Is there a “Best” charging cable between the C to C and the USB to C for the iPad Pro 5th generation? I have the C to C but sometimes it would be helpful to have the USB. Is there a difference in performance?
iPad Pro, iPadOS 16
Your iPad will optimally charge at its highest supported charging rate when charged from a USB-C Power Adapter rated at 20W or greater. Apple devices support USB PD (Power Delivery) - as do all of Apple's own USB-C Power Adapters.
When charged from a USB Type-A Power Adapter, the maximum charging rate of your iPad will be limited to 12W - regardless of the Power Adapter's power rating.
USB-C charging cables can have different power ratings. However, these are irrelevant when charging your iPad - as even the lowest rated Certified USB-C cable will charge your iPad at its maximum supported charging rate.
Most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.
Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD (Power Delivery). Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad; proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge), are not supported.
Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).
In summary, the "best" way to charge your iPad is to use the 20W USB-C Power Adapter with which it was supplied - or another USB-C Power Adapter, that supports USB PD, of the same or greater power-rating
Your iPad will optimally charge at its highest supported charging rate when charged from a USB-C Power Adapter rated at 20W or greater. Apple devices support USB PD (Power Delivery) - as do all of Apple's own USB-C Power Adapters.
When charged from a USB Type-A Power Adapter, the maximum charging rate of your iPad will be limited to 12W - regardless of the Power Adapter's power rating.
USB-C charging cables can have different power ratings. However, these are irrelevant when charging your iPad - as even the lowest rated Certified USB-C cable will charge your iPad at its maximum supported charging rate.
Most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.
Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD (Power Delivery). Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad; proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge), are not supported.
Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).
In summary, the "best" way to charge your iPad is to use the 20W USB-C Power Adapter with which it was supplied - or another USB-C Power Adapter, that supports USB PD, of the same or greater power-rating
No. Any cable can be used as long as its a good quality one.
lesterfamily3705 wrote:
Is there a difference in performance?
There can be depending on the cable used and the power adapter. Some cables may have a cap on power delivery so would work slower than others.
Check the cable specs. For example:
Anker USB-C to USB-A Charging cable (15 watts)
Anker USB-C to USB-C charger cable (60 watts, with compatible charger)
Best way to charge iPad Pro 5th Generation
