In a few years' time, fumbling around with messy cords and plugging your device into the wall charger will seem archaic. Honestly, it might even seem strange now, at least in the eyes of people who've completely adopted wireless charging tech.
Wireless chargers in all their forms — wireless charging pads, wireless charging stands, and others — are getting more and more popular. After all, why would you want to mess around with cords when you can just place your devices on a pad or prop them up on a stand? Not only is it easier, but it looks a lot tidier, too.
Yes, it's time you got yourself a wireless charger. But where to start? What's the best charger for you? That's where we can help. Check out the information below.
What are the benefits of wireless charging?
Obviously, eliminating an unattractive mess of cords can help you feel a little calmer in your home or inspire more productivity in your workspace. But wireless charging benefits go beyond the neatness factor. First of all, a wireless charger is more durable than your standard charging cord. It also eliminates the need to constantly plug and unplug. Wireless chargers from reputable brands (like the ones we've recommended below) are also tested to prevent overheating and deliver the proper amount of wattage to charge your particular phone as fast as possible, so they can be safer in that regard.
Which devices work with wireless chargers?
Most wireless chargers have universal compatibility (often referred to as a Qi-compatible device or “Qi-certified”) for iPhone and Android smartphones. This means that everyone in your household should be able to use one wireless charging station for their devices as needed. Plus, when you have guests over and they need to power up, you can just direct them to the nearest wireless charger.
Many wireless charging pads are also able to charge earbuds and Airpods. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch can be charged wirelessly as well, but the wireless charger will often need to include a special holder to hang the watch for a proper charge. If you use a protective or even just decorative case on your phone, you may be wondering if that will prohibit you from using a wireless charger. In most cases, you should be good, but the thinner the case, the better.
How does a wireless charger work?
In the simplest terms, these wireless chargers house copper coils that create an oscillating magnetic field that transmits a charge to compatible devices when they get close, without needing a cord to connect them. In your search for the ideal wireless charger, you'll come across a few different styles, such as the wireless charging pad or wireless charging stand. They all essentially do the same thing, but you may prefer one over the other depending on the way you use your phone while it charges.
What is Apple MagSafe charging?
Sometimes it can be a little annoying to line up your phone on a wireless charger to get it to "catch" the charge, but not so with Apple's MagSafe wireless charging capability. These chargers are made with magnets that pull the phone perfectly into place. An Apple MagSafe charger also allows for safe, fast charging of Apple devices — a huge advantage over standard Qi-compatible chargers. The only downside is you'll need to buy a compatible MagSafe case, and you won’t be able to use standard Qi chargers when that case is on your phone.
What is the best wireless charger?
Now that you’re clued into the inner workings of this cool technology, we’ve scoured what’s out there and found the best wireless chargers for your iPhone, Android, Apple Watch, wireless earbuds, and more. So read on and start envisioning what your life can look like when you finally cut all those cords.
These are the best wireless chargers for 2023.
Anker 313 Charging Pad
Best For Simplicity
- Adapter: No
- Devices: iPhones, Android smartphones, wireless earbuds
- MagSafe: No
- Qi: Yes
- Watts: Up to 10W
Even if you've only dipped your toe into the vast pool of wireless chargers, you've certainly come across the name Anker. They've taken over the wireless charging game with a wide selection of products and hundreds of millions of sales — and the Anker 313 wireless charging pad is no exception to their excellence.
It has universal compatibility, so it delivers an appropriate output for fast, harmless charging of both Apple and Android smartphones and earbuds.
We also like that its indicator light tells you it’s charging, but it’s very tiny — not an annoying flashing bulb — so it's perfect for bedroom use. The downside is that you need to provide your own quick-charge power adapter for optimal performance.
Belkin Wireless Charging Speaker
Best For Multitasking
- Adapter: Yes
- Devices: iPhones and Android smartphones
- MagSafe: No
- Qi: Yes
- Watts: Up to 10W
This 2-in-1 Belkin Wireless Charging Speaker is perfect for people who like to enjoy media while their phone is charging.
Whether listening to music or watching videos, you can place your phone on this charger in portrait or landscape mode and then seamlessly connect to the speaker via Bluetooth to amplify the sound of the media playing on your device.
Thanks to its built-in mic, it's also great for taking video calls and hands-free phone calls, making it the perfect "work hard, play hard" addition to your home setup.
Anker PowerCore III
Best For Travel
- Adapter: No
- Devices: iPhones, Android smartphones, and earbuds (and corded devices such as tablets)
- MagSafe: No
- Qi: Yes
- Watts: Up to 18W
While other wireless chargers still need to be plugged into an outlet to provide a charge, the Anker PowerCore III is a true wireless option for taking on-the-go (as long as it's charged up before you leave the house, of course).
It's essentially a wireless power bank that you can use to charge your phone while you're holding it in your hand, but you can also set your phone or earbuds down on it just as you would with a regular wireless charging pad.
This charger is slim, rugged, and easy to throw into a duffel bag, backpack, briefcase, or even a pocket. It also functions as a power bank for tablets via USB ports.
Samsung Trio Charging Pad
Best For Android
- Adapter: No
- Devices: Android smartphones, Samsung earbuds and smartwatches, iPhones
- MagSafe: No
- Qi: Yes
- Watts: Up to 12W
Android users — especially Samsung fans — will love the Samsung Trio Charging Pad to power up all their devices in one neat, cordless space. There's room for your phone, wireless earbuds, and smartwatch. It charges up all three at once.
The pad has a whopping six coils inside which makes it easier to align your devices so they catch the charge without fumbling too much with "proper" placement. If your device isn't charging, the pad will conveniently let you know with a flashing red light. This light will also turn green when your device is fully charged, and the lights can be dimmed so they don't disturb your sleep.
It will charge iPhones, which is a bonus, but not the Apple Watch.
MOKPR Car Charger
Best For Driving
- Devices: iPhones and Android smartphones
- MagSafe: No
- Qi Certified: No
- Watts: Up to 15Q
The MOKPR Car Charger is ideal for anyone who spends a significant amount of time on the go and in their car. This wireless charger is made specifically for in-car usage — though feel free to use at home, at work, and anywhere else you might need to charge your phone, of course.
The charger has an auto-clamping action that opens when it’s connected to power and automatically grips your phone. There’s no fiddling around to keep it secure. It’s also built with a 360-degree ball mount, allowing you to angle your phone into the most comfortable, easy-to-read position.
It isn’t Qi certified, but it’s compatible with a wide range of smartphones, which is helped by a built-in sensor that identifies your phone and auto-adjusts to the optimum charging area. If you want really fast charging, however, buy some better cables — the ones included aren’t the best. But that’s a problem you’ll find with most affordable charging mats and stands.
Anker PowerWave Stand
Best For Versatility
- Adapter: No
- Devices: iPhones, Android smartphones
- MagSafe: No
- Qi: Yes
- Watts: Up to 10W
Whether you need to charge your phone as you stream media or make video calls, or you simply want to keep an eye on the time and incoming notifications as you toil away at your desktop, this Anker PowerWave stand is the perfect solution.
It makes the list thanks to its key combination of affordability, reliability, and sleek simplicity — and it keeps your phone propped up at an ideal viewing angle.
It delivers 10W high-speed charging for Samsung Galaxy devices and a 5W charge for iPhones, which is 10% faster than other mainstream chargers (aside from MagSafe, of course). Its charging indicator light is small and unobtrusive, but you will need to provide your own adapter to plug it into an electrical outlet.
Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Charger
Best For MagSafe
- Adapter: Yes
- Devices: iPhone, Airpods and Apple Watch
- MagSafe: Yes
- Qi: No
- Watts: Up to 20W
If you’re looking for a MagSafe charger, chances are you’re an Apple user. And if you’re a committed Apple user, you’ve almost certainly got more than one Apple device. That’s why the Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Charger is a great option.
It’s a nice, minimalist charger that looks smart of the bedside table with room and tech to charge three Apple devices at once — an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch (or, indeed, any combination of those).
It costs a bit more than other options on this list but Belkin is a topnotch brand — you can rely on the quality and performance — plus the MagSafe technology speaks for itself. It perfectly aligns for devices for flawless, no-fuss charging. It also charges Apple devices up to 33% faster. An excellent choice.
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