MacBook Air Charger: Which One Do You Need?
The MacBook Air charger you need depends on the model year and its port. In short: 2012 to 2017 MacBook Airs use a 45W MagSafe 2 adapter; 2018 to 2020 Retina MacBook Airs charge over USB-C at 30W or 35W; and the newer M2/M3 MacBook Airs add a MagSafe 3 magnetic connector (while still charging via USB-C too). Find your model below and you'll know exactly what to buy.
How to identify your MacBook Air
Three quick ways to figure out which era your Air belongs to:
- Look at the charging port. This is the fastest tell, and the three types are described just below.
- Check the wattage printed on your old charger. It will say 45W, 30W, or 35W.
- Look up the model under the Apple menu, then About This Mac.
The three charging ports
- MagSafe 2: a flat, wide magnetic plug with a small "T" or "L" shape (2012 to 2017 Airs).
- USB-C: a small oval port on the side (2018 to 2020 Airs, and the M-series can use this too).
- MagSafe 3: a thin magnetic plug (M2 and M3 Airs).
MacBook Air chargers by model
2012 to 2017 MacBook Air: 45W MagSafe 2
These classic wedge-shaped Airs use the 45W MagSafe 2 magnetic adapter. The plug clicks onto the side magnetically and pops off safely if the cord is tugged, which is the point of MagSafe.
The right replacement is the 45W Genuine Apple MacBook Air AC Power Adapter. If you also support a mix of older Apple laptops, the 45W/60W/85W Genuine Apple MacBook Air adapter set covers a wider range.
Important: MacBook Air uses 45W. Don't confuse it with the 60W or 85W MagSafe 2 adapters used by MacBook Pro. A higher-watt MagSafe adapter will generally still charge an Air, but the correct native spec for an Air is 45W.
2010 to 2011 MacBook Air: MagSafe 1 (needs a converter)
If you have a very early Air with the original MagSafe (MagSafe 1) port, the older, chunkier magnetic connector, you can still use modern MagSafe 2 adapters with an inexpensive adapter tip. The MagSafe 1 to MagSafe 2 converter bridges the two so a current 45W MagSafe 2 charger works on your older machine. It even carries a 3-year warranty.
2018 to 2020 Retina MacBook Air: 30W or 35W USB-C
When the Air went Retina in 2018, Apple dropped MagSafe and moved to USB-C charging. These models ship with a 30W USB-C charger (some later configurations use 35W).
For these, you want a USB-C wall charger of 30W or more plus a USB-C to USB-C cable. A flexible option is the USB-C adapter available in 30W/61W/87W/96W with cable included. Choose 30W to match the Air exactly, or size up if you want one brick that also handles a MacBook Pro.
If you just need a replacement cable, the USB-C to USB-C charging cable (2 meters) is a simple fix.
2022 and later M2/M3 MacBook Air: MagSafe 3 (or USB-C)
The redesigned M2 and M3 MacBook Airs brought back a magnetic port, this time MagSafe 3, while also letting you charge over USB-C. So you have two options:
- Use a MagSafe 3 charger for the tidy magnetic connection, or
- Charge over USB-C with a 30W+ brick and a USB-C cable.
Either works. MagSafe 3 frees up your USB-C ports for other things; USB-C is convenient if you already own a brick.
Can I use a higher-watt charger on my Air?
Yes, and it's safe. A MacBook Air will only draw the power it needs. Using a 60W or 96W USB-C brick on an Air won't harm it and can slightly speed up charging up to the Air's own limit. Going lower than spec (say, a 20W phone brick on an Air) will charge slowly and may not keep up during heavy use.
Genuine, compatible, or refurbished?
- Genuine Apple adapters are the exact factory part.
- Quality compatible adapters match the wattage and safety spec for less.
- Refurbished genuine units are real Apple hardware at a lower price, a great value if you want OEM without the full sticker.
MacBookAdapter stocks all three, including hard-to-find legacy MagSafe adapters that many stores no longer carry, useful if you're keeping an older Air running.
FAQ
What wattage charger does a MacBook Air use? 45W for the 2012 to 2017 MagSafe 2 models, and 30W (some 35W) USB-C for the 2018-and-later models.
Is my MacBook Air charger MagSafe or USB-C? 2012 to 2017 Airs use MagSafe 2 (magnetic plug). 2018 to 2020 Airs use USB-C. 2022+ M2/M3 Airs use MagSafe 3 and can also use USB-C.
Can I charge a MacBook Air with a MacBook Pro charger? Usually yes, a higher-watt MagSafe or USB-C charger will charge an Air safely. Just don't go below the Air's spec, or charging will be slow.
My old Air has the original MagSafe 1, am I stuck? No. A MagSafe 1 to MagSafe 2 converter lets a modern 45W MagSafe 2 charger work with it.
Quick recap
- 2010 to 2011 Air: MagSafe 1 (use a converter plus a 45W MagSafe 2).
- 2012 to 2017 Air: 45W MagSafe 2.
- 2018 to 2020 Air: 30W/35W USB-C.
- 2022+ M2/M3 Air: MagSafe 3 or USB-C (30W+).
Not 100% sure which fits your exact machine? Our which-charger and which-tip helper narrows it down in seconds, or browse all MacBook chargers. Every order is backed by our no-hassle return policy, so you can buy with confidence.