The best wireless chargers of 2021 - ZDNet

One of the first mobile phones with wireless charging was the Palm Pre, released in 2009. It had a back cover and an optional Touchstone charging cradle. The Palm Pre ran on an ingenious operating system, WebOS, but it was far too far ahead of its time. Eventually, Palm smartphones died out due to carrier exclusives and quality issues.

Nokia then adopted the Qi charging standard in 2012, with the Nokia Lumia 920. Android phones started supporting wireless charging from 2012 with the Samsung Galaxy S3. Then Apple joined the party in 2017, with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X.

The last two years have seen the arrival of watches that charge wirelessly, some directly on the back of a cellphone, and wireless charging stands in headphone cases, too. Wireless charging is often slower than wired charging – not to mention OnePlus and its ultra-fast Warp Charge 50 Wireless technology – but it is very convenient to simply place your device on a charging base and no longer have to fiddle with cables. .

Apple MagSafe, the magnetic charger for iPhone

Maximum capacity: 15 watts | Dimensions: 83 x 83 x 18.3mm | Weight: 45.4 grams | Cord length: 1 meter

In 2020, Apple launched its iPhone 12s with MagSafe technology. This technology supports wireless charging and aligning a magnetic ring on the back of the phones. Apple's MagSafe charger is the default charger available from Apple.

This is a very basic round charging tablet, with a USB-C end on the cable. Keep in mind that a USB-C power adapter is not included with this charger. You will therefore need a compatible adapter to power the MagSafe charger. The charger will power all iPhones from iPhone 8 to iPhone 12, but magnetic alignment is only supported from iPhone 12 upwards.

Apple also offers a rather unique MagSafe Dual Charger, designed to simultaneously charge iPhone and Apple Watch. It is very convenient to carry, but you have to be careful to grab the iPhone and the charger to separate them, because the latter is very light.

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Go to the Apple website

Stand Boost Charge induction charger from Belkin, the stand charger for smartphones

Maximum capacity: 15 watt | Dimensions: 125.75 x 102.15 x 102.15mm | Weight: N/A | Cord length: NC

Belkin offers several wireless charging options for mobile devices, and one of its most popular models is the Stand Boost Charge Inductive Charger. This stand allows your phone to be placed at an angle, allowing you to use it on your desk when mounted on the stand.

The problem with the stand charger is that charging connected watches and headphones can be tricky, if not impossible. Belkin also states that this charger is not compatible with Apple's iPhone 12 mini.

The Belkin Boost Charge comes with a Quick Charge 3.0 power supply, so it's ready to go right out of the box. Cases up to 3mm thick are supported by this charger.

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Go to Belkin website

ESR HaloLock MagSafe Wireless Charging Stand, designed for iPhone 12

Maximum Capacity: 15 watt | Dimensions: N/A | Weight: N/A | Cord length: 1.5 meters

ESR produces very affordable accessories and one of the best to support MagSafe is the ESR HaloLock MagSafe Wireless Charging Stand. It has four pivot points, allowing it to be adjusted to your ideal viewing angle. The iPhone 12 attaches securely with magnets, which is one of the reasons this product is for this model only.

You can mount your iPhone in landscape or portrait orientation on the stand, so you can use your iPhone while it charges. The ESR HaloLock Wireless Charging Stand is nice for video calls or watching media while your iPhone is charging. A USB-C cable is included, but you'll need the power outlet.

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Go to the Amazon website

Mophie Plus, to charge up to three devices

Maximum capacity: 15 watts | Dimensions: 200 x 126 x 96mm | Weight: 250 grams | Cord length: 1.5 meters

Mophie is well known for its portable battery solutions, but the company also makes other accessories. After a while with the Mophie wireless charging stand, we love the ability to charge multiple devices, as well as the flexibility to charge Android or iPhone devices, an Apple Watch, or headphones.

The Mophie Wireless Charging Stand features an angled stand for phones, a flat surface for phones or headsets, and a vertical stand for the Apple Watch, so the stand is optimized for multiple devices. The 15W charger and mains plug are provided.

Two stands, one horizontal and one angled, allow for wireless charging while a USB-A port sits on the back of the accessory so you can charge your third device. An Apple Watch stand is provided, so you can insert the Apple Watch charger and your USB cable.

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Go to Mophie's website

Warp Charge 50 wireless charger from OnePlus, faster than wired charging

Maximum capacity: 50 watts (depends on phone) | Dimensions: 118 x 89 x 70mm | Weight: 180 grams | Cord length: 1.5 meters

OnePlus is known for providing extremely fast wired chargers for its Android smartphones. The brand has extended this fast charging capability to wireless charging. The OnePlus Warp Charge 50 wireless charging stand is available now.

This charging pad can charge a OnePlus 9 Pro from 1% to 100% in just 43 minutes. It's faster than wired charging for most smartphones. You can also rest your phone on it, either horizontally or vertically.

While the OnePlus Warp Charge 50 is optimized for the latest OnePlus phones and will charge them at the fastest speed, it will also charge other Qi-enabled devices at a maximum of 15W. At the fastest speeds, you'll hear the internal fan kick in to keep the charging pad cool. It is also possible to set the fan to charge at a slower rate if you want a quiet mode of operation.

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Go to the OnePlus website

Which is the best option?

Our favorite from the list above is the Mophie Wireless Charging Stand Plus, which can charge up to to three devices at once, including the Apple Watch. The extra USB-A port is also handy when you have a device that doesn't support wireless charging. It's perfect for your nightstand, so all your devices are ready for the day ahead.

Should you only look for the highest power?

Most of these wireless chargers support up to 15W, the highest value for most current devices. However, it is the device itself that limits speed and capacity, so the charger is usually not the limiting factor here. In most cases, a 10W charger is perfectly capable of charging your device.

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 recharge the battery of a OnePlus 9 Pro faster than many wired connections.

Can I wirelessly charge my phone while on the go?

Yes, there are portable power banks that have built-in wireless charging capability. Mophie and others offer high-capacity portable batteries that include Qi charging support, so you can take it with you and lay your device on the battery to charge it.

Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, and it can sometimes be difficult to keep a device properly positioned on a battery pack to charge it. For portable charging needs, a wired connection is faster and more reliable.

How to choose?

One of the first things to consider when preparing to buy a wireless charging pad is how many devices you want to charge at the same time. Some holders have the capacity and space to charge multiple devices at the same time. They often have a dedicated space on the charger for headphones and watches. It may also be that you only need to charge one smartphone, and the most basic wireless charging meets this need well.

After determining how many devices you want to charge, you need to consider your budget. There are very affordable chargers, and others that are more aesthetic. What must be considered in the price is the maximum capacity desired. The larger capacity your wireless charger has, the faster it will charge your device...provided the device supports a large capacity.

Fortunately, the technology is the same, Qi, so no need to check this feature. Among the options available, whether your device is placed horizontally on a shelf, or at an angle on a stand can also be a deciding factor.

Source: ZDNet.com