The Best Wireless Chargers
As perhaps the greatest discovery of the nineteenth century, electricity has transformed humankind's existence. From the lightbulb to the smartphone, our modern lives are defined by and dependent upon our ability to reliably harness the flow of charge for our own purposes. Our devices are only useful as long as they are powered, and this is especially true of today's powerful and power-hungry smartphones. Wireless charging is the most recent step in the evolution of their convenience, and so we've compiled a list of some of the best and most cutting-edge wireless chargers so that you can ensure your smartphone is always powered up whenever you need it.
What to Look For
When you’re in the market for a wireless charger, you want to keep a few things in mind. It should, of course, be compatible with your phone, but it also needs to get the job done fast. And depending on your lifestyle, you may want one that’s especially easy to take on the go. Apple’s MagSafe charger is ideal for juicing up your iPhone, while Yootech’s charging pad is suited for a range of devices. But when portability is a priority, Anker’s PowerCore III is hard to beat. Read on to check out our reviews and find the right wireless charger for your needs.
Apple MagSafe Charger
This charger comes from a company whose name is synonymous with innovation. Designed with the most recent iPhones in mind, the MagSafe Charger’s Qi-charging compatibility enables it to wirelessly charge the iPhone 8 and all later models. Its perfectly aligned magnets allow it to precisely attach to the iPhone 12 models and provide them with wireless charging up to an unprecedented 15W. The same magnets also allow it to attach to, and charge, Apple’s various AirPods models. If you want the cutting-edge wireless charger for Apple’s cutting-edge smartphones and their accessories, this is your pick.
Pros:
- We love that your phone can be used while charging wirelessly, and this charger frees up your lightning port for anything else you may need.
- The magnet is awesome, ensuring your phone doesn’t lose its connection to the charger and preventing it from accidentally slipping off while you use it.
- Being able to charge at 15W wirelessly is groundbreaking, and we are thrilled that charging doesn’t need to take as long as used to.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, this charger doesn’t include the recommended 20W USB-C power adapter.
Yootech Wireless Charging Pad
While it is compatible with multiple smartphones makes, Yootech’s wireless charging pad was designed primarily for the Samsung user. This charger boasts a 10W Fast Charge Mode for Samsung smartphones (including the Galaxy S20 models, S7 and later S models, and Note 8 and later models) as well as three other charging modes for iPhones, wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and any other Qi-enabled device. The charger is in fact Qi-certified and features an exclusive Multifunctional Intelligent Protect Technology that provides temperature control, surge protection, and short-circuit prevention. It’s also sleep-friendly, dimming its indicator lights once it has begun to charge a device. If your smartphone is a Samsung, this wireless charger offers the best features and at a price that accommodates any budget.
Pros:
- While this wireless charger is advertised primarily for Samsung devices, its also capable of charging Apple products as well.
- This charger won’t raise your battery temperature while you’re charging, keeping your phone nice and cool as it rests on top.
- For those with phone cases on their phones, you won’t need to take them off before charging. This charger has more than enough strength for you to charge your phone with it on.
Cons:
- This charger doesn’t include a QC 2.0/3.0 15W or higher power adapter for fast charging, so you’ll need to buy one separately.
Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless Portable Charger
Power in your palm
Anker’s PowerCore III is both a wireless charger and a power bank, making it the ideal option for those putting a premium on portable power. It can charge three devices simultaneously via its 18W USB-C and USB-A ports and its wireless pad. This charger’s wireless pad is Qi-certified to provide up to 10W of wireless charging power to smartphones, earbuds, or other Qi-enabled devices. The PowerCore III also supports pass-through charging, which means the pad itself can be charged while it is charging other devices. And the 10,000mAh capacity guarantees that it can keep devices charged for at least a full day. For the ultimate in wireless charging freedom, look no further.
Pros:
- Charging on the go has never been easier with this portable charger. We love how easy it is to add some juice to our phones without being chained to an outlet.
- Having PD charging and Qi charging all in the same unit is fantastic versatility that other competitors don’t offer.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, this charger doesn’t include the recommended 18W charging cable to charge the battery itself.
- This charger’s unable to charge iPhone 12 models magnetically because it lacks MagSafe-style magnetic alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of a wireless charger?
The primary advantage of a wireless charger is that it allows you to charge your smartphone or other compatible devices without needing to finagle the appropriate cable into a charging port. This results in a simple, more efficient charging process overall as you don’t need to have a specific cable and adapter.
What do “Qi” and “Qi-certified” mean?
“Qi” is simply a standard that was established by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for wireless energy transmission. If a wireless charger is Qi-certified, it has been rigorously tested by the WPC for its compliance with safety, effectiveness, and compatibility requirements to avoid overcharging smartphones, overheating itself, and transferring heat to surrounding objects.
If these are wireless, does that mean I don’t need any cables at all?
We highly recommend checking you have the required cables to maximize your wireless charger’s full potential. Many wireless chargers unfortunately don’t come with the necessary cables to charge as quickly as they can, in which case, you’ll need to buy them separately. For example, one of the most common cable types is a USB-C that you’ll need to plug into an outlet, so a compatible cable and outlet attachment would be required. iPhone users, in particular, may find themselves without a USB-C cable since iPhones don’t come with one, and use a Lightning cable instead. Even if you don’t have the “best” cable that’s required to get the maximum out of your wireless charger, however, it should still be able to charge your phone; it will just do so at slower speeds.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.