TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
If you own a MacBook Air or Pro, you will most likely use the charger it came with until it breaks. When the time comes you need to replace it, you might think that you will have to spend a ton of cash for a new charger from Apple. Thankfully, you can have more savings if you buy a replacement charger from a different, lesser-known brand. Such chargers are still sufficient for your laptop in terms of power output and optimization despite their lower price tag.
Apple only sells white chargers, so getting a charger from a different brand might be better for you if you prefer to have a black one. You can invest in one of these third-party chargers even if your original Apple one isn’t broken yet since you may need an extra charger to put in your bag when you leave your home or travel. Whatever your reason is for needing a new charger, you’ll have a wide range of options on the market to choose from. We’ve created a guide to the best USB Type-C chargers for MacBooks in 2022. Read on to see their detailed descriptions, pros, and cons.
The Nekteck 100W USB Type-C Charger would be a perfect option for those who are tired of the standard white chargers from Apple. This charger has a sleek black color that’s more aesthetically pleasing. It’s compact and lightweight, so you won’t encounter any problems bringing it with you when you leave your home. In fact, the charge is about 40% smaller than Apple’s charger. It will work with any MacBook Air or Pro, as long as you use a USB Type-C cable, not the new MagSafe 3 cable.
This charger features GaN (gallium nitride) Technology, which boosts its charging efficiency by 90%. It has a maximum power output of 100W, so a 16-inch MacBook Pro can be fully charged in about 1.9 hours. Users can rest assured that the charger is safe to use since it is UL-listed, FCC-certified, and USB-IF (TID: 4170). The Nekteck 100W USB Type-C Charger isn’t solely for MacBooks; you can also use it for mobile devices. It supports Power Delivery 3.0, so it will undoubtedly charge your devices faster. The charger comes with a 2M USB Type-C to C cable and a 12-month worry-free warranty.
For those who want a more premium charger from a known brand, you can opt for the Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4. It has a total power output of 100W, and you’ll get two USB Type-C ports and two USB Type-A ports. It means you can use it to charge your MacBooks and other mobile devices simultaneously. You just have to remember that you can only access the full 100 watts of power when you only connect one device. If you charge more than one device, then the 100W will be distributed among the connected devices.
The Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4 isn’t an ordinary charger because it supports high-speed charging thanks to Anker’s USB Type-C Power Delivery and PowerIQ technology. The charger is compact and smaller than a passport, so keeping it in your bag won’t be an issue. One cool thing about it is that it has an intelligent automatic detection function. If it senses that a cable is connected to it but not charging any device, it will stay in standby mode and keep heat levels low. You can keep it from emitting any heat when you disconnect the cables from the port.
All MacBooks are different, and you’ll have to pick a charger depending on the size and model you have. For those with the largest variant, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it would be best to invest in a charger with a total power output of 140W. The KOVOL PD 3.1 is an excellent option and would only cost you about $80. The charger is available in two color options: black and white. It’s ideal to use for the 16-inch MacBook Pros introduced in 2021. The company says it can give your laptop up to 56% of battery life in just 30 minutes. One important thing to remember is that you’ll need to use the new MagSafe 3 cable with the charger, which initially came with your laptop if you first bought it. The charger doesn’t come with a cable, so you’ll have to buy one separately if you don’t have one yet.
As the name suggests, the KOVOL PD 3.1 supports all-new PD 3.1 charging. Its fixed voltage and power output are 28V/140W. The charger has one USB Type-C port and a single USB Type-A port. You can charge your MacBook and mobile phone simultaneously, but the power output your laptop will get is limited to 120W, which is still not that bad. The charger features Kovol’s Q-Pulse technology, which ensures safety from overheating and surge protection. It can maintain a low surface temperature while still providing higher efficiency.
If you own a MacBook Air, a 13-inch MacBook Pro, or a 14-inch MacBook Pro and want a compact and simple charger, you can go for the Anker 715 Nano II. This portable charger has a single USB Type-C port, and its total power output is 65W. It’s mainly suited for all the smaller MacBooks since it’s not powerful enough for the 16-inch MacBook Pros. This charger supports high-speed charging and can charge a MacBook Air for about two hours or less. You can also use it to charge your iPhones since such devices use a USB Type-C cable, and it charges 3x faster than the 5W Apple chargers.
The Anker 715 Nano II features GaN II Technology, and you can expect it to have a better operating frequency and an upgraded circuit board structure. Anker says that the charger will impress you with its heat dissipation and higher energy efficiency. Upon purchase, customers will receive a worry-free 18-month warranty. It doesn’t come with a cable, so you’ll have to ensure you have one or buy one compatible with the device you will use the charger with.
We know the single port the Anker 715 Nano II has might be disappointing for some, but the good thing is that you have a better option if you have extra funds to spend. The Anker 735 Nano II is similar to its cheaper sibling, but you’ll get two USB Type-C ports and one Type-A port. You’ll benefit from 65W of power when you plug in only one device, but if you charge several devices simultaneously, they will all share the power.
The Anker 735 Nano II is a bit bigger than the 715 Nano II, but it’s still compact and portable. The charger is also powered by GaN II Technology, so you’ll get better operating frequency, heat dissipation, and energy efficiency. It’s the perfect charger to have if you want a single adapter for your MacBooks and mobile devices. The charger isn’t limited to use for Apple devices since it will also work with Android devices. Like Anker’s other chargers, you won’t get a cable with the charger, but you’ll most likely already have at least one lying around in your home. All customers will receive a worry-free 18-month warranty and access to friendly customer service.
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is