SMARTPHONE CHARGERS

HERE’S ANOTHER IN THE ‘THIS USED TO BE SO EASY’ CATEGORY. Previously, you just figured out whether the object of your generosity had an iPhone or an Android device and boom! You were golden.

Today, there are lots more variables. Does the smartphone in question support what’s known as Fast Charging, which tops off the battery in record time? And while most chargers use a standard USB connection, the industry is in a shift to a smaller plug known as USB-C.

Or does the recipient have a device that can do wireless charging? And if it does do wireless charging, does it also do Fast Charging for wireless? Does the device use the Qi or PMA wireless charging standard (newer smartphones typically support Qi or both)?

And if the device does support wireless charging, does the recipient prefer a horizontal charging pad, or a stand that holds the phone up at an angle?

Fortunately, there’s a way around this. Most wireless charging pads don’t come with the charging plug. Shoot for a quality plug — avoid noname knock-offs that can actually damage the devices they charge — that has multiple USB ports and can deliver at least 7.5 watts per port, and more if it doesn’t drive the cost up too much. The product recommendation site called The Wirecutter (now owned by the New York Times) has good suggestions in this category.

In all of these instances, if you can get the right information about the recipient’s tastes or existing gear, then you can make a pretty safe call on a techie present.

How good are your sleuthing skills?

Or, you can do the safest thing of all: Get ’em a gift card.