  Motivated by recent experimental observations carried out in superconducting
transmon circuits, we compare two different charging protocols for three-level
quantum batteries based on time dependent classical pulses. In the first case
the complete charging is achieved through the application of two sequential
pulses, while in the second the charging occurs in a unique step applying the
two pulses simultaneously. Both protocols are analytically solvable leading to
a complete control on the dynamics of the quantum system. According to this it
is possible to determine that the latter approach is characterized by a shorter
charging time, and consequently by a greater charging power. We have then
tested these protocols on IBM quantum devices based on superconducting circuits
in the transmon regime. The minimum achieved charging time represents the
fastest stable charging reported so far in solid state quantum batteries.
