Belkin’s 25W phone charger barely blew me away, but it never needed to

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Belkin's 25W phone charger barely blew me away, but it never needed to

Belkin's 25W uni-port charger doesn't quite stand out from the crowd, but it's still a good performer if you don't need all too much power.
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                               
                           
                           

                               

Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS review

Right, strap in everyone, this one's a real mouthful... the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS is a single port, USB-C charger that will get the vast majority of modern handsets fighting fit in no time.

Of course, this isn't going to be the best at juicing up one of the latest MacBooks or Chromebooks, for instance, due to its 25W output. But that's OK. After all, this model is really for those that just want to charge their phone or wireless headphones on the go, say. And that, reader, is a purpose this model serves well.

I tried charging up my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and it reached 100%, starting from 0% in just under 80 minutes – the kind of speed I'd hope to see from the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. Of course, this model won't be able to unlock peak performance on a phone like the Honor Magic 7, which can manage 100W wired charging, but most iPhones and Samsung handsets will be able to fast charge with this Belkin plug.

It's also worth noting that this charger never got too hot when bringing my phone back to life. That's thanks to its use of PPS technology, which ensures dynamic power delivery. It's also worth noting that this model only supports 20W charging for iPhone, though you may find that's plenty for a rapid rejuvenation of power.

Beyond performance, this charger is a bit of a mixed bag, though. Build quality is solid and there's a nice textured finish to the outer casing, but I still didn't love this charger's design. In honesty, it's a little bit bulky for a 25W charger, especially compared to models like the Anker Nano USB-C 30W or UGreen Nexode Mini 30W.

Also, its prongs slide down, but they're not fully foldable – something I always like, as it enables me to simply slot the charger into my pocket when out and about, without the fear of being poked in the side.

Pair that with the lack of USB-C cable in the box – at least for the UK variant I tested – and the $19.99 / £17.99 / AU$29.95 feels reasonable rather than cheap. Especially when the models I mentioned above are priced very similarly, but are more compact, attractive and powerful. And, all in all, I can't help but feel there are better value options available for the money. So, even though the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS is a steady performer, it can't quite top the best of the best single-port alternatives.

(Image credit: Future)

Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS?

Buy it if...

You just need a basic phone charger
This Belkin charger isn't the most mighty or multi-talented. It offers 25W and a single USB-C port, which isn't going to be enough for some. Having said that, you're gonna get more than enough power to fast-charge some of the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login and You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, so if you don't need anything fancy, this will still certainly do the trick.

You've got a slow USB-A plug and want an upgrade
If you're fed up with slow charging from your old USB-A fitted phone charger, this alternative from Belkin is sure to take things up a notch. It will almost certainly deliver faster charging speeds – ideal for when you need some extra juice on the go. It's worth noting, though, that this charger doesn't come with a USB-C cable, so you'll need to grab your own elsewhere.

Don't buy it if...

You have a more power-hungry handset
Some modern smartphones are capable of charging at a far higher wattage than 25W. For example, the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login can charge up to 80W, so you'll be better off using single port charging on a model like the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login if you're looking to access peak performance.

You want a splash of style
This isn't the most stylish charger out there. Sure, it comes in two colorways, black and white, but still, it has a pretty plain looking aesthetic. Meanwhile, the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login comes in more unique colors, has foldable prongs and also a textured exterior.

Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS: Also consider

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W
The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is among my favorite single-port phone chargers thanks to its attractive, shiny appearance, compact build and foldable prongs. It has a bit more power than this Belkin charger but is no more expensive. There's no USB-C cable in the box here either, but if we're talking all-round value, this is a superior alternative. Read our full You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.

                                                           

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