One of the most important upgrades have gotten over the last three years is the switch from old, proprietary barrel connector chargers to simple, standard, widely-adopted USB-C Power Delivery charging. Because of this, no matter how expensive or affordable, all Chromebooks released in the last few years can use the same reliable USB-C chargers, and here are my favorite single-port and multi-port replacement USB-C Chromebook chargers.
Staff pick
This Chromebook charger is the size of a standard deck of playing cards, but it'll still output top speed for your Chromebook with ease. It's as easy on your wallet as it is on your pocket, and it's low-profile to stash behind your desk.
65W is more than a Chromebook needs, but this model from Aukey that debuted at CES is impressively compact despite its ability to quickly charge a Chromebook and another device simultaneously.
This affordable charger has a built-in cable, meaning that you can't accidentally forget the cable at home and end up stranded without a way to charge, the way I have multiple times.
This charger is smaller than many 45W chargers, yet it'll charge two Chromebooks at full speed without overheating. That makes this charger great for a home office or makeshift charging station for your kids' Chromebooks.
Want to charge a Chromebook, a phone, a smartwatch, and your Bluetooth headphones without getting some big ugly brick? Anker's compact multi-charger is the perfect size and travel-friendly, too.
If you don't need a secondary port on your Chromebook charger, Aukey's single-port 61W charger is an excellent compact charger that's perfect for slipping into crowded power strips in the computer lab.
While this 65W charger is longer than RAVPower and Aukey's, it has a nice small footprint where it plugs in — meaning that it shouldn't block the second outlet on your wall or other plugs on a surge protector.
15,000mAh is a good balance between weight and capacity, and 45W is top speed for Chromebook charging, so you won't need to plug in for too long, either. This bank is available in black/gold and white/silver.
This power bank only has one USB-C port and a slightly smaller capacity, but it's a more affordable price and a lighter weight as well, making it easier to pack and lug around in a backpack all day.
Pretty much every Chromebook I've come across so far that uses USB-C Power Delivery charging tops out at 45W, which is great because 15V/3A is one of the most common PD charging speeds. You'll get it on basically any high-powered charger, whether you get an actual 45W charger or a 60W or even .
So how do we pick a good replacement charger? There are three things to balance in your decision:
For a pocket-friendly Chromebook charger, I love the so long as I know I'm not going to be contorting and straining to plug into a recessed or overcrowded outlet. I've hidden this charger in a playing card box before to help avoid it being "borrowed" by coworkers.
If you need to charge a phone/tablet and a Chromebook at the same, the is the charger our own Andrew Martonik upgraded to for charging his laptop and phone while out and about in the world. If you need to charge two Chromebooks at once, the is a durable, compact option for your distance learning setup for your kids.
If your Chromebook is an older model and still uses a barrel or other manufacturer-specific connector, you won't have nearly the selection to choose from that USB-C Chromebook owners will — USB-C is an open standard, so it's popular — but don't feel like you need to fork over big bucks to buy another charger from the manufacturer.
For older laptops, you can usually rely on that have swappable tips, allowing you to change it to whatever connector your unique model uses. These chargers usually come with the more popular barrel sizes, but figure out which tip you need before you buy.
Sleek and swift
RAVPower 45W Ultrathin PD Charger
Staff pick
This Chromebook charger is the size of a standard deck of playing cards, but it'll still output top speed for your Chromebook with ease. It's as easy on your wallet as it is on your pocket, and it's low-profile to stash behind your desk.
Charge it all
Aukey Omnia 65W Fast Charger
65W is more than a Chromebook needs, but this model from Aukey that debuted at CES is impressively compact despite its ability to quickly charge a Chromebook and another device simultaneously.
Forever attached
Nekteck 45W USB-C Wall Charger
This affordable charger has a built-in cable, meaning that you can't accidentally forget the cable at home and end up stranded without a way to charge, the way I have multiple times.
Charge two a once
RAVPower GaN PD 90W Wall Charger
This charger is smaller than many 45W chargers, yet it'll charge two Chromebooks at full speed without overheating. That makes this charger great for a home office or makeshift charging station for your kids' Chromebooks.
Compact charging station
Anker PowerPort Atom III Slim
Want to charge a Chromebook, a phone, a smartwatch, and your Bluetooth headphones without getting some big ugly brick? Anker's compact multi-charger is the perfect size and travel-friendly, too.
Pocket power
Aukey Omnia 61W
If you don't need a secondary port on your Chromebook charger, Aukey's single-port 61W charger is an excellent compact charger that's perfect for slipping into crowded power strips in the computer lab.
Tall and skinny
Anker PowerPort III Pod
While this 65W charger is longer than RAVPower and Aukey's, it has a nice small footprint where it plugs in — meaning that it shouldn't block the second outlet on your wall or other plugs on a surge protector.
Emergency power
Zendure X5 15,000mAh USB-C Power Bank and Hub
15,000mAh is a good balance between weight and capacity, and 45W is top speed for Chromebook charging, so you won't need to plug in for too long, either. This bank is available in black/gold and white/silver.
On the go affordability
RAVPower PD Pioneer 20,000mAh Power Bank
This power bank only has one USB-C port and a slightly smaller capacity, but it's a more affordable price and a lighter weight as well, making it easier to pack and lug around in a backpack all day.
Ports, power distribution, and portability: The three Ps of replacement Chromebook chargers
Pretty much every Chromebook I've come across so far that uses USB-C Power Delivery charging tops out at 45W, which is great because 15V/3A is one of the most common PD charging speeds. You'll get it on basically any high-powered charger, whether you get an actual 45W charger or a 60W or even .
So how do we pick a good replacement charger? There are three things to balance in your decision:
- Ports: If you only need to charge one device at a time, single-port chargers are certainly more affordable. Good dual-port or multi-port chargers are out there, though, and will let you charge your phone and Chromebook at the same time, or two Chromebooks at once if you need one for your kids' Chromebooks.
- Power distribution: Multi-port chargers don't always share power between their ports evenly, but the does, so when two laptops are plugged in, both will get 45W. On the other hand, the has to mark the higher-power port because when two devices are plugged in, one device gets 45W and the other gets 18W.
- Portability: Smaller, lighter chargers are always nice, but there's a difference between being compact in your bag and being compact on your wall plug. If you need a charger that you can fit into crowded airports or classrooms, you'll want to avoid wider/flatter chargers like the RAVPower Ultrathin, which don't always work well in tight spaces.
For a pocket-friendly Chromebook charger, I love the so long as I know I'm not going to be contorting and straining to plug into a recessed or overcrowded outlet. I've hidden this charger in a playing card box before to help avoid it being "borrowed" by coworkers.
If you need to charge a phone/tablet and a Chromebook at the same, the is the charger our own Andrew Martonik upgraded to for charging his laptop and phone while out and about in the world. If you need to charge two Chromebooks at once, the is a durable, compact option for your distance learning setup for your kids.
What if my Chromebook doesn't use USB-C?
If your Chromebook is an older model and still uses a barrel or other manufacturer-specific connector, you won't have nearly the selection to choose from that USB-C Chromebook owners will — USB-C is an open standard, so it's popular — but don't feel like you need to fork over big bucks to buy another charger from the manufacturer.
For older laptops, you can usually rely on that have swappable tips, allowing you to change it to whatever connector your unique model uses. These chargers usually come with the more popular barrel sizes, but figure out which tip you need before you buy.