The 4 Best Wall Outlets With USB Charging Ports for 2023

We’ve updated this guide to reflect that the Leviton T5635 is not UL listed, but rather cCSAus listed, which means it is certified to the same standards as UL.

If you’re tired of hunting for the phone and laptop chargers scattered around your house, wall outlets with built-in USB ports offer an easy and affordable way to ensure that you can always plug in. These outlets provide the same power as a USB phone charger, cost less than twice as much, and free up AC outlets, as well. Leviton's T5635 (or the 20-amp T5835) is the model we suggest you install, as it has two high-power, future-proof USB-C ports with a combined power draw of 30 watts. That's enough to power a small laptop or to charge two smartphones at the same time. It's also easy to install safely yourself. Just make sure a USB-equipped outlet will fit your outlet box before you buy.

This is the only outlet with two USB-C ports that can charge at up to 30 watts, perfect for everything from phones to small laptops and tablets.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $44.

This version has the same USB ports but offers AC ports powerful enough for power tools, space heaters, and other high-draw appliances.

The Leviton T5635 is the only USB-equipped wall outlet that can charge at 30 watts from a single port, or split that power between its two USB-C ports, without sacrificing AC outlets. It performed as advertised in our tests, and like any good wall outlet, it's cCSAus listed and compliant with the National Electrical Code, so it's as safe as a standard outlet when installed correctly. Leviton is a leading manufacturer of electrical fixtures, and its products are widely available if you’re trying to get a project done quickly. The T5835 has the same USB ports, but its AC outlets deliver 20 amps for power-hungry tools, gadgets, and appliances. Not sure which model to get? If you’re replacing a 15-amp outlet, buy the T5635; if you’re replacing a 20-amp outlet, choose the T5835.

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This is the only outlet that can charge both a USB-A device and a newer USB-C device at full speeds simultaneously. It's a versatile way to upgrade outlets around your home.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $28.

If you want to save a few bucks and don't need the highest charging speeds (maybe you have an older phone, or just want to power an Alexa device), we like the Topgreener TU21558AC. Both its USB-A and USB-C ports go as fast as those on any comparable plug-in wall charger—12 watts and 15 watts, respectively—and unlike all the other similar options we tried, it won't slow down even if you use the two ports at the same time. USB-A is an older and slower technology, and USB-C is rapidly replacing it, so we think investing a little more in a dual–USB-C setup makes sense now. But USB-A will continue to work perfectly well as long as you have the necessary cables. Topgreener's included, interchangeable faceplates are a nice bonus, if you’re more concerned about aesthetics than speed.

The USB-C port on this A+C outlet charges just a little slower than the one on the Topgreener TU21558AC, but unlike the Topgreener it's available at most big-box hardware stores.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $31.

If you want USB-A and USB-C ports, and the Topgreener TU21558AC is out of stock or you’re buying your outlets at a big-box hardware store, get the Leviton T5633 instead. The USB ports on this model performed almost as well as those on the Topgreener, while the USB-C port tested about 10% slower—but that won't make much difference when you’re charging most smartphones or tablets. As a bonus, the T5633 comes with multiple faceplates, allowing you to change up its look.

This is the only outlet with two USB-C ports that can charge at up to 30 watts, perfect for everything from phones to small laptops and tablets.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $44.

This version has the same USB ports but offers AC ports powerful enough for power tools, space heaters, and other high-draw appliances.

This is the only outlet that can charge both a USB-A device and a newer USB-C device at full speeds simultaneously. It's a versatile way to upgrade outlets around your home.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $28.

The USB-C port on this A+C outlet charges just a little slower than the one on the Topgreener TU21558AC, but unlike the Topgreener it's available at most big-box hardware stores.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $31.

Nick Guy has been reviewing mobile accessories since 2011 and covering them for Wirecutter since 2015. He has reviewed more than 1,000 products and is the author of Wirecutter's guides to Qi wireless chargers, multiport USB wall chargers, and car chargers, for which he has seen and tested pretty much every charging variation currently available.

Mark Smirniotis has covered electrical and charging products, from USB power banks to portable generators, for Wirecutter and has put in hundreds of hours of research and testing on dozens of models in that time. He has also brought in advice and tips from consumer-safety experts at UL, battery experts at Cadex, and even our own consulting electrical engineer.

If you’re installing or replacing an electrical outlet, consider getting one with built-in USB ports. Having a USB port at every outlet lets you easily charge phones, tablets, e-readers, and other devices, without ever needing to find a USB wall charger. Plus, in rooms with few electrical outlets, dedicated USB ports free up the standard AC outlets for things that don't run on USB, such as lamps, fans, or media equipment. Generally homeowners get more value than renters from upgrading electrical fixtures, but unlike ceiling fans or expensive light fixtures, wall outlets with USB ports are inexpensive enough to be a reasonable upgrade for renters, too—especially if you install them yourself.

If you have a DIY spirit and can follow instructions, safely replacing outlets is one of the easiest electrical upgrades you can do.

If you don't have a handy bone in your body, any qualified electrician can swap in new outlets with little trouble (assuming your existing outlets already have the three-prong, grounded design). Many tradespeople will come out with only a minimum trip charge, which tends to vary by region but often includes an hour of labor. Check with your electrician about how many outlets they could change out for their minimum (likely two or three), and have the pro do the outlets all at once to get your money's worth.

That said, if you have a DIY spirit and can follow instructions—and you have access to your breaker panel to safely shut off the outlets you want to work on—safely replacing outlets is one of the easiest electrical upgrades you can do. A basic home toolkit, a pair of wire strippers, and preferably a non-contact voltage tester are all you need to successfully swap out an existing outlet. Video tutorials, such as those from the JerryRigEverything channel, can walk you through the steps and warn you about common mistakes.

If an outlet you want to replace has GFCI protection—you can spot this kind of outlet by looking for little Test and Reset buttons between the AC receptacles—you shouldn't replace it with a USB outlet on your own. As of this writing, no USB outlets (including our picks) are equipped with GFCI protection, which is required in kitchens, bathrooms, and any other potentially wet location in your home in order to reduce the risk of electrical shock. In that case, you should consult an electrician, who can tell you whether other GFCI protection on the circuit will protect the outlet and ensure it is compliant with local building codes.

Another thing to consider is that all USB-equipped outlets are deeper than standard outlets, so you should confirm they’ll fit before you buy. The good news is that they’ll generally fit a standard electrical box just fine, and with judicious wiring they can also fit into outlet and switch boxes that aren't quite as deep. But if your existing outlets are in what are known as "shallow" boxes (which are generally just 1½ inches deep), no USB wall outlet will work in that location.

When we asked Wirecutter senior staff writer Doug Mahoney, who worked in residential construction for 10 years and has been reviewing tools since 2007, how common shallow boxes are, he said he didn't think it would be a problem for most people. "They could be anywhere, but they’re not too common and usually found in walls with pocket doors or in older homes," he noted. "Watch out for walls that are thinner than normal—most likely closets, pantries, and add-on rooms that have been squeezed in with thinner framing."

Since a wall outlet is a standardized piece of hardware, all models can seem similar at first glance. But underneath the surface, they use slightly different designs that can affect how much power they provide, how safe they are, and how easy they are to install. For safety, we required any outlet we considered to be UL listed, or otherwise certified to UL standards by a body such as the CSA Group, a North American testing and certification provider, with its cCSAus certification, tamper resistant, and otherwise made to meet National Electrical Code standards. For power levels and installation, we considered and tested each of the following attributes and features.

For our original 2018 testing, we used the criteria above to narrow our initial list of 14 options to the five most promising outlets:

To find out which outlet could charge our devices fastest, we framed a small, 2-by-2-foot section of wall and drywall and then installed five single-gang (the term for the width of a single outlet) electrical boxes. Each one was wired with 14/2 NM electrical cable—the most common home wiring—and a wall plug. Then we labeled the wall outlets, installed them into corresponding boxes, and plugged them in.

We tested each port with a USB-based ammeter and a USB electronic load tester—a small device that acts like a phone or tablet but can be set to draw power consistently at different levels. Doing so meant that we could increase the draw on each port until we found the point at which it shut down or dropped out of the acceptable voltage range for USB ports (4.75 to 5.25 V).

To test the combined maximum port speed, we maxed out one port and then slowly increased the power draw on the second port. When either port shut down or the voltage went out of the acceptable range, we recorded the maximum current at that time.

In 2020, we identified one new model we wanted to test, the Leviton T5635, and installed it on an existing wall in our Long Island City, New York, office to try it out. We used the Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer and its Data Center Software to measure the USB-C power output from both ports, confirming that the power levels were as advertised. Although we didn't test the Leviton T5835, which has identical USB ports, we trust that it will perform just as well as the T5635, and we recommend it where 20-amp outlets are required.

This is the only outlet with two USB-C ports that can charge at up to 30 watts, perfect for everything from phones to small laptops and tablets.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $44.

This version has the same USB ports but offers AC ports powerful enough for power tools, space heaters, and other high-draw appliances.

If you don't want to hunt for wall chargers, or if you’re sick of seeing them clogging up AC outlets all over your home, the Leviton T5635 (and its 20-amp variant, the T5835) is the best way to add permanent USB charging ports to a new or existing wall outlet. Without sacrificing AC outlets, this Leviton model can power a single USB-C device at 30 watts (enough to charge a small laptop or tablet) or two at 15 watts (great for fast-charging smartphones). In fact, it's the only one we’ve found that can do so. Plus, it's certified to be safe by UL, and it's code-compliant to replace outlets in almost every room. If you’re replacing a 20-amp outlet, you should choose the T5835; if you’re replacing a 15-amp outlet, get the T5635.

Our pick from Leviton gives you two AC outlets and adds two USB-C ports between them. Although you can find outlets that have three or more USB ports built in, those models all sacrifice one or both of the AC outlets to fit the extra USB ports. Both outlets and both USB ports on this Leviton model are laid out with enough room for you to use them simultaneously, so you have as many options as possible on one wall plate. Plus, this model has two USB-C ports, whereas most competitors have either one USB-C port and one USB-A port or two USB-A ports. Since more and more Android phones and other personal electronics now use USB-C ports—instead of Micro-USB ports, which pair with USB-A cables—having a USB-C port helps to future-proof this wall outlet and lets you take advantage of the faster charging that USB-C makes possible. (And if you still have a phone and other devices with Micro-USB ports, don't worry—you can buy USB-C–to–Micro-USB cables and use them with this outlet.)

This Leviton model is the only outlet, at this writing, that supports 30 W USB-C charging (15 volts at 2 amps), which is what makes it stand out so clearly from the competition. That figure is a combined total, meaning that either port can output 30 W if it's the only one you’re using, or each can output 15 W when you’re using them simultaneously. If you’re uncertain how much power you need for your devices, 15 W is plenty for most modern smartphones to charge at top speed, while 30 W is great for tablets and laptops.

We tested each of the Leviton T5635's ports, and they both kept up the current and voltage without a problem. Many of the options stocked in hardware stores, and plenty of the models available online, are more limited. We’ve seen some discount models that deliver just 1 amp on a USB-A port—a much slower charging speed from a bygone era.

The T5835 offers the same USB-C power output as the T5635, but its AC outlets operate at 20 amps rather than 15 amps. This makes the T5835 a better choice if you’re positioning your outlet where it might be used by high-power-draw appliances such as power tools and space heaters.

The faceplate—the plastic part that covers the outlets—comes in white, brown, gray, ivory, or light almond, so you can choose which shade best fits your decor. It doesn't come with a wall plate, though, so you’ll either have to reuse the one from the outlet you’re replacing or pick one up for a few dollars.

Like any model you can find at a hardware store or from a reputable brand, our pick is cCSAus listed (meaning it meets UL standards) and compliant with the National Electrical Code, so it's as safe as a standard outlet when installed correctly.

These Leviton outlets don't come with wall plates, so if you’re installing one in a new location, you’ll need to buy a plate from your local hardware store for a buck or two. If you’re replacing an existing outlet, you can simply reuse the plate, assuming the colors match.

This is the only outlet that can charge both a USB-A device and a newer USB-C device at full speeds simultaneously. It's a versatile way to upgrade outlets around your home.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $28.

USB-A, though rapidly being replaced, isn't completely gone yet. If you’d like an outlet that features both USB-A for your legacy cables and the more future-proof USB-C, choose Topgreener's TU21558AC. It's the only combo outlet that can charge a USB-A device and a USB-C device at full speed without sacrificing even a small amount of power on either port. And of course it's UL listed and code compliant.

Much like the Leviton T5635, the Topgreener TU21558AC nestles its two USB ports between the AC outlets, giving you enough room to use all four power sources at once. Whether you use the USB-A port or the USB-C port on the TU21558AC, you can charge your mobile devices at the fastest speeds possible. The USB-A port can charge at up to 12 W (2.4 A) and the USB-C port can charge at 15 W (3 A), both of which are the maximum allowed by the USB standards unless you step up to USB-C Power Delivery.

The Topgreener TU21558AC stands out from similar outlets not just because each port is fast but also because in our tests this was the only model that could run at full power on both ports simultaneously. We found that the combined maximum of the ports was more than 30 W—that means you never have to choose which device you want to charge faster or remember which port is the better one. Even the Leviton T5633 has a combined limit around 10% lower, which limits the ports if you use them at the same time.

The faceplate on the TU21558AC is pure white, but Topgreener is the only company among our test group that also includes two other faceplates—light almond and black—that you can easily swap in. That's handy if those colors match the rest of your home, but the package still comes with only a white wall plate, the outer piece of trim that surrounds the outlets and covers the rough edges of the hole in the wall. If you need a different color or style, or if you want to switch to a screwless wall plate for a cleaner look, you need to buy it separately.

The TU21558AC is UL listed and compliant with the National Electrical Code. It also includes options for installing it with backstab wiring or standard screw terminals. We had no problems fitting the outlet into an old-work, single-gang electrical box. ("Old-work" boxes let you cut a hole in an existing wall to add an outlet where there wasn't one before; the box clamps to the wallboard. "New-work" boxes, on the other hand, are meant to be nailed to a stud during construction. Each "gang" can accept a pair of outlets or one light switch.) Standard switch/outlet boxes—often a little shallower—work too, so long as you don't need to fit additional wiring or wire nuts behind this Topgreener outlet.

The USB-C port on this A+C outlet charges just a little slower than the one on the Topgreener TU21558AC, but unlike the Topgreener it's available at most big-box hardware stores.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $31.

If you want both USB-A and USB-C ports and the Topgreener TU21558AC is sold out, or if you’re shopping in a brick-and-mortar store that doesn't stock the Topgreener, get the Leviton T5633 instead. This model has the same great combo of a USB-A port and a USB-C port, so it's convenient and compatible no matter what kind of portable device you need to charge. Plus, as we mentioned, Leviton is a leading brand of electrical fixtures, and if you need one of these outlets today, local hardware stores, including Home Depot, generally stock it. But the T5633 tends to cost a few dollars more than the TU21558AC despite having slightly less powerful ports and lacking an included wall plate (which you’ll need to buy separately).

When we tested the ports on the T5633, the USB-A port easily charged our devices at full speed—it ran without a problem up to 2.67 A or about 13 W, well above the 12 W that most modern mobile devices need. But the USB-C port topped out at the same level, making this model about 10% slower to charge than our top pick, which takes full advantage of USB-C's 15 W standard. For compatible devices, though, a USB-C port is still slightly faster than a USB-A port, and USB-C will be convenient to have as more devices continue to switch to the newer ports and cables in the next few years.

If you want to use both the USB-A and USB-C ports at the same time, your devices won't charge any more slowly than if you had plugged only one of them in. Overall, however, this model technically offers a little less power than the Topgreener, since the TU21558AC can do 27 W total while the T5633 maxes out around 25 W. In practice, the difference is negligible, but that's one of the main reasons we recommend that you order the Topgreener if you can plan ahead—this Leviton model doesn't offer any major advantages to balance out that shortfall and its slightly higher price.

You’ll need to factor in a couple of bucks more for a faceplate since the T5633 doesn't include one, although existing rectangular (also listed as decorator or Decora-style) white wall plates will match this outlet. We checked multiple Home Depot stores around the country, and all of them stocked this Leviton model only in white. If you’re looking for another color to match your existing fixtures, you may have to special-order your outlet anyway. In that case, consider the Topgreener TU21558AC instead.

The T5633 is UL listed and compliant with the NEC, so it's as safe as a standard electrical outlet when properly installed. And you can also install it by using the backstab or screw-down terminals in any standard electrical or outlet box—but keep in mind that no USB-capable outlets can fit in shallow boxes.

A previous top pick was the Topgreener TU21548A, but we no longer recommend it. This model has two USB-A ports but no USB-C ports, and in the time since we first made it our pick, USB-C has become much more common. If you’re planning to upgrade your wall outlets, we think our current picks offer the best way to future-proof your home as the new standard takes over.

We tested, but don't recommend, the OviiTech LQ-2 4.2 A outlet. It includes only two USB-A ports instead of offering a USB-C option. As of this writing, it also has a D grade on Fakespot, which may indicate that the owner reviews are being manipulated.

We dismissed the Topgreener TU21558A3 because it shoves three USB-A ports between the two outlets, and the middle port is so cramped that it would be hard to use.

Finally, we also dismissed three outlets without testing them because their combined output of the USB ports was below average:

Nick Guy

Nick Guy is a former senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter. He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since 2011—and stopped counting after he tested his 1,000th case. It's impossible for him not to mentally catalog any case he sees. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes.

Mark Smirniotis

Mark Smirniotis was a senior editor at Wirecutter. He has written and edited at Wirecutter since 2015, covering a range of products with a focus on computers and consumer technology.

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