![SoundCloud latest company to hit trouble with AI clause in T&Cs [U]](https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/SoundCloud-latest-company-to-hit-trouble-with-AI-clause-in-TCs.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The best fast chargers for 2025
These days, charging your gadgets shouldn't feel like a chore — it’s about speed, efficiency and convenience. With so many devices supporting fast charging over USB-C, the right accessories can make a huge difference in keeping your gadgets juiced up without long wait times. That said, power bricks fall into a lot of different categories. Depending on the situation, you may only need an extra adapter for your nightstand. Alternatively, larger multi-port options are better for keeping a bunch of devices topped up when traveling, and bigger laptops may require adapters with higher outputs. The best fast chargers take advantage of the latest charging technology to deliver the quickest possible power-ups. With Apple having finally fully transitioned its devices over to USB-C, it's easier than ever to have a small handful of adapters (or even a single brick) that cover all of your gadgets. To help you find the right fast charger for your needs, we’ve rounded up the best fast chargers available right now, so you can spend less time waiting and more time using your devices. Best fast chargers for 2025 What to consider before buying a fast charger Before you start looking at specific chargers, it's critical to determine three things: how many devices do you need to charge, how much power do they require and whether or not you're planning on traveling with any of them. The reason for the first question is simple. If you only need to charge a single device, like a phone, it's cheaper and usually more space-efficient to get a lower-wattage adapter with one port instead of two or three. Next, it's critical to figure out how much electricity your gadgets need because it doesn't make sense to buy a power brick that pushes out more juice than your device can actually use. This may sound a bit tricky, but most major manufacturers will list a product's max charging speeds in its tech specs, which is typically denoted by a specific wattage (15W, for example). Unfortunately, very powerful or large laptops like gaming notebooks can suck a ton of juice (more than 140 watts), which means they may rely on more traditional power adapters with barrel plugs. This may result in them not being compatible with universal chargers. Some of these PCs may also support charging over USB-C, so even if a specific adapter can't deliver its full power draw, it can still send over some energy — but it will do so at a slower rate compared to the laptop's included charger. For frequent travelers, size and weight are often important considerations, because the bigger and heavier a charger is, the more annoying it will be to lug around. You'll also want to think about other factors like support for international plugs, which can be a big help to anyone who regularly visits other countries. Finally, you'll want to figure out if your smartphone uses a proprietary charging standard or if it's compatible with the USB Power Delivery spec (USB PD). For example, the OnePlus 13's included SuperVOOC power adapter can send up to 100 watts to the phone. However, if you use a generic USB-PD charger, speeds top out at 45 watts. That’s still pretty quick, but not nearly as fast as OnePlus' brick. What is GaN? When looking for chargers, you may notice that some are marked as GaN, which stands for gallium nitride. This is an important distinction because, when compared to older adapters that use silicon switches, GaN-based devices support increased power efficiency and output, allowing manufacturers to create more compact bricks that run cooler and support higher wattages. Depending on the specific power output, GaN adapters can be 30 to 50 percent smaller and lighter than silicon-based alternatives. That might not sound like much, but when they’re sitting in a bag alongside a laptop and a half dozen other accessories you might have, cutting down on excess bulk and weight goes a long way.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-fast-chargers-140011033.html?src=rss
These days, charging your gadgets shouldn't feel like a chore — it’s about speed, efficiency and convenience. With so many devices supporting fast charging over USB-C, the right accessories can make a huge difference in keeping your gadgets juiced up without long wait times.
That said, power bricks fall into a lot of different categories. Depending on the situation, you may only need an extra adapter for your nightstand. Alternatively, larger multi-port options are better for keeping a bunch of devices topped up when traveling, and bigger laptops may require adapters with higher outputs.
The best fast chargers take advantage of the latest charging technology to deliver the quickest possible power-ups. With Apple having finally fully transitioned its devices over to USB-C, it's easier than ever to have a small handful of adapters (or even a single brick) that cover all of your gadgets. To help you find the right fast charger for your needs, we’ve rounded up the best fast chargers available right now, so you can spend less time waiting and more time using your devices.
Best fast chargers for 2025
What to consider before buying a fast charger
Before you start looking at specific chargers, it's critical to determine three things: how many devices do you need to charge, how much power do they require and whether or not you're planning on traveling with any of them.
The reason for the first question is simple. If you only need to charge a single device, like a phone, it's cheaper and usually more space-efficient to get a lower-wattage adapter with one port instead of two or three. Next, it's critical to figure out how much electricity your gadgets need because it doesn't make sense to buy a power brick that pushes out more juice than your device can actually use. This may sound a bit tricky, but most major manufacturers will list a product's max charging speeds in its tech specs, which is typically denoted by a specific wattage (15W, for example).
Unfortunately, very powerful or large laptops like gaming notebooks can suck a ton of juice (more than 140 watts), which means they may rely on more traditional power adapters with barrel plugs. This may result in them not being compatible with universal chargers. Some of these PCs may also support charging over USB-C, so even if a specific adapter can't deliver its full power draw, it can still send over some energy — but it will do so at a slower rate compared to the laptop's included charger.
For frequent travelers, size and weight are often important considerations, because the bigger and heavier a charger is, the more annoying it will be to lug around. You'll also want to think about other factors like support for international plugs, which can be a big help to anyone who regularly visits other countries.
Finally, you'll want to figure out if your smartphone uses a proprietary charging standard or if it's compatible with the USB Power Delivery spec (USB PD). For example, the OnePlus 13's included SuperVOOC power adapter can send up to 100 watts to the phone. However, if you use a generic USB-PD charger, speeds top out at 45 watts. That’s still pretty quick, but not nearly as fast as OnePlus' brick.
What is GaN?
When looking for chargers, you may notice that some are marked as GaN, which stands for gallium nitride. This is an important distinction because, when compared to older adapters that use silicon switches, GaN-based devices support increased power efficiency and output, allowing manufacturers to create more compact bricks that run cooler and support higher wattages.
Depending on the specific power output, GaN adapters can be 30 to 50 percent smaller and lighter than silicon-based alternatives. That might not sound like much, but when they’re sitting in a bag alongside a laptop and a half dozen other accessories you might have, cutting down on excess bulk and weight goes a long way.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-fast-chargers-140011033.html?src=rss
