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Wireless phone chargers continue to advance in technology just the same as our smartphones. Their popularity with consumers might not be at the level of plug-in chargers, but over the years, many people have become more interested in the convenience of being able to place their device down to begin charging immediately. Still, delving into the world of wireless chargers isn’t as simple as plug and play. Read on to learn more about wireless chargers and to find the best one for your tech.
What to Consider
The Wireless Power Consortium oversees the Qi, pronounced “chee,” wireless charging standard, which is widely accepted across the consumer electronics industry for charging smartphones, wearables, wireless earbuds, and other devices. Both Android and Apple accept Qi as the wireless standard for their devices.
Although many wireless chargers can power Android and iOS devices, brands have their own proprietary tweaks and features that make their wireless chargers their own. For example, Apple’s MagSafe charger works particularly with iPhones by helping align the smartphone to the charging dock. It’s often a good option, then, to get a wireless charger that matches the brand of the device you’re using.
If your device is the latest model, then you should get the brand’s latest model of wireless charger, so the charging standards of the phone and the charger most closely align. Luckily, chargers tend to be compatible for at least two to three generations of smartphones, so if your device or charger happens to be a little older, there’s no need to worry.
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Charging Speeds
Many Android brands use charging speeds to differentiate their devices from the competition. Some brands have advertised wireless charging speeds up to 50 watts. However, if your wireless charger doesn’t equally support those charging speeds, which typically range from 7.5 to 18 watts, it won’t be able to charge at those higher rates. Once your device is finished charging, it should stop receiving power from the charger.
How We Selected
I selected wireless chargers from trusted brands that I have experience testing over several years. I have followed many of these brands for the good part of a decade, reporting on their product launches and reviewing several products at publications including Newsweek Media Group, Business Insider, Tom’s Hardware, Lifewire.com, GearBrain.com, and Online-Tech-Tips.com, as well as at my own blog, TechieSupreme.com. I chose options across different price points, smartphone brand requirements, and unique features. I also backed up my choices with notes from Amazon reviews.
Universal Charger
Mophie Mophie 15W Wireless Charging Pad
Universal Charger
Mophie Mophie 15W Wireless Charging Pad
Now 19% Off
Pros
Can charge devices with cases well
Cons
- Prone to slow charging and overheating
Key Specs
• Power: 15 W
• Device Compatibility: iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and Qi-enabled devices
• Power Adapter: 9 V/2 A included
For an all-purpose charger, try the Mophie 15-watt Wireless Charging Pad. It’s a universal wireless charger advertised to work with the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy brands, as well as other Qi-enabled devices. It delivers up to 15 watts for speedier recharging times and through cases up to 3 millimeters thick.
Best Value Universal Charger
yootech Yootech Wireless Charger
Pros
- Can charge through fairly thick cases
- Built-in safeguards protect your tech
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a power adapter
Key Specs
• Power: 5–10 W
• Device Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, and Qi-enabled devices
• Power Adapter: USB-C not included
The Yootech Wireless Charger is a universal wireless charger that has its power level laid out for different devices. It charges up to 10 watts for Samsung devices, up to 7.5 watts for iPhones, and up to 5 watts for other Qi-enabled devices. It also charges through cases up to 4 millimeters thick. Thicker cases might have to be removed to ensure an efficient charge.
Yootech adds some technological safeguards to maintain temperature control, protect against surges, and prevent short circuiting. It also has an indicator light that flashes green for three seconds when connected to a power source and for 16 seconds when a device is placed to charge. The charger comes with a USB-C cable but no power adapter. Yootech recommends using an adapter that matches the brand of your device for optimal charging.
Pros
- Can charge through thick cases
Cons
- Least charging power for non-smartphone devices
Key Specs
• Power: 5–10 W
• Device Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, and Qi-enabled devices
• Power Adapter: 9 V/2 A USB not included
The Anker Wireless Charger is a universal wireless charger that delivers up to 10 watts for Samsung devices, up to 7.5 watts for iPhones, and up to 5 watts for other Qi-enabled devices, such as wearables and earbuds. It can also charge devices in cases up to 5 millimeters thick. It comes with a 4-foot micro-USB cable.
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Best for Samsung Phones
SAMSUNG Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible
Pros
- Charges devices other than smartphones
- Able to use and charge your phone simultaneously
Cons
- Some challenges charging non-Samsung Galaxy devices and devices in cases
Key Specs
• Power: 9 W
• Device Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy and Qi-based devices
• Power Adapter: USB-C included
The Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible allows you to take advantage of different positions so you can still use your smartphone while it’s charging. The charger comes with a kickstand to prop it up into a stand mode, or it can be laid flat like a pad. This flat mode can be ideal for charging other products, such as wearables, foldables, or earbuds. It charges devices up to 9 watts and features an LED indicator light, which alerts a green status when a device is fully charged, a red status for a currently charging device, and a flashing red status for a charging error. It comes with a 15-watt wall charger and USB-C cable. Keep in mind that Galaxy Fold devices must be charged in their folded state.
Best for iPhones
Apple Apple MagSafe Charger
Pros
- Compatible with Apple’s fast charging standard
Cons
- Only compatible with Apple products
Key Specs
• Power: 15 W
• Device Compatibility: iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone X series, iPhone 8 series, and AirPods models
• Power Adapter: USB-C not included
The MagSafe Charger is Apple’s bread and butter when it comes to wireless chargers. Although iPhones can charge on pretty much any Qi-enabled wireless charger, the MagSafe charger is made specifically for this handset. It’s compatible with the iPhone 8 or later and charges devices up to 15 watts. The MagSafe does not come with any accessories, as its 1-meter USB-C cable is attached.
One downside is that the 20-watt USB-C power adapter needed to plug in the MagSafe charger is sold separately; however, if you have an iPhone, you might already have one. The MagSafe charger has also proven a challenge to attach to some cases. The latest model will work best with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models in terms of alignment.
Best for Pixel Phones
Google Google Pixel Stand
Best for Pixel Phones
Google Google Pixel Stand
Pros
- Works seamlessly with other Google products
Cons
- Only comes in one color
Key Specs
• Power: 10 W
• Device Compatibility: Google Pixel and Qi-based devices
• Power Adapter: USB-C included
The Pixel Stand is compatible with many of the latest Google devices, including the Pixel 5, Pixel 4 and 4XL, and Pixel 3 and 3XL, among others. It’s also compatible with other Qi-based smartphones, and it charges devices up to 10 watts. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and power adapter. It works with Google Assistant on your phone and can be used as a morning and nighttime routine helper, listing the weather, your schedule, directions to work, and queueing up playlists, among other tasks you test.
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Best for Apple Device Charging
Belkin Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
Best for Apple Device Charging
Belkin Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
Now 27% Off
Pros
- Can charge three Apple devices at once
Cons
- High price
Key Specs
• Power: 15 W
• Device Compatibility: iPhone 12 series
• Power Adapter: USB-C included
The Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 wireless charger is an Apple-exclusive charger that can charge iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods with the MagSafe charging standard. It charges up to 15 watts for the iPhone 12 series.
The left station powers the iPhone, the right station recharges the Apple Watch, and the base station is for juicing up AirPods. Charge these devices separately or all at once. You can use your iPhone while it is charging, too, and configure the device in portrait or landscape mode, depending on what you’re doing.
Cleans as it Chargers
Lexon Lexon Oblio Wireless Charger with Built-in UV Sanitizer
Cleans as it Chargers
Lexon Lexon Oblio Wireless Charger with Built-in UV Sanitizer
Pros
- Charges and disinfects simultaneously
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a power adapter
- Pricey
Key Specs
• Power: 10 W
• Device Compatibility: Qi-enabled devices
• Power Adapter: 9 V/2 A USB-A 3.0 not included
The Lexon Oblio Wireless Charger is an interesting product because it doubles as a sanitizer. Instead of a stand or a pad, the charger is shaped like a vase that you can place your device into for charging and sanitizing. It can support devices with a screen size between 4.7 to 6.6 inches, case included. It uses UV-C sanitation to kill 99.9 percent of germs from a device’s display in 20 minutes. The charger is compatible with all Qi-enabled devices and charges up to 10 watt.
Best for Older Phones
Amazon Basics AmazonBasics Wireless Charging Stand
Best for Older Phones
Amazon Basics AmazonBasics Wireless Charging Stand
Pros
- Can charge through thick cases
Cons
- Doesn’t support the latest 2020/2021 smartphones
Key Specs
• Power: 7.5–10 W
• Device Compatibility: iPhone, LG, Samsung Galaxy, and Qi-enabled devices
• Power Adapter: 9 V/2 A USB not included
The AmazonBasics Wireless Charging Stand is a universal wireless charger; however, it is not compatible with many of the latest smartphones, such as the iPhone 12, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Galaxy S20. It does support many of the devices directly before those, such as the iPhone 11 and Galaxy S10. The stand charges up to 10 watts for LG and Samsung phones and up to 7.5 watts for iPhones. It can also charge devices in cases up to 5 millimeters thick, otherwise the case will have to be removed. The charger comes with a 4-foot USB-C cable.
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Best for Multi-Device Charging
Nomad Nomad Wireless Charging Base Station Hub Edition
Best for Multi-Device Charging
Nomad Nomad Wireless Charging Base Station Hub Edition
Pros
- Can charge up to four devices at once
Cons
- Doesn’t charge Apple Watch and other wearables
Key Specs
• Power: 7.5–18 W
• Device Compatibility: iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Note devices, Google Nexus 7 tablet, Amazon Fire 7 tablet, Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, Samsung Galaxy Buds and Buds Live
• Power adapter: 100–240 V included
The Nomad Wireless Charging Base Station stands out in its ability to charge up to four devices simultaneously. The station includes enough space for two devices on the 10-watt wireless charging pad, in addition to a 7.5-watt USB-A port and a 18-watt USB-C power delivery port. One downside is that the station appears to favor smartphones for wireless charging. However, it does charge wireless earbuds in their Qi-enabled charging cases.
