Device · iPad (10th & 11th gen)
The base iPad ships with 20W and can use about 30W.
A 20W adapter fills this tablet overnight without complaint. The reason to spend more is midday top-ups: the battery here is roughly four times a phone's, so the same 20W that takes an iPhone to half in 30 minutes takes the iPad most of an afternoon.
What it accepts
The current base iPad charges over USB-C at up to roughly 30W. Apple ships a 20W adapter in the box and quotes no fast-charge time for this model — unlike the iPhone, there is no marketing number to hit, just a straightforward relationship between watts in and hours to full. The protocol is plain USB-C Power Delivery on the 9V rail, and a basic 3A USB-C to C cable is all the cable this ever needs.
| Adapter | Real-world result |
|---|---|
| 5W USB-A | Effectively a maintenance charge — it can lose ground while you use the tablet. |
| 12W USB-A | The old iPad brick. Works, no PD negotiation, slow. |
| 20W USB-C | In-box speed. Comfortable overnight, slow between meetings. |
| 30W USB-C | The practical ceiling. Noticeably better on a partial top-up. |
| 45W+ | No gain at the tablet. Useful only as shared capacity. |
Three adapters at 20–30W
- 20W
Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter
Budget pick: identical to what shipped in the box, which makes it the obvious second charger for a second room.
- Output
- 20W USB-C PD
- Ports
- 1× USB-C
- Best for
- Overnight
- 30W
Anker Nano 30W (GaN)
Best overall: the tablet's real ceiling in a folding-plug body smaller than Apple's 20W. The upgrade you feel on a lunchtime top-up.
- Output
- 30W USB-C PD
- Ports
- 1× USB-C
- Tech
- GaN
- 45W
UGREEN Nexode 45W 2-Port
Multi-port pick: 30W-class output to the tablet with a second port left for a phone, and enough total budget that neither is throttled.
- Output
- 45W total
- Ports
- 2× USB-C
- Tech
- GaN
Don't waste money on
A 65W or 100W brick for the tablet alone. The negotiation stops near 30W. If a laptop is also on the desk, that is a different question — see 65W adapters.
Fast-charge cables. There is no such thing at this wattage; any certified USB-C to C cable carries 30W.
Ports on a keyboard case as your main charging path. Pass-through ports on accessories frequently cap current well below 20W. Charge from the tablet's own port when you are in a hurry.
Different iPad in the house? The iPad Air sits one class higher and the iPad Pro higher still, while an iPhone 16 shares the same 20–30W bracket. The full method is in iPad fast charging, and everything else is indexed on the by-device hub.
FAQ
Can I charge an iPad with an iPhone charger?
Yes — they are the same 20W class. Nothing is harmed; it simply takes longer than on a 30W adapter because the battery is several times larger.
Is 30W actually noticeable on a base iPad?
On a full charge from empty, moderately. On a 30-minute top-up while the screen is on, very — because the display's own draw eats a large share of a 20W budget.
Why does my iPad charge slowly from a laptop USB port?
A standard USB-A port supplies 2.5–4.5W. That is below the tablet's own consumption when awake, so it can lose charge while plugged in. Use a wall adapter.
Do I need a different cable for a 30W adapter?
No. Any certified USB-C to USB-C cable handles 30W. Cable ratings become relevant above 60W, where 5A e-marked cables are required.