Does a Apple Watch Come with a Charger? What’s in the Box Explained

If you’re buying an Apple Watch for the first time, one question comes up a lot: does a Apple Watch come with a charger? It’s a fair thing to check, and the short answer is no. Apple, like many tech brands, no longer includes a power adapter in the box.

So, what do you actually get with your Apple Watch, and how do you charge it? This guide breaks down the basics in plain English and points you to a few popular Apple Watch charging accessories worth knowing about.

Does Apple Watch Come with Charger?

If you’re asking, “Does the Apple Watch come with charger?”, here’s the simple answer: you get a charging cable, but you don’t get a wall plug.

What’s included in the box of Apple Watch:

For current Apple Watch models sold by Apple, the box includes:

• The Apple Watch itself
• A watch strap/band (the one you choose at checkout)
• A 1-metre Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable(the round “puck” on one end, USB-C on the other)

What’s missing:

• A USB-C power adapter(wall plug)

Apple expects you to use an adapter you already own or buy one separately. Both Apple’s own adapters and quality third-party USB-C Power Delivery (PD) chargers work fine.

Why Apple stopped bundling the plug

Apple stopped bundling power adapters in September 2020, starting with the Apple Watch Series 6 and the first-generation Apple Watch SE. Earlier models shipped with Apple’s classic 5W USB charger brick and a USB-A magnetic charging cable.

The reason for the change is simple: to reduce waste. Apple believes that most people already have spare USB power adapters at home, so leaving the plug out cuts down on packaging and shipping weight. It also helps Apple meet its wider environmental targets.

How Apple Watch Charging Works

All Apple Watches use wireless magnetic charging. There’s no charging port like you’d find on a phone. Instead, the back of the watch snaps into place on the round charging puck. Magnets take care of alignment, so you don’t have to adjust it.

The basic charging setup

Charging your Apple Watch is simple:

1. Plug the magnetic charging cable into a USB-C power adapter, then into a wall socket. You can also plug it into the USB-C port on your laptop or use a power bank.
2. Place the back of your watchonto the concave end of the charger puck. The magnet will align it properly for you.
3. You’ll see a charging iconand (unless Silent Mode is on) hear a chime when charging starts.

How the technology works

At its core, Apple Watch charging uses electromagnetic induction. Energy transfers wirelessly between coils in the charger and the watch using a magnetic field.

It’s the same basic principle used in Qi, Qi2, or MagSafe charging on iPhones. However, Apple Watch uses a proprietary, smaller coil design, which is why standard Qi pads or MagSafe chargers won’t work.

Fast charging: when it applies and what you need

Most newer Apple Watch models support fast charging, but it only works if the setup is right.

Fast charging was introduced with Apple Watch Series 7 and is supported by:

• Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, and the latest Series 11
• Apple Watch Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3
• Apple Watch SE (3rd generation)

To fast charge your Apple Watch, you need:

• The included Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable
• A 5W or higher USB-C power adapterthat supports USB Power Delivery (PD)

With the right setup, newer models like Apple Watch Series 10 and 11 can charge from 0 to around 80% in about 30 minutes.

Using a higher-wattage adapter (like 30W, 60W, or even 100W) is perfectly safe. The Apple Watch will only draw the power it needs.

Apple Watch Series 6 and earlier models, along with Apple Watch SE (1st and 2nd generation), do not support fast charging, even if you use a USB-C cable.

Best Apple Watch Chargers 2026

You can charge your Apple Watch without using the exact cable that came in the box, as long as you still have an Apple Watch-compatible magnetic charging puck.

For consistent performance, Apple recommends using chargers that have completed the MFi certification and show the Made for Apple Watch badge. Using uncertified or counterfeit chargers can lead to issues like slow charging, repeated chimes, or reduced lifespan.

If you want a neater setup, multi-device wireless charging stations are a practical upgrade. The best ones let you charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods together, using a single power cable instead of three separate ones.

Here are three well-designed options from Anker, each suited to a slightly different way of using your devices.

Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station

The Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station is a 3-in-1 designed to stay put on a desk or bedside table. It combines a Qi2 25W-certified magnetic stand for newer iPhones, an Apple-certified charging puck for Apple Watch, and a dedicated Qi pad at the base for earbuds.

The phone stand rotates a full 360° and tilts up to around 80°, so you can easily check notifications, watch videos, or take calls while your phone charges. Under the hood, it uses active cooling — a thermoelectric cooling plate paired with a fan — to draw heat away during charging and help keep performance steady.

A 1.65” display shows live power output and temperature, with simple touch controls. Setup is quick thanks to NFC one-tap pairing, which links the station to the Anker app for deeper control. From there, you can choose between Boost, Ice, or Sleep modes, set charging schedules, or enable clock themes for overnight use.

What’s good:

• All-in-one setupfor iPhone, Apple Watch, and earbuds in a single footprint
• Qi2 25W-certified snap-on phone chargingwith a secure magnetic stand, topping up an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in just 22 minutes
• TEC active coolingto manage heat during long or heavy charging sessions
• Three charging modes — Boost, Ice, and Sleep— suit different routines
• Built-in display and app controlsfor quick status checks and custom schedules
• 65W adapter and USB-C cable included, so no extra accessories are needed

Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe

This Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe focuses on portability without giving up everyday usability. Folded down, it’s compact and easy to pack. Open it up, and it becomes a proper charging stand.

The iPhone section uses Apple’s Made for MagSafe tech and supports 15W magnetic wireless charging for iPhone 12 and newer models. The Watch puck is also Apple-certified for fast charging on Series 7 and later, including the Ultra line and SE 3.

The phone stand rotates 360° and tilts up to 60°, which makes it easy to keep your screen visible while charging. When you’re finished, everything folds back into a neat cube that fits easily into a bag.

What’s good:

• Made for MagSafeiPhone charging at 15W
• Certified fast chargingfor supported Apple Watch models
• Adjustable stand with 360° rotationand 60° tilt
• Folds into a compact cubefor travel

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station

If you often travel with your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, this macaron-shaped Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station can simplify your setup. It’s a foldable 3-in-1 pad that opens to reveal three clearly defined charging zones: a Qi2 15W phone pad, an Apple Watch magnetic puck, and a 5W spot for earbuds.

Folded one way, it props your phone up in landscape, which works well for StandBy Mode on a nightstand. Fold it flat, and it becomes small enough (roughly the size of an AirPods case) to slip into a jacket pocket.

What’s good:

• Foldable 3-in-1 pad designthat packs down small
• Supports landscape chargingand StandBy Mode
• 25W total output(Phone Qi2 15W / Watch 5W / Earbuds 5W)
• Apple-certified fast Apple Watch charging, taking a Series 9 from 0 to 30% in 22 minutes

Conclusion

So, does a Apple Watch come with a charger? You get the USB-C magnetic charging cable, but not the wall plug. Once you know that, the rest comes down to how you plan to use your watch. A basic power adapter works fine, but if you also carry an iPhone and AirPods, a certified wireless charging station can make daily top-ups simpler. With the right setup, keeping your Apple Watch charged is straightforward and hassle-free.

FAQs

What comes in the box of the Apple Watch SE?

Currently, in the box with Apple Watch SE (1st Gen/2nd Gen/3rd Gen), you’ll get the watch itself, the strap you selected, and an Apple Watch Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable (1 m). This magnetic cable is what you use to charge the watch, but a USB-C power adapter isn’t included in the box, so you’ll need to use one you already have, or buy one separately, to plug into the mains.

How do I charge my Apple Watch?

To charge your Apple Watch, plug the included magnetic charging cable into a USB-C power adapter or a powered USB-C port. Place the back of the watch onto the round charging puck, and the magnets will align it automatically. Once connected, the watch starts charging on its own, and you’ll see a charging icon on the screen to confirm it’s working.

Do you have to buy a charger for an Apple Watch?

Apple Watch includes a USB-C magnetic charging cable, but there’s no power adapter in the box. If you don’t already have a compatible USB-C plug, you may need to buy one separately. Most people already have one from another device, and any safe USB-C Power Delivery adapter, whether from Apple or a reputable third-party brand like Anker, will work.

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 come with a fast charger?

Apple Watch Series 9 comes with a USB-C magnetic fast charging cable in the box, which can charge the watch from 0 to 80% in around 45 minutes. However, it doesn’t include a USB-C power adapter, so you’ll need to use one you already own or buy one separately. Any dependable USB-C Power Delivery adapter will work, whether it’s from Apple or a trusted third-party brand like Anker.