We then saw Nokia adopt today’s Qi charging standard in 2012 with the Nokia Lumia 920, and since then, I’ve had at least a couple of wireless charging pads sprinkled around my office and home. Android phones supported wireless charging starting in 2012 with the Samsung Galaxy S3. Apple joined the party in 2017 with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X devices.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve also seen watches charge wirelessly, some right on the back of your mobile phone, and support for wireless charging in headset cases, too. Wireless charging is often slower than wired charging – this does not include OnePlus and its super-fast Warp Charge 50 Wireless technology – but it is very convenient to simply set your device down on a charging pad and never fumble with cables.
Mophie is well known for its portable battery pack solutions, but the company also makes other accessories. We spent some time with the Mophie Wireless Charging Stand Plus (see our full review) and loved the ability to charge multiple devices along with the flexibility to charge either Android or iPhone devices, the Apple Watch, and headsets.
The Mophie Wireless Charging Stand Plus has an angled stand for phones, a flat surface for phones or headsets, and an Apple Watch vertical holder so that the stand is maximized for multiple devices. 15W of power is provided to charging devices with the wall charger also provided.
Two pads, one horizontal and one angled stand, provide wireless charging while a USB-A port is on the back of the accessory so you can charge your third device. An Apple Watch stand is provided, so you can insert your Apple Watch charging puck and USB cable.
Pros:
Multiple charging locationsExtra USB-A port for wired chargingDark fabric coveringApple Watch stand included
Cons:
None
The Anker PowerWave II Pad has the capacity to charge at fast speeds up to 15W capacity, but will smartly adjust between 5W, 7.5W, 10W, and 15W as your particular device demands. It has silicone rings on the top and bottom to ensure the charger stays put on the table and also keep your device in place on the charger.
You can charge up your phone while it is in a case, as long as the back of the case is less than 5mm thick. There is no fan in the charger, but it includes advanced temperature control technology.
Pros:
Silicone rings to keep your device in placeAdaptive charging capacityTemperature control technology
Cons:
Bit expensive
In 2020, Apple released the iPhone 12 smartphone with MagSafe technology. This technology supports wireless charging and a magnetic ring alignment on the back of the phones. The Apple MagSafe Charger is the default charger available from Apple.
It’s a very basic charging puck with a USB-C end on the cable. Keep in mind that a USB-C A/C adapter is not included with this charger, so you will need a compatible one to power up the MagSafe Charger. The charger will power up all iPhones, from the iPhone 8 to iPhone 12, but the magnetic alignment is only supported by the iPhone 12 series.
Apple also offers a rather unique MagSafe Duo Charger that is designed to charge up both your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. This charger works well for travel, but you have to make sure to grab the charger and your phone to separate them since the Duo Charger is very lightweight.
Pros:
Seamless functionality with iPhonesStrong magnets to hold it in place
Cons:
No included power adapterExpensive
Belkin has several wireless charging options for mobile devices, and one of its most popular models is the Boost Charge 15W Wireless Charging Stand. This stand form factor props your phone up at an angle, so you can actually use it on your desk while your phone is mounted on the stand. One thing to consider with a stand form factor charger is that charging watches and headsets may be tricky or not supported with the charging coils provided at an angle further up the stand. Belkin also states this charging stand is not compatible with the Apple iPhone 12 mini. The Belkin Boost Charge comes with a Quick Charge 3.0 power supply, so it is ready to go out of the box. Case thickness of up to 3mm is supported with this charger. Pros:
Charge at two anglesTwo-year warranty
Cons:
May not charge watches and headsets with stand designFront LED light may be bothersome on a nightstand
ESR produces very affordable accessories and one of the best MagSafe stands we tested was the ESR HaloLock MagSafe wireless charging stand. It has four pivot points, so you can adjust to your perfect viewing angle. Your iPhone 12 securely attaches via magnets, which is one reason this product is just for iPhone 12 devices. You can attach your iPhone in landscape or portrait orientation on the stand, so you can use your iPhone while it is charging. The ESR HaloLock wireless charging stand (see our review) is a nice mount for video calls or viewing media content while your iPhone charges. A USB-C cable is included, but you will need to provide your own wall charger. Pros:
Pivots for various configurations.Strong magnets to hold the iPhone in place.Good quality materials
Cons:
Limited to iPhone chargingNo power adapter included
After figuring out how many devices you want to charge, then you should consider your price range. There are very affordable chargers and others that serve as attractive pieces of furniture in your office. A part of the consideration for the price is the maximum capacity you desire. Higher capacity wireless chargers will charge your device faster, assuming your device supports higher capacity. Thankfully, the technology is all the same, Qi, so there are no options to consider for this aspect. You may also want to consider whether you want your device propped up at an angle in a stand form factor or resting horizontally on a pad form factor. Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, except in special cases where there is a proprietary solution. For example, the OnePlus Warp Charge 50 charger can charge up the battery in a OnePlus 9 Pro faster than many wired connections. Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, and it can sometimes be a challenge to keep a device positioned properly on a battery pack to charge it up. For portable charging needs, a wired connection is faster and more reliable.
