Check your phone or tablet model, its charging standard and the cable it needs before choosing a replacement mains charger; a USB-C plug or a higher wattage alone does not establish the charging result. A single-port USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger may suit one compatible device, while a multi-port unit needs closer checks for simultaneous use. Buy from a traceable source and check the exact model against current UK product-safety alerts rather than relying on a visible mark alone.
If your phone or tablet supports a particular charging mode, you need more than a cable that fits its port. Apple, Samsung and Belkin describe combinations of device, charger and cable requirements that are worth checking against your exact model.
When a mains charger is lost or fails, you may want to establish who made its replacement and whether its model appears in a product-safety alert. Electrical Safety First advises buying a compatible charger from the manufacturer or a reputable retailer; the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards provides searchable alerts and recalls.
If several phones, tablets or accessories are regularly charged in one place, a multi-port charger is another option. Check its port types and stated output when the intended devices are connected together, rather than choosing by port count alone.
Identify the device and the cable it needs first, then check the charging mode, the seller and the intended number of devices.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Connector and charging standard | Match the device model to its required cable ends and charging standard. Apple distinguishes USB-C cables for iPhone 15 and later from USB-C-to-Lightning cables for earlier compatible iPhones. | If my old charger is gone, I need a replacement setup that connects to my device and supports its documented charging mode. About 37% of consumers put connector and charging-standard compatibility first. |
| Safety and traceability | Check the manufacturer and model details, retailer identity, and relevant alerts or recalls through the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards. Do not rely on a CE or UKCA mark alone. | When replacing a mains plug I use every day, I want to identify the product and seller before I bring it home. For about 36% of consumers, safety and traceability are the primary concern. |
| Charging mode and cable capacity | Check the device maker's supported mode, the charger's stated standard and the cable requirement. Samsung specifies a 45W adapter and a 5A cable for its stated 45W mode. | If I am replacing a charger to use a faster mode my device supports, I need the adapter and cable to meet that mode's requirements. Charging performance comes first for about 18% of consumers. |
| Several devices at one socket | Check the port types and the stated output for each port or port combination when your devices charge together. | With several devices to charge in one place, I need to know how the charger serves them at the same time. About 9% of consumers make multi-device convenience their primary need. |
Electrical Safety First warns that such marks can be faked. A visible mark does not, by itself, establish the identity or safety of the charger in a listing.
Check the manufacturer name, model number and seller details, then search for relevant product-safety alerts or recalls through the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards.
A matching connector does not establish that a cable meets a particular charging mode's requirements. Samsung specifies a 5A cable for its stated 45W mode, while USB Implementers Forum cable logos distinguish certified 60W and 240W power ratings.
Check the device maker's cable requirement and the exact cable's stated capability; read the power marking if you are considering a USB-IF-logo cable.
Apple and Samsung describe charging conditions that depend on the device and cable as well as the adapter. A larger number on the plug does not override what the device supports.
Find the charging guidance for your exact phone or tablet model before selecting the adapter standard and cable.
A unit designed for several devices is not necessarily a like-for-like replacement for the charger used with one priority device. Its stated output may depend on which ports are occupied.
List the devices you expect to connect together, then check the exact charger's port types, total output, port-combination output and included cables.
Brand ranges offer different starting points, but the charging requirements and package contents still need checking for the exact model.
A device-maker starting point for iPhone and iPad owners checking documented charging combinations.
A device-maker reference for Galaxy owners checking which charging tier their model supports.
A third-party range to examine if you are comparing single-port charging with a shared multi-port setup.
A third-party option for comparing USB-C PD chargers and models listed with Programmable Power Supply (PPS) support.
These mains-charger options cover a single-port USB-C replacement, a multi-port setup and an Apple USB-C adapter. Match any option to your device and cable before ordering, and check the exact product identity against current UK safety alerts.
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Consider this single-device replacement if your phone or tablet uses a charging mode supported by the charger and you have a suitable cable. The product name identifies a USB-C charger in the PD30W variant; check the exact device requirements and whether a cable is supplied.
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Consider the A97 if you intend to connect several devices at one socket. Its product name identifies three USB-C ports and one USB-A port; check the output stated for the port combination you will use, along with the cables needed for your devices.
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Consider this adapter if you want an Apple-branded USB-C option and its stated output meets your device's requirements. Choose a cable that fits the device: Apple specifies USB-C for iPhone 15 and later, and USB-C-to-Lightning for earlier compatible iPhones. Check the package contents if you also need a cable.
No. Electrical Safety First warns that marks can be faked. Check the manufacturer and model details, the seller and relevant safety alerts as well as the marking; a visible mark alone does not establish that an individual charger is safe.
Search the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls service using the charger's brand and model number. Compare the alert's product details with the exact charger you are considering or already own.
Check the iPhone generation first. Apple Support specifies a USB-C cable for iPhone 15 and later, and a USB-C-to-Lightning cable for earlier compatible iPhones; the adapter must also support the charging setup Apple describes for that device.
The adapter's maximum output is only one part of the setup. Samsung says charging depends on the device's supported power, the charger and the cable; its stated 45W mode requires both a 45W adapter and a 5A cable.
Consider one when you regularly charge several devices from the same socket and can confirm that the exact model provides the port types and simultaneous-use output they need. For one replacement device, a single-port charger can be simpler to match to its documented requirements.