Is It Safe to Buy Phone Chargers on Amazon? An Honest Risk Assessment
Is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon? Yes, when you buy your phone maker's charger or an established accessory brand from Amazon.com or the brand's own store. No-name chargers and too-cheap genuine chargers from unknown sellers are a real shock and fire risk. This honest risk assessment shows you where the line is.
Key takeaways
- Is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon? Yes, from known brands sold by Amazon.com or the brand's store.
- In 2016, Apple said nearly 90% of genuine Apple chargers and cables it bought on Amazon were fake.
- Apple said the fakes failed a high-voltage safety test and many carried phony UL marks.
- In UK tests by Which?, an official Apple charger passed while most lookalikes failed.
- Overall risk: low for known brands from trusted sellers, high for no-name and suspiciously cheap chargers.
In this guide, safe means four things: the charger won't shock you or start a fire, it's the brand it claims to be, its safety marks are real, and you can get your money back if it's faulty. With chargers, the first point matters most, because they plug into your wall every day.
In this guide
- Is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon? The short answer
- Phone chargers on Amazon: our risk scorecard
- Risk by charger type
- The biggest risks of buying phone chargers on Amazon
- What Amazon does to protect you, and where it stops
- How to cut your risk before you buy
- Who should and shouldn't buy phone chargers on Amazon
- Amazon vs other places to buy phone chargers
- What to do if something goes wrong
- Frequently asked questions about buying phone chargers on Amazon
- The verdict: is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon?
Is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon? The short answer
Yes, for chargers from your phone maker or an established accessory brand, sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store. The risk sits with unbranded chargers and with branded chargers from unknown sellers at prices that seem too good.
Here's the honest history. In 2016, Apple sued a supplier called Mobile Star after finding that almost 90% of the genuine Apple power products it bought on Amazon were counterfeit, and those were sold and fulfilled by Amazon itself. Amazon became an authorized Apple reseller in 2018, which closed that gap for Amazon.com offers, but the lesson stands: with chargers, the source matters more than the listing.
Phone chargers on Amazon: our risk scorecard
Phone chargers on Amazon risk scorecard (October 2026)
| Risk | Our rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shock and fire | Low for known brands; high for no-name chargers | Independent tests keep finding unsafe lookalike and unbranded chargers |
| Getting a fake | Low from Amazon.com or the brand; high for cheap genuine chargers from unknown sellers | Counterfeit chargers have been sold on Amazon as genuine before |
| Fake safety marks | Moderate | Apple said many fakes carried phony UL certification |
| Getting your money back | Low risk | Most items Amazon ships can be returned within 30 days, plus the A-to-z Guarantee |
| Overall | Low for known brands from trusted sellers | High for no-name and suspiciously cheap chargers |
Risk by charger type
Phone charger risk on Amazon by type
| Charger type | Our rating | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Your phone maker's charger, sold by Amazon.com or the brand | Low | The safest choice |
| Established accessory brands, sold by the brand's store | Low | A good-value alternative |
| Genuine-branded charger from an unknown seller at a low price | High | Likely counterfeit; skip it |
| Unbranded or no-name charger | High | Not worth the savings |
| Ultra-cheap chargers from bargain storefronts | High | Avoid for anything that plugs into the wall |
The biggest risks of buying phone chargers on Amazon
1. Shock and fire from poor insulation
In its 2016 lawsuit, Apple said every Mobile Star-supplied power adapter it tested failed the hipot, or dielectric withstanding voltage, test. That means the adapters lacked enough insulation or spacing between high-voltage and low-voltage parts, and could overheat or deliver a lethal electric shock.
2. Counterfeits sold as genuine
Apple said it bought well over 100 iPhones, power adapters and Lightning cables listed as genuine on Amazon, and found almost 90% were counterfeit. Today, Amazon.com buys Apple products as an authorized reseller, so the risk has moved to third-party sellers.
3. Fake safety certification marks
Apple's complaint said many of the counterfeit adapters also carried a phony UL safety certification. A printed mark isn't proof, so for anything you're unsure about, check the product in UL's online Product iQ certification database.
4. Unbranded and lookalike chargers
In 2019 tests by UK consumer group Which?, eight of eleven lookalike chargers failed standard safety tests, while the official Apple charger passed, as did chargers from Amazon, Anker and Griffin. In a more recent Which? investigation, nine of 15 chargers bought from seven UK online marketplaces posed an electric shock risk, including a £6.99 USB-C charger from Amazon's low-cost Amazon Haul store.
5. Cheap power banks and adapters
The same problem extends beyond wall chargers. In the 2019 Which? tests, six of eleven power banks from unknown brands bought on online marketplaces failed safety tests.
For the detailed checks, see our guide on how to tell if phone chargers from Amazon are fake and our report on fake phone chargers on Amazon.
What Amazon does to protect you, and where it stops
- Authorized stock: Amazon.com has bought Apple products as an authorized reseller since its 2018 deal with Apple.
- Recall duties: in July 2024, the CPSC unanimously ruled that Amazon is a distributor of hazardous products it ships for third-party sellers and must handle their recalls; Amazon challenged the order in court in March 2025.
- Counterfeit enforcement: Amazon says it seized and disposed of more than 15 million counterfeit products in 2025.
- Traceable inventory: since March 31, 2026, every Fulfilled by Amazon unit is tracked to the seller who sent it.
Where it stops: chargers sold as compatible with iPhone aren't counterfeits, so they stay on the site whatever their quality. Amazon can't safety-test every charger, and the Which? findings show unsafe ones still slip through.
How to cut your risk before you buy
How to buy a phone charger on Amazon safely in 7 steps:
- Choose your phone maker's charger or an established brand. This one decision removes most of the risk.
- Pick the Amazon.com or brand-store offer. Check the Ships from and Sold by lines.
- Distrust cheap genuine chargers from third parties. A branded charger far below its usual price is likely fake.
- Look for a recognized safety mark such as UL or ETL, and verify it if you're unsure.
- For iPhone Lightning cables, look for Apple's MFi certification.
- Inspect it on arrival. Check the print quality, fit in the outlet and any rattles inside.
- Stop at the first warning sign. A charger that gets very hot, buzzes, sparks or smells should be unplugged and returned.
Who should and shouldn't buy phone chargers on Amazon
Amazon is a good fit if you:
- Want your phone maker's charger or an established brand at a good price.
- Are buying from Amazon.com or the brand's official store.
- Want spare cables and chargers from brands with a track record.
Think twice if you:
- Are tempted by unbranded chargers to save a few dollars.
- See a genuine-branded charger far below its usual price from an unknown seller.
- Plan to charge overnight or near a bed with a charger you can't vouch for.
Need picks? Our best wireless chargers, power bank buying advice and trending phone accessories guide can help.
Amazon vs other places to buy phone chargers
Where to buy a phone charger: risk compared
| Where | Fake or unsafe risk | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Phone maker's store or website | None | Guaranteed compatibility |
| Amazon.com or the brand's Amazon store | Very low | Good prices on known brands |
| Electronics retailers | Low | Buying today, in person |
| Unknown marketplace sellers and bargain storefronts | High | Not recommended |
What to do if something goes wrong
- Unplug the charger immediately if it overheats, sparks, buzzes, smells or discolors, and stop using it.
- Photograph the charger, its markings, packaging and the offer page showing the seller.
- Start a return in Your Orders and say plainly that the charger is unsafe or counterfeit.
- Escalate the right way. Contact Amazon customer service if Amazon.com sold it, or file an A-to-z Guarantee claim if a third-party seller won't help.
- Report fires, shocks and injuries to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently asked questions about buying phone chargers on Amazon
Is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon?
Yes, when you buy your phone maker's charger or an established brand from Amazon.com or the brand's own store. Unbranded chargers and cheap genuine-branded chargers from unknown sellers carry real shock and fire risk.
Are Apple chargers on Amazon real?
From Amazon.com, yes, because Amazon has been an authorized Apple reseller since 2018. Before that, in 2016, Apple found almost 90% of the genuine Apple power products it bought on Amazon were fake. Avoid cheap Apple chargers from third-party sellers.
Are cheap phone chargers on Amazon safe?
Cheap chargers from established brands can be fine. Unbranded and lookalike chargers are the problem: in Which? tests, most lookalike chargers failed safety tests, and a recent investigation found nine of 15 marketplace chargers posed a shock risk.
Are Anker chargers on Amazon safe?
An Anker charger passed Which?'s 2019 safety tests alongside the official Apple charger. Buy from Anker's own store or Amazon.com to avoid counterfeits, as you would with any popular brand.
Are Amazon Basics chargers safe?
A charger from Amazon passed Which?'s 2019 safety tests. Amazon Basics is Amazon's own brand, so there's no counterfeit risk from unknown sellers, but check reviews for the specific model as you would for any brand.
What safety marks should a phone charger have?
Look for a mark from a recognized testing lab, such as UL or ETL. Because counterfeiters print fake marks, verify anything you're unsure about in the lab's online database. For iPhone Lightning cables, look for Apple's MFi certification.
Can a fake charger be dangerous?
Yes. Apple said counterfeit adapters it tested lacked enough insulation and could overheat or deliver a lethal electric shock. Unplug any charger that gets very hot, buzzes, sparks or smells, and stop using it.
How can I tell if a charger from Amazon is fake?
Check the seller first. Then compare the printing, markings, weight and finish with the brand's own photos, verify any safety mark, and watch for heat or buzzing in use. A genuine-branded charger far below its usual price is the biggest warning sign.
Are Amazon Haul chargers safe?
Be cautious. In a UK investigation, Which? found a £6.99 USB-C charger from Amazon Haul failed electrical safety tests and was a shock and fire risk. Ultra-cheap no-name chargers aren't worth the savings.
Should I buy chargers from Amazon or the phone maker?
Both are safe if you buy the phone maker's charger or an established brand from Amazon.com or the brand store. The phone maker's own store guarantees compatibility; Amazon is often cheaper with easy returns.
The verdict: is it safe to buy phone chargers on Amazon?
Yes, if you buy a known brand from a trusted seller. Your phone maker's charger or an established accessory brand, sold by Amazon.com or the brand's store, is low risk. Unbranded chargers and too-cheap genuine chargers from unknown sellers are where the shock and fire risk lives, and a few dollars saved isn't worth it.
Charging other gear? Our guides to whether it's safe to buy batteries on Amazon and safe to buy AirPods on Amazon cover related risks.