Enough for many phones, and kind at the bedside
This page gathers every charger in the shop whose own listing gives 20 watts or less as its top power. Twenty watts sounds modest next to the big numbers on laptop chargers, but it fast-charges many iPhones, and it is plenty for earbuds, a watch, an older phone or a bedside where the phone has all night. Smaller chargers are also smaller to carry.
What is here
- 20W USB-C plug chargers with a UK three-pin plug and USB Power Delivery. One is a single USB-C socket in a compact body; another adds a USB-A socket, giving up to 20W from USB-C and up to 18W from USB-A with Quick Charge 3.0, so a phone and a pair of earbuds charge from one plug.
- 15W magnetic wireless chargers: slim pads and mini chargers that click onto the back of MagSafe-compatible iPhones, and onto other phones with a magnetic case.
- Wireless stands: a 3-in-1 magnetic stand for a phone, a watch and earbuds together, a 4-in-1 stand in a metal shell, and a small chair-shaped stand that doubles as a speaker.
Is 20W enough for my phone?
For many phones it is fast charging. Apple asks for an 18W or greater USB-C charger with USB Power Delivery for fast charging on earlier iPhones, and says the iPhone 17e and iPhone Air reach 50 per cent in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher. The iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max reach their quickest times with 40W or more, and Galaxy phones with Super Fast Charging want 25W, so for those look at the 20W to 45W chargers. A 20W charger still charges them safely, only more slowly.
Wireless chargers and the plug behind them
A wireless charger's watts are what the pad can give the phone, and only when the plug behind it supplies enough. Several of the wireless chargers here ask for an adapter of 18W or more, or one with Quick Charge 3.0; an old 5-volt cube will leave them crawling. Wireless charging also turns more of its power into heat than a cable does, and lines up best when the phone sits centred on the coil, which is what the magnets are for. For the faster Qi2 tier at 25W, see the 3-in-1 charging stations and travel wireless chargers. The guide to wireless and magnetic charging explains Qi, Qi2 and magnets.
Questions people ask about chargers up to 20W
Will a 20W charger charge an iPad?
Yes, but more slowly than a bigger one. Many tablets take far more than 20 watts.
Can I use a 20W charger overnight?
Apple says it is safe to keep an iPhone connected overnight. Electrical Safety First advises against leaving USB chargers charging overnight or while you are out, so follow whichever suits your home, and charge on a hard surface, not under a pillow.
More to look at