Which MacBook Charger Do I Need: Buying Tips

If you need to replace the charger on your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, it’s important that you find the right one for your computer because, unlike the iPhone’s single Lightning cable, chargers vary between Apple models. MacBook range.

We show you how to find the best charger for your laptop. It’s also worth noting that Apple has recalled some of its wall outlets for safety reasons and you should find out if yours is affected.

Updated 02/27/24: We’ve updated our guide to include the latest MacBooks and power adapters.

Will a bad charger damage my MacBook?

If you purchase an official MacBook charger from Apple, you can rest assured that choosing the wrong type will not cause any damage to your device.

Although there are a variety available, ranging from 30W to 140W, the more powerful ones will not overload your machine or affect your battery. Fast charging is a new feature on some MacBooks and requires a certain power rating, but you can charge just fine with a slower power adapter, it will just take longer.

If you want a more affordable replacement or aftermarket MacBook charger, check out our recommendations for the best chargers for MacBook Pro and Air.

Chargers for the current MacBook range

Currently, the MacBook lineup includes the 2020 MacBook Air M1, MacBook Air M3, and MacBook Pro M3 14-inch and 16-inch models. Each of them comes with a different charger, which we’ve listed below.

Which MacBook charger do I need: current range

Apple offers fast charging on the MacBook Air 2022 and later with a 67W charger with a Thunderbolt or high-speed USB-C cable and on the MacBook Pro 2021 14-inch and later with a 96W power adapter. The MacBook Pro 2021 16-inch only supports fast charging with a 140W power adapter and MagSafe 3 cable or 240W USB-C charging cable.

Check your cable

Before replacing the entire charger, it would be wise to check if the cable you are using is of the correct rating for your device. Since the introduction of USB-C chargers, the cables are separate from the main adapter and can therefore be mixed up more easily.

Many official Apple cables will say “Designed by Apple in California.” Assembled in China” printed on it. Next to these will also be an alphanumeric serial number indicating which charger they belong to. However, you won’t find this on all cables. For example, it’s not written on the new braided MagSafe 3 cables that come with the latest MacBooks.

Those starting with C4M or FL4 are for 29/30W USB-C adapters used by the MacBook (2015 and later) and MacBook Air (2018 and later).

Those starting with DLC or CTC can be used with the 61W or 87W USB-C adapters used by MacBook Pros (2016 or later).

Apple recommends that if you notice that your cable does not have a serial number printed on it, you should contact Apple Support as you may be entitled to a replacement.

What Mac do I have?

If your machine is older than one of those listed above, you will need to first check its specific type before purchasing a charger. Read our What Mac do I have? guide for instructions on how to determine your model.

Chargers for old Macs

As you can imagine, there have been many combinations of chargers and machines in Apple’s recent history.

These mainly fall into four main types: MagSafe, MagSafe 2, MagSafe 3, and those that only charge with a USB-C connection on the Mac side. MageSafe 2 cables are split between MagSafe L and MagSafe T type connectors. MagSafe L is the longer, straighter connector attached next to the MacBook, while the T is the blocky square used on most connectors MagSafe.

Here’s a breakdown of which style goes with which device.

USB-C

If your MacBook doesn’t have a MagSafe connector, it simply charges via USB-C. You can use any USB-C power adapter that supports USB-C Power Delivery, but you’ll need a more powerful adapter to charge your Mac faster, especially if it’s a newer and larger model. Check out our guide to the best USB-C power adapters.

The latest MagSafe 3-equipped MacBooks can also be charged via USB-C, and in fact, MagSafe 3 cables can plug into any USB-C power adapter that supports the power delivery standard.

MagSafe 3

MagSafe’s latest re-emergence comes after several years of MacBooks featuring only USB-C connectors. Its design is similar to the T-shaped MagSafe 2, but slightly thinner and capable of carrying more current.

MagSafe 3 is more of a cable than a charger. The chargers that these MagSafe 3 cables connect to simply have USB-C ports and work great for charging your MacBook when plugged into the USB-C port. You won’t get fast charging on the 16-inch MacBook Pro this way, but otherwise it will work fine.