Key Points
- The NekTeck 100 W USB-C Charger combines an incredible balance of power, size, and affordability. This charger is USB-IF certified and comes with its own cable.
- For a USB-C charger with multiple ports, go for the Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4, a heavy-duty charging block that has four ports for charging your MacBook and iPhone 13 at the same time.
- The Anker 713 Nano II is the best charger for travel. It can charge up to 45 W, which is more than enough for tablets or smartphones.
Today’s USB-C chargers have a range of wattage alongside multiple ports, overcharge protection and state-of-the-art semiconductor technology. There’s a lot of power packed into a tiny block, but it turns out that not every model works with every Apple device. Price doesn’t vary much, so it’s especially important to choose the right charger for you.
So how do you know which charger to buy for MacBook? There are many charging blocks for each device. After reviewing different chargers, here’s our top five option for the best USB-C chargers for Apple MacBooks:
- Best Overall: NekTeck 100 W USB-C Charger
- Best for Performance: Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4
- Best Budget Option: MINIX NEO P1 66W
- Best for MacBook Pro 16-Inch: KOVOL PD 3.1
- Best for MacBook Air: Anker 713 Nano II
Best Overall: NekTeck 100 W USB-C Charger
- Fast and powerful charger (with up to 90% efficiency)
- Compact size for storage
- Compatible with MacBook Air/Pro, iPad Air/Pro, iPhone
- FCC Certified and UL Listed for safety
- 12-month worry-free warranty
For the best USB-C chargers for Apple MacBooks, our top pick is the NekTeck 100 W USB-C Charger. It combines an incredible balance of power, size, and affordability. This charger is USB-IF certified and even comes with its cable. If all this wasn’t enough, NekTeck provides a 12-month warranty on the device.
The NekTeck 100 W provides enough wattage to fast-charge the 2019 MacBook Pro 16-inch and all models below it. Excluding some of Apple’s newest models, this is enough to charge any of your devices. It only comes with a single port, but at a price of just $50, we don’t mind.
Check out the NekTeck 100 W USB-C Charger on Amazon.
Best for Performance: Best for Performance 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 Charger ( GaNPrime), 4-Port Fast Compact Foldable Gan Charger for MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 14/Pro, iPad Pro, Dell XPS 13, Galaxy S22/S21, Note 20/10+, Pixel and More $82.49 - Ability to charge 2 laptops at high speed, or power up to 4 devices simultaneously. Connect one device to one of the USB-C ports for charging at up to 100W.
- More power than the Apple 140W charger, but 38% smaller.
- ActiveShield 2.0 is Anker's proprietary technology, which enhances protection by intelligently monitoring temperature over 3 million times per day and adjusting power output to safeguard your connected devices.
- GaNPrime products save up to 796.39 million kWh per year—that's enough energy to power Hawaii for a full month.
- With purchase, you receive Anker 747 Charger (GaNPrime 150W), silicone stabilizer, welcome guide, our worry-free 24-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
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- Ability to charge 2 laptops at high speed, or power up to 4 devices simultaneously. Connect one device to one of the USB-C ports for charging at up to 100W.
- More power than the Apple 140W charger, but 38% smaller.
- ActiveShield 2.0 is Anker's proprietary technology, which enhances protection by intelligently monitoring temperature over 3 million times per day and adjusting power output to safeguard your connected devices.
- GaNPrime products save up to 796.39 million kWh per year—that's enough energy to power Hawaii for a full month.
- With purchase, you receive Anker 747 Charger (GaNPrime 150W), silicone stabilizer, welcome guide, our worry-free 24-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
If you are looking for a USB-C charger with multiple ports, go for the 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 Charger. This heavy-duty charging block features four ports (3 USB-C and 1 USB-A), so you can charge 2 laptops at high speed, or charge 4 devices simultaneously. If charging a single device, it operates with a charge up to 100W.
The 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 sports ActiveShield 2.0 technology, proprietary to Anker, which protects this device as well as those charged by monitoring temperature and adjusting power output. It comes in at about $110.
Check out the 150W USB C Charger, Anker 747 Charger on Amazon.
Best for Budget: MINIX NEO P1 66W
- [Turbo 3-Port GaN Charger]: Powered by the latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology, MINIX’s 66W Turbo 3-Port GaN Charger delivers ultra-fast charging speeds in a smaller form factor design compared...
- [Universal Compatibility]: Perfected to work with both PD & QC charging protocols for seamless use with your laptop, smartphone and all USB-charged devices at the same time.
- [Travel-friendly] Built-in foldable wall plugs (no messy bulky power cables), supports worldwide universal 100-240V voltage and comes with UK/EU pin converters so that it can be used in virtually any...
- [Protection]: Over-current, Over-voltage, Over-temperature, Short-circuit Protection
- [Dynamic Smart Detection]: NEO P1 66W Turbo charger automatically adjusts the power output of each port depending on the devices connected to it. So, no matter what device is plugged into the end of...
If you like the versatility of multiple ports, but don’t like the price, the MINIX NEO P1 66W should top of your list. This charger offers a 3-port setup for nearly half the cost of the Anker PowerPort. It has enough wattage to charge most MacBooks and even comes with handy socket adapters for international travelers.
The NEO P1 has a max wattage of 66 W, enough to fast-charge the new MacBook Pro 13-inch model. Its two USB-C ports and its single USB-A port allow you to charge your iPhone and MacBook simultaneously. At just under $50, this device is more affordable than an Apple model with the same wattage.
Check out the MINIX NEO P1 66W on Amazon
Best for MacBook Pro 16-Inch: KOVOL PD 3.1
- Superfast PD 3.1 charging (under 30 mins) for your laptop
- Surge protection for 100% safe charging
- Compatible with a range of mobile devices and USB-C laptops
- Support 2-port fast charging of MacBook Pro
Apple released their newest MacBook Pro 16-inch model in 2021. This laptop uses a 140 W charger, nearly a third larger than previous models. Any chargers on this list will work with it, but none will charge it in about an hour, except KOVOL PD 3.1.
But the charger’s massive wattage isn’t the only aspect that makes it awesome. The KOVOL comes with two ports to charge your laptop and phone simultaneously. But unlike other models on this list, the KOVOL’s A port is hyper-powerful, with a wattage max of 18 W instead of 12. So not only will your laptop charge quickly, but so will your phone. The charging block costs $90, which is cheaper than the Apple version.
Check out the KOVOL PD 3.1 on Amazon.
Best for MacBook Air: Anker 713 Nano II
- Up to 3× faster than with an original 5W charger
- 34% smaller than an original 45W USB-C charger
- Powered by GaN II Technology
The Anker 713 Nano II might be half the size of the next smallest model on our list, but that doesn’t take away from its power. It’s got plenty of power to charge the new MacBook Air or any smartphone in a pinch. The charging block might run on the expensive end for its size, but it’s got the specs to command it.
This compact Anker charger is a square about the size of your knuckle, something you could easily throw in your pocket. So unlike our other models, this is the easiest charger to take with you while traveling. It can charge up to 45 W, which is more than enough for tablets or smartphones. We just wish there was another port for its stout price of $40.
Check out the Anker 713 Nano II on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best USB-C Charger for Apple MacBooks: Step-by-Step
Keep the following four things in mind when choosing the right USB-C charger for your Apple MacBook.
- Mac model
- Wattage
- Available ports
- Price
Let’s review each one in more detail.
Mac Model
You might look at charging blocks and immediately equate that wattage equals more power, but that’s not true. If you go out and buy the most powerful USB-C charger without checking out the wattage requirements of your Mac first, you can find yourself spending money on specs you don’t need. And with several generations of MacBooks, your model can range from 30 W to 140 W.
Wattage
After you know how much wattage your MacBook uses, you can search for the appropriate charger wattage. Again, this can range from 30 W for older model MacBook Pros or tablets to 140 W for the latest design.
Lower wattage chargers can charge higher wattage models, but not efficiently. And while higher wattage chargers can charge lower wattage models, they’re overpowered for what you’re using them for. And if you must get one of these chargers, ensure it comes with overcharge protection.
Available Ports
The Mac model and wattage are the main determinants for choosing the right charger, but you might want one with multiple ports. This usually looks like a USB-A alongside a USB-C, but some have even more. While you can charge multiple devices, your charger has to split its maximum wattage.
For example, if you have a 100W charger with 1 USB-C and 1 USB-A and you charge your phone from the A port (which usually charges at 12 W), your C port would only have a max wattage of 88 W. You wouldn’t be able to charge a MacBook Pro 15-inch at max wattage, but you could still charge the new 13-inch model. Knowing your Mac model will help you choose the right amount of ports.
Price
The cost of USB-C chargers doesn’t have a wide range; they typically don’t run over $100. The wattage and number of ports will determine what you’ll pay, but remember that the wattage is critical here. If budget is a concern, think about limiting the number of ports before you purchase a weaker charging block.
©charnsitr/Shutterstock.com
What to Know Before Buying a USB-C Charger for Apple MacBooks
One of the most important changes in charger technology is its semiconductor material. Recently, manufacturers switched from silicon to gallium nitride (GaN). This material produces less heat, which results in more efficient charging and smaller designs. You might notice this label on new USB-C chargers, signifying a modern design. If you don’t find GaN on your charger, know that it might be less efficient than it could be.
Another change that Apple users might love to hear is the return of the MagSafe port. MagSafe 3 is an exclusive Apple port that allows for Fast Charge on models made in 2021 or later. It can power a battery from 0-50% in 30 minutes. However, some charge blocks don’t accommodate USB-C to MagSafe 3 cables. So if you’re stoked about using MagSafe again, confirm that your charger can use it.
Using a USB-C Charger for Apple MacBooks: What It’s Like
Users tested the best USB-C chargers for Apple MacBooks and tried max charging capabilities with single and multiple ports. The new MacBook Pro 16-inch was tested along with the 15-inch model and MacBook Air. The iPhone 13 was used to test multiple ports.
Users found that the Anker PowerPort was the most satisfying to use for both devices, charging them at max capacity. Users especially like the KOVOL for charging the iPhone 13 with its superpowered USB-A port.
All the chargers slugged when charging the MacBook Pro 16-inch model except for the KOVOL. The Anker 713 Nano was especially slow, having only a 45-watt capacity. Still, the model worked excellently with the MacBook Air offering the right amount of wattage for the tablet.
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The image featured at the top of this post is © Vladimir Arndt/Shutterstock.com.
