Customer Reviews

Kindle US Power Adapter (Not included with Kindle or Kindle Touch)

5 star:		(445)
4 star:		(85)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(61)

 

 

This exact power adapter comes standard with what Amazon calls now the 'Kindle Keyboard' models (Kindle 3) but NOT with the Kindle Touch and the least expensive model ($79 no touch) now known as plain 'Kindle'. It can be used just about anywhere in the world (100-240V) for as long as you have the proper plug adapter.

To charge a Kindle you will need a generic USB Type A/Micro B cable and one is supplied with every Kindle purchased and you can do it in several different ways:

- Off a laptop or PC through one of their 'powered' USB ports (you will need a laptop or a PC)
- With this adapter which comes with all Kindle 3s or can be purchased separately (you will need the Amazon-supplied or any generic USB cable)
- With a third-party, branded or generic USB charger (search Amazon for either 'kindle charger' or 'usb charger')

This specific charger works for all 3d and 4th generation Kindles and is also great for charging lots of other gadgets that get charged through an USB port. I'm using it to charge my Blackberry Torch, a couple of other phones and the kids charge their MP3 players. And the reverse is also true: most other USB chargers will work with your Kindle. One good example is the Blackberry's.

Amazon's charger may cost a couple of dollars more than a generic but it comes with Amazon's logo and some peace of mind. For anyone going 'generic', here are the Amazon adapter's specs:

INPUT (AC): 100-240V, 50/60Hz
OUTPUT (DC): 4.9V, 0.85A

Prices fluctuate so I'm not going to discuss 'price' but it's always a good idea to search Amazon for alternatives before placing an order.

The newly announced $79 Kindle, the Kindle Touch Wi-Fi and Kindle Touch 3G come with an included USB 2.0 cable that you can use to charge your device by connecting it to a computer. But the specs also say:

"U.S. POWER ADAPTER SOLD SEPARATELY"

So you are going to need one of these if you ordered one of these Kindles and want to wall charge it. I guess that's why they are 50% off. Amazon is trying to take some of the sting out of the deal for when everyone finds out that they need an adapter to plug/charge it in a wall outlet. In the past all Kindles came with the adapter included in the purchase price. Welcome to the new AMAZON! Nice plus, however, is that it will also charge any iPod that charges via USB.

This is the same adapter that you should already have if you own one of the the latest generation Kindles, so no need to buy a 2nd one. I lost the adapter on my Kindle 3 and had to buy one of these. It works as it should, it charges the Kindle and it's nice and small.

It's a nice, small adapter with an Amazon logo. It does exactly what it is designed to do, charge a Kindle. Do yourself a favor. If you need one buy it from a seller with a "Fulfilled by Amazon" connection so you qualify for the the 30 day hassle free return/replacement policy.

Note: The Kindle Fire comes with it's own power adapter, so if you buy the Fire you won't need this adapter. The Fire's adapter does not separate into a USB cable and a wall plug Kindle Fire Charger / AC Adapter(check out my review). The specs for the Fire AC adapter are:
INPUT (AC): 100-240V, 50/60Hz
OUTPUT (DC): 5V, 1.8A
but the Fire's AC charger will also charge the latest model Kindles. I used my Fire charger on 11-17-2011 to charge my Kindle Touch. Worked well.

I received the USB charger in a plastic bag in an padded envelope from UPS. It's a tad bit expensive for a regular USB charger. Hopefully, it's for the quality, not for the Amazon logo. I bought it for the Kindle Touch, which ironically will still not be here for another 2 months.

For those of you wondering, the charger has an input of 100-240V-0.15A 50/60 Hz and output of 5.0 V and .85A, so it should work for the foreign outlets that have different voltages. Also, it charges my iPod Touch, so I assume that it can work for most consumer products that need to be charged by the USB. In addition, this is small enough that it can fit with one slot in a surge protector.

Edit:Forget to mention that it's made in China.

This review is not on the quality of the product but on the need and cost. This is not unit specific. I am using my Samsang phone charger usb to AC part for mine. You can pick them up on the net or at radio shack for as cheap as 99 cents.

Any of those on this page will work it just doesn't say Kindle. But you probably have one if you have a cell phone or some other electronic divice ... like an MP3 player.

[...]

Ber

I bought this power adapter when I bought my Kindle because I knew I would not always be around a computer to charge it when I needed to. This power adapter is very simple and easy to use. Just plug the computer charging cord into the end of the adapter and then plug the adapter into a wall receptable any where you are and there you go. Your Kindle is charging. Everyone that owns a Kindle should have one of these.

Save $10 and go buy this somewhere else. These sell for about $5 - $7 and there is nothing special about this one. I was disappointed one did not come with my Kindle.

I expect more out of Amazon :/

If you have a charger for your iPod, it will charge the Kindle. iPod charger is 110-220/5 volt/ and 150 to 1000 mamp.Same for Kindle.

Love my Kindle. Took it with me on a trip to Asia recently. The base of the Kindle charger said the input is 110-240V 50-60Hz, so I put on the proper adapter and plugged it in. Immediately, the charger popped with a puff of smoke. I had no issue plugging in my laptop or my cellphone chargers which were similarly rated for 110-220V. This Kindle charger is only good for 110V. Do not believe it's label.

In appearance, the Kindle US Power Adapter (PA) looks like a normal wall plug found on the end of any standard electrical cord. The difference is that the PA steps the electrical current down to a level appropriate for recharging the Kindle.

As shipped, the Kindle includes a dual-purpose cord that connects to a USB port, and is used to 1) recharge the device or 2) download personal content files stored on the computer.

Recharging with the PA is simple and straight forward: 1) after attaching the USB cord to the Kindle, 2) insert the USB connector plug into the PA instead of the computer, 3) plug the PA into the wall. 4) When the little yellow light on the Kindle turns green, all done.

The PA is particularly useful for Kindlers who are without access to a computer. Otherwise, the included USB connector cord serves just fine. I've actually only used the PA once, and that was to see if it works. It does.

My only real objection to the thing is that it's too expensive. If it were priced at $5 or less, I'd say five stars. At $20, I give it ½ star, and say, "Shame on you, Amazon. You should have thrown this little gadget in the box for free."

But I'm mostly irked at myself. I could have bought this gizmo used in the $5 range. But what the hey! I do so love my Kindle!

Amazon clearly has no shame charging $15 for something that should be included. What devices don't come with a power adaptor?!