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Smartphones are extremely powerful and capable nowadays, but there is one critical link that can turn a fantastic device into a nuisance - the battery. Even if battery capacity isn't an issue, phones need to charge eventually, and people often overlook the importance of a fast charger and the convenience it brings to the table.
The ability to quickly top up the battery or significantly cut charging times is sometimes invaluable. And while this year's iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max ship with an 18W fast charger, you won't get the same treatment if you opt for the standard iPhone 11. This model is a popular option and packs nearly all its bigger siblings' features, yet it ships with an anemic 5W charging brick. And then there's the iPhone 12 series.
The unthinkable happened and Apple shipped those models without a charger, just a USB-C to lightning port cable. But before you start the environmental debate or pour out your hatred (or support), think of it as an opportunity. Chances are you're probably going to get a fast charger anyway. So let's dive in and check out the best iPhone fast chargers for 2021.
According to Apple, you can pump 50 percent battery charge for about 30 minutes on these iPhone models:
iPhone models that support fast charging
iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
How to make your iPhone charge faster?
In order to get your iPhone to juice up faster, you need the following things:
Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter
A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)
We've focused our attention on wired options only, because fast charging is all about speed and power, and wireless chargers just can't keep up. For those who prefer comfort and convenience over efficiency, there's another useful list of Best wireless chargers for iPhone (and Samsung). Now let's get started with our heavyweight power champions.
Power: 30W (18W on the USB-C PD/12W USB-A PowerIQ)
Travel-Ready with Foldable Plug
No cable included
Many people still carry around a mix of old and new gadgets, so opting for a dual-port charger is a wise decision. It’s bigger and heavier than a one-port charger, but way more compact than two separate ones. When it comes to quality and efficiency, you can’t go wrong with Anker. The PowerPort PD2 Dual Port fast charger is a do-it-all device that can fast-charge almost anything you throw at it. The 18W USB-C Power Delivery output will make a huge difference compared to the 5W unit included with your iPhone 11. This dual-port charger features Anker’s PowerIQ technology, which automatically adjusts charging parameters to deliver efficient and trouble-free charging of any device. The foldable plugs are a nice addition that will save you some space when you pack for that much-needed vacation or a business trip. All in all, the Anker PowerPort PD 2 is a great iPhone fast charger.
Belkin Boost Charge 27W
Ports: 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A
Power: 27W (single)/ 12W (dual mode)
Cable not included
Customized to support fast charge for iPhone, it can recharge iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus up to 50% in 30 minutes, using an Apple Lightning to USB-C Cable (not included). The USB-C port also delivers fastest charging possible to other Power Delivery-enabled devices up to 27-watts. It's another powerful option for fast-charging multiple devices on the go.
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Aukey Focus 36W 2-Port Foldable charger
Ports: 2x USB-C
Power: 30W (single)/ 18W (dual mode)
Travel-Ready with Foldable Plug
Cable not included
The Focus 36W Dual-Port charger is another solid option from Aukey. It’s lighter and more compact than the Anker, and features foldable plugs, too. This makes it ideal for the role of a travel charger if you want to keep the flexibility of the added USB-A port. The Focus Duo can charge your iPhone 11 at 18W with Power Delivery 3.0 and you can use the full 30W with an iPad or MacBooks, but if you plug another device into the second USB-C port, the power will drop to 18W. The power is automatically distributed between the ports thanks to Dynamic Detect technology and can fast charge a broad spectrum of devices.. There are no cables included in the package though, so you have to take care of that yourself.
RavPower Dual-Port 30W PD fast charger
Ports: 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A
Power: 18W (single)/ 15W (dual mode)
Travel-Ready with Foldable Plug
Cable not included
The RavPower 30W Dual-port fast charger is one of the best-selling dial-port PD iPhone fast chargers of the company. And rightly so. It ticks all the boxes - a nice and sleek design, foldable prongs, dual mode charging, support for numerous devices, and a great price too. There are no additional bells and whistles and sadly this one ships without a cable as well, but it's reliable and won't let you down.
Best compact fast chargers for iPhone
Anker Nano iPhone Charger, 20W PIQ 3.0
Ports: 1x USB-C with PD
Power: 20W PowerIQ 3.0 Type C
Ultra-portable: 1-inch thick, 30g
Cable not included
If you want the extra speed of a fast charger but still need to keep things as compact as possible, the new Anker Nano is an excellent choice. It’s just one inch thick and packs 20W punch in a 5W size body and is designed to provide the maximum charge to iPhone 12. The USB-C Power Delivery port works with virtually all mobile USB-C devices and you get the quality and reliability of the brand in a really tiny package. Cables are not included and you have to be careful not to lose the thing - yeah, it’s that small. The PowerPort III Nano is the best portable iPhone fast charger out there.
Aukey Minima 18W PD Charger
Ports: 1x USB-C with PD
Power: 18W
Travel-Ready with Foldable Plug
Cable not included
On the Aukey side of compact fast chargers we find the Minima. It’s not as compact as the PowerPort Nano but features foldable prongs, which is a fair tradeoff. The 18W maximum output charges an iPhone 11 from 0 to 65 percent in just 30 minutes, which is great. You can charge other USB-C devices, too and it’s budget-friendly at around $20 asking price. The packaging is a bit spartan and there are no cables included but it’s to be expected at this price point. All in all, the Aukey Minima 18W PD Charger is a compact no-frills quick charger that will get the job done.
RavPower PD Pioneer 30W
Ports: 1x USB-C with PD
Power: 30W
Travel-Ready with Foldable Plug
Cable not included
If you need things to stay portable, but don't want to sacrifice power, there's only one option. The world's smallest 30W fast charger - the RavPower PD Pioneer 30W. This iPhone fast charger uses GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology to offer more power, control, and protective functions built into the circuitry than conventional silicon. Despite its compact size (1.1-inch thickness), the RavPower PD Pioneer can get an iPhone XS Max to 50% battery in just half an hour, thanks to the Power Delivery 3.0. It's not the cheapest one in the bunch, but it's definitely worth a look.
For the purists
Apple USB-C 20W Power Adapter
If you’re a little suspicious of third-party accessories and want to keep even the chargers tight in the Apple ecosystem, you can always buy the 20W Power Adapter that Apple recommends for any iPhone from the iPhone 8 model, right up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. You’ll need to buy a USB-C to Lightning cable and this charge is neither crazy compact nor extra powerful, but if you value continuity, it’s a valid option.
Ports: 1x USB-C with PD
Power: 20W
Cable not included
Affordable iPhone fast chargers
Aukey Swift 18W PD Charger
Ports: 1x USB-C with PD
Power: 10W
Cable not included
If you're on a budget, there's still options out there. The Aukey Swift 18W PD charger will get the job done, charging everything from the iPhone 8 right to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and at a crazy good price. This iPhone fast charger supports Power Delivery 3.0 and comes with a foldable plug. It's not one of those unbranded chinese knock-offs, so you don't have to worry about quality. You can get one of these for around $10 if you're lucky but you do need to buy a charging cable separately.
iPhone USB-C to Lightning cables for fast charging
To get fast charging to work with your iPhone, you need a special cable. Apple's Power Delivery system requires a USB-C port, which in other words means that you need a USB-C to Lightning port cable. These come in different lengths and you can get one from various brands. To simplify things, here are some options:
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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