Can You Charge a Laptop With a Phone Charger? Question Answered
Desperate times call for desperate measures. When you’re out with your laptop, probably trying to finalize on a project, and boom, your battery gets low, but unfortunately, you’re not with your charger to quickly boost it. Perhaps you forgot it at home, or it suddenly stopped working. You look around and all you have is your phone charger, and you wonder, can that actually work?
You’re one of many who have asked: Can you charge a laptop with a phone charger? The good news is that there are a few ways to charge your laptop without its original charger. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use a USB-C phone charger, power bank, car charger, and more to keep your laptop running when you need it most. Just make sure to read to the end. Let’s go!
Can You Charge Your Laptop with a Phone Charger?
Can you charge a laptop with a phone charger? Yes, you can do that sometimes, but it depends.
Now, let’s break it down. Phone chargers are made to power small devices like smartphones, so they usually provide lower power or wattage. Laptops, on the other hand, need more power to work properly. So, using a phone charger that doesn’t meet your laptop’s power needs can lead to slow charging, no charging at all, or, in some cases, damage to the charger or even your laptop.
So, before trying to charge your laptop with a phone charger, it’s important to check your laptop’s power requirements. Look at the label on your laptop or its original charger for details like:
Voltage, which is usually around 19-20V for laptops
Watts. Common laptop needs are 45W, 65W, or higher.
Now, if your phone charger doesn’t match these numbers, it might not be strong enough to charge your laptop safely or effectively.
You should also consider the charging protocols. These are like the communication systems between your charger and your laptop. One of the most common and reliable protocols is USB-C Power Delivery (PD). If both your phone charger and laptop support this, they can negotiate the right amount of power needed for safe charging.
However, if they don’t use the same protocol or if the charger can’t deliver enough power, the connection might not work, or worse, it could cause charging issues or damage your device. That’s why even if the port fits, still check to see if your phone charger truly supports your laptop’s charging requirements.
Alternative Methods to Charge Your Laptop Without a Charger
There are interesting ways to charge your laptop without a charger. Some of the practical ways include using a USB-C phone charger, a car’s power outlet, a solar pack, or using a charger for a different laptop. You can also charge laptop with portable charger. Let’s explore these smart alternatives and how they work below:
1. Charge Your Laptop with a USB-C Phone Charger
To answer the question, can you charge a laptop with USB C phone charger, the answer is yes. But that’s if your laptop has a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery. This method works best with lightweight laptops and high-powered phone chargers that are typically 30W or more.
However, bear in mind that the charging will likely be slower, and not all phone chargers will provide enough power. You should only do this in emergencies.
2. Charging with a Portable Charger
Do you know that you can charge laptop with portable charger? The portable charger here is also known as a power bank and is, in fact, one of the most reliable ways to boost your laptop when there’s no wall socket nearby. Just make sure that the power bank you’re using is designed for laptops, ideally, 20,000mAh or higher and also supports USB-C PD. This way, it can safely charge your laptop.
A good example of a good portable laptop charger is the EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank (20,000mAh, 230W, 100W Built-in Cable). It recharges to 80% in just 47 minutes when paired with the EcoFlow 320W Charging Station. This means you can top it up while you grab a coffee and be ready to go again. Beyond that, the power bank has 230W total output and so, can handle pretty much everything you throw at it. There’s an built-in 100W retractable USB-C cable, taking away the need to carry an extra. You’d also get a 100W USB-C port and two 65W USB-C ports.
EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank (20,000mAh, 230W, 100W Built-in Cable)
Additionally, the fact that the power bank packs a punch with 20,000mAh of battery capacity means it’s enough to charge multiple devices at once. Plus it’s compact and air-travel friendly, makes it a beautiful option for the best portable battery charger for phone too.
3. Charge Laptop in Your Car
Aside from using a portable laptop charger, another interesting way to boost your laptop is through a power inverter which plugs into your car’s 12V socket and converts power for standard laptop charger. This tip will work if you’re on a road trip or commuting. You can also use a USB-C car charger, which is a more direct solution if your laptop supports USB-C charging. Either method can be a lifesaver when you’re low on battery and far from home.
4. Use a Charger from a Different Laptop
Now, if you have access to another laptop charger, maybe a friend’s or a universal one, it might work, but only if the voltage, wattage, and connector type match your laptop’s needs. Some universal adapters come with different tips that can be swapped to fit different models. So, just always double-check the compatibility before plugging in to charge.
5. Try a Solar Power Pack
Sometimes, you could be out camping in the wild with no electricity. With a solar power pack, you can use the sunlight to boost your laptop. Although, it’s not the fastest method, it’s eco-friendly and perfect for off-grid situations. Just make sure it’s rated for laptop use and gets plenty of sunlight.
Conclusion
To be honest, there’s something oddly empowering about knowing your laptop won’t leave you stranded, even when your charger does. You can either boost it by plugging it into a car outlet, making do with a USB-C phone charger or using a power bank. Thankfully, EcoFlow has a solid portable laptop charger. It’s a practical everyday backup for your laptop, phone, and tablet too.
So the next time you catch yourself asking, “Can you charge a laptop with a phone charger?” you’ll know the answer, and a few clever workarounds too.
FAQs
What happens if I charge my laptop with a phone charger?
The effectiveness of charging a laptop with a phone charger depends primarily on the charger’s power output and its compatibility with the laptop. If the charger has insufficient power or incompatible protocols, this will often result in extremely slow charging (even slower than the device’s power consumption) or even a complete failure to charge.In more severe cases, a power mismatch may cause the charger to overheat, short-circuit, or damage the laptop’s charging port and battery.
It is recommended to choose a high-capacity power bank designed for high-power devices, such as the EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank. With a 230W output, it can meet the power needs of most laptops and supports mainstream protocols like USB-C PD, ensuring charging efficiency while avoiding safety risks caused by compatibility issues.
Can a 65W phone charger charge a laptop?
Whether a 65W phone charger can charge a laptop mainly depends on the laptop’s charging requirements and the compatibility between the two. Generally speaking, a 65W phone charger can charge thin and light laptops that support the USB-C PD protocol, but it is not suitable for high-power-consuming laptops. Before use, it is recommended to check the laptop’s required charging power (by referring to the label on the device or the user manual) and its charging protocol. Priority should be given to a charger that matches the laptop’s power requirements and is compatible with its protocol to ensure charging efficiency and device safety.
Can I use any USB-C charger for my Dell laptop?
A USB-C charger can safely and effectively charge a Dell laptop only if all the following conditions are met:
The laptop supports USB-C PD charging;
The charger’s power output is not lower than the laptop’s minimum charging requirement (at least 80% or more of the standard power);
The charger supports the PD charging protocol and is a product from a reputable brand.
Before use, be sure to check the charging parameters of your laptop model (refer to the manual or official website) to avoid charging failures or device damage caused by incompatibility.