Finding the best USB-C charger for a Dell laptop can be tricky. Dell XPS, Latitude, and Inspiron models now ship with USB-C Power Delivery chargers, but the wattage varies wildly—and using the wrong one can trigger BIOS warnings or leave your machine stranded on battery. This guide cuts through the noise with tested third-party chargers that work seamlessly with Dell systems, plus Dell’s own fast-charging options.
Quick Recommendations — Best USB-C Chargers for Dell
| Use Case | Recommended Charger | Wattage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-round best | Dell 65W USB-C Power Adapter | 65W | XPS 13-15, Latitude 5000/7000 |
| Best third-party | Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W) | 65W | XPS, Latitude, budget option |
| Most compact | Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN | 100W | Dual-device charging, future-proof |
| Budget pick | Anker 313 USB-C Charger | 45W | Inspiron 15, light-use scenarios |
Why the Right USB-C Charger Matters for Dell
Dell laptops are sensitive to charger specifications. While USB Power Delivery is standardised, Dell firmware includes charger detection logic—if the voltage or current signature differs too much from official specs, the machine may refuse to charge at full speed or display a BIOS warning: “AC power adapter is not supported.” Third-party chargers can work, but they must strictly comply with USB PD specifications and deliver the correct wattage for your model.
XPS 13 and 15 models typically need 65W minimum for fast charging. Latitude 5000-series: 45–65W. If you’re powering a 17-inch desktop replacement or ZBook equivalent, 100W future-proofs you for next-gen machines. We’ll walk through each option below.
Best Overall: Dell 65W USB-C Power Adapter
Dell’s official 65W adapter is the safest choice if you own an XPS or newer Latitude. It’s guaranteed to work without BIOS warnings, charges both XPS 13 and XPS 15 at full speed, and is the OEM standard across Dell’s mid-range and premium lines. The compact barrel design (shorter than older 90W adapters) makes it easy to carry, and it supports simultaneous smartphone/tablet charging via a secondary USB-A port on some variants.
Check Dell 65W Adapter on Amazon UK
Specs: 65W USB Power Delivery, USB-C output, compact form factor, Dell-certified.
Best for: XPS 13–15, Latitude 5420/5520, Inspiron 15 (7000-series), anyone who wants zero BIOS warnings.
Best Third-Party Option: Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W)
The Anker 735 (Nano II) is our top recommendation for users who want a third-party alternative. It delivers full 65W USB Power Delivery, has been tested on XPS and Latitude models with zero BIOS issues, and comes in at roughly half the price of Dell’s official adapter. The charger is compact, includes a folding plug design for travel, and supports simultaneous fast-charging of a phone or tablet via a second USB-C port.
Anker’s support is UK-based, and the device comes with a UK power cable included—no adapters needed.
Specs: 65W USB-C PD, dual-port (USB-C + USB-C), GaN technology, folding plug, UK warranty.
Best for: XPS 13-15, Latitude users, those seeking a compact spare charger at budget-friendly pricing.
Highest Wattage: Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charger
If you want to future-proof your charger library or own multiple high-power laptops (e.g., a 17-inch Inspiron Plus or desktop replacement), the Ugreen Nexode 100W is your answer. It’s one of the smallest 100W chargers on the market, uses GaN (gallium nitride) technology for minimal heat, and has dual USB-C ports so you can charge a laptop and tablet simultaneously at full speed.
For Dell systems, the Nexode will charge faster than necessary (the laptop will simply draw what it needs), and it works flawlessly on XPS, Latitude, and Inspiron models we’ve tested.
Find Ugreen Nexode 100W on Amazon UK
Specs: 100W USB Power Delivery, dual USB-C outputs, GaN technology, compact form, includes braided USB-C cable.
Best for: Power users with multiple devices, future-proofing, 17-inch machines, anyone charging a phone/tablet simultaneously.
Budget Pick: Anker 313 USB-C Charger (45W)
For Inspiron 15 models or light-use scenarios (office work, web browsing), a 45W charger is sufficient. The Anker 313 delivers this at excellent value—it’s smaller than 65W options, lighter for travel, and still maintains fast-charging speeds on smaller Inspiron and entry-level Latitude models.
Note: The Inspiron 15 (5000-series) uses a proprietary barrel connector on older stock, but newer USB-C variants work perfectly with this charger.
Specs: 45W USB-C PD, single port, compact, folding plug design.
Best for: Inspiron 15, casual users, travel, backup chargers on a budget.
Full Comparison Table — Dell USB-C Chargers
| Charger | Wattage | Ports | Technology | Price Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell 65W USB-C | 65W | USB-C + USB-A | Standard PD | Premium | All XPS, Latitude 5000/7000 |
| Anker 735 (Nano II) | 65W | Dual USB-C | GaN | Mid-range | XPS, Latitude, value-conscious |
| Ugreen Nexode 100W | 100W | Dual USB-C | GaN | Mid-range | Future-proof, multi-device |
| Anker 313 | 45W | Single USB-C | Standard PD | Budget | Inspiron, light use, travel |
Dell BIOS Charger Warnings Explained
If you see “AC power adapter is not supported” in Dell’s BIOS or Windows, it means one of three things:
- Wattage mismatch: The charger is underpowered for the machine. A 45W charger on an XPS 15 will trigger this.
- USB PD signature issue: Rare with name-brand third-party chargers, but some cheap knock-offs report incorrect voltage. Stick to Anker, Ugreen, or Nekteck.
- Cable defect: A damaged USB-C cable can prevent proper negotiation. Try a different cable first.
The warning is not a hard block—your machine will still charge (at reduced speed). But persistent warnings may indicate a charger incompatibility that should be resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 45W charger on my XPS 15?
Technically yes, but it will charge very slowly and may trigger BIOS warnings. The XPS 15 under load can draw 60–90W. Use 65W minimum for reasonable charging speed.
Is a 100W charger safe for a 65W laptop?
Completely safe. Your Dell will only draw what it needs. The extra headroom is useful for future laptops or simultaneous multi-device charging.
Will a third-party charger void my Dell warranty?
No. Using a USB Power Delivery compliant charger does not void the warranty. Dell explicitly permits third-party USB-C PD chargers in their documentation.
What’s the difference between GaN and standard chargers?
GaN (gallium nitride) chargers are smaller and run cooler than traditional silicon designs at the same wattage. For USB-C chargers, GaN is now standard in compact 65W+ models. Functionally identical to your Dell, just better engineering.
Can I charge two laptops simultaneously?
Yes, if you use a charger with dual USB-C ports (Anker 735, Ugreen Nexode). Both ports deliver full power—65W/65W or 100W split across both. Perfect for mobile professionals.
More Dell Charging Guides
Explore our full Dell laptop charger compatibility guide for legacy barrel-connector models, docking station power specs, and troubleshooting BIOS warnings.
Or check out our Dell laptop compatibility hub for charger specs across XPS, Latitude, Inspiron, and G-Series gaming machines.
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial DDR4 SO-DIMM 16GB 3200MHz | Budget single-stick upgrade | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB 3200MHz | OEM-quality for business laptops | View on Amazon UK |
| Anker 65W USB-C GaN Charger | Compact travel charger for most ultrabooks | View on Amazon UK |
| Ugreen 100W USB-C PD Charger | High-wattage for gaming & workstation laptops | View on Amazon UK |
| Anker 140W USB-C Charger | Maximum power for 16″ MacBook Pro & similar | View on Amazon UK |
| Baseus 65W GaN USB-C Charger | Budget alternative with multi-port charging | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.



