My old charger stopped working, and I’m not sure which charger is best for my iPhone 17 Pro Max. I want something safe, fast, and compatible, but there are too many options online and I don’t want to buy the wrong one. Looking for advice on the right wattage, cable, and whether Apple or third-party chargers are better.
Get a USB C PD charger from a known brand. For your iPhone 17 Pro Max, aim for 20W to 30W. That hits fast charging without wasting money.
Best simple picks:
Apple 20W USB C Power Adapter
Anker 20W or 30W Nano
Belkin 25W USB C PD
UGREEN 20W or 30W USB C PD
What you need:
USB C PD support
At least 20W output
A USB C to USB C cable, or the cable that came with your phone
What to avoid:
Random no-name chargers
Listings with fake watt ratings
Old USB A bricks, they charge slow as heck
Fast charge numbers are usally around 50 percent in about 30 minutes with the right charger and cable. If you want one charger for phone plus iPad or MacBook Air, get a 35W to 45W model.
If your old charger died, I’d replace the cable too if it looks worn. Bad cables cause a lot of issues.
I mostly agree with @stellacadente, but I’d add one thing: don’t overthink wattage too much. The phone will only pull what it wants, so a quality 30W, 45W, or even higher USB-C PD charger is fine if you want something more future-proof. Bigger isn’t dangerous, cheap junk is.
What I’d actually buy:
- Apple 20W if you want zero guesswork
- Anker Nano 30W if you want small + reliable
- Belkin or UGREEN 30W to 45W if you might charge other stuff too
What matters more than people think:
- UL listed or sold by a real retailer
- USB-C PD, not just “fast charge” marketing fluff
- Decent cable, because a bad cable will make a good charger seem broken
One small disagreement: I wouldn’t buy the absolute cheapest Apple-style brick on Amazon even if the pics look legit. Tons of fakes. Buy from Apple, Best Buy, target, etc. Saves headaches later. If your old charger died outta nowhere, test the cable too. That’s often the real culprit tbh.
One thing I’d push a bit differently from @stellacadente: if you keep your phone for years, I’d skip the 20W brick unless price is the main goal. It works, sure, but a good 30W USB-C PD charger gives you more flexibility for basically the same everyday experience and can also handle earbuds, iPad, battery packs, etc.
My short version:
- Best safe pick: Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter
- Best value pick: Anker 30W USB-C PD charger
- Best one-charger-for-more-stuff pick: Belkin or UGREEN 30W to 45W
What I’d check before buying:
- USB-C PD support
- Reputable brand
- Foldable prongs if you travel
- Included cable or budget for a new USB-C cable
Also, don’t ignore heat. A charger that gets mildly warm is normal. A charger that gets hot fast, buzzes, or drops in and out is trash.
Pros for the ':
- Easy to pair with the right charger if it supports USB-C PD
- Can be a convenient replacement option if sold by a legit retailer
Cons for the ':
- Hard to judge quality if the listing is vague
- No-name versions are a gamble
- Fake safety claims are common online
Honestly, if your old charger died, replace both brick and cable once and be done with it. That solves a lot of “charging issues” people blame on the phone.