I have a 4th generation iPad Air and I keep having the same problem: Every time I want to charge it I have to look for the original charger. Not because everyone else doesn’t charge, after all, the jump to the USB-C connection is an advantage for everyone, but because some incompatible cables do more harm than good in the long run.
All iPads come with a USB cable and a 20W charger. Unlike iPhones, iPads are endurance. And this charger has memory that hardly anyone reads but gives clues to its power 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 the connector must support PD. What is PS? In summary, within the charging standards, there are three most popular. Let’s check them out:
- Programmable Power Supply (PPS): This standard allows gradual changes between current and voltage. This reduces the energy loss during conversion. In addition, there is less waste heat.
- Power supply (PD): This is the official standard used by Apple, introduced by the USB Implementers Forum and designed to help devices get the most out of each volt. The latest version PD 3.0 also supports 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, if we buy an unofficial charger, it is interesting to note that it is an MFi product, ie Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod (made for iPhone/iPad/iPod). This certification certifies that the product has passed Apple’s rigorous testing. 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” seal. And why is it important to consider these acronyms? For some fine print that we usually ignore. Apple some time ago published a series of recommendations on optimized charging, fast charging and, in short, following them to the letter, which will guarantee longer use of your iPad.
The best chargers for your iPad

If you misuse non-compliant/approved chargers, iPad will reduce input voltage for safety reasons. It’s not even recommended to keep the iPad charged all the time – something those of us who have a desk with a base usually do so it never stays at zero – also do not fill to 100%, it being advisable to vary between percentages between 20% and 80%.
Of course there are cheap and very solvent ways to charge your iPad. These are my recommendations:
- With 12W, I recommend this versatile COIPUAN charger, equipped with an MFi chip and compatible with various recent iPads and iPhones.
- At 20W, I recommend this charger from the prestigious French brand JSAUX, compatible with Power Delivery 3.0 fast charging.
- With the same performance, this UGREEN charger is another recommended option.
- Anchors are the true experts in this field. We recommend this 511 charger (Nano 3), a GaN charger with extra power.
- If you want extra power and compatibility, this Anker Nano II charger is it 45W and PPS compatible. A compact and Apple certified GaN II. It’s my safe bet.
Source : www.applesfera.com