Are MagSafe-to-USB-C adaptors generally safe for a 2020 MBP with an old charger?

[uncleMonty]

I'm balking at the exorbitant prices for a second Apple charger I can keep in one place, so I don't have to carry mine back and forth between home and work along with the laptop itself. I have a 2020 MBP 13" with 4 ports, and I have an old charger for a 17" MBP with a MagSafe 1 connector. I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I just noticed there are 3rd-party chargers with adaptors for MagSafe 1 or 2 connectors so you can use them in devices with USB-C charging. Are these adaptors safe and reliable? Amazon has them starting around $24. Thanks for sharing any experience you have with these.

 

[KaliYoni]

I'm balking at the exorbitant prices for a second Apple charger I can keep in one place, so I don't have to carry mine back and forth between home and work along with the laptop itself. I have a 2020 MBP 13" with 4 ports, and I have an old charger for a 17" MBP with a MagSafe 1 connector. I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I just noticed there are 3rd-party chargers with adaptors for MagSafe 1 or 2 connectors so you can use them in devices with USB-C charging. Are these adaptors safe and reliable? Amazon has them starting around $24. Thanks for sharing any experience you have with these.

OEM or well-established accessory maker chargers are usually worth the higher cost. Why? Well, I can't say it any better than this person:
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html

http://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html

http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.html

 

[uncleMonty]

OEM or well-established accessory maker chargers are usually worth the higher cost. Why? Well, I can't say it any better than this person:
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html

http://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html

http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.html

Thanks for the reply, I've no doubt about the chargers themselves, as any kind of power supply can have safety issues. But if I'm using a genuine (older) Apple charger, with a 3rd-party adapter just as a physical connector, I wonder if the same danger applies for that kind of adapter?

 

[KaliYoni]

Thanks for the reply, I've no doubt about the chargers themselves, as any kind of power supply can have safety issues. But if I'm using a genuine (older) Apple charger, with a 3rd-party adapter just as a physical connector, I wonder if the same danger applies for that kind of adapter?

Personally, I use non-Apple cables and dongles from established makers, such as Belkin and Other World Computing, with Apple chargers without worrying very much. Since accessories that are not chargers are simply passing along low voltage signals, I feel the safety risk level is much different from a charger or battery pack. But it could be worthwhile to buy premium or high quality accessories if you're connecting to high value hardware, such as a Mac Pro or Pro Display XDR, or to something that stores mission critical or irreplaceable data.