How to buy the best fast charger for your phone

If you've spent hundreds of pounds on a sleek, modern smartphone only to see there's no charger in the box, you're not alone. But using an old charger or rushing out to buy the first one you see could mean you're underpowering your phone, or risking your safety.

Many of us simply reuse ancient power bricks that have been knocking around in kitchen drawers for years, completely unaware that they could be severely throttling charging speeds. Picking a charger that's the right speed for your device will make sure it's fulfilling its potential. 

And then there's safety to worry about. Our tests have repeatedly revealed chargers that could be dangerous. In fact we've recently shown how cheap chargers bought from online marketplaces could pose a risk of electric shock, overheating, or fire.

To make sure you can top up safely and at top speed, here's everything you need to know about choosing a reliable fast charger.

Considering buying a new mobile phone? Browse our expertly tested guide to the best smartphones to buy in 2026.

Why you should shop carefully for phone chargers online

Official plugs from tech giants can be quite pricey. If you search for them on online marketplaces, you will inevitably see hundreds of incredibly cheap alternatives that look far too good to pass up.

But there’s danger in letting a bargain plug catch your eye. We recently tested a range of unbranded and branded chargers from a range of third-party sellers and manufacturers on popular marketplaces. Unfortunately, many of these dodgy appliances skip vital internal insulation or fail basic safety parameters.

Thankfully, you do not have to stick exclusively to expensive official plugs to stay safe. There are brilliant, completely legitimate third-party accessory brands that pass every safety check with flying colours – you just need to know what to look for.

How does a fast charger work?

The term 'fast charger' is fairly self-explanatory – it's a charger that can reduce the time it takes to top up the battery on your device. The higher the wattage rating on the plug, the faster it can deliver power to your battery.

To help make sense of the market, here's how the speeds generally break down:

• Standard charging (5W – 10W): These kinds of speeds are a bit old-fashioned now, providing a slow and gentle charge – typically taking several hours to get your phone to full capacity.
• Fast charging (20W – 25W): The current sweet spot for many modern phones. These speeds let you get a meaningful top-up in a short period and don’t take too long to get to full.
• Super-fast charging (45W – 100W+): Some phones are pushing things even further, offering speeds that can fill up your device in less than an hour. Brands like Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi and more have launched phones with this super-fast charging.

The next thing to know is how fast your phone can charge – or its maximum supported wattage. Match this with the charger speed and you'll be getting the maximum speeds possible. Bear in mind a phone will only take the maximum power it's capable of charging at, so if your fast charger has a higher wattage, it won't damage the device. In fact, a higher wattage might be a smarter buy if you also want to charge other devices like laptops or tablets, or charge multiple devices at the same time. 

To find out how fast your phone (or any other device) can charge, search the specifications for the device or search online. For example a search for 'Samsung S25 charge speed' shows that Samsung's flagship can charge at 25W.

Five fast-chargers that have been lab-tested for safety

Here are the five chargers we tested that passed our safety tests – making them brilliant places to start. Generally we'd advise sticking to well known brands (like those tested below), and being wary of anything that seems unusually cheap. It's worth spending a bit more for peace of mind.

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

• Output capacity of 20W
• Single USB-C connection port
• Features convenient foldable pins

We like: Foldable design makes it a treat for travel
We don't like: Charging cable is not included in the box

This is the official wall plug option designed for recent iPhone generations. It features a clean, minimalist white casing and has handy collapsible prongs that keep it flush and protected when tossed into a bag.

It’s a charger that delivers fast-charging speeds for compatible iOS devices. Annoyingly, it does not include a cable in the box.

Samsung 25W Super Fast Charging Travel Adapter (with C to C cable)

• Output capacity of 25W
• Supports Samsung 'Super Fast Charging' protocol
• Single USB-C connection port

We like: Optimised for Galaxy devices to top up power swiftly
We don't like: Casing is a bit chunkier than third-party alternatives

This official block hits the exact maximum fast-charging speed supported by standard Galaxy handsets. It is robust, stays cool even when operating at full tilt, and matches Samsung's internal battery protection specifications. It’s a solid choice from Samsung that’ll give you peace of mind.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 60W

• Output capacity of 60W
• Ultra-compact wall plug build
• Dual USB-C connection port

We like: A highly reliable alternative to official Apple gear at a lower price
We don't like: Missing a bundled charging cable

If you want to steer clear of unbranded marketplace models but do not want to shell out for an official Apple or Samsung plug, Belkin offers a fully safety-compliant option. 

It’s a 60W adapter, speeding past some manufacturer alternatives.

Ugreen 100W 4-Port Charger + USB-C Cable

• Output capacity of 100W
• Advanced GaN technology for cooler operation
• Four ports

We like: Higher power ceiling allows it to charge smaller tablets too
We don't like: Weighs 290g

Ugreen produces a wide range of safety-tested charging accessories. This 100W option uses advanced internal materials designed to keep the overall casing compact. 

The foldable prongs and higher 100W ceiling make it ideal to sling in a bag and get speedier charging for devices that support above 20W speeds. Handy for phone, laptop and tablet charging on the go.

Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W), 3-Port Fast Charger Plug

• Output capacity of 65W
• Backed by an 18-month manufacturer warranty
• Multi-device compatibility

We like: Packs enough muscle to charge laptops and tablets alongside phones
We don't like: Longer than many rivals

Anker is a well-known third-party accessory maker. This high-power 65W option is designed to unlock the highest charging tiers on premium Android devices and iPads. It comes backed by an 18-month warranty for peace of mind, and it features a design capable of delivering power safely to larger devices like lightweight laptops.

We've rounded up the best mobile phone and Sim-only deals of the month to help you find the best savings on a new device.

Do you need a specialised cable for fast charging?

Unfortunately, getting the charging brick right isn’t the only challenge when optimising your charging. Using an old, basic cable with a modern fast-charger can limit your speed, as not all USB cables are built to carry high levels of current. 

When shopping, it’s best to make sure your cable supports the USB-PD (Power Delivery) standard, a universal fast-charging standard capable of speeds up to 240W – likely more than you'll ever need. Alternatively, look for a cable that supports the charging speed you need – this should be shown in the specifications.

Is fast charging bad for your battery?

You may have heard from the odd friend, family member, or random post on social media that charging your phone at high speeds can destroy your phone's battery health. Excessive heat can indeed affect your battery, but modern smartphones have gotten better at mitigating this.

Devices are built with internal software safeguards that actively communicate with safe, certified chargers. For example, a charger will go at full speed up to around 80% charge, before the phone slows things down to prevent overheating. A quality fast charger will safely bring your phone up to 100% capacity without causing premature degradation.

In your phone's settings menu under 'battery', you'll find a range of options for mitigating battery degradation and prolonging its life that you can experiment with to find a solution that suits you best.

Should you buy a wireless charger instead?

Wireless charging is a popular alternative that avoids that awkward process of having to actually plug a phone in – here you just put it down, and watch it go. Not all phones currently support it, so make sure you check to see if yours is compatible.

Some see it as a more convenient method, but it is generally slower than wired charging. Due to the slower speeds, wireless chargers are popular for places where you're likely to leave your phone idle for a while – beside your bed or at your desk, so it can get a convenient top-up when not in use.

How to recycle your old phone charger

The easiest way to recycle your old charger is to drop it off at a recycling centre or a local tip, where they’ll often have a bin dedicated to electrical products.

Also, retailers like Currys offer a recycling scheme that lets you take in your charger to a store and they’ll recycling them for free – even if you didn’t buy it from Currys.

Apple also has a recycling scheme for Apple products only. Head to any Apple store with your old lead, plug, or cable to have them recycled free of charge.

Take a look at our guide on how to recycle your mobile phone, too.