For most phones, a 20–30 W USB-C charger with Power Delivery (PD) is all you need. A USB-C laptop usually needs 45–65 W, and if you want to charge several devices from one plug, choose a multi-port GaN charger of 65–140 W. GaN (gallium nitride) chargers give the same power from a smaller body. At Buyrouth, phone chargers start at $10 and the six-port LDNIO 140 W desktop charger costs $39.

What does GaN mean?

GaN stands for gallium nitride, a semiconductor that replaces silicon in a charger's power circuit. It handles high power more efficiently, so a GaN charger can be smaller than a silicon one of the same wattage and waste less energy as heat. GaN alone doesn't make a phone charge faster: speed depends on the watts and the fast-charging standard your device accepts.

How many watts do you need?

• Phones: most recent iPhones and Android phones fast-charge from a 20–30 W USB-C PD charger. A bigger charger is safe, as the phone only draws what it accepts, but it won't charge faster.
• Tablets and small laptops: around 30–45 W.
• Most USB-C laptops: 45–65 W. Look at the wattage printed on your laptop's original charger and choose the same or higher.
• Several devices at once: multi-port chargers share their total between ports. The LDNIO Q367 gives 65 W from one USB-C port, or 45 W + 20 W with both in use.

USB-C PD, PPS and Quick Charge in plain words

USB Power Delivery (PD) lets a charger and a device agree on a higher voltage over USB-C; iPhones, iPads, most Android phones and USB-C laptops use it. PPS is part of PD, used by many Samsung and other Android phones for their fastest modes. Quick Charge (QC) 3.0 is an older standard, usually on USB-A ports. Most chargers below support several, so one charger can serve an iPhone and an Android phone.

The cable matters too. A standard USB-C cable carries up to 60 W (3 A); above that, use a 5 A cable, such as the LDNIO 2 m 65 W USB-C to USB-C cable ($8). iPhones with a Lightning port need a USB-C to Lightning cable.

Which charger for which device

Phones and earbuds

• XO L81B 20 W USB-C PD adapter ($10): a compact single-port charger with a European two-pin plug.
• XO L141 20 W USB-C charger ($14): comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
• XO L148 30 W GaN charger with USB-C to Lightning cable ($15): for Lightning iPhones and iPads, with a 1 m braided cable.
• Yesido YC62 25 W GaN charger ($16): one USB-C port with PD and PPS. No cable in the box.

Laptops and tablets

• ACEFAST A119 45 W GaN charger ($19): one USB-C port with PD and PPS, plus a 1.2 m USB-C cable.
• LDNIO Q2420 45 W universal charger ($19): USB-C up to 45 W and USB-A up to 30 W, with EU, UK, US and AU pins for travel.
• LDNIO Q367 65 W GaN charger ($28): two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, 65 W in total.
• LDNIO Q10 65 W GaN charger ($28): a built-in 80 cm retractable USB-C cable, plus one more USB-C port and one USB-A port.

A whole desk of devices

• LDNIO A6140C 140 W GaN desktop charger ($39): three USB-C and three USB-A ports on a 1.5 m power cord. Its display shows volts and amps; multiply them to get watts.
• LDNIO SC4383 70 W desktop power adapter ($34): mains sockets plus two USB-C and one USB-A port, on a 2 m cord.
• LDNIO Z8 45 W GaN travel adapter ($27): US, UK, EU and AU sockets and plugs in one block, with USB-C fast charging.

In the car

• Hoco Z54B 60 W car charger ($9): two USB-C ports, 30 W each.
• LDNIO C103 60 W car charger ($11): one USB-C and one USB-A port, 30 W each, with PD and QC.

Buying from Buyrouth

Standard delivery across Lebanon costs $5 and takes 2–5 working days, and it is free on orders of $75 or more. Fast delivery costs $8: 24 hours within Beirut, 72 hours outside. Pay cash on delivery or by card online, or pick up your order in Sin El Fil between 9 am and 4 pm.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to charge my phone with a 65 W laptop charger?

Yes, with a USB-C PD charger. The charger and the phone agree on the power before charging starts, and the phone only takes what it accepts, so one 65 W charger can serve both your laptop and your phone.

Can a phone charger charge my laptop?

Usually only slowly, or not at all: most USB-C laptops need 45–65 W, while phone chargers give 20–30 W. Choose a USB-C PD charger rated at least as high as your laptop's original one.

Do I need a special cable for fast charging?

For up to 60 W, any good USB-C to USB-C cable works. Above 60 W you need a cable rated for 5 A, such as the LDNIO 2 m 65 W cable. Lightning iPhones need a USB-C to Lightning cable, like the one in the XO L148 set.

Which charger should I buy for an iPhone?

A 20–30 W USB-C PD charger. For an iPhone with a Lightning port, the XO L148 30 W set ($15) includes the right cable. For a USB-C iPhone, the XO L141 20 W charger with its USB-C cable ($14) works.