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MagSafe versus USB-C: Engadget compares MacBook charging options

Apple's MacBooks can charge over magnetic MagSafe or the industry-standard USB-C port. Engadget weighs safety, power delivery and travel convenience, and says which one is better depends on the situation.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-14 10:16

MagSafe attaches magnetically and releases when the cable is pulled sharply, as happens when someone trips over it, so the laptop is not dragged off a desk. Engadget cautions that the MacBook system should not be confused with the iPhone's MagSafe: the phone version is based on the Qi standard, while the MacBook connector is proprietary and much smaller. The MacBook version has gone through several iterations, with MagSafe 3 the current one. Because the generations differ in physical size and power capacity, they are not cross-compatible.

Charging power separates the two options. MagSafe is designed for faster charging. On a 2021 MacBook Pro, a 2022 MacBook Air or later models, it can deliver up to 140W, provided the correct power adapter is used. Apple sells a $99 adapter that pairs with the MagSafe cable for fast charging, which Engadget says can reach a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.

USB-C is rated at 60W as standard, half of what MagSafe can supply, though special cables carry up to 100W or 240W, and Apple sells a 240W USB-C cable. Engadget advises checking a cable's rating before buying if fast charging is the goal. The physical design also cuts the other way: USB-C is a standard plug that must be inserted into the right port, and if the cable is yanked, the Mac can be pulled to the floor with it.

USB-C has its own conveniences. A single cable can power a Mac, iPhone, iPad and other USB-C devices, which simplifies travel and cuts down on cable clutter, whereas MagSafe is for Macs only. MacBook Pro models released after November 2023 can also charge at up to 240W over USB-C when paired with the right cable and adapter, Engadget reports.

In Engadget's assessment, MagSafe remains the better choice in most cases: it is physically safer, supports fast charging and leaves the USB-C ports free for accessories. USB-C's advantage is consolidation. Keeping one cable of each type lets users switch between them as needed.