The best phone charging accessories - A buyer’s guide - Android

OEM vs third-party charging accessories

Every phone comes with a charger in the box, even though that may change quite soon. Unfortunately, losing or forgetting chargers, tearing cables, or simply having a charger that no longer works are a part and parcel of owning a smartphone.

Third-party accessory makers offer a slew of products that usually bring more to the table, and often at comparatively cheaper prices. On the surface, picking the best phone charging accessories sounds easy. There are thousands of products available and all you need to do is find the right fit. However, having so many options causes the problem.

It’s important to do your homework regardless of what you buy, but that’s even more so with a charger. A bad charger or cable can cause irreparable damage to the phone, and a faulty power bank in your pocket might hurt you as well. There are a lot of excellent choices, but it’s crucial to do the research properly.

Pros and cons of first-party charging accessories

The biggest advantage with a first-party accessory is the fact that these are made with a particular phone or range of phones in mind. In most cases, you will get the best experience with the charger you get in the box. So, while the Samsung wireless charger works with other devices, it is the best option if you want to enjoy the fastest wireless charging speeds with Samsung flagships.

On the other hand, a distinct lack of variety is the major issue with first-party accessories. Only Samsung has really stepped up its game when it comes to charging accessories with excellent wireless chargers and power banks. But even it falls well short when compared to third-party accessory makers.

Pros and cons of third-party charging accessories

Third-party accessories have the leg up in a lot of aspects since they often fill existing gaps in the accessories market. Third-party companies dominate in categories like multi-port chargers, car charging accessories, and charging cables. These options are generally more affordable too.

The generic nature of these products may not always provide the best results when it comes to charging speeds. The much bigger issue though is sorting through the hundreds of options available, with many coming from companies that aren’t well known, or even unheard of. Buying a bad charger, cable, or power bank could have severe consequences, including potentially completely damaging your device. Some accessories may not work with your phone either, so it’s definitely important to do your research first.

Things to look for when buying third-party accessories

Before you buy an accessory from a brand you’re not familiar with, just be sure to check for the following:

• Look through owner-submitted reviews on sites like Amazon. What are people saying? Do these short reviews look legit? For example, it’s possible they are paid or sponsored submissions if they are super vague and poorly written.
• Look for oddities like if the product reviews aren’t actually for the product! This surprisingly happens a lot with 3rd party charging accessories from obscure brands. A 5-star review of a foot massager is not what I want to see when trying to buy a portable power bank.
• Familiarize yourself with the return policy of the product. While a lot of products have return periods, some might only have a replacement window, in which case a refund won’t be possible.
• We’re here to help! Android Authority has literally hundreds of guides to help you navigate through the convoluted world of phone and other device charging accessories. From multi-port wall chargers to numerous power bank categories, we have it all.