Best Universal Charger 2023 • 7 Universal Chargers Reviews

What is a universal charger and how does it work?

A universal charger is an excellent option if your old device is broken or lost. It doesn’t matter whether you need it for your phone, your laptop, or a camera battery, or all at once—you will find a product for every taste and need. You will have one charger for all your electronic devices.

What types of universal chargers are there?

There are different types of universal chargers depending on the devices with which they can work. To make your own opinion, you should have a look at this comparison.

Charger with USB ports

Those equipped with USB ports are the most common. The devices they are compatible with depends on their voltage, but they can generally charge cell phones and tablets. If you want to charge cell phones, tablets, and similar devices, you should buy a universal charger with USB plugs. The more you have, the better.

Laptop-specific universal charger

You will also find laptop-specific universal chargers. These models often include different sized plugs to fit a wider range of computer brands. If you want to charge your laptop, you should buy a universal charger with adapters for computer plugs.

Combination

A third type will combine this laptop-specific type and the previous one to allow you to charge cell phones, tablets, and laptops all at once. If you want to travel with your universal charger, you should buy a universal charger with different power plugs in comparison to having several different ones.

Various power plugs

Last but not least, you can purchase universal chargers with various power plugs. These models are specifically designed to adapt to the sockets in different regions of the world. While you can use this type of adapter at home, it is best suited if you often travel outside of the U.S. Also, to the AC power plug, it usually features USB ports as well.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Universal Chargers

Universal chargers offer various benefits that brand or model-specific chargers do not. They are more affordable, for starters. If the one that came with your electronic device stops working or if you lose it, it is generally cheaper to get a universal charger rather than an original model.

However, these products do come with a couple of drawbacks. In some cases, their main disadvantage is that you have to pay particular attention to the voltage to avoid damaging your device.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Shopping Criteria for Universal Chargers

Do you ever go a whole day without having to charge at least one electronic device? We know we don’t. Universal chargers are an excellent alternative in case you need to replace the one that came with your cell phone or laptop. We have told you just about everything you need to know about these products, but there are still several key criteria that you should be familiar with. They will help you pick the model that best suits your needs.

Use

The first thing you have to do is think about the devices that you want to charge with your universal charger. If you need to charge devices through a USB port, such as cell phones or tablets, it won’t be hard to find; these are the most common models on the market. Remember that the more ports it features, the more devices you can charge at the same time.

If you need to charge your laptop, on the other hand, you will have to look for a universal charger with the right plug. Once again, the more plugs the product has, the more versatile it will be. Finally, if you often travel and need a model that can adapt to every country in which you set foot, one with multiple plugs for different regions is what you’ll be looking for.

Voltage

As we discussed earlier, the energy required for charging can vary from one device to the next. This is why you must make sure that the universal charger you buy is compatible with your electronics’ requirements. If you fail to use the adequate voltage, your device may not charge correctly or may even be damaged.

Some universal chargers allow you to adjust the voltage manually. Other models integrate the AIPower technology that we talked about earlier. This system automatically detects the power required by each device once it is connected. In any case, we strongly encourage you to check the manufacturer’s specifications if you have any doubts regarding the compatibility of two electronic products.

Connectivity

In the same vein, you must make sure that your charger offers the right connection option for your device. As we explained above, the most common type will feature USB plugs. These are suitable for tablets, cell phones, and other similar devices. On the other hand, you can purchase universal chargers with laptop plugs.

These are perhaps the most complex products since manufacturers generally specify a list of brands and models compatible with their universal chargers. You must pick a device with the right plug for your computer. It must be identical—both in shape and thickness—to your regular charger. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your computer connection.

Number of Plugs and Connections

The more connectivity options your universal charger has, the more devices you will be able to charge at the same time—not to mention that you will only need a single power plug. When it comes to laptop chargers, the same applies; the more plugs it features, the wider range of equipment you can connect to it. That way, you can share it with others who may need it.

Security

There is one last factor that is absolutely fundamental: security. Most universal chargers come with different safety systems against circumstances such as overheating, overcharging, or short-circuits. In fact, some models are even manufactured with fireproof materials for added safety.

If a universal charger doesn’t comply with international safety standards, it could be dangerous. It may damage the device you are charging or burn a power socket. In certain environments, a spark can be a tremendously dangerous hazard. But we don’t want to scare you off! Simply make sure that your product is approved by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or has a European Conformity Certificate, marked with the CE logo.

Related Links and Sources

• https://www.idaptweb.com/universal-chargers/
• https://www.techwalla.com/articles/universal-battery-charger-instructions
• https://www.technipages.com/can-i-use-any-charger-with-my-phone-or-tablet
• https://unsplash.com/photos/LnsAOtFufV8

FAQs

How can I control the voltage of my charger?

Electrical appliances can operate on different voltages. Whether you are buying a new cell phone or a computer, the charger that comes with it is designed to provide the right voltage for this device. However, this is something that you have to check yourself when you are buying a universal charger.

If the charger has a higher voltage than what is recommended, on the other hand, you may very well damage your device. Nowadays, many chargers integrate different voltage settings from which to choose, depending on the needs of your electronic equipment. All you have to do is adjust the voltage using a settings wheel located on the charger.

In that regard, you should consult the manufacturer’s recommendations. Note that you can also purchase chargers that automatically detect the voltage required by the device. This is a particularly convenient and safe system that ensures proper charging of the battery. This is when the AIPower technology comes in.

What is the AIPower technology?

This system allows universal chargers to recognize the power at which individual devices must be charged. That means that you don’t have to worry about adjusting the voltage yourself. Simply connect your cell phone or laptop, and the charger takes care of the rest. Your device will be charged more safely.

The best about this feature is that each USB port (if your charger has several) is individually matched to each connected device. That way, you can charge devices with different voltage needs all at once. In fact, the AIPower technology also provides the fastest and safest charging speed for every piece of electronic equipment.

Which devices can I charge with a universal charger?

This will depend on the charger you buy. Certain models are designed to work with the vast majority of cell phone and tablet brands. That said, you should always check the compatibility with all your devices before making your purchase. Other universal chargers will allow you to charge a wide range of laptops.

In addition, some models can charge other types of electronic devices. These include e-readers, cameras, hair clippers, batteries, and even Bluetooth speakers. In the end, you should choose a universal charger that is compatible with as many of your devices as possible. The most versatile models will connect to all of your electronics.