I noticed a pattern a long time ago: no matter how cool a gadget you buy, without a proper charger it turns into a brick. iPhone 15 Pro Max with its 48 MP camera? Useless if it dies in the middle of the day. MacBook with M3? Just a desk ornament without an outlet nearby. That’s exactly why I put together this collection of AliExpress finds where chargers are the main stars.
Half of my backpack is chargers and cables, and I finally decided to bring some order to this chaos.
UGREEN 30W — I Carry It Instead of Three Chargers
Three ports in a matchbox-sized body — now that’s what I’m talking about.
When you have an iPhone, AirPods, and iPad, bringing three separate adapters on a trip is absurd. I spent a long time looking for a compact charger that would cover all my needs at once, and I settled on UGREEN. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A, with a total power output of 30W — enough for fast charging an iPhone while simultaneously topping up your earbuds.
The plug is foldable, so it takes up virtually no space in a backpack pocket. It’s not powerful enough for a laptop, but for smartphones and smaller gadgets — it’s perfect. Considering that the original Apple 30W adapter costs three times more and does exactly the same thing, the choice is obvious for me.
Price: 1,170 rubles
Baseus 140W — I Even Charge My MacBook With It
Four ports and enough power for an entire desk setup.
If the previous charger is all about minimalism on the go, this Baseus is about replacing all adapters at home. 140W of total power and 4 ports let you simultaneously power a MacBook, iPhone, iPad, and something else. I plug my wife’s work laptop into it — handles it without any issues.
It has a GaN chip inside, so the body stays compact and heat generation is minimal. Compatibility is practically universal: PD 3.1, QC 4.0 — it’ll work with any modern device. Getting this much power from Baseus for 2,800 rubles is one of the best AliExpress finds in the charger category, I’m telling you.
Price: 2,800 rubles
UGREEN Retractable USB-C Cable
A coin-sized case with a full-fledged charging cable inside.
You know what annoys me most when traveling? A tangled mess of cables at the bottom of my backpack. This retractable cable from UGREEN solves the problem elegantly: the cord retracts into a compact case and pulls out to the length you need. No knots, no tangles. It connects to an iPhone via USB-C and supports fast charging.
I’ve been carrying one in my jacket pocket for several months now. The braiding is holding up great so far, and the retraction mechanism works smoothly. The only downside is the limited length, so it won’t work for charging from the couch to an outlet across the room. But for planes, cafes, or the car — it’s perfect.
Price: 1,010 rubles
MagSafe Magnetic Ring — Stuck It On and No Regrets
A thin metal ring that adds magnetic charging to any smartphone.
MagSafe is a brilliant thing, but Apple limited it to their iPhones. What if you have a second Android phone or a case without magnets? That’s where this metal sticker ring comes in handy. It sticks to the back panel or case in a second and instantly adds compatibility with magnetic chargers and mounts.
The ring is thin — about a millimeter — and nearly invisible under a case. I stuck one on my work Samsung so I could use the same MagSafe charger that sits on my desk for the iPhone. The magnets hold firmly, and at 310 rubles it’s practically a gift. What to buy on AliExpress if you want a magnetic ecosystem without overpaying? Exactly this.
Price: 310 rubles
100W Car Charger — My MacBook No Longer Dies in the Car
Two USB-C and one USB-A — enough for the driver and all passengers.
Long road trips with family are always a battle for the car outlet. My daughter watches cartoons on the iPad, my wife works on her laptop, and I need navigation on my iPhone. This car charger with up to 100W of power solves the problem once and for all. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A, and the main port can charge even a MacBook Air at full speed.
The body is metal, fits snugly in the cigarette lighter socket without wobbling. There’s a power indicator that doesn’t blind you at night — a small but nice touch. Getting a charger capable of powering an Apple laptop in the car for 1,450 rubles is a very solid deal.
Price: 1,450 rubles
Portable Jump Starter — Bought One After Getting Stranded in January
A compact little box that will bring any battery back to life in freezing weather.
Last January I walked out to my car in the morning, turned the key — silence. The battery had died at minus twenty-five degrees. Since then, a portable jump starter lives in my glove box. It works with both gasoline and diesel engines, and it comes with jumper clamps included. It’s slightly larger than a smartphone.
The thing is, the jump starter isn’t just about starting the engine. The built-in battery can be used as a power bank: there’s a USB output for charging your phone in an emergency. It’s one of those “better to have and not need” items, especially if you don’t live in Sochi like I do.
Price: 1,920 rubles
