I have a 4th generation iPad Air and I always have the same problem: Every time I want to charge it I have to go looking for its original charger. Not because any other does not charge, after all, the jump to the USB-C connector is an advantage for everyone, but because some non-compatible cables, in the long term, do more harm than good.

All iPads come with a USB cable and a 20W charger. Unlike iPhones, iPads are stamina. And that charger has a memory that hardly anyone reads but gives clues about its energy management standard.

The charger must support PD (Power Delivery)

If you want to charge an iPad with an unofficial charger, both the charging cable and plug must support PD. What is PS? To summarize, within the charging standards there are three that are the most popular. Let’s review them:

• Programmable Power Supply (PPS): This standard allows gradual changes between current and voltage. As a result, the energy loss in the conversion is reduced. Less waste heat is also generated.
• Power Delivery (PD): This is the official standard used by Apple, introduced by the USB Implementers Forum, and designed so devices can get the most out of every volt. The latest version, PD 3.0, also supports the PPS protocol.
• Quick Charge (QC): another fast charging protocol, a standard in mobile phones, since it was developed by Qualcomm. It is currently in its fifth iteration and is focused on Android smartphones.

What is the MFI Certificate

On the other hand, when we buy an unofficial charger it is interesting to note that it is an MFi product, that is, Made For iPhone / iPad / iPod (made for iPhone / iPad / iPod). This certification accredits that the product has been qualified positively in the rigorous tests designed by Apple. But not all chargers compatible with iPad or iPhone require this certificateas discussed below.

In short, the safest chargers are compatible with both PPS and PD and often carry the ‘MFi’ stamp. And why is it important to take these acronyms into account? For a small print that we usually ignore. Apple published some time ago a series of recommendations on optimized charging, fast charging and, in short, following them to the letter guarantees that your iPad has a longer useful life.

The best chargers for your iPad

If you abuse non-compliant/approved chargers, the iPad will reduce the incoming voltage for safety reasons. It is not even recommended to leave the iPad charging in perpetuity something that those of us who have a desk with a base usually do, so that it never stays at zero nor fill it up to 100%, being advisable to fluctuate between percentages ranging from 20% to 80%.

Of course, there are cheap and very solvent options to charge your iPad. These are my recommendations:

• At 12W, I recommend this versatile COIPUAN charger, equipped with an MFi chip and compatible with various current iPads and iPhones.
• At 20W, I recommend this charger from the renowned French brand JSAUX, compatible with ower Delivery 3.0 fast charging.
• With the same power, this UGREEN charger is another recommended option.
• Anker are the real experts in this field. We recommend this 511 charger (Nano 3), a GaN charger with extra power.
• Finally, if you want extra power and compatibility, this Anker Nano II charger is 45W and PPS compatible. A compact and Apple certified GaN II. It’s my safe bet.