Can I Use a Lower wattage Charger for My Device?
When it comes to charging our devices, one question that often comes up is whether or not we can use a lower-wattage charger. The short answer is that it depends on the device and the charger. In this article, I’ll break down the factors that determine whether or not you can use a lower-wattage charger for your device, and give you some examples to help illustrate the point.
Contents
Wattage Defined
First, let’s define what we mean by “wattage.” Wattage refers to the amount of power that a charger can provide to a device. The higher the wattage, the more power the charger can provide. So, a charger with a higher wattage will charge your device faster than a charger with a lower wattage.
Device Power Requirements
Different devices have different power requirements. For example, a smartphone typically requires less power to charge than a tablet. This is because smartphones have smaller batteries and less demanding components than tablets. As a result, a smartphone can typically be charged with a lower wattage charger than a tablet.
Type of Charger
Another factor to consider is the type of charger. Some chargers are designed specifically for certain devices, and may not work with other devices. For example, an iPhone charger has a different plug than a Samsung charger, so you wouldn’t be able to use an iPhone charger to charge a Samsung phone. Additionally, some devices have fast charging capabilities, which require a special charger with a higher wattage to take advantage of.
Can I Use a Lower Wattage Charger?
So, with these factors in mind, can you use a lower-wattage charger for your device? The answer is, “it depends.” ” If your device has a smaller battery and less demanding components, a lower-wattage charger may work just fine.” However, if your device has a larger battery or fast charging capabilities, a lower-wattage charger may not be able to keep up and you may not see the same charging speed as you would with a higher-wattage charger.
Let’s look at an example. If you have an iPhone 12, it has a battery of 2815 mAh, the charger that comes with the iPhone 12 has a wattage of 18W. If you wanted to use another charger, it must have at least 18W of power output. If you use a charger that has a lower wattage, let’s say 5W, you will see a slower charging time.
Another example is, if you have a tablet like the iPad Pro, it has a battery of 9720 mAh, the charger that comes with the iPad Pro has a wattage of 18W. If you wanted to use another charger, it must have at least 18W of power output. If you use a charger that has a lower wattage, let’s say 5W, you will see a slower charging time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not you can use a lower wattage charger for your device depends on the device itself, as well as the charger. Factors such as the size of the battery, the components of the device, and the capabilities of the charger all play a role in determining whether or not a lower wattage charger will work. It’s always best to check the specifications of your device and the charger to ensure that they are compatible.