Dollar store chargers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a budget-friendly option for charging phones and other devices. But are these cheap chargers actually worth buying? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at dollar store chargers and examine the pros, cons, safety issues, and overall quality to help you decide if they’re a smart purchase or not.
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The Pros of Dollar Store Chargers
There are a few potential benefits to using dollar store phone chargers:
- Low cost – Dollar store chargers are ultra-affordable, usually $1-$5 per charger. This is significantly cheaper than buying a charger from a major retailer.
- Availability – Dollar stores are ubiquitous nowadays, making cheap chargers easy to find and purchase conveniently.
- Variety – Dollar store chargers come in different connection types like Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning, so you can likely find the charger you need.
- Compact size – Dollar store chargers tend to be smaller and more lightweight than branded chargers.
The low price point and accessibility of dollar store phone chargers make them appealing for those looking to save money or in need of an extra charger in a pinch. If you just need basic charging capability without advanced features, they can get the job done.
The Cons of Dollar Store Chargers
However, there are also some drawbacks to using cheap chargers from the dollar store:
- Lower quality materials – Dollar store chargers often use lower grade materials and components compared to name brand chargers, making them less durable.
- Slower charging speeds – Dollar store chargers may not support fast charging and can have lower power output, resulting in slower charge times.
- Lack of safety certifications – Dollar store chargers likely are not Official MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod) certified for Apple devices or USB-IF certified for other USB devices.
- Potential overheating – The cheap design and materials used in dollar store chargers increase the risk of the charger overheating during use.
While the low price is appealing, it comes at the cost of quality, safety, and performance compared to reputable brand name chargers. Dollar store chargers are prone to issues like deteriorating, charging slowly, or even becoming a fire hazard in rare cases.
Are Dollar Store Chargers Safe to Use?
Safety is a major concern when it comes to ultra-cheap chargers. There are a few risks to be aware of:
- Electrical hazards – Poor wiring and insulation can lead to electric shocks when using dollar store chargers.
- Fire risks – Low quality components that overheat can potentially start fires.
- Device damage – Subpar chargers may not regulate voltage properly and can damage devices like phones.
- Lack of safety testing – Dollar store chargers likely did not undergo adequate independent safety testing.
These risks are much lower when using brand name chargers from reputable companies that adhere to safety regulations and standards. With dollar store chargers, any safety testing is questionable.
How to Use Dollar Store Chargers Safely
If you do choose to use a dollar store phone charger, there are some basic precautions to take:
- Unplug the charger when not in use to avoid overheating.
- Do not use the charger with any visible damage or exposed wiring.
- Do not leave charging devices unattended overnight or for long periods.
- Keep the charger away from flammable materials like blankets or curtains.
- Do not use the charger in wet conditions or plug it in with wet hands.
- Test on an older or secondary device before using on an expensive new device.
While these steps can reduce the risks, dollar store chargers can still be unreliable. Use caution and monitor them closely during use.
Charging Speed & Performance
In general, dollar store chargers offer slower charging speeds and performance compared to name brand options. Here are some factors that influence the charging capabilities:
- Power output – Dollar store chargers often only output 5V 1A (5 watts). Newer phones require up to 15 watts or more for faster charging.
- Charging ports – Cheap chargers typically only have 1 port. Having multiple ports reduces charging speed.
- Charging technology – Dollar store chargers lack fast charging tech like Qualcomm QuickCharge or USB Power Delivery.
- Cable quality – Lower grade cables paired with dollar store chargers can’t transmit power as efficiently.
As a result, a dollar store charger may take over 3 hours to fully charge a modern smartphone battery compared to 1-2 hours with a better quality fast charger.
Charging Speed Comparison
| Charger Type | Power Output | Charging Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Dollar store charger | 5W | Slow – May take over 3 hours for a full charge |
| Standard OEM charger | 10-15W | Medium – Will charge in 1-2 hours |
| Premium fast charger | 18W+ | Fast – Can nearly fully charge in under 1 hour |
For the fastest charging possible, go with an official fast charging capable wall charger from a reputable brand.
Build Quality & Reliability
The cheaply made components of dollar store chargers also raise concerns around long term durability and reliability:
- Prone to overheating – Can degrade quickly or fail due to heat damage.
- Exposed wires – Loose connectors and poor wire insulation increase risk of shorts.
- Weak housing – Plastic housing prone to cracking from drops or bumps.
- Connection issues – Loose microUSB or USB-C ports can lose contact intermittently.
Brand name chargers go through rigorous quality control and use reinforced plastics and tightly insulated wires, making them much more rugged and long-lasting.
Average Lifespan Comparison
| Charger Type | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Dollar store charger | 6 months – 1 year |
| Standard OEM charger | 2 – 3 years |
| Premium brand charger | 5+ years |
Dollar store chargers often fail much quicker than a quality charger. Their lifespan may only be a few months if used frequently, compared to several years for a decent branded charger.
Are the Minor Savings Worth It?
While a dollar store charger costs a fraction of the price compared to a branded charger, the savings may not outweigh the limitations and risks:
- A dollar store iPhone charger may cost $3 vs. $20 for an Apple charger.
- But the Apple charger will charge 3x faster, last 5x longer, and is safer.
- If the dollar store charger fails after 6 months, you’d need to buy 5 more to match the lifespan of the Apple charger.
- That means you’d spend more in the long run anyway.
Spending a bit more upfront for a properly certified, better constructed charger often pays off over time and helps protect your expensive devices. The minor savings of dollar store chargers come with reduced performance and risks.
Recommended Brands
When shopping for a good quality charger, look at options from these reputable brands:
For iPhones/iPads
- Apple – The official OEM chargers.
- Anker – Widely used third party brand, makes certified iPhone chargers.
- Belkin – Also certified for Apple devices.
For Android Phones
- Samsung – OEM chargers for Samsung Galaxy phones.
- Anker – Makes a variety of chargers compatible with most Android phones.
- RAVPower – Known for durable and fast charging Android phone chargers.
Stick to chargers from major tech companies or trusted accessory makers for the best performance, charging speeds, safety, and reliability.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, dollar store phone chargers appeal due to their ultra-low cost. But the saying “you get what you pay for” definitely applies here.
While dollar store chargers will technically power up your devices, they come with major drawbacks like slower charging, questionable safety, poor durability, and lower performance compared to decent branded options.
A dollar store charger may serve as an extremely cheap backup. But for your primary charger that will be used regularly, it’s worth spending a little more for quality, speed, and safety from an established brand.
Using dollar store chargers does come with cost and risk tradeoffs. But being an informed buyer and taking the right precautions can help mitigate those risks if you choose to use them.