Ultimate Guide to iPad Charger Wattage

Most iPads have a long battery life, lasting more than 9-10 hours for everyday tasks. However, there are many times when the battery runs out of power. If you want to charge your iPad, you'll need a compatible iPad charger wattage. Since not every iPad features the same charging port, you need to choose a charger with a suitable USB cable. One of the best ways to charge an iPad is by using a solar generator or a portable battery backup.

iPad Charger Wattage Key Takeaways

Before we dive deep into the different ways to charge an iPad, here are a few facts about iPad charger wattage.

• On average, charging your iPad every day for one year will need 12kWh of electricity every year.
• Charging an iPad every day for a year will cost around $1.50.
• The exact cost of charging the iPad will depend on the local utility rate, how often you power it, and battery size.

iPad Charger Wattage

Apple offers different USB power adapters and cables to charge different types and sizes of iPads safely. All iPhones work flawlessly with USB-A to lightning cables and existing power adapters. The new USB-C to lightning cables supports fast charging, ensuring you can charge the device faster.

10W USB Power Adapter

A 10-watt USB power adapter means the charger can supply 10 watts of power in a specific time. This type of charger is compatible with iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, and iPad 2.

12W USB Power Adapter

The 12W USB power adapter is more powerful than the 10W USB power adapter and is compatible with various iPad models. The charger can safely power iPad (5th, 6th, and 7th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro (9.7 inch and 10.5 inch), and 12.9 inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation).

18W USB Power Adapter

The 18W USB power adapters are compatible with iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th generation) and can supply appropriate iPad Pro charger wattage.

20W USB Power Adapter

The 20W USB power adapter is twice as powerful as a 10W USB power adapter. It's included with iPad (8th and 9th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9 inch (5th generation), iPad Mini (6th generation), and iPad Air (4th generation).

USB Power Adapter Certifications

If your iPad or iOS device comes packed with a USB power adapter from Apple, you can rest assured that the adapter is certified to meet safety standards in all regions and countries where the devices are available. All the Apple USB power adapters are rated to deliver 100V AC to 240V AC at 50Hz to 60Hz. They comply with the IEC/UL 60950-1 as well as IEC/UL 62368-1 standards for use.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge An iPad?

The cost of charging an iPad will depend on how much power it uses.

• On average, a tablet uses 0.015kWh of electricity in eight hours, which is equivalent to three cents per day.
• The 11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation) consumes 0.029kWh for complete charging.
• If you charge an iPad for two hours and three times a week, it will consume 9.048kW per year, which is equivalent to $2.35.

Jackery Solar Generators for iPad

Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to charge different types of home or outdoor appliances. They are lightweight and portable, so you can carry them anywhere and charge an iPad on the go. The solar power panels capture the sunlight and convert it into DC electricity.

There's a pure sine wave inverter in the power station that works by converting the DC to AC electricity. You can then plug the electrical devices into the different AC, USB-A, and USB-C output ports to charge all your home or outdoor devices.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has a LiFePO4 battery with a 1264Wh capacity and a massive 2000W output. It supports 99% of electrical devices, and the capacity can be expanded to 5kWh. The battery provides 4000 charge cycles and can last up to 10 years.

Customer Review

“Power packs are easy to set up, charge, and move around. Weight and size make the units easy to move when and where they are needed. Easy to read display. Good for charging multiple devices.” — Gary Way.

Jackery Solar Generator 500

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 is a lighter, smaller battery backup with a 518Wh capacity. The NMC battery can charge most small appliances, including iPads, iPhones, and more. It features three USB ports, a 12V car output, and an AC outlet to power 7 appliances simultaneously.

Customer Review

“Used it at our tailgate the following Saturday. It worked great, powering our 42-inch TV and antenna and charging a few iPhones. After 3 hours, we still had 76% power left.” — Ynocencio Gonzalez.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is the most portable solar generator with a capacity of 288Wh. The iPad-sized Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels can easily slip into your backup and power most appliances on the go. The battery backup has multiple output ports, including AC, USB-A, and USB-C, to charge multiple appliances simultaneously.

Customer Review

“The unit's well built, lightweight, and very reliable. I have many plans for this unit, from camping to road trips and equipment backup. I highly recommend this unit and plan to invest in more "plus" backups with higher capacity.” — Stanley Daniel.

iPad Charger Wattage FAQs

Can I use a 30W charger for the iPad?

Yes. A 30W USB-C power adapter is fast and efficient for iPad and iPad Pro. You can even use it to charge the MacBook Air.

How to choose my iPad charger?

You'll need to choose the best iPad charger wattage to fast charge the empty battery of the device. It's also essential to select the suitable cable that can supply appropriate power to the iPad. Here are a few things you must remember when choosing an iPad charger.

• The cable connecting the power adapter and iPad should have the same connector as your iPad.
• Check if it has a fast charger feature with an oval USB-C port. This will help you charge the device faster.
• Lastly, check the wattage of the iPad charger. The higher the wattage, the more electricity can be supplied to the iPad. 

Is it safe to use a 60W charger on an iPad?

While you can use a 60W iPad charger wattage to power the device, it will only charge at the maximum supported charging rate of around 18-20W.

Is the iPad charger 5V or 9V?

The iPad charger needs 5V and 2A for optimal charging. Some iPads even use 5.1V and 2.1A for efficient charging, as the slightly higher voltage and amperage value allow it to accommodate the potential voltage difference.

Is it bad to use a higher-watt charger for my iPad?

No, it's generally safe to charge an iPad's battery with a higher-watt charger. Generally, 12W, 18W, and even 20W USB power adapters are safe for all USB devices like iPhones, iPads, AirPods, etc. You can even power the iPad with your laptop's higher-wattage power adapter.

Final Thoughts

With a suitable iPad charger wattage, you can quickly charge the drained battery of the device. The choice of the charger will vary depending on which iPad you use and how much power it needs. If you are still unsure which charger would meet your needs, consider the portable battery backups from Jackery. The small yet mighty Jackery Solar Generators can supply adequate power to most appliances, including iPads. Depending on how much power you need for your electrical devices, you can choose the right size of solar generator.