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I’ve used 5 volt 2.1 amp USB-A charger with a USB-C cable for M1 Max MacBook Pro 16.

I suspect anything 5 watt plus will work.

Here is an on topic YouTube video.

To be very clear, at less than 15 to 20 watts, your battery may drain faster than it can be charged if the computer isn’t idle.

This command tells you the current power draw:

sudo powermetrics -i 1000 -s cpu_power,gpu_power | \
    egrep '^Package Power:|^GPU Power:'

You will likely lose 5 percent of the charge efficiency. In my testing while typing this, my M1 Max used about 500 mW to 961 mW. That is about 1 watt. So a 5 watt iPhone charger would maintain my current power level. If you are using significantly more power, you will want a much higher power output like the 20 watt to 96 watt chargers.

@gidds also recommended a menu bar app to determine power draw.

Answer from James Risner on Stack Exchange
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Anker
anker.com › home › blog center › chargers › macbook pro charger wattage: the ultimate guide
What is the Right Macbook Pro Charger Wattage? - Anker US
November 12, 2025 - If the charger's wattage isn't explicitly mentioned, you can utilize the following formula to calculate it: ... By knowing the voltage and current ratings (in amps) of the charger, you can easily determine the Macbook Pro charging wattage providing you with an estimated charging speed for your device.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/macbookpro › what's the minimum wattage for charging a macbook pro (late 2021 14")
r/macbookpro on Reddit: What's the minimum wattage for charging a MacBook Pro (late 2021 14")
October 21, 2022 -

I swear I've googled this and been through 5 pages of results and haven't gotten anything except ads for specific chargers or pages about fast charging. Specifically, I'm looking for a car adapter to stick my MagSafe 3 cord into (so USB-C) but I need it this weekend and the only ones I can find at local shops are 45W. I don't need fast charging, I just need it to charge. Would that work or am I a bit screwed?

Discussions

battery - How can I find the minimum wattage requirement to charge a MacBook? - Ask Different
I’ve used 5 volt 2.1 amp USB-A charger with a USB-C cable for M1 Max MacBook Pro 16. More on apple.stackexchange.com
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November 9, 2022
How many watts will power and charge new 14" macbook ...
It comes with a 96W USB-C Power Adapter, however I have a variety of USB-C power supplies for my current MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) - wall chargers, 12v vehicle chargers, battery bank chargers etc) all with a variety of wattage ranging from 30 to 75W. More on discussions.apple.com
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November 3, 2021
Does the MacBook Pro USB C charger (61W) output 20V, 9V, or 5.2V when not connected to an Apple device?
I have a USB C to microUSB to connect my MacBook charger to my Android phone and Bose QC35. As the phone's data protocol is different than Apple's (thus cannot tell the charger to change voltage), and the headphones have no data communication at all (except for firmware updates, thus also cannot... More on forums.tomshardware.com
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August 28, 2022
What's the minimum wattage for charging a MacBook Pro (late 2021 14") : macbookpro
I swear I've googled this and been through 5 pages of results and haven't gotten anything except ads for specific chargers or pages about fast... More on old.reddit.com
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 109509
Use a power adapter with your Mac - Apple Support
October 21, 2025 - To find out how much power a connected ... Hold the Option key and choose Apple menu  > System Information, then select Power. Find the wattage in the AC Charger section towards the bottom:...
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Amazon
amazon.com › tearplex-PD-96W-Charger › dp › B08RYXFQDT
Amazon.com: Mac Book Pro Charger - 96W USB C Charger Fast Charger for USB C Port MacBook pro & MacBook Air, ipad Pro, Samsung Galaxy and All Type C Device, 6.6 ft USBC Cable Included : Electronics
Multiple Security Protection: Our 96W macbook laptop charger Built-in smart chip with multiple smart functions such as over-current, over-voltage, overload, temperature protection, short-circuit protection, and auto recovery, fast charging speed ...
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Havit
sbsupply.eu › home › which magsafe charger do i need?
Which Magsafe charger do I need?
First of all, it is good to know ... MacBook Pro, or a MacBook Air and from which year it comes and how many inches the screen is. Do you not know which MacBook you have? Then look at this page 'Which Apple MacBook do I have?' to easily find out which MacBook you have. This affects which adapter works best for your MacBook. In the table below you can find the right adapter for your MacBook model. The wattage of the Power ...
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Anker
anker.com › home › blog center › chargers › macbook pro charger wattage: a comprehensive guide
What Is the Correct MacBook Pro Charger Wattage - Anker UK
April 22, 2025 - The following overview provides guidance: MacBook Pro (13-inch): These models typically demand a power supply of either 60W or 61W. They are best suited for routine, everyday tasks.
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Hoxton Macs
hoxtonmacs.co.uk › blogs › news › what-charger-do-i-need-for-my-macbook
What charger do I need for my MacBook? – Hoxton Macs
January 17, 2024 - The humble MacBook charger has gone through many different iterations since it’s introdcution in 2006, ranging from 30W chargers for the MacBook Air all the way up to 140W chargers for the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Find elsewhere
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253321271
How many watts will power and charge new 14" macbook ...
November 3, 2021 - It comes with a 96W USB-C Power Adapter, however I have a variety of USB-C power supplies for my current MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) - wall chargers, 12v vehicle chargers, battery bank chargers etc) all with a variety of wattage ranging from 30 to 75W.
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102378
Fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro - Apple Support
October 21, 2025 - Testing conducted by Apple in September 2025 using preproduction 14-inch MacBook Pro systems with Apple M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and 1TB SSD. Tested with Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter (Model A2166) and USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (Model A2363).
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Tom's Hardware Forum
forums.tomshardware.com › home › laptops and mobile devices › macbooks
Question - Does the MacBook Pro USB C charger (61W) output 20V, 9V, or 5.2V when not connected to an Apple device? | Tom's Hardware Forum
August 28, 2022 - Click to expand... Not that i know of. But found this which will give same result, amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Voltage-Amperage-MacBook-Spectre/dp/B01NAWYSVK ... The output voltage depends on the power delivery, which must be negotiated between the charger and the device.
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Quora
quora.com › Should-I-order-a-96-watt-power-adapter-with-my-M1-Pro-MacBook-or-is-67-watt-okay
Should I order a 96 watt power adapter with my M1 Pro MacBook or is 67 watt okay? - Quora
The 67W USB‑C Power Adapter is compact and provides efficient charging at home, in the office, or on the go. It’s included with the standard configuration of this MacBook Pro with M2 Pro ...
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Jackery
jackery.com › home › how many watts does a macbook pro charger?
How Many Watts Does A MacBook Pro Charger? - Jackery
January 9, 2024 - MacBook Pros generally require higher wattage for efficient and fast charging, typically around 60W-96W. For example, a 30W charger might power your MacBook Pro slowly and could be insufficient if the laptop is in heavy use.
Price   $$
Address   5310 Bunche Drive, 94538, Fremont
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Macworld
macworld.com › home › accessories
The best USB-C charger for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air in 2025 | Macworld
November 13, 2025 - Several companies now make a power adapter that supports the latest PD 3.1 standard that supports power output to up to 240W; other USB chargers have a practical maximum of 100W. It is fine to charge a laptop with a higher-wattage power adapter ...
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Greensafaris
greensafaris.com
What charger does macbook pro use - Green Safaris
Experience a sustainable safari in Africa with Green Safaris when you stay at one of our luxury safari camps and lodges in Zambia and Malawi.
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › USB-C
USB-C - Wikipedia
1 week ago - Some non-compliant cables with ... Configuration Channel (CC) with a 10 kΩ pull-up to VBUS instead of the specification mandated 56 kΩ pull-up, causing a device connected to the cable to incorrectly determine the amount of power ...
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › electronics › accessories › the best usb-c laptop and tablet chargers
The 4 Best USB-C Laptop and Tablet Chargers of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter
January 28, 2025 - Almost all computers that charge ... (2022 or later) reaches its peak charging speed at 67 W, the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2019) at 87 W, and both the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021 or later) and 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019) at 96 W. For ...
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KABCON-US
kabcon-us.com › products › macbook-pro-charger-96w-usb-c-power-adapter-compatible-with-apple-macbook-pro-16-15-13-inches-new-air-13-inch-2020-2019-2018-ipad-pro-with-usb-c-to-usb-c-charge-cable-6-5-ft
MacBook Pro Charger,96W USB C Power Adapter Compatible with Apple MacBook Pro 16 15 13 inches, New Air 13 inch, with USB-C to USB-C Cable (6.5 ft) – KABCON-US
[ship from the US]MacBook Pro Charger,96W USB C Power Adapter
Fast Charging: Our Mac charger supports PD3.0 fast charging protocol, which can charge laptops safely and efficiently without affecting battery life. Comes with a 6.5ft Usb C to C cable, which supports a maximum current of 5A. Input: AC 100-240V-1.5A (1.5A), 50-60Hz; Output: 20.5V = 4.7A, 15V = 3A, 9V = 3A, 5.2V = 3A. Wide Compatibility: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015–2017), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 and later), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 and later), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016–2019), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019),And other PD standards, the interface is type c equipment. Protectio
Price   $29.99
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OurDeal UK
ourdeal.co.uk › home › how much watt is macbook charger?
How much watt is MacBook charger? - OurDeal UK
November 21, 2023 - Here’s a breakdown of the wattage for some common MacBook chargers: 29W Charger: Generally used for smaller MacBook models like the 12-inch MacBook. 30W Charger: Found in some of the earlier models of the MacBook Air and certain iPad Pro models.