Stop! Your Apple charger could be a fake, and this little gadget can tell

USB tester has gone beyond just testing output voltage and power of ports, it can now test and test fake Apple charger and cables.

I have dozens of different testers, but the strongest one is definitely ChargerLab’s KM003C USB-C Power-Z Meter.

Also: This is the ultimate iPhone car charger and I just fixed its biggest problem

This can tell you everything and everything you need to know about USB-C ports, cables or chargers.

RECOMMENDED ZDNET

ChargerLab’s KM003C USB-C Power-Z Meter

The powerful USB-C tester includes all the usual functions you’d expect from a USB-C meter (such as the ability to measure voltage and current), but also adds features like check Apple cable and charger

ChargerLab Power-Z KM003C USB-C Meter Specifications

• Size: 1.44 x 1.4 x 0.34 inches (36.5 x 35.5 × 8.7 mm)
• Weight: 16.5g (0.58 oz)
• Screen size: 1.54 inches
• typical current activity: 15~50mA
• microprocessor: ARM Cortex-M4 192MHz
• backup power: Super capacitor

The Power-Z KM003C features a 1.54-inch 240 x 240-pixel IPS color display and can perform a wide range of tests, including voltage/current detection, capacity/power testing, USB identification -C E-marker, protocol check, and more.

Also: This $30 USB-C Cable Includes a Surprisingly Great Feature

Everything is controlled by four buttons, which is much easier than some other gauges I’ve seen that have a bunch of bewildering rotating dials and little push-button switches on them. I often find myself wasting a lot of time trying to figure out how the watch works, randomly clicking buttons and flipping switches.

There’s USB-C in and out, and a port for connect to PC or power supply. The ports are also of good quality — sometimes these gauges are discarded with substandard parts. The last thing I want is to connect the device to a poor quality USB port that could cause damage.

Also: The best mobile power stations you can buy

The screen is also big, clear and easy to read. I can switch between several color schemes and it rotates automatically thanks to the built-in gravity sensor, allowing me to see the reading regardless of orientation.

In addition to all the power and protocol information this watch can provide, two features that I really like are the ability to detect genuine Apple chargers and read E-Mark chip in USB-C cable.

Built inside the Power-Z KM003C is a supercapacitor that acts as a short-term battery, allowing the device to keep running for a few seconds even when the power is disconnected — a handy feature!

At $110, ChargerLab Power-Z KM003C . USB-C Meter is not cheap. In fact, that’s a hefty price tag for a USB-C meter. However, this is a well-built, quality meter that has functionality that I find to stand out from the rest and offers features you don’t see on cheaper testers.

Also: How to protect your data with a USB condom

And if you buy multiple Apple chargers and cables, this tester could be worth its gold remove any fake products that unscrupulous sellers may try to bribe you.

If you want to buy something a little cheaper, then Charge LAB Power-Z AK001 could be a better choice. This device is essentially a USB-C-to-USB-C cable with a power meter inserted in the center, and has a more affordable price tag of $30.