Comparisons
Comparisons
You can charge a phone from a wall outlet, from a laptop, from a power bank and even in the car. A battery can be thrown away, or recharged if it's a rechargeable one. An adapter can be original, compatible or suspiciously cheap. The tables below show how these options differ in practice, with no numbers and no brands.
An adapter that weighs less than it promises usually delivers less than it promises, too.
How to read the tables: we compare general options, not specific products. Which power sources are acceptable for your device is decided by its manufacturer, so the instructions always have the final word.
Wall adapter, computer port, power bank, car socket
| Criterion | Wall adapter | Computer port | Power bank | Car socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| When it's handy | At home and when traveling, wherever there's an outlet | When the device is connected to a laptop to work with files | On the road or out and about, with no outlet nearby | In the car, while its electrical system is running |
| Speed | Usually the fastest of the home options, if the adapter is suitable | Most often noticeably slower than a wall adapter | Depends on the power bank itself and the cable | Depends on the car adapter |
| What to watch for | Markings, an intact housing, an undamaged plug | A laptop in sleep mode may cut power to the port | It also needs charging on time and shouldn't be kept in the heat | Don't leave the device in the sun inside the car |
| What not to do | Leave it under a pillow or behind a heavy curtain | Expect it to charge a tablet quickly | Carry it in the same pocket as keys and coins | Use a cracked or loose adapter |
Disposable batteries versus rechargeable batteries
| Criterion | Disposable batteries | Rechargeable batteries |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Devices used rarely: a remote, a wall clock, a spare flashlight | Devices that run down often: toys, game controllers, a wireless mouse |
| Storage | Can sit unused for a long time and barely lose charge | Slowly discharge on their own, so top them up from time to time |
| What else you need | Nothing but a spare supply | A compatible battery charger |
| What not to do | Try to recharge them | Mix them in one device with old cells or with disposables |
| At end of life | To a drop-off point | Also to a drop-off point |
Original, compatible certified and dubious cheap adapters
| Criterion | Original | Compatible certified | Dubious and cheap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it comes from | Included with the device or from its manufacturer | From a manufacturer named on the housing and in the documents | No name, no address, no documents |
| Markings | Complete and neat | Complete, with compliance marks in place | Missing, worn off or printed with errors |
| Compatibility | Designed for your device | Compatibility is stated, but check it against the instructions | Unknown, even if the plug fits |
| Behavior | Predictable | Usually predictable | May overheat, buzz and charge fast one moment and not at all the next |
| Bottom line | The best option | A fine replacement for a lost original | Better not to plug it in at all |
Read next
- Guides
Practical guides: how to charge devices safely at home, extend battery life and tame the tangle of cables. The article catalogue lives here too.
- Glossary
A glossary of device power terms: adapter, cable, connector, battery, capacity, voltage, current, fast charging and the charge controller.
- Safety
Home charging risks: a swollen battery, a damaged cable, soft surfaces, a fake adapter and an overloaded extension cord, and what to do about them.
- Tools
What helps you charge calmly at home: markings, the charge indicator, a surge protector, a fireproof stand and a container for old batteries.
- Questions
Answers about this reference, everyday charging of phones and laptops, and what to do with batteries and rechargeable cells that have reached their end.
Sources
- Manufacturers' instructions for devices and chargers
- General household fire safety guidelines
- Balsat Msk editorial materials
This advice is written in general terms and reflects our editorial understanding as of the preparation date. Devices, adapters and batteries are built differently, so your main reference remains the manufacturer's instructions for your device: if they differ from our text, follow the instructions.