How Many Watts Does a Charger Need? Full Guide
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Anyone replacing an old 5-watt plug asks the same thing: how many watts does a charger actually need? The short answer is that more watts never hurt, but you should know what your device can accept. In this guide we explain watts, USB Power Delivery, PPS and GaN, and give you a concrete recommendation for every device.
What watts really mean when charging
Watts (W) are simply voltage (volts) times current (amps). So a 30 W charger can deliver more energy per second than a 20 W one, and your battery fills faster. The key point: your device only ever draws as much as it can handle. A 65 W charger will not fry your iPhone, it simply delivers the 20 to 30 W the iPhone asks for. That is why a stronger charger is almost always the future-proof choice.
USB Power Delivery and PPS made simple
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is the standard your charger and device use to agree on the right power level. Without PD you are often stuck at a slow 5 to 10 W. PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is an extension of PD that adjusts voltage in fine steps. Many Android phones, especially Samsung, need PPS for their full fast-charging speed.
- USB-PD: the basis for fast charging over USB-C.
- PPS: required for Samsung Super Fast Charging and many Android devices.
- Look for both on the box if you own an Android phone.
GaN: smaller, cooler, stronger
GaN stands for gallium nitride, a modern semiconductor material. GaN chargers are noticeably smaller and cooler than classic silicon plugs at the same power. A 65 W GaN charger is often no bigger than an old 20 W plug. That is ideal on the move, because one tiny plug can charge your phone, tablet and laptop. You will find matching chargers in stock from our Swiss warehouse.
How many watts does each device need?
Here are the realistic figures. More watts than listed does no harm but barely adds speed, because the device sets the limit.
| Device | Recommended watts | Connector |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (current) | 20–30 W | USB-C |
| Android phone | 25–45 W (with PPS) | USB-C |
| iPad / tablet | 20 W | USB-C |
| MacBook Air | 30–35 W | USB-C |
| MacBook Pro | 65–96 W | USB-C |
Why a bigger charger is the smarter buy
A single 65 W plug covers everything from an iPhone to a MacBook Air. So instead of buying a separate charger for each device, you buy one strong charger for all of them. For travel we recommend a GaN model with several ports, so phone and laptop charge at the same time. Remember the right USB-C cable: above 60 W you need a cable that can actually carry the power. You will find complementary computer accessories and every option in our cables, chargers and power banks section.
In short
For a phone alone, 30 W is plenty. If you also want to charge a tablet and laptop, go for a GaN plug with 65 W or more and several ports. Look for USB-PD and, on Android, PPS. All our chargers ship from a Swiss warehouse, with free delivery from CHF 15 and a 2-year warranty.