types of chargers

How Do I Know What Kind of Charger I Need?

Even if all the USB chargers on the market look alike, not all chargers are the right ones for your device. If chosen wrong, it may take longer to get your devices charged or damage them out of voltage & current mismatch. 

There are many charges — wall chargers, desktop chargers, wireless chargers, car chargers, and more. Which type is exactly the right one for your device? 

This guideline will go through 6 common types of chargers you can get from stores and help you choose chargers that meet the power requirements of all your portable gadgets.

Types of Chargers

These 6 common types of chargers with unique abilities to be used in different charging scenarios.

  • Wall Chargers:This charger features a cubic shape with foldable prongs on some models. It is the most common charger to be connected to the wall socket to charge the device, which usually comes as an accessory with the primary device in the package. 
  • Desktop Chargers: With an AC power cable plus a brick with multiple ports, usually in different USB types, the desktop chargers meet the demand of charging multiple devices simultaneously. It can help organize the messy wires to make your desktop tidy. 
  • Wireless Chargers: This type of charger frees you from the constraints of power cables. Put your device on the wireless charger with the back cover touching it. The device will be charged by a magnetic field formed between the device and the charger.
  • Car Chargers: If you go on self-driving tours often or take a lot of time driving your car on your commute, a car charger is essential on the road to ensure your phone and other gadgets stay powered.
  • Solar Chargers: Instead of using a power source for charging, a solar charger equips solar panels to collect power from the sun and convert it into electricity. It is easy to carry to charge your devices on trips or to work without the hassle of finding a socket. However, its function is severely limited on rainy or cloudy days.
  • Power Banks:If you don't have access to a power source in emergencies, you can still power up your portable devices using a power bank. The power bank must be charged before it can be used. A large power bank can take a long time to charge fully.

Things You Should Know About Picking the Right Charger

In some cases, you may find a charger that is handy and powerful, but it doesn't meet your device's requirements. No matter what type of charger is needed, consider these things if you're picking up a new charger.

  • Power Output Wattages: Find out the power requirements of your devices before choosing a charger. Typically, a 5W~10W output is enough for internet routers, smartwatches, and headphones; 15W~55W for phones, tablets, and some ultrabooks; 65W~140W for high-performance laptops and some home electric appliances.
  • Fast Charging Protocol: The standard fast-charging protocols are PD, QC, FCP, and PPS. A charger supporting one or multiple types of fast charging protocols is called a fast charger with a larger output than standard chargers. A fast charger that supports more fast charging protocols and has a higher power output will be more expensive. 
  • Charging Port Types: Most chargers use USB-A ports as output ports, while some models supporting PD fast charging protocols use USB-C ports. A charger or power bank may have multiple ports that consist of USB-A ports and USB-C ports to ensure better compatibility. Choose chargers with the right type of output ports that match the cables supported by your devices.
  • Safety Protection Features:Chargers must deal with the real-time fluctuation of voltages and currents during high-speed charging. A good charger should have all-around circuit protection, including short-circuit protection, surge protection, temperature regulation, and more.

Picking The Best Charger

If you want the smallest charger available to charge your devices at the fastest speeds, the Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger is the best model. This charger features mighty 140W PD 3.1 output to offer the fastest possible charging speed for a MacBook Pro 16" 2021, charging it up to 56% in just 30 mins.

It equips multiple safety features to prevent charging hazards and foldable prongs to ensure portability. With 2 ports, it can top up a laptop and a phone simultaneously at high speed. Meanwhile, it supports PPS/QC 3.0 to power up virtually all your mobile devices. 

Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger

The Kovol Sprint 120W 4-Port PD GaN Desktop Charger is recommended if you have a lot of gear to carry. With 120W total output and GaN tech, it can rapidly charge up a MacBook Pro 16" in just 1.7h.

It can charge 4 devices at the same time and intelligently distributes optimal power to each device. Its compact size allows you to carry it on the go with ease. Comes with a 4.9ft AC input cable to allow you to charge your devices at a distance.

Kovol sprint 120w 4-port PD GaN desktop charger

Now, these two chargers are available in Kovol's store, and new customers will receive coupons. Check now for detail and grab the discount before it's gone!

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