Fast charging is a relatively new feature that you may not realize. Most new Android phones support some form of fast charging and (with the right charger), you can fill your battery in minutes instead of hours. There are, however, many competing standards, so we have sorted out the issues for you.

How Android Fast Charging Works

The new Android phones support fast charging technology that allows you to charge your battery faster than you’ve done before. Most phones can charge up to 50-60% in less than half an hour, which is a lifesaver when you need to complete your phone in the middle of the day. Each company has a slightly different version of the technology. Some will charge faster, while others will be slower, but they will not make your battery as hot, which can extend the life of your battery. All phones are equipped with regulators, so your battery is not overcharged and does not explode, but overheating can still drain your phone.

You can think of a normal charge like walking and a quick charge like running. You could put some extra wear on your body, but if you are safe and do not exert too much effort, you will go faster. When you face the barrel of a dead battery fifteen minutes before you leave the job, this compromise is more than valid.

How to Find the Right Fast Charger For You

Like most things with Android, you have more options than if you bought an iPhone. It also means that it is more confusing to find the right quick charger. Most Android phones that support fast charging come with at least one fast charger. If your phone announces a quick charge on the box, or mentioned in the manual, it’s a safe bet that the charger in the box will be best suited to your device.

If you need another charger, for example for the office or living room, you want a charger compatible with your device. Incompatible or non-fast chargers will always charge the phone, but they will do it slowly. You will need more than just a charger, there is also the question of a proper cable. The cable you use between the charger and your phone must also support fast charging.

Quick note for anyone with a Huawei or OnePlus phone: These companies use a special fast charger, more complicated than the one used by other companies. For these phones, it is better to buy chargers and cables specifically designed for your phones.

Step 1: The Charging Block

Android phone manufacturers are unnecessarily complicating the search for a fast charger for your phone. All fast chargers operate on the same basic principle and most will always charge your phone faster than a regular charge unit.

Still, manufacturers like to make slight adjustments to do what they think is the “best” version. Samsung has a version called Adaptive Fast Charging, while Qualcomm is making a version called Quick Charge 3.0 that phones from HTC and LG are using. To make things even more confusing, phone manufacturers such as HTC often rename their chargers so that they sound like incompatible chargers. In addition to all this, Google uses a system called USB Power Delivery that strongly encourages most manufacturers to support, alongside their more sophisticated fast loading methods. Most “incompatible” charge blocks still work and always charge quickly, but not as fast as the one designed for your phone.

Your best bet to get through the noise is to skip the crazy marks and the marketing-talk.

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This Anker wall charger costs $ 24 and supports all of the fast charging methods mentioned above. Plug it into your Samsung, Google, HTC or LG phone and charge it as fast as your phone can handle it. If you need to quickly charge on the go,

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this $ 20 Aukey car charger also supports most Android phones. Simple, no?

The main exception with these two fast chargers is Huawei and OnePlus. As we mentioned earlier, these two manufacturers have so personalized their fast loading solutions that you can not use one of these more universal load blocks. These blocks will charge your phone at normal and slower speeds. You need chargers and special cables, which we recommend you purchase directly from these manufacturers.

Step 2: The Cable

If your phone uses a micro-USB cable—which is the standard that most Android phones have used for years—we recommend any of Anker’s PowerLine cables. They’re cheap, they support fast charging, and most importantly, Anker has a history of accessories that properly adhere to fast-charging standards. When manufacturers take shortcuts with these cables, they can have devastating consequences.

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Final note

Despite the confusion of everyone having their own fast charging method, it’s actually simple for most phones. It is easy and inexpensive to get a much faster charge block than older mobile phones. It can not make your phone last all day with a single charge (it’s all about battery capacity), but it can be a lot easier to finish it in the afternoon when you run out of battery .