Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Third party USB-C Charger Safety
- Thread starter 1222394
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I can’t comment on Aukey as I don’t know that brand, but I take the approach of only buying charging devices from reputable brands like Belkin, Satechi, Anker etc.
That said, I also have USB ports integrated into multiple power points through the house (I specced them when it was built) and those have been fine. I charge my iPhone through one every night and have done for 5 years now.
If you’ve had no issues using it thus far I’m sure it’ll be fine. If you’re worried, buy an Apple charging brick or one from a different brand like Satechi. I’m sure you’ll be fine though.
That said, I also have USB ports integrated into multiple power points through the house (I specced them when it was built) and those have been fine. I charge my iPhone through one every night and have done for 5 years now.
If you’ve had no issues using it thus far I’m sure it’ll be fine. If you’re worried, buy an Apple charging brick or one from a different brand like Satechi. I’m sure you’ll be fine though.
Nope.
As above, any reputable brand (Aukey has been around for a while) will work just fine. You need 20W or more to fast charge. You can't overpower your phone - your MacBook USB-C charger will safely work at with your phone even though the charger block is a 65W, 90W or even 140W charger.
There is absolutely no reason to go with the Apple charger when there are plenty of excellent, lower cost (and small) Gallium Nitride (GaN) chargers available.
I have a few. Anker are always decent. UGreen also good.
One thing I do notice is the Apple device provides data communication in System information. Serial number, firmware version, hardware version, wattage etc. from charger are all communicated. The Anker and UGreen do not show this and do not even identify their brand. I am not sure what difference this makes but I like the integration.
Also noticed USB-C hubs/docks often block all the data from Apple charger. If I connect a small USB-C dock now between Apple charger and MBA the data all reverts to a generic report and 5W less due to dock itself. Using the Apple USB-C AV breakout and all data is carried through with 6W used by the adapter.
I have AppleCare on my devices - MBA, iMac, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPad Pro M2 12.9, Watch S8 and AirPods Pro. I feel happier charging with devices sourced from Apple as I feel confident to say if/when anything goes wrong that it was all bought from Apple along with the Apple Care so they can own and sort out the issues. On occasion when I have spoken to Apple they checked data on all chargers (I watched on remote session and they could see they were Apple chargers) and on most recent case took back my older AirPod Pro (now kept as backup) and replaced the batteries despite being 3 years old.
I need another charger, ideally dual port, and some cables. I have some UGreen and Anker. I am sorely tempted just to buy a couple of 1m Apple USB-C cables and a dual port Apple USB-C charger. I just feel more reassured that my kit is less likely to have issues. I have no empirical evidence or reason to justify this, just anecdotal opinion.
One thing I do notice is the Apple device provides data communication in System information. Serial number, firmware version, hardware version, wattage etc. from charger are all communicated. The Anker and UGreen do not show this and do not even identify their brand. I am not sure what difference this makes but I like the integration.
Also noticed USB-C hubs/docks often block all the data from Apple charger. If I connect a small USB-C dock now between Apple charger and MBA the data all reverts to a generic report and 5W less due to dock itself. Using the Apple USB-C AV breakout and all data is carried through with 6W used by the adapter.
I have AppleCare on my devices - MBA, iMac, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPad Pro M2 12.9, Watch S8 and AirPods Pro. I feel happier charging with devices sourced from Apple as I feel confident to say if/when anything goes wrong that it was all bought from Apple along with the Apple Care so they can own and sort out the issues. On occasion when I have spoken to Apple they checked data on all chargers (I watched on remote session and they could see they were Apple chargers) and on most recent case took back my older AirPod Pro (now kept as backup) and replaced the batteries despite being 3 years old.
I need another charger, ideally dual port, and some cables. I have some UGreen and Anker. I am sorely tempted just to buy a couple of 1m Apple USB-C cables and a dual port Apple USB-C charger. I just feel more reassured that my kit is less likely to have issues. I have no empirical evidence or reason to justify this, just anecdotal opinion.
