MacBook Charger Buying Guide UK: 61W, USB-C & MagSafe

Quick answer: Not every MacBook charger fits every MacBook, and connector shape alone won't tell you if one is compatible. If your machine is a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (2016–2020), the charger you need is a 61W USB-C adapter — the same wattage class also covers the 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Pro, since both use an identical USB-C charging specification. E-Tech61 currently stocks exactly this adapter. If your MacBook is an Air, a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, or the new MacBook Neo, you need a different wattage, and a 61W charger will undercharge it rather than damage it.

This guide is for anyone in the UK buying a replacement, spare or first MacBook charger who isn't certain which wattage or connector their machine takes. It covers how to identify your exact model, what USB-C and MagSafe 3 actually change, why 61W, 67W, 70W, 96W and 140W chargers aren't interchangeable by choice, and where to buy the correct apple MacBook charger for your specific machine.

Which Charger Does My MacBook Need?

Two things decide which charger works with your MacBook: the physical charging port, and the wattage the machine expects. Get either wrong and the charger either won't plug in, or will underpower the laptop.

Pre-2016 MacBooks (MagSafe or MagSafe 2). Every MacBook Pro and MacBook Air built before 2016 charges through a magnetic MagSafe or MagSafe 2 connector, not USB-C. A USB-C charger — including E-Tech61's 61W adapter — cannot physically connect to these machines. If this is your MacBook, you need a MagSafe or MagSafe 2 adapter specifically, which E-Tech61 does not currently stock.

2015–2021 MacBooks (USB-C only, no MagSafe). Apple removed MagSafe entirely from the 12-inch MacBook (2015–2017), the Retina MacBook Air (2018–2021), and every MacBook Pro from 2016 up to the 2020 M1 model. These machines charge exclusively through USB-C, but the wattage they expect varies by size: 29W for the 12-inch MacBook, 30W for the Retina MacBook Air, 61W for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel Core i5/i7, and the 2020 M1 version), and 87W for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. If your MacBook is a 13-inch Pro from this era, E-Tech61's 61W USB-C Type-C Power Adapter matches the specification Apple originally shipped it with.

2021-onwards MacBooks (USB-C plus MagSafe 3). The 2021 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro reintroduced MagSafe, this time as MagSafe 3, alongside continued USB-C charging — you can use either port, and the machine draws from whichever is connected. Apple brought MagSafe 3 to the MacBook Air in 2022. Wattage on these models runs from 67W up to 140W depending on configuration, covered below. The 2026 MacBook Neo, Apple's newest and most affordable model, charges via USB-C only, at a lower 20W.

If you already know you have the 13-inch Intel or M1 MacBook Pro, the buying decision is straightforward. If you're not certain which MacBook you have, the identification section further down settles it before you order anything.

USB-C vs MagSafe: What Actually Changes

USB-C and MagSafe 3 aren't just different connector shapes — they behave differently day to day, and only some MacBooks let you choose between them.

MagSafe (original, MagSafe 2, and MagSafe 3) connects magnetically rather than plugging in. Pull the cable and it detaches cleanly instead of pulling the laptop off a desk — the safety feature Apple originally designed it for. MagSafe 3, the current version, is power-only: it doesn't carry data or video, so it doesn't take up one of your Thunderbolt or USB-C ports.

USB-C, by contrast, locks in place and carries far more than power — data, DisplayPort video and Thunderbolt bandwidth can all run through the same port, depending on the cable and device. That versatility is also USB-C's one charging drawback on MacBooks with only two or four ports total: using one for charging is one fewer available for a display, dock or external drive.

On MacBooks built between 2016 and the 2020 M1 13-inch Pro — including the model E-Tech61's 61W adapter is built for — this comparison doesn't apply in practice, because these machines only have USB-C ports. There's no MagSafe socket to plug into, so the decision is simple: USB-C, at the correct wattage.

On the 2021-onwards 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the 2022-onwards MacBook Air, both ports exist side by side. Apple's own guidance confirms the machine draws power from whichever source is connected — using MagSafe 3 doesn't disable USB-C charging, and vice versa (Apple: Charge your Mac laptop computer). Many owners plug in MagSafe 3 for daily charging specifically to keep every Thunderbolt port free for accessories, then switch to USB-C when travelling with one charger for multiple devices.

One distinction worth knowing if you're comparing an Apple power adapter with MagSafe against a USB-C-only option: MagSafe, MagSafe 2 and MagSafe 3 are not interchangeable with each other, or with USB-C. A MagSafe 2 charger from a 2015 MacBook Pro will not fit a 2023 MacBook Pro's MagSafe 3 port, despite sharing the MagSafe name.

Wattage Explained: 61W, 67W, 70W, 96W and Higher

Wattage determines two things: how quickly the battery fills, and whether the charger can power the laptop under heavy use while also charging it. Get the number wrong in either direction and here's what actually happens.

USB-C Power Delivery works by negotiation. The charger and the MacBook communicate on connection and agree a voltage and current the laptop is designed to accept — the laptop draws only what it needs, never more than its own circuitry allows. That's why a higher-wattage charger than your MacBook expects is safe: a 96W or 140W adapter plugged into a 61W-spec 13-inch MacBook Pro will deliver 61W, not 96W, because the laptop caps the request (Apple: Use a power adapter with your Mac). It's the same principle that lets one high-wattage charger legitimately serve an iPhone, iPad and MacBook.

Going under the recommended wattage is where problems show up. Apple's own guidance states that an underpowered adapter still charges the battery, just more slowly, and the system displays a "Slow Charger" status in battery settings when this happens. If you're running processor-heavy tasks on mains power — video export, compiling code, gaming — the laptop can draw more power than an underpowered charger supplies, meaning battery percentage may hold steady or drop slightly even while connected, rather than rise.

Fast charging is a separate feature layered on top of this, and only some models support it at all. Apple specifies that the 2022-onwards MacBook Air and the 2021-onwards 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro can reach 50% charge in around 30 minutes, but only with a sufficiently high wattage adapter — 67W or higher on the MacBook Air, 96W or higher on the 14-inch Pro, and 140W on the 16-inch Pro (Apple: Fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro). The 13-inch MacBook Pro that E-Tech61's 61W adapter is built for doesn't support this fast-charge feature on any adapter — it simply wasn't part of that model's design.

For everyday buying decisions, the rule is straightforward: match or exceed the minimum wattage Apple specifies for your exact model. Going higher costs more but is never unsafe. Going lower is safe but slower, and can bottleneck the laptop during sustained heavy use.

MacBook Charger Compatibility Table

Use model and year together — not appearance alone — to check what your MacBook needs. Two MacBooks can look almost identical externally and still require completely different chargers.

E-Tech61 currently stocks the 61W adapter only, covering the two rows marked "exact match" above — see current price and stock for the 61W USB-C adapter. For every other row, use the wattage figure as your minimum benchmark when sourcing a charger elsewhere, and always confirm the connector type before ordering.

How to Identify Your Exact MacBook Model Before Ordering

The fastest way to confirm your exact MacBook is through the machine itself. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. The window states the model in Apple's exact naming format — for example, "MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)" — along with the processor. Intel-based machines show a line reading "Intel Core i5" or "Intel Core i7"; Apple Silicon machines show a chip name instead, such as "Apple M1" or "Apple M2." This single screen answers both questions that matter for charger buying: which model, and which chip generation.

If the MacBook won't power on and you can't check on-screen, the model number is etched into the underside of the case, typically starting with the letter A followed by four digits. You can enter this, or the machine's serial number, into Apple's official coverage-checking tool to confirm the exact model and year.

Don't rely on screen size or general appearance alone. "13-inch" describes both the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, which need different wattages, and even within the 13-inch MacBook Pro range specifically, the answer changes depending on whether it's the Intel or M1 generation (61W) or the final M2 refresh from 2022 (67W) — two machines that look nearly identical side by side.

Once you've confirmed the exact model, cross-check it against the compatibility table above before ordering. If it comes back as a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or the 2020 M1 version, you've confirmed the machine E-Tech61's charger is built for.

E-Tech61's MacBook Charger: What It Covers (and What It Doesn't)

E-Tech61 currently stocks one MacBook charger for MacBook Pro: the 61W USB-C Type-C Power Adapter for MacBook Pro 13-inch, Core i5/i7. It's priced at £9.44, reduced from £19.99, and shown as in stock at the time of writing (checked 21 September 2026), with same-day UK dispatch Monday to Friday via Royal Mail 1st Class and a 30-day return window.

The listing specifies it for the Intel Core i5/i7 13-inch MacBook Pro range, and the same 61W output also matches Apple's original specification for the 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Pro, since both generations share the same USB-C charging requirement. If you're ordering for the M1 version specifically, the wattage and port match — but the listing itself is written around the Intel models, so it's worth confirming with E-Tech61 directly if you want M1 compatibility explicitly stated before you buy.

The input rating is 100–240V, 50–60Hz, which covers UK mains voltage and most international supplies if you travel. The listing states the adapter includes overcurrent, overvoltage and temperature protection circuitry. A USB-C charging cable isn't guaranteed as part of the package — the listing notes this varies by package, so check the product description before checkout if you need a cable included.

What this adapter doesn't cover: any MacBook that needs more than 61W (14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, M2 13-inch MacBook Pro), any MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo, or any pre-2016 MagSafe-only machine. E-Tech61 does not currently list chargers for those models. If that's what you need, use the wattage figures in this guide as your buying benchmark elsewhere, and check back, since E-Tech61's range can change.

Common Wrong-Charger Purchases and How to Avoid Them

A handful of mistakes account for most wrong-charger purchases.

Buying on connector shape alone. "It's USB-C, so it'll work" ignores wattage entirely. A USB-C charger from an old iPad or a phone's fast-charge brick will physically plug into any USB-C MacBook, but at 18–30W it will charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro far slower than its 61W spec, and won't keep up at all during sustained heavy use.

Assuming the same screen size means the same charger. A 13-inch MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro are different machines with different power needs, and even two 13-inch MacBook Pro models — Intel/M1 versus the 2022 M2 refresh — need different wattages (61W versus 67W) despite an almost identical case.

Confusing MagSafe generations. MagSafe, MagSafe 2 and MagSafe 3 all use a magnetic connector, but the shapes differ and none are interchangeable with each other or with USB-C. Buying a MagSafe 2 charger for a MagSafe 3 MacBook, or the reverse, wastes money on a part that won't fit.

Skipping the model check because the old charger "looked the same." Chargers get lost, borrowed or damaged, and replacements are often bought from memory rather than by checking the current machine. If your MacBook has been repaired, upgraded, or isn't the one you're most familiar with, confirm the exact model via About This Mac before ordering, rather than assuming a previous charger's specification still applies.

Trusting "genuine Apple" wording without evidence. Replacement chargers described as OEM or genuine Apple should only be trusted as such when the listing provides real evidence of sourcing. E-Tech61's adapter is sold as a compatible replacement, not as a genuine Apple part, and priced accordingly.

Price, Spares and Replacement Chargers: Making the Decision

A genuine Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter, bought as a standalone accessory rather than bundled with a new MacBook, costs considerably more than E-Tech61's £9.44 listing (checked 21 September 2026). Apple's standalone accessory pricing shifts and isn't safe to quote precisely here, but third-party retail listings consistently show the genuine adapter priced several times higher than a compatible replacement. That price gap is the main reason to consider an Apple Mac charger alternative at all, whether you're covering a lost or damaged charger, buying a second one to leave at work or in a bag, or replacing a MacBook that arrived without its original power supply.

The decision generally comes down to how you'll use it. As a spare or backup — a second charger for a bag, car or second location — a lower-cost compatible replacement at the correct wattage does the same job as an Apple original for a fraction of the price. As your only charger for daily use, weigh the same trade-off: a compliant adapter with stated overcurrent, overvoltage and temperature protection, against the higher cost of an Apple-branded original.

Either way, wattage and connector type matter more than brand. A correctly specified compatible adapter charges a 13-inch MacBook Pro exactly as reliably as an Apple original of the same wattage; an incorrectly specified charger of either brand won't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a 61W USB-C charger work with any MacBook that has a USB-C port?

Physically, yes — USB-C is a universal connector, and Power Delivery negotiates automatically between charger and laptop. A 61W charger will plug into and charge any USB-C MacBook. Whether it's the right charger depends on wattage: on a MacBook Air or a 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel or M1), 61W matches or exceeds the original spec. On a 14-inch, 16-inch or M2 13-inch MacBook Pro, it will still charge the battery, but more slowly, and may not keep up during heavy use.

Can I use a higher-wattage charger, like 96W or 140W, on a MacBook that shipped with 61W?

Yes. USB-C Power Delivery is negotiated — the laptop only draws the wattage it needs, so a higher-wattage charger won't overcharge or damage a lower-spec device. It's the same principle that lets one high-wattage charger serve an iPhone, iPad and MacBook interchangeably.

Does the E-Tech61 61W adapter come with a USB-C charging cable?

This isn't guaranteed as standard. The product listing states cable inclusion depends on the exact package and advises checking the description before ordering. If you need a cable and the listing doesn't confirm one is included, budget for one separately.

My MacBook has a round, magnetic charging port — will this USB-C adapter fit?

No. MagSafe, MagSafe 2 and MagSafe 3 all use a magnetic connector, not USB-C, and a USB-C adapter cannot physically connect to a MagSafe port. E-Tech61's current charger range is USB-C only.

How do I know if my 13-inch MacBook Pro is the Intel version or an Apple Silicon model?

Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac. Intel models show a processor line reading "Intel Core i5" or "Intel Core i7." Apple Silicon models show a chip line instead, such as "Apple M1" or "Apple M2." The same window states the exact model and year.

Why does my MacBook show a "Slow Charger" message with a non-Apple adapter?

That message appears when the connected adapter supplies less than the minimum wattage Apple recommends for your model. It isn't a fault or safety issue — it means charging, particularly while the machine is under load, will be slower than with a full-spec adapter.

Is a third-party charger safe, or should I only buy the official Apple adapter?

A compliant USB-C Power Delivery charger negotiates voltage and current the same way an Apple adapter does. E-Tech61's listing states its adapter includes overcurrent, overvoltage and temperature protection. It's sold as a compatible replacement rather than a genuine Apple part, so the decision comes down to price against wanting an Apple-branded original.

If your MacBook is the 13-inch Pro with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or the 2020 M1 13-inch Pro that shares its 61W spec, check current stock and price on E-Tech61's 61W USB-C Power Adapter — the exact MacBook charger this guide has been building towards. It ships from the UK with same-day dispatch Monday to Friday and a 30-day return window if it turns out not to be the charger your machine needs. For every other MacBook, use the wattage and connector details in this guide as your buying checklist before ordering elsewhere, and browse E-Tech61's full range of repair parts and accessories while you're there.