Wall chargers look interchangeable. Two plugs of a similar size, both with USB ports, and one costs more than the other. The difference is in what the charger can deliver and how it decides what to send to each device.
This guide explains the numbers on a charger, what Power Delivery actually does, and how to match a charger to the devices you own. It refers to the wall chargers currently in the Adaptive catalogue, so every example is something real.
Start with what you need to charge at once
Before looking at any specification, count the devices you charge in the same place at the same time. A phone beside a bed is one problem. A phone, earbuds, and a tablet on a desk is another.
Every wall charger in the Adaptive range is dual-port, pairing a USB-C port with a USB-A port. That combination matters because most households still own a mix of both. A charger that only offers one port type forces you to carry adapters you would rather not think about.
What the wattage figure means
Watts describe how much power a charger can supply in total. Adaptive lists output directly in product titles, which makes comparison straightforward.
- A 3A dual-port adapter covers phones, earbuds, and other small devices.
- A 20W dual-port charger with PPS sits at a comfortable level for modern phones.
- A 65W USB-C PD charger with two USB-C ports and a USB-A port has the headroom for larger devices and for charging several things at once.
Two things are worth understanding here.
First, a higher-output charger does not force extra power into a small device. Your device requests what it wants, and the charger supplies up to its limit.
Second, total output is shared. A dual-port charger delivering its maximum to one port will usually have less available for the second. If you plan to use both ports at full tilt, the total figure is the number to look at rather than the headline.
Power Delivery, in plain terms
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is the standard from the USB Implementers Forum that lets a charger and a device negotiate a voltage and current instead of relying on a single fixed output. That negotiation is why one PD charger can sensibly handle a phone, a pair of earbuds, and a much larger device.
PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is an optional extension to USB PD. It allows finer voltage steps during that negotiation rather than a handful of fixed levels. Adaptive's 20W dual-port charger lists PPS in its title.
Both features need support at both ends. A PD charger paired with a device that does not support PD will still charge, just without the negotiation. Whether your particular phone benefits from PPS is worth checking in its documentation rather than assuming.
The cable sets the ceiling too
This is the one place a charger guide has to mention cables, because leaving it out would give you the wrong answer.
Charging speed is limited by the slowest link in the chain: charger, cable, and device. A capable charger paired with a cable that cannot carry the current will not deliver what it is rated for. Adaptive lists current ratings such as 2.4A and 3A directly in cable titles, which removes the guesswork.
For everything about choosing the cable itself, connector types, lengths, and build, see our guide to choosing the right phone charging cable. This guide stops at the charger.
Matching a charger to your setup
Bedside or a single phone. A 3A dual-port adapter is enough. Compact, simple, and the second port covers earbuds.
Desk with several devices. Choose based on total output rather than the highest single-port figure, since you will be drawing from both ports at once.
Travel. One charger that covers everything beats three small ones. The 65W USB-C PD charger with dual USB-C and USB-A ports handles a mix of device types from a single plug.
Larger devices. Look for USB PD and enough total output. This is where the 65W model earns its place.
Practical details worth checking
- Port types, not just port count. Two USB-A ports do not help if both your devices are USB-C.
- Physical size. A charger that blocks the neighbouring socket on a power strip is a daily annoyance.
- Where it lives. A travel charger and a permanent desk charger have different priorities, and buying one of each is often cheaper than compromising on one.
A short checklist
- Count the devices you charge together in one place.
- Check which port types those devices actually use.
- Pick total output based on the largest device, plus headroom if you charge several at once.
- Look for USB PD if you charge anything bigger than a phone.
- Make sure your cables can carry what the charger can supply.
Browse the wall chargers and adapters collection to compare the range. If you are unsure which charger suits your devices, get in touch and tell us what you need to charge.
