Which charger should we offer for small tablets like iPad mini and Android tablets?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: For most current small tablets with USB-C, a USB-C Power Delivery charger of around 20W to 30W is a sensible recommendation; Apple, for example, lists a 20W USB-C adapter for recent iPad models. Some Samsung tablets use PPS for their fastest charging, so a charger with PPS is a plus. Older iPad mini models use Lightning and need the right cable. Check each tablet maker’s support pages, since recommended wattages differ by model.

USB-C Power Delivery is the common ground

Recent small tablets from Apple and most Android makers charge through USB-C using USB Power Delivery. A USB-C PD charger therefore works with most of them, and the tablet takes only the power it needs. A higher-wattage charger is not harmful; it just may not charge any faster beyond the tablet’s own limit.

Picking a wattage

A 20W to 30W USB-C PD charger is a practical choice for small tablets. Apple’s support pages list compatible adapters for each iPad model, and Android makers publish their own recommendations. Because exact figures vary by model and change with new releases, point customers to the tablet maker’s page for their specific device rather than promising a single number for all.

PPS for Samsung

Some Samsung tablets support “Super Fast Charging”, which uses PPS (Programmable Power Supply) within USB PD. A charger without PPS will still charge them, usually at a lower rate. If many of your customers use Samsung tablets, choose a charger that lists PPS in its specifications.

Cables matter

A USB-C to USB-C cable is needed for PD charging. Older iPad mini models with a Lightning port need a USB-C to Lightning cable to charge from a USB-C charger. Old USB-A chargers and cables still work but charge more slowly.

Charging tablet and phone together

Customers often want to charge a tablet and phone from one charger. A dual-port charger works, but check what each port provides when both are in use. A model that drops one port to a very low level may disappoint.

Listing wording

Use wording like “compatible with USB-C tablets that support USB Power Delivery” and avoid naming tablet models unless compatibility has been checked.

Confirm with Wecent each model’s protocols, including PPS, and per-port output.

Where this answer says confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the standards bodies, regulators or device makers named in the text.