Most new phones no longer come with a charger in the box, so the plug you buy decides how fast your phone actually charges. Pick one that is too weak and a phone built for fast charging will crawl. Pick the wrong standard and a powerful charger will fall back to slow speeds.

The good news is that you only need to understand three things: how many watts your phone can take, which fast-charging standard it uses, and whether the cable can keep up. This guide covers each one, then looks at wireless charging and what to buy.

Watts: the number that matters most

Watts (W) measure how much power a charger can deliver, and more watts means a faster charge. The figure comes from two others printed on every charger: volts multiplied by amps. A charger that supplies 9 volts at 2.77 amps is a 25W charger.

You do not need to do the maths. You only need to match the charger's wattage to what your phone can accept.

• Find your phone's maximum. It is listed on the spec sheet as "wired charging" or "fast charging". 
• Match it or go higher. A 25W phone on a 45W charger still charges at 25W. The phone decides how much power to draw, so a bigger charger is safe.
• Do not go lower. A 25W phone on an old 5W or 10W plug will charge, but it can take several times longer.

As a rough guide, 20W to 30W covers most phones, 45W suits flagship phones that support it, and 65W or more is for charging a tablet or laptop from the same plug.

Fast-charging standards: the language your charger speaks

A charger only delivers its full wattage if it and the phone agree on a fast-charging standard. If they do not, the phone falls back to a slow, safe speed. These are the names to look for on the box.

• USB Power Delivery (PD) is the universal standard. iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and most other Android phones use it over a USB-C port. If a charger says PD, it will fast-charge almost anything.
• PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is an add-on to PD that lets the phone fine-tune the power as it charges. Samsung's Super Fast Charging needs it, so a Galaxy phone only reaches its full 25W or 45W on a PD charger with PPS.
• Quick Charge (QC) is an older standard found on many Android phones and on USB-A ports. It is useful for older devices, but PD has replaced it on most new phones.
• Brand-specific systems from Xiaomi, Oppo, Huawei and Honor reach very high wattages, but only with the brand's own charger and cable. On a standard PD charger these phones still charge, just more slowly.

The simple rule: a PD charger with PPS, at or above your phone's wattage, is the safest all-round buy.

The cable and the ports

A fast charger with the wrong cable is a slow charger. The cable has a power limit of its own.

• Use USB-C to USB-C for fast charging. Power Delivery runs over USB-C at both ends. The older USB-A to USB-C cables cannot carry it, so they hold a new phone back.
• Check the cable's wattage. A standard USB-C cable handles up to 60W, which is plenty for any phone. 
• Older iPhones need Lightning. For an iPhone with a Lightning port, choose a USB-C to Lightning cable so you can still use a PD charger.

The charger's ports matter too. If you charge more than one device, look at a multi-port charger, but remember the wattage on the box is the total. A 65W charger with three ports shares that 65W between whatever is plugged in.

You will also see GaN on many newer chargers. It stands for gallium nitride, a material that lets a charger run cooler and pack more power into a smaller body. It does not charge faster by itself, but it makes a 45W or 65W charger pocket-sized.

Wireless charging: convenience over speed

Wireless charging sends power from a coil in the pad to a coil in the back of the phone. It is slower than a good wired charger and runs a little warmer, but nothing beats dropping your phone on a pad at your desk or bedside.

First check that your phone supports it. Most flagship and many mid-range phones do, while entry-level models do not.

• Qi (say "chee") is the universal wireless standard. Any Qi phone works on any Qi pad, typically at 5W to 15W.
• Qi2 adds a ring of magnets so the phone snaps into the right spot every time. Good alignment means less wasted power and less heat. Qi2 chargers deliver 15W, and the newest reach 25W.
• MagSafe is Apple's magnetic system for the iPhone 12 and later, and Qi2 is built on the same idea. A MagSafe or Qi2 charger is the best match for a recent iPhone.

Three things to know before you buy:

1. The pad still needs a plug. Many wireless chargers come without a wall adapter. A 15W pad needs a PD adapter of about 20W or more behind it to reach full speed.
2. Cases matter. Thick cases, metal plates and bank cards in a wallet case can block or slow charging. For magnetic chargers, use a magnetic case.
3. Pick the shape for the place. A flat pad suits a bedside table, a stand lets you see the screen at a desk, and a 3-in-1 charger handles several devices from one plug.

Chargers worth a look at Technomobi

These picks from Technomobi's wall charger, wireless charger and charging cable ranges cover the most common needs.

Prices are Technomobi's listed sale prices on 9 October 2026 and may change. These products were also available at the time of this article. visit the collection above this table to shop newer models.

The 30-second checklist

1. Look up your phone's maximum charging wattage. Buy a charger that matches it or goes higher.
2. Check the standard. PD for almost everything, PD with PPS for Samsung, and the brand's own charger for Xiaomi, Oppo, Huawei or Honor top speeds.
3. Pair it with a USB-C to USB-C cable rated for the wattage, or USB-C to Lightning for an older iPhone.
4. Count your devices. One phone needs one port. A phone, tablet and laptop call for a multi-port GaN charger of 65W or more.
5. Add wireless for convenience, not speed, and make sure the pad has a strong enough plug behind it.

Get those five right and your phone will charge as fast as it was designed to, every time.