Generic phone chargers are cheaper, but they can pose a safety risk.

We use our phone chargers every day to keep our devices alive. But the charger you pick can have long-lasting consequences to your safety.

That’s because when you’re buying or replacing a lost iPhone, Android phone or adaptor charger, you may be tempted to get a generic, off-brand version. They typically are much cheaper than manufacturer-approved ones. They often promise to be for USB-C cables, which means they will charge faster.

But this can come with hazardous side effects.

“A poorly made charger could come apart, or a plug blade may not be secured and remain in the outlet when you remove the charger, exposing live parts and creating a shock risk,” explained Pamela Rucker Springs, the communications director for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Also, the internal circuitry may be inadequate and cause a problem when charging a phone.”

In a study conducted by the British organisation Electrical Safety First, 64 generic chargers for Apple devices were tested for safety. Data found that 58% of the generic chargers failed an electric strength test, which checks insulation barriers between the main circuitry and the parts a person can touch. In other words, the chargers were safety risks because they were more likely to overheat, catch fire or cause electric shocks.

In worst-case scenarios, people can get seriously injured. In a case report detailed in a 2020 Annals of Emergency Medicine

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