That headline is attention-grabbing, but it overstates the risk. A more accurate version would be:
“Why You Might Not Want to Leave a Charger Plugged In All the Time: 3 Reasons”
The three commonly cited reasons are:
- It uses a small amount of electricity.
Most modern chargers draw very little power when not charging a device, but they may still consume a tiny amount of standby energy. - It can experience wear or damage from power surges.
A charger left plugged in is exposed to electrical fluctuations, which can potentially shorten its lifespan. - It can generate a small amount of heat.
Quality chargers are designed to handle this safely, but defective, damaged, or counterfeit chargers can pose a greater risk.
In general, leaving a modern, certified charger plugged in is usually considered safe, though unplugging it when not in use can save a little energy and reduce unnecessary wear. The statement “NEVER leave a charger in an outlet without your phone” is stronger than the evidence supports.
