The 4 Best Wireless Chargers (2024)

Best Wireless Charger for Apple

Apple MagSafe Charger

Stated Power Output: Up to 15W | Input Power Connector: USB-C

If you're seeking a straightforward wireless charger for an Apple device, the Apple MagSafe Charger is your best bet. Whether you need to charge AirPods or an iPhone, the charger magnetically attaches to your devices, firmly securing them to the pad. The aluminum charger boasts a clean, sleek aesthetic and offers up to 15W output for speedy charging with Apple-specific products. This charger functions even through thin cases.

The MagSafe charger is neat and stylish right out of the box, and a brushed aluminum finish helps conceal fingerprints or dirt. However, with a magnetic charger, metallic dust can adhere and cause potential scratches on the charger and the device. Fortunately, it features a scratch-resistant plastic ring for the phone to rest on, similar to design of top-rated car phone mounts, which will help avoid unwanted damage to your devices. Even considering this minor criticism, we found this charger to be a superior option for Apple devices. If you're looking for a wireless charger on a more friendly budget, the Yootech Qi-Certified 10W Max Fast Wireless Pad is another fantastic option that also works with Android and Samsung devices.

Best Wireless Charging Stand

Anker 313 Stand

Stated Power Output: 5W, 10W | Input Power Connector: Micro-USB

The Anker 313 Stand is uncomplicated, swift, and effective. In our examinations, this charger showed exceptional charging speed. It impressed us by fully powering a Samsung S8 30-60 minutes faster than competing models. This charger lets you position your phone in portrait or landscape modes, doubling as a phone stand. It maintains a low profile with its plain design and a subtle LED charging status light, yet it is aesthetic enough to station on any table in the house.

We observed a minor drawback: it can be unstable if nudged from behind due to a lack of grippy footers. Without a rubberized backing on your phone case or some other non-slip material to enhance grip, your phone could easily slip off the charger itself. The charger's design also makes it difficult to charge things like wireless earbuds. Despite these issues, the Anker 313 provides a speedy and uncomplicated solution for wireless charging and is an excellent choice for those seeking a charging stand with a basic appearance that operates swiftly. If superior phone security is a top priority, the Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Stand provides a solid platform with the ability to place your phone in landscape mode for added versatility.

Best Value for a Wireless Charging Pad

Yootech Qi-Certified 10W Max Fast Wireless Pad

Stated Power Output: 5W, 7.5W, 10W | Input Power Connector: USB-C

If you prefer a pad over a stand, the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad might be the ideal choice. It boasts swift charging speeds and is compatible with many phone case thicknesses — it charged our test phone with a 7mm gap between it and the pad. The entire charger illuminates with an LED status light, providing a helpful visual from any angle, and has the grip necessary to keep your devices, including your wireless earbuds, stationary while charging.

While the LED ring light might be advantageous for some, it might be too conspicuous for others' taste. Fortunately, the LED light turns off after a certain period, ensuring your bedside table isn't bathed in light throughout the night. This is one of our top picks if you're in the market for a wireless charging pad rather than a stand. Generally, pads and peripheral gadgets like wireless earbuds are a superior choice to power a mobile device. If you're looking for a wireless pad with a simplistic look and a sleek design, the TOZO W1 Ultra Thin Wireless Aviation Aluminum might be a more suitable option for those who want to match the modern aesthetic in their home.

Best Portable Wireless Charger

Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank

Stated Power Output: 10W | Input Power Connector: USB-C

The Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank stands out in our lineup, functioning as a wireless charging pad and a portable power bank. Plug the Anker 533 in to rejuvenate its internal battery and place your phone on top for wireless charging at your workstation, or carry this charger as a wireless or wired portable charger. It can even charge up to 3 devices simultaneously — two via wired connections and one wirelessly. This elegant charger even features a small clip that can double as a mobile stand.

However, it's worth noting that this charger is more expensive than other top-tier models we tested. The insufficient non-slip material makes it relatively easy to displace your phone while using the wireless charging function unintentionally. While the integrated phone stand is a great feature, we wish there was a way to charge your phone in this position wirelessly. We wholeheartedly recommend the Anker 533 to anyone searching for a comprehensive charging solution. If you're looking to step up your charging capabilities even further, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Pad is capable of charging three devices altogether. This allows for a condensed charging station and makes sure all your devices are charged up equally for the day ahead.

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Why You Should Trust Us

We powered various gadgets using these products, evaluating the performance of each with smartphones, wireless earbuds, and smartwatches. In a direct comparison, we measured charging performance by noting the time each device took to replenish the same phone's battery and used a series of spacers to gauge the maximum allowable distance before charging became ineffective. We also examined whether these chargers could maintain battery life during movie playback and assessed each product's aesthetics, ergonomics, and stability.

Our in-depth testing of wireless chargers breaks down into four different metrics:

• Charging Performance (40% of overall score weighting)

• Ergonomics and Stability (30% weighting)

• Aesthetics (20% weighting)

• Other Features (10% weighting)

Jacob Clark is our trusted authority on wireless chargers. With a diverse background in chemistry, mathematics, kinesiology, and music, Jacob brings a unique analytical perspective to product reviews. His range of reviews spans from outdoor gear to technology, and his unique blend of scientific understanding and practical experience makes Jacob an invaluable resource for our readers.

David Wise laid the foundation for this review of wireless chargers. David has assessed and reviewed hundreds of consumer products for GearLab, spanning categories such as portable chargers, digital multimeters, 3D printers, and cordless tools. His formal education, A Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering from MIT, concentrating on lithium battery-powered systems — including a wirelessly rechargeable autonomous underwater robot.

Analysis and Test Results

We conducted extensive market research before choosing and purchasing the most promising wireless chargers to test side-by-side. We categorized our head-to-head comparisons into four specific criteria — charging speed, ergonomics and stability, aesthetics, and extra features — and compiled this detailed account of the nuanced differences to help you find the best option for your needs.

Value

Luckily, most of these products — including premium options — are inexpensive. However, there are still certainly a few models that will stand out to the budget-conscious. The Yootech Wireless Pad is not just one of our favorite pads but one of our all-time favorite chargers and is an excellent pick if you're on a tight budget. While the Apple-specific MagSafe Charger is a bit more expensive than the top-performing stand, the Anker 313, both are still significantly less expensive than many other options that cost a lot more. As a result, each presents a fantastic value, regardless of your device-allegiances.

Charging Performance

We evaluated charging performance by considering each charger's advertised power output. We also used test phones to compare charging durations between top-rated smartphones. Our Samsung S8 could charge at a maximum of 10 watts, while an Apple iPhone 13 Mini could charge at a maximum rate of 15 watts. Finally, we used spacers of different thicknesses to identify the largest effective charging gap between the charger and the device.

The Anker 313 Stand and Samsung 15W Duo Pad particularly stood out in our charging time test. Both options took 2 hours and 18 minutes to fully charge, powering the phone once it reached 5% battery to ensure minimal use while charging. The Yootech Wireless Stand and Belkin BoostCharge Pro Pad took only slightly longer, requiring about 15 extra minutes to charge our test phone fully.

Generally, the wireless charging pads took longer than the charging stands to replenish our test phones. The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad performed exceptionally well, completing the task in under 3 hours. It's important to highlight the MagSafe Charger's ability to deliver up to 15 watts for iPhone models, well-exceeding the 7.5 watts offered by other Qi-wireless charging platforms compatible with iPhones. This extra power boost lets you fully charge your phone in about 2 hours, starting with 5% battery life.

We also evaluated the maximum effective charging gap of each charger. We employed a series of spacers to simulate case thickness to identify whether this factor could impede a model's charging capabilities. Remember that a metallic case or mount will instantly disrupt wireless charging, regardless of the charger. The 313 Stand and Belkin BoostCharge Pro could effectively charge a phone with a 7mm spacer between the phone and the charger, while others were limited to around 4mm. These chargers can also accommodate a phone in portrait or landscape orientations without impacting charging performance.

The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and Samsung 15W Duo Pad impressed us most among the charging pads we tested. Our phones continued to charge with a 7mm spacer separating them from these pads, suggesting that even the bulkiest and most rugged cases should be compatible with these models.

The Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank also demonstrated excellent charging performance. It charges most Qi-certified devices at their maximum rate with its 10W output capacity, exhibiting performance similar to the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad. Furthermore, thanks to its 18W USB-C output, it can utilize every bit of power, charging most smartphones as quickly as possible.

Ergonomics and Stability

Wireless charging necessitates accurate phone positioning, so we tend to favor chargers that allow you to easily align your phone, hold it securely, and resist tipping over or sliding across a table. We concentrated our next series of tests on each charger's stability and holding ability for phones and other devices.

The Yootech Wireless Stand emerged as the clear victor in the charging stand category. Most stands feature a small protrusion for phone placement and a gap underneath, but the Yootech's front is solid, preventing it from tipping forward like others we tested. The bases of the Yootech Wireless Stand and the Anker 313 Stand are entirely coated with non-slip rubber, effectively preventing any slippage.

We appreciate that the NANAMI Wireless Stand and the UCOMX Foldable Pad incorporate a small amount of rubber to cushion your phone and keep it steady. This feature is particularly useful if your phone lacks a rubber case. While this non-slip material doesn't influence charging phones in portrait mode — where they tend to tip over rather than slide out — it greatly affects charging your phone in landscape mode.

For charging pads, the Mophie Wireless Pad and Twelve South PowerPic Mod impressed us with their resistance to phone slippage. While most charging pads feature grippy material to prevent phone sliding, the designs of these models particularly excel at keeping your phone secure.

The Apple MagSafe Charger and its sibling, the Apple MagSafe Duo, offer superior connection quality compared to other models. Despite their relatively small charging bases, their magnetic attachments link precisely to the iPhone MagSafe connection for maximum efficiency. The magnet's strength allows the pad to stay attached while lifting the phone, enabling users to charge wirelessly while holding and using their phone. While this feature offers a certain level of convenience among wireless charging pads — where it provides a competitive edge — it is still more annoying than using a regular, wired charger.

The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and UCOMX Foldable Pad also excel at keeping earbud cases stable, thanks to a raised rubber ring. The Anker 533 features a similar raised ring of non-slip material, but it is much smaller than its counterparts, making it slightly easier to knock your phone off, though not significantly so.

Aesthetics

These devices often occupy a prominent position on a nightstand or desk, so their aesthetic appeal is worth considering before making your final choice. Most of these products are fairly generic, but a few standout options deserve mention for their aesthetic appeal.

While the design of most wireless charging pads seems to be inspired by a hockey puck, the Tozo W1 deviates significantly from this trend. Boasting one of the lowest profiles, this slim, stylish pad is barely thick enough to accommodate the USB-C connector. It features a glossy mirror-like finish that adds to its aesthetic appeal, and the charging indicator lights on the side provide attractive accents to the overall design.

The rest of the charging pads are all fairly similar in appearance. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro pad is slightly thicker and features a matte black finish that effectively resists dust, dirt, and fingerprints. But the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad stands out with one of the highest profiles among the group. But the concentric rings of non-slip material and solid illuminated charging indicator add a nice touch of visual appeal.

The Anker 533 is relatively bland, mirroring many other portable chargers. However, its textured finish is notably pleasing. None of the charging stands are particularly eye-catching, with many sharing similar designs. The Yootech Stand and Samsung Duo Pad are notable options for a more rounded look.

For those who prefer a more angular look and a charger that blends more seamlessly into the background, the minimalistic square design of the Anker 313 Stand and Apple MagSafe Duo are compelling options. If you're looking for something more unique, the Twelve South PowerPic integrates a picture frame into its design, allowing it to blend seamlessly with your home decor while still serving its charging function.

Other Features

While these products are primarily designed to charge a smartphone, a handful boasts some extra features that add to their versatility. The Anker 533 easily claims the top position in this metric thanks to its capability to charge three devices simultaneously. It operates as a wired and wireless charger and is a phone stand with a slide-out clip.

None of the other products, including the 3-in-1 UCOMX Foldable Pad and the Belkin BoostCharge Pro, can charge more than one phone concurrently. However, all the charging pads compatible with Qi-enabled devices can simultaneously charge accessories, like earbuds and wireless charging cases. The charging stands, including the MagSafe Duo, share this capability. But aligning earbuds or other devices in the correct charging position can be a bit more challenging with a stand than a pad.

All of the charging stands can also function as phone stands when unplugged. A few charging pads, like the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and the Twelve South PowerPic, thoughtfully switch off any charging status lights after a specific period. This is especially nice if you have them on your bedside table.

Conclusion

Whether you're searching for the fastest charger, the most aesthetically pleasing stand, or one capable of handling multiple devices, we hope this review proves helpful in your quest for a new wireless charger.

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