How to find the right charger and cable for the battery?
It’s best to tackle a problem at the source, and that’s no different when it comes to charging safety.
It might sound obvious, but it’s best to choose a reliable charger. Buy from big brands like your phone manufacturer or reliable brands like...erm...Anker!
To figure out whether a charger is reliable or not, look on Amazon for products with plenty of reviews, and stay away from dirt-cheap electronics; there’s a good chance that a charger cheaper than a cup of coffee isn’t using the best components.
Another great thing to do is to actually read through some of the negative reviews. Go straight to the 1-star reviews, and have a quick flick through. If you keep seeing complaints about safety issues, turn off your computer and RUN AWAY!
If you’re an iPhone user, look for charging cables that are MFi certified. MFi stands for Made For iPhone, and all MFi-certified chargers have passed safety and compliance checks to work well with Apple devices. You can even check if a device is MFi certified here.
Important Safety Tips
No matter what charger you’re using, there are a few general tips that can help to make charging safer:
- Don’t charge in ambient temperatures above 30°C
- Don’t cover your phone or other devices while charging (like under your pillow)
- Don’t overload your wall outlet
- Always unplug after you’ve finished charging
For UK readers, Electrical Safety First—a charity that aims to reduce accidents caused by electricity in UK homes—has a handy 3-point safety test on its website to help you check the safety of your charger.
What to do with Damaged Chargers
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Well, when it comes to chargers, a good rule of thumb is if it’s broke, get rid of it.
If your cable is frayed or your charger has loose pins, then it’s time to move on. It’s not worth risking yourself or your devices to save the price of a new charger or cable.
Of course, don’t just throw that old stuff away. If you can, try to find a place to recycle it. A lot of people recommend Best Buy’s recycling program.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact Anker Customer support for help.
