OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit review: Top speed charging

My 2018 11-inch iPad Pro came with an 18W charger. It works fine, of course, but it has always annoyed me just how long it takes to charge even the best iPad with it. Enter the OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit. In my informal testing, this kit charges my iPad Pro about 50% faster than the charger it came with!

The kit includes the 30W wall charger plus a sturdy 3-foot (one meter) fast-charge cable. The charger is powered by GaN, which means it's efficient yet compact with retractable prongs. The cable has been flex-tested for up to 3000 bends.

If you have a USB-C device that you'd like to charge, but it can't charge at 30W, don't worry. This charger utilizes Programmable Power Supply (PPS) technology. This allows the charger to automatically adjust the charging speed depending on what the device needs to power up. So, use the OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit to charge up just about anything you own with a USB-C port (other than a MacBook, which requires more power.)

OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit: Price and availability

The OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit is brand new and is currently only available directly from OtterBox. I expect it will be available in big box stores and on Amazon very soon. It comes in one color: Black Shimmer. The retail price is $39.95.

OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit: What'll charge you up

I like that this kit is about the same size as the Apple charging set that came with my iPad Pro, but it's more powerful and charges my iPad about 50% faster. You don't have to worry about "over-charging" your device because the OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit uses PPS technology to make sure your device gets just the amount of power it needs. You can charge up anything you own with a USB-C port, except for your MacBook (which requires more power.) So hook it up to your headphones, iPad Pro, wireless chargers, and more. The wall charger and the cable can, of course, be used separately, so feel free to mix and match to cover even more of your charging needs.

You'll appreciate the folding prongs if you're taking the kit on the go. I know it's a small thing but the USB port on the wall charger says "30W" right on it. You'd be surprised how many chargers don't have such an easy, helpful label. Chargers don't have to look good, but this one does, with its sharp gold on black striped design.

Cable fraying is a common issue, but this one feels quite sturdy and has been flex-tested for up to 3,000 bends. You get a limited lifetime warranty on the kit to boot.

OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit: What'll turn you off

There's really not much to dislike about this charging kit. You could argue that it's a little pricey, but $40 really isn't too crazy for what it is. If I'm getting very nitpicky, I wouldn't mind seeing an LED light letting me know when my device is fully charged.

OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit: Competition

If you don't need 30W, there are plenty of options for you. Apple's own 20W wall charger is always a good pick. The Anker Nano is a popular iMore pick as well. Anker does also make a 30W wall charger and cables, which you can easily find on Amazon or elsewhere.

OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit: Should you buy it?

• You want to fast charge your iPad Pro and other USB-C devices
• You want a compact 30W charging kit that includes the wall charger and USB-C to USB-C cable
• You want safe PPS technology that automatically adjusts to what your devices can handle

• You're looking for a MacBook charger
• You need an LED light indicator
• It's out of your price range

It's easy to recommend the OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit to anyone looking for a way to fast charge the iPad Pro or any other device with a USB-C port such as headphones, wireless chargers, and portable battery packs. However, it's not for charging a MacBook; you'll need more power for that.

If you're happy with the 18W or 20W wall charger and USB-C to USB-C cable that came with your iPad Pro, there's no need to run out and buy this one. However, if you want an additional charger, or you want a faster, more powerful charger, I'd recommend picking up the OtterBox USB-C to USB-C 30W Fast Charge Wall Charging Kit. It's got everything you need to charge up any of your favorite devices that have a USB-C port (other than your MacBook or other laptops that need more than 30W.)