The most effective wi-fi chargers for 2024

Think about by no means having to fumble with a charging cable once more. That is the magic of a wi-fi charger. Not solely does going wi-fi clear up your house and make charging so simple as setting your cellphone down, nevertheless it’s additionally surprisingly versatile. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a smooth charging pad on your nightstand, a stand that retains your cellphone propped up in your desk or perhaps a foldable charger for handy journey, there is a wi-fi charger designed to suit your life-style. Some even double as a automotive charger, protecting your cellphone powered up on the go with out the trouble of cables to plug in. With so many handy choices, it is simple to see why extra persons are ditching their wired chargers and embracing the effortlessness of wi-fi.

Desk of contents

Greatest wi-fi chargers for 2024

Engadget

Max output: 15W | Cable size: 6.6ft | Field contents: Charging pad, USB-C cable

It’s simple to search out wi-fi energy charging pucks which are quick or transportable, however not often each — and positively not as well-considered as Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad. Its extraordinarily compact design not solely provides 15W MagSafe charging (plus Qi charging when flat), however features a kickstand that allows you to watch movies when you energy up. Add an extended 6.6ft braided cable and this is a perfect charger whether or not you’re touring or catching up on TV exhibits.

The emphasis on MagSafe-compatible might make the Belkin BoostCharge much less interesting for Android units, and a greater possibility for Apple units. Nevertheless, that is designed particularly as a cellphone charger fairly than an Apple Watch charger, or multi-device charger. Nonetheless, it’s a particular step up from Apple’s extra reasonably priced however less complicated MagSafe Charger. And importantly, you may have the selection of shopping for Belkin’s accent with ($80) or with out ($60) an influence adapter.

$50 at Belkin

Anker

Max output: 10W | Cable size: 4ft | Field contents: Charging pad, microUSB cable, welcome information

When you simply want the fundamentals, Anker’s 315 Wireless Charger provides important worth from a widely known title. It tops out at 10W (7.5W for iPhones), doesn’t embrace an influence adapter and depends on a microUSB cable as an alternative of a USB-C cable, nevertheless it additionally prices solely $15. Even when you need to purchase an adapter, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher deal. This charger works effectively with varied units, together with AirPods Professional.

$15 at Amazon

Belkin

Max output: 15W | Cable size: 4ft | Field contents: Charging stand, USB-C cable

There’s fierce competitors within the wi-fi charging stand house, and it’s simple to get an excellent 15W charger in case you’re prepared to pay. Belkin, nevertheless, is likely one of the few that guarantees actually strong worth. Its $45 BoostCharge 15W Wireless Charging Stand prices lower than some alternate options whereas together with an influence adapter within the field. The lip on the backside will preserve your cellphone steady, and twin charging coils allow you to use the machine whereas watching a video in panorama mode. It’s also possible to simply control your cellphone’s battery degree.

There’s no MagSafe or different device-specific charging optimizations on this one on your Apple units. And like many wi-fi charging stands, this doesn’t formally help the iPhone 13 mini and equally small handsets. However there’s in any other case little to complain about right here — it is a no-nonsense energy answer at an excellent value, and conveniently comes packaged with an included USB-C cable

$33 at Amazon

Engadget

Max output: 15W | Cable size: 5.9ft | Field contents: Charging pad, USB-C cable

There aren’t many nice choices for wi-fi chargers that use Samsung’s quick energy supply expertise, notably if you need a stand. Fortunately, Spigen’s charger is as much as the job. It delivers 15W to all Samsung Galaxy telephones that help Tremendous Quick Wi-fi Charging, and it’s a well-made (if unspectacular) perch that forestalls your machine from sliding round. The common kind issue works with different smartphones too, although it doesn’t specify that it really works with Apple units.

You’ll wish to store rigorously. Some variations don’t embrace an influence adapter, and a few shops promote for lower than the official $80. When you can rating an excellent deal, although, this is a perfect option to cost your Galaxy machine whereas offering a transparent view of the always-on show, permitting you to verify your cellphone’s battery with a fast look

$60 at Amazon

Anker

Max output: 10W | Cable size: 3ft | Field contents: Charging stand, microUSB cable, welcome information

Anker’s sturdy worth in pad chargers additionally applies to stands. The 313 Wireless Charger tops out at 10W (5W for iPhones), doesn’t embrace an influence brick and makes use of a microUSB cable fairly than a USB-C cable, nevertheless it’s additionally $20. You should buy an adapter and nonetheless undercut the worth of some equally competent alternate options. It may possibly cost whereas your cellphone is in panorama orientation, too – an added bonus to this cellphone charger. You would possibly wish to take a look at competing merchandise in the event that they value underneath $40 with an adapter included, however the 313 is in any other case troublesome to high.

$16 at Amazon

What to search for in a wi-fi charger

It’s tempting to purchase a wi-fi charging pad optimized for the dimensions and options of the cellphone you may have proper now. Resist that urge — that is an adjunct you’ll most likely use with smartphones and different units, and also you don’t wish to substitute it each time you purchase a brand new handset. As a substitute, take into consideration the telephones you’re doubtless to make use of down the highway. When you’re positive you’ll use iPhones for a very long time, an Apple MagSafe-compatible charger can be sooner and extra handy. When you use Android telephones or assume you would possibly change sides, nevertheless, you’ll need a extra common design.

You’ll additionally need one thing that accepts quite a lot of machine sizes. Sure wi-fi charging stations don’t work effectively with the iPhone 13 mini or different notably small telephones, as an example. When you assume you could change cellphone sizes sooner or later, a pad charger is a wiser alternative. With that mentioned, you’ll nonetheless wish to take note of any doubtlessly limiting design options, akin to distinguished cradles and lips.

Additionally, take into account wi-fi chargers with modular parts. When you’ll have to speculate solely in a single firm’s ecosystem, this provides you room to develop as your gadget wants change. You possibly can add a charger for a second cellphone or smartwatch, and a few programs even provide modular batteries to produce energy on the go. Simply remember to take a look at a multi-device charger if there’s an excellent likelihood you’ll develop your setup sooner or later.

The place and the way will you employ your charger?

Odds are that you’ve got a selected use case in thoughts on your charger. You might have considered trying it by your bedside for a fast cost within the morning, or in your desk for at-a-glance notifications. You would possibly even preserve it in your bag for handy journey charging as an alternative of cumbersome energy banks. When you intend to position your charger on a nightstand, you’ll normally need a pad. With a stand, even a dim always-on show can show distracting once you’re attempting to sleep. You may additionally need a wi-fi charging pad in case your cellphone will sit on a low desk, because it is perhaps simpler to seize in a rush. Take a look at compact fashions if house is tight.

In your desk, you could choose a stand to rapidly look at alerts or make video calls. Need one thing extra travel-friendly? A puck or equally minimalist design is usually finest, delivering wi-fi energy effortlessly to your cellphone or different units. You may additionally need a charger with a battery (both modular or built-in) for tenting or at any time when an outlet isn’t close by. Some even come as magnetic wi-fi chargers, good for seamless attachment to suitable units.

Wi-fi charging efficiency

Though wi-fi charging is normally slower than its wired equal, velocity and wattage are nonetheless vital concerns. A fast charger can provide sufficient energy for an extended evening out within the time it takes to alter outfits.

Generally, a 15W charger is greater than fast sufficient for many conditions, and also you’ll want a MagSafe-compatible charger to extract that degree of efficiency from an iPhone. With that mentioned, even the slower 7.5W and 10W chargers are quick sufficient for an in a single day power-up. If something, you’ll wish to fear extra about help for circumstances. Whereas many fashions can ship energy by way of a fairly thick case (usually 3mm to 5mm), you’ll often run into examples that solely work with bare telephones.

There are some proprietary chargers that smash the 15W barrier when you’ve got the correct cellphone. Google’s second-generation Pixel Stand, for instance, delivers as much as 23W for a Pixel 6 Professional or Pixel 7 Pro. Optimized designs like this will make sense in case you’re loyal to at least one model. Make sure to get a charger that also works effectively with different producers’ smartphones, although, as you don’t wish to substitute your accent (or endure sluggish speeds) in case you change manufacturers.

High quality and field contents

When you’ve chosen the shape issue and efficiency ranges that meet your wants, you’ll wish to take into account the match and end. You’re doubtless going to make use of your wi-fi charger each day, so even small variations in high quality may make the distinction between pleasure and frustration.

In case your charger doesn’t use MagSafe-compatible tech, textured surfaces like cloth or rubberized plastic usually tend to preserve your cellphone in place. The bottom must be grippy or weighty sufficient that the charger received’t slide round. When you’re shopping for a stand, verify that it received’t tip over or wobble.

Take note of what’s included within the field. Some fashions don’t embrace energy adapters, and will even ask you to reuse your cellphone’s USB-C charging cable. What might appear to be a discount might show costly if you need to purchase extras simply to make use of it. Additionally, some cables and chargers are higher than others. A USB-C charger is extra future-proof, whereas braided cables could also be much less more likely to break or tangle.

You’ll additionally wish to take into consideration the minor conveniences. Standing lights are helpful for indicating appropriate cellphone placement, however a very vibrant gentle might be distracting. Ideally, the sunshine dims or shuts off after a sure time period. And whereas we warning in opposition to lips and trays that restrict compatibility, you should still need some boundaries to forestall your machine falling off its perch on the charging station.

By now, you need to know what to search for. Whereas it might be unimaginable for us to check each charger, we’ve tried quite a few fashions and have some favorites.

Wi-fi chargers FAQs

Do wi-fi chargers work when you’ve got a cellphone case?

Many wi-fi chargers do work in case you depart the case in your cellphone. Typically, a case as much as 3mm thick must be suitable with most wi-fi chargers. Nevertheless, you need to verify the producer’s information to make sure a case is supported.

How do I do know if my cellphone helps wi-fi charging?

Checking the cellphone’s specification ought to let you know in case your cellphone is suitable with wi-fi charging. You would possibly see phrases like “Qi wi-fi charging” or “wi-fi charging suitable.”

Do cords cost your cellphone sooner?

Most frequently, wired charging can be sooner than wi-fi charging. Nevertheless, wired charging additionally relies on what the charging cable’s velocity is and the way a lot energy it’s designed to hold. A fast-charging cable that may transmit as much as 120W of energy goes to be sooner than a wi-fi charger.