Apple refuses to discount its products on its own website or in its retail stores. The company maintains strict pricing control which means you’ll pay full retail at an Apple Store no matter what time of year you shop. But Amazon tells a different story: The online retailer regularly offers discounts on Apple accessories, from iPads and MacBooks to AirTags and Apple Watches. Right now, Apple’s official 20W USB-C power adapter has dropped to just $14 from its usual $20 price, which markes a new all-time low. You have to dig through Amazon’s listings to spot this deal, but it’s there and it matters because this tiny cube solves a frustrating problem: the fact that iPhones no longer ship with charging bricks in the box.
Why This Small Charger Makes a Big Difference
Apple started omitting power adapters from iPhones starting from the iPhone 12 series because of environmental reasons and assuming most people already had chargers at home. That decision left new iPhone users with a USB-C to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and subsequent models) but without anything to plug it into if they did not happen to have an older USB-A brick on their person.
The 20W USB-C charger fills that gap and does it at high-speed charging capability that older 5W chargers are unable to match. This little charger has enough capacity to charge an iPhone 8 or newer from dead on up to 50 percent battery charge in around 30 minutes which is a real lifesaver when you’re running late to get out the door and realize your phone is at 10 percent.
The 20W charging power is the best charging level for iPhones: Even though Apple sells larger-power adapters like the 30W adapter that is used to charge iPads and MacBooks, the 20W variant provides the best charging speed for iPhones without generating excess heat or subjecting the battery to excess pressure. The USB-C port found on this adapter has Power Delivery protocol support which means it negotiates with your device to give just enough power.
When traveling or having more than one charger at home, size does count. This adapter is about 1.65 inches on each side which makes it one of the smallest 20W chargers available. The foldable prongs collapse flat against the body,so it stores comfortably in a pocket or bag without catching on other objects or taking up valuable space.
Apple’s engineering comes in the form of safety certifications and build quality that cheaper options forgo. This charger features over-current protection, over-voltage protection, and short-circuit protection built into its circuitry. The internal parts have rigorous safety standards that prevent it from overheating under extended charging sessions.
It is compatible with any USB-C supported device so it is a more than an iPhone accessory. You can charge AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, old iPads with Lightning ports, or some Android phones and accessories that do support USB-C Power Delivery using it. This also makes you not tied to one-purpose charger that is useless if you change your mind and switch to another device. The box has just the power adapter included: You’ll have to supply your own USB-C charging cable, since Apple markets them separately.
At $14, this is the lowest price we’ve followed for Apple’s official 20W adapter. A few third-party ones are available for cheaper but they don’t enjoy Apple’s quality control and safety testing. It’s worth the few extra dollars to pay for the real thing.