right Wall Charger
in a Nutshell, Here’s what you need.
- Know your wattage needs. You can find these in your device manual
- Check your device’s charging protocol. Using USB Power Delivery (PD) allows for more third-party options.
- Choose a charger that fits your device’s power and charging standards.
- If you would be charging multiple devices with just one charger, be sure to double-check that each port on the charger can handle the power requirements of all your gadgets. Also, ensure that each port supports the required standards for each device.
When choosing the perfect wall charger, there are two main things to remember. First, consider the amount of power you need. Don’t worry; this information can be found on the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
For example, smartphones typically need 18-150W, tablets up to 45W, and the newest laptops offer up to 240W charging through USB-C. Even your headphones can be charged with a basic 10W charger.
Secondly, you need to know the charging standard required to achieve this power. This can be a bit tricky, as devices often support multiple standards that offer different power capabilities, especially with Chinese smartphones that use proprietary standards to provide super-fast charging.
Luckily, these devices come with their own chargers, but if you plan on getting a multi-charging hub or power bank, make sure to know the fallback charging protocol.
Charging Standards
Generally, there are three categories that every smartphone charging standard fits into:
- Universal — This standard is widely used and can charge phones, laptops, and more. It comes in different varieties, such as the USB PD, but the important thing to check is whether your phone needs the advanced PPS protocol. Another universal option is Qi, which is used in wireless charging. Some brands may have their own unique names for their charging standards, but they still rely on USB PD, like Samsung’s Super Fast Charging.
- Proprietary — These charging standards are specific to certain brands and can provide faster charging speeds than USB PD, but they are limited to that particular brand’s own products and plugs. You might be unable to find support for them in third-party plugs and hubs. Some examples of proprietary charging standards are Warp Charge from OnePlus, SuperVOOC from OPPO, HyperCharge from Xiaomi, and Super.
- Legacy — Some older charging standards still exist, particularly in lower-powered gadgets and older phones like Quick Charge 3, Apple 2.4A, and Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging. While these standards are gradually becoming less common, they still come in handy as a backup option for modern gadgets, including Apple and Samsung smartphones.
Choosing your Charger
You wouldn’t have to worry much about these charging standards because, ideally, if your phone comes with an adapter and uses a proprietary charging standard, it would get the fastest charging speeds using the charger provided in the box or a similar plug offering with equivalent power rating.
However, if your phone doesn’t come with a charger or you’re looking for something that’ll work with all your gadgets, finding the right charging standard to obtain peak speeds can be a bit of a headache.
Your best bet is to check the manufacturer’s specifications, but unfortunately, not all of them list the required charging standard. But don’t worry; most phones bought in the past couple of years will support USB PD in some form, even though there are some exceptions among flagship models. As for wireless charging, Qi is a safe bet for most modern devices,
To Conclude
Wattage matters when it comes to wall chargers. Choosing the right wattage for your device can extend its battery life and ensure safe & efficient charging. Be sure to consider USB standards, multiple device charging needs, and safety certifications before making a decision. The magic formula for correctly fast charging your device is to buy a wall charger that supports the required charging standard while also providing enough wattage to the device.
