You just spent a small fortune on a sleek new slab of glass and aluminum. You get home, unbox that satisfyingly crisp white Apple packaging, and suddenly realize something might be missing. It's a valid concern. After all, the tech world went into a collective meltdown a few years ago when smartphones started shipping in boxes the size of a deck of cards—minus the power brick. So, does an iPad come with a charger, or are you destined to stare at a 1% battery icon while frantically rummaging through your junk drawer?
Honestly, the answer isn't a simple yes or no anymore. It’s a "yes, for now, but with a few caveats."
Apple is currently in a weird transition phase. While the iPhone famously ditched the wall adapter back in 2020 with the iPhone 12, the iPad lineup hasn't quite followed that exact path—at least, not globally. If you buy a brand-new iPad today in the United States, you’ll likely find a USB-C power adapter tucked under the cardboard insert. But if you’re reading this in certain parts of Europe or the UK, or if you’re looking at specific newer models, things are starting to change. Apple is quietly tightening the belt on what they include in the box.
Why the question of an iPad charger is getting complicated
For a long time, the iPad was the "safe" product. You bought one, you got the brick. Simple. But recently, Apple updated the iPad Pro and the iPad Air (M4 and M2 models, respectively), and they made a quiet but significant change for customers in the European Union and the UK. In those regions, these specific new iPads do not come with a power adapter. They only include the USB-C charging cable.
Why the discrepancy? It's largely down to waste reduction and regional regulations. In the US, Apple still bundles the 20W USB-C Power Adapter with every iPad model they currently sell, from the entry-level iPad (10th Gen) to the powerhouse iPad Pro. But the writing is on the wall. When Apple wants to test a "slim box" strategy, they usually start with specific regions or high-end models before rolling it out to the rest of the world.
If you’re shopping for a used or refurbished model, the "does an iPad come with a charger" question becomes even more of a gamble. Third-party resellers like Gazelle or Back Market usually include a charger, but it might not be the original Apple-branded one. Sometimes it's a generic third-party brick that charges at a snail's pace. If you're buying "Open Box" from a place like Best Buy, always double-check the "What's Included" section because sometimes those chargers go missing before the item is returned.
Identifying what’s actually in your box
It's helpful to know exactly what you're looking for so you don't get ripped off. Currently, the standard iPad box contains two main things besides the tablet itself.
First, there’s the cable. Everything has moved to USB-C now. The old Lightning connector—the one with the small, solid tab—is officially dead in the iPad lineup. Even the base-model iPad finally made the jump. You’ll get a woven USB-C to USB-C cable that’s actually quite nice and much more durable than the old rubbery ones that used to fray if you looked at them wrong.
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Second, there’s the power adapter. In the US, this is usually the 20W USB-C brick. It’s fine. It’s not "fast" by modern standards, but it gets the job done. However, if you’re buying an iPad Pro, you might be disappointed to find out that even though the device can handle up to 30W or even 35W of power, Apple still only gives you that 20W plug. It’s like buying a Ferrari and the dealership giving you a five-gallon gas can to fill it up. It works, but you aren't exactly hitting top speed.
The European shift and what it means for you
If you happen to be in London or Paris and you walk into an Apple Store for a new M4 iPad Pro, the salesperson is probably going to ask if you need to buy a charger separately. This is a direct result of E-waste regulations. The logic is that you probably already have a USB-C brick from a laptop, a previous tablet, or a Nintendo Switch.
This creates a bit of a headache for first-time buyers. If you don't have a high-wattage brick, you're looking at an extra $19 to $30 just to be able to plug your new toy into the wall. It's annoying. It feels like a hidden tax. But it is the current reality of the tech landscape.
Technical specs you actually need to know
Let's talk numbers for a second because "charger" is a loose term. Not all USB-C plugs are created equal. If you use an old 5W iPhone "cube" (the tiny square one) with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, your iPad will take about twelve years to charge. Actually, it might not charge at all if you're using it while it's plugged in; the battery percentage will just stay stagnant or drop slowly.
To effectively charge a modern iPad, you need a Power Delivery (PD) rated charger. Most iPads want at least 20W to charge at a reasonable rate. The iPad Pro models can actually pull closer to 30W-35W. If you use a MacBook charger—say, the 61W or 96W brick—don't worry. It won't explode your iPad. The iPad is smart enough to only "pull" the amount of power it can handle. Using a beefier charger is actually a great way to ensure you're hitting the maximum charging speed your device supports.
What to do if your iPad didn't come with a brick
So, you opened the box and it's just the cable. Or maybe you're buying a model where you know the brick is missing. Don't just grab the cheapest thing at the gas station checkout counter. Cheap chargers can have poor voltage regulation, which, over time, can degrade your iPad’s battery health or even fry the charging chip.
Anker is basically the gold standard for third-party chargers. Their Nano series is significantly smaller than Apple’s official bricks and often provides more power. If you want something that can charge your iPad and your iPhone at the same time, look for a GaN (Gallium Nitride) charger. These use a different material than traditional silicon chargers, allowing them to be tiny but incredibly powerful and efficient.
Another pro tip: check your "smart" power strips or even your wall outlets if you've renovated recently. Many modern homes have USB-C ports built directly into the wall. Just make sure they output enough wattage. Usually, those built-in ports are pretty weak (around 10W-12W), which is okay for overnight charging but frustrating if you're trying to juice up before a flight.
Misconceptions about iPad charging
There is a weird myth floating around that you must use an Apple-certified charger or you'll void your warranty. That’s not true. As long as the charger is from a reputable brand and is USB-IF certified, you’re fine. Apple isn't going to come to your house and take your iPad away because you used a Samsung or Google brick.
Another thing people get wrong is the "iPad Pro needs a special charger" idea. While the Pro can charge faster, it uses the exact same USB-C standard as the iPad Air and the iPad Mini. There is no proprietary "Pro" charging tech hidden in the cable.
How to check if your current charger is good enough
If you’ve found a random white brick in your house and aren't sure if it’s the right one for your iPad, look at the tiny, almost invisible text printed on the side. You're looking for the "Output" section.
- 5V at 1A: This is 5W. Toss it. It’s for old iPhones and won't help you here.
- 5V at 2.4A: This is 12W. It’ll charge an iPad slowly, but it's better than nothing.
- 9V at 2.22A: This is the 20W sweet spot. This is what Apple usually includes.
- 15V or 20V options: These indicate a high-wattage laptop-grade charger. These are excellent for iPads.
If the text is too small to read (which it usually is), just plug it in. If your iPad says "Not Charging" in the top corner next to the battery icon, your power source is too weak. This often happens when plugging into older car USB ports or cheap airplane seat connectors.
Actionable steps for your new iPad setup
Buying the device is only half the battle. To make sure you aren't left stranded with a dead battery, follow these steps:
- Verify your region: If you are in the UK or EU buying the latest 2024 models, assume the box does not have a wall plug. If you're in the US, check the back of the box at the store; it will explicitly list "USB-C Power Adapter" under the "Includes" section.
- Audit your current bricks: Don't buy a new one if you don't have to. Check if you have a laptop charger with a USB-C end. If you have a MacBook Air or Pro from the last five years, that charger is perfect for your iPad.
- Invest in a GaN charger: If you do need to buy one, spend the extra $10 on a dual-port GaN charger. It’s smaller than the Apple one and lets you charge your phone and tablet from a single outlet.
- Keep the cable: Even if you don't get a brick, the included Apple cable is high quality. It’s a "charge and sync" cable, meaning it handles data transfers well too.
- Check battery health early: Once you start using your charger, monitor the heat. If the iPad gets extremely hot to the touch (beyond just "warm"), your charger might be malfunctioning or providing "dirty" power.
The transition away from included chargers is annoying, but it’s the direction the industry is heading. For now, US iPad buyers are still in the clear, but keep an eye on those box sizes—they’re getting thinner every year.