iPad information series: How long does it take for an iPad to charge?
How long does it take for an iPad to charge?
Each iPad is different, but if the correct charging accessories are used, on average it will take around 4-5 hours to fully charge a iPad.
For your iPad to charge properly and efficiently, you need to ensure your accessories are correct and functioning to the best of their ability.
iPads can be charged either through a USB port such as a computer using the Apple lightning cable, or through a mains plug and cable. Both of these will charge the tablet safely, however for a faster and more effective charge it is recommended to use a mains plug as this can provide more power to the tablet.
The next thing to consider is that iPad’s use a higher amp mains plug compared to iPhones. Most refurbished iPhones prior to the iPhone 12 will use a 5-Watt (1 amp) mains plug, whereas, iPads will use either a 10-Watt (2.1 amp), 12-Watt (2.2 amp), 18-Watt (3 amp), or 20-Watt (3 amp) plug depending on the model of iPad.
As a rough guide the following tablets will come with following mains plugs:
10-watt mains plug:
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air
- iPad Mini 4
- iPad Mini 3
- iPad Mini 2
- iPad 2
12-watt mains plug:
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
18-watt mains plug: (USB-C lightning cable)
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch
20-watt mains plug: (USB-C lightning cable)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (5th generation)
It is worth noting that it is completely safe to charge your refurbished iPad with a standard 5-Watt mains plug, it will just take longer to charge. Similarly, it is also safe to charge an iPhone with a higher Watt plug.
If you are using the tablet whilst on charge, this will also affect the charging times, as the device is using power whilst also trying to accept power from the charger. For best charging results, not using the tablet will improve the charging speed.
