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Best Apple Watch chargers, stands, power banks & docks | Macworld

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Apple ships a simple but effective charging cable with the Apple Watch that will fast-charge an Apple Watch Series 7 or later (Watch 8/9, Watch Ultra 1/2). You won’t find a faster charging accessory but you can also choose from a wide range of stylish and practical charging stands, docks and power banks for your Apple Watch—including some that can also charge other Apple devices such as your iPhone and AirPods. PD Shared Fast Charging Power Bank

Best Apple Watch chargers, stands, power banks & docks | Macworld

Here, we round up some of the best Apple Watch chargers, docks and charging stands—some of which can charge your other Apple devices at the same time. Most should be compatible with all generations of the Watch, but be sure to check compatibility before buying.

There are simple charging cables, multi-device chargers that can power up your Apple Watch plus your iPhone and AirPods, chargers that are built for portability and travel, designer models that look great at home or in the office, and handy Apple Watch power banks.

Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum)

Apple ships its Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable with its Watch Series 7 and later models, including the Watch Series 8/9 and Watch Ultra. The Apple Watch SE (including the current model) and Series 6 and earlier Watch models shipped with the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable that lacks the fast-charging function.

Both cables are Apple white and a meter long. The latest version features an enhanced charging puck.

The 7.5W Fast Charger Cable can charge 33% faster than the older 5W cable—charging a compatible Watch battery from 0-80% in just 45 minutes. An eight-minute charge will support eight hours of sleep tracking.

Without fast charge, it takes about 1.5 hours to charge an Apple Watch to 80%, and about 2.5 hours to 100%.

Fast charging requires at least a 20W USB-C charger, like you’d use to charge an iPhone; find our recommended best iPhone chargers for a wider choice that the plain Apple 20W charger.

While you can still buy the older Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable, there’s little benefit as the newer Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable is backwards compatible with older Watch models, looks the same, and is the same price. You can use the old cable on a later Watch but obviously without fast charging.

Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum)

Apple’s official Watch Charger is fast and reliable but expensive compared to the knock-off Watch chargers you can find online. This is a shame as having a spare in your bga or lying around at home is useful given the Watch’s pretty dreadful battery life.

Usually there is a trusted third-party provider with an alternative to Apple’s simple charging cable but we could find none for the Apple Watch that were cheaper than the Apple version. We are sure that the Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Cable for Apple Watch is trustworthy but it’s actually pricier than the Apple and doesn’t support fast charging—so why bother?

There are some great third-party Apple Watch charging stands and adapters—many of which we review below.

But you are taking a chance (albeit a very affordable chance) by picking a cheapo simple Watch charger from Amazon, Temu or other online retailers. If you must, then scan the user reviews but we can’t vouch that the good ones are genuine and others often state problems with durability and extremely slow charging.

Size: 6.3 x 3.4 x 6 inches (15.9 x 8.5 x 15.4cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 40W wall charger included

If you’ve got an Apple Watch, chances are you also own an iPhone and maybe a set of AirPods, too. Here’s where a charging station, which can power up all three devices simultaneously, becomes essential if you want to rid yourself of a snake’s nest of cables.

The HiRise 3 Deluxe (available at Apple) can wirelessly charge three devices—iPhone 12/13/14/15 but not SE, Apple Watch 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra, and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd gen AirPods, and all AirPods Pro). The AirPods-charging Qi wireless pad can alternatively be used to charge any iPhone from iPhone 8 up.

And all the charging points are top-end—iPhone 15W, Watch 5W and Qi pad 7.5W—so all can be fast-charged.

The Watch can either lie flat or in Nightstand mode, and the iPhone in iOS 17’s StandBy mode. You can angle the iPhone by up to 35 degrees.

It’s taller but much smaller than Belkin’s Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad, reviewed below, so will save space on your bedside table or desk.

Size: 6.7 x 5.3 x 3.4 inches (17 x 13.4 x 8.6cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included

If you own an Apple Watch it’s a fair bet that you also have an iPhone, and, go on admit it, some AirPods, too—you’re well invested into the Apple ecosystem.

This 3-in-1 charging station from Journey has a tiltable MagSafe-certified pad (15W) for all iPhones 12/13/14/15, plus a Qi charger for AirPods that have a wireless charging case.

Important to us here, though, is the Apple Watch charger at the back, which can fast-charge your Apple wearable.

The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, reviewed above, is similar and features a tiltable Watch charger at the front rather than the back. If you want a 3-in-1 fast charging stand in white, then pick this Journey stand; if you prefer black, go for the Twelve South.

There is a cheaper version, the Journey Trio 3-in-1 Charging Station, which features a detachable Watch charger that you can slip into your pocket and plug into a USB-C charger, including your MacBook, away from the base unit. While that is a neat feature (and might save you $40 on a standalone Watch adapter) the MagSafe pad is only compatible so charges at 7.5W and the Watch charger is slower than the one featured on the Trio Ultra 3-in-1.

Size: 2 x 1.73 x 0.45 inches (5.1 x 4.4 x 1.1cm)

Requires USB-C charger: Any USB-C charging port

Small enough to fit in your pocket, this little 5W Watch charger from can plug straight into a USB-C charger or a USB-C charging port—for example, the Thunderbolt on your MacBook or iPad, or a USB-C car charger—or USB-C output power bank.

When you get an alert telling you that your Watch battery is fading, you don’t always have your meter-long Apple charging cable with you but you are likely nearer a USB-C power point, and this little Watch charger can live at the bottom of your back for when you need it most.

Size: 2.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches (6 x 6 x 2.35cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included

Twelve South makes our favorite 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger, the HiRise 3 Deluxe reviewed above, and it has triumphed again with this pocketable 2-in-1 charger that can handle iPhone and Apple Watch or iPhone and AirPods, charging the two devices simultaneously.

Technically it can’t be beaten—it is fully Apple certified, so fast wirelessly charges the Watch at 5W and the iPhone at 15W.

But its wonder is its clever, dinky foldable size and MacBook-like styling. Unfurl the charger and the two wireless charging pads are revealed. You can even fold 180 degrees and place the Watch in Nighstand mode. Flip it round, and you can set the iPhone in landscape StandBy mode.

It chips with a super-compact 30W USB-C wall charger that comes with interchangeable international plug heads: US, UK, EU and AU/NZ.

Size: 3.5 x 2.4 x 1 inches (8.9 x 6 x 2.5cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 40W wall charger included

The first 3-in-1 device charger based on the fast MagSafe-like 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging tech, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station not only boosts wireless charging speeds that match Apple’s MagSafe but wraps up everything into a solid, foldable and compact yet flexible design. Apple Watch fast charging is the cream on the top.

Foldable and super compact, the Anler MagGo Wireless Charging Station is a great portable option for your travels. The Watch-charging module neatly folds into the base of the charging station.

We also like Anker’s 3-in-1 Cube, reviewed below—but while it’s gorgeous, it is heavier than the MagGo and doesn’t feature Watch fast charging.

Size: 9.3 x 3.4 x 0.84 inches (23.7 x 8.6 x 2.1cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 20W wall charger included

Belkin’s Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad 3-in-1 charger (available at Apple) is the fastest way you can wirelessly charge both your Apple Watch and iPhone (12/13/14-series models), plus AirPods that come in a wireless charging case.

It boasts both Watch fast charging (7.5W) and iPhone MagSafe fast charging (15W). The included 20W USB-C wall charger is a little underpowered if charging all three devices simulataneously. A 30W or 40W charger would better handle that situation.

The Watch can either lie flat or in Nightstand mode, but because the iPhone lies flat you can’t take advantage of iOS 17’s StandBy mode. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, reviewed above, is a better option if you want to view your iPhone while it’s charging—and it also comes with a more powerful 40W power supply.

The magnetic charging module features a precision dial that can adjust the height for the best Watch, depending on the screen size.

Size: 2.49 x 2.3 x 2.3 inches (6.3 x 6 x 6cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included

Charge your Apple Watch plus your other small Apple gadgets with this dinky (if weighty) designer 3-in-1 cube that is MagSafe certified so can wirelessly charge an iPhone 12/13/14 at 15W.

Watch and AirPods charge at a more sedate 5W, so no Watch fast charge.

The beauty of this compact charger is its portable 3-in-1 power options, all contained in one tiny-footprint device. The Watch charging part can be hidden away within the Anker Cube when not in use.

Size: 4.1 x 3.1 x 2.75 inches (10.5 x 7.8 x 7cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included

The BoostCharge Pro looks rather like a paperweight and will delight interior designers.

Compact and low-level in an elegant organic shape, the bulb-like charging stand is made from at least 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and has pleasingly soft edges and a texture that makes you stroke it longingly.

The chrome Watch-charging pad sticks out from the back of the stand, and can’t be folded in when not in use, as is possible with some compact multi-device chargers such as the Anker 3-in-1 Cube. 

It features fast wireless charging for both Watch and iPhone. While it lacks an AirPods charging module like the 3-in-1 charging stations reviewed here, you can charge the AirPods wireless charging case on the top when the charging pad is flat and not charging your iPhone.

Size: 5.2-x-2.9-x-1 inches (13.3-x-7.4-x-2.5cm) closed

Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum)

There are few foldable 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods portable chargers on the market but we think this is the neatest. It’s a little larger than the Evolved Foldable Charger but noticeably lighter.

It measures 13.3-x-7.4-x-2.5cm when closed, and 2.1-x-7.4-x-1.3cm open. The Apple Watch charging module flips up so the Watch can be shown in Nightstand mode; it can also lie flat.

It is also the only one to offer fast charging for the Apple Watch. None of them offer 15W certified MagSafe charging for the phone—for that you’ll need a less flexible 3-in-1, of which we have reviewed several here.

Its design is neat because the MagSafe charging pad folds over and magnetically locks to the Watch module. if traveling with the SWIV, it’s just a matter of putting it in your bag, and you won’t notice it weighing down your luggage.

It comes with a 1.5m USB-C cable.

Dimensions: .25-x-2.7-x-0.95 inches (10.8-x-6.8-x-2.4cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 20W to recharge the power bank

This is the smallest iPhone and Apple Watch charger that doubles up as a power bank. It’s a great portable solution when you are away from a power source, and it can charge not just your Apple Watch and iPhone simultaneously, but two more devices via its USB ports (one USB-C for fast 18W iPhone charging and one USB-A).

The Watch charging module flips up from the back of the power bank’s pull-out stand. It chargers at 3W rather than 5W so doesn’t support Apple Watch Fast Charge but it will inject the juice that your Watch requires when you need it. If you’re carrying your Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable, you can connect it here to achieve fast Watch charging.

In our tests, using an iPhone 15 Pro, the power bank wirelessly charged close to 150%.

The OtterBox Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger, reviewed lower down, can fast charge a Watch and can wired-charge an iPhone but not act as a wireless iPhone stand.

Size: 5.6 x 4.6 x 4.6 inches (13.9 x 11.7 x 11.7cm)

Requires USB-C charger: 36W wall charger included

Matching the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe in terms of charging speed, the OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station is a super-fast iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger with a small footprint—indeed, it’s a little smaller than its rival.

The charging points for iPhone and Apple Watch are fully certified—iPhone 15W and Watch 5W. At 5W, the lower Qi pad is slower than the Twelve South.

Where we prefer the HiRise 3 Deluxe is its tilting iPhone MagSafe pad and more flexible Watch module. But if the white color option fits your decor better than the black-only HiRise, the OtterBox 3-in-1 is a great choice.

Size: 3.8 x 3.8 x 0.63 inches (9.7 x 9.7 x 1.6cm)

Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum)

The Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger for Apple Watch is a long name for a fairly simple square, rubberized Apple Watch charging stand. It’s one of the few Apple Watch accessories that can fast-charge the Watch (Series 7 and later), and, weighing just 6.8oz (192g), is portable, too.

The magnetic charging module allows the Watch to be raised to work either lying flat or in Nightstand mode.

Its built-in 4-foot (1.2m) USB-C cable wraps neatly around the underside of the dock, so keeping your space clutter-free. There’s a precision dial on the bottom of the dock to raise the puck height depending on the size of your Watch. Available from Apple.

Size: 3.5-x-2.4-x-0.9 inches (9-x-6.1-x-2.3cm)

Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum)

You can use this charger as a fat wireless iPhone charging pad or height-adjustable and tilting phone stand. But you want to know about its Apple Watch charging credentials.

In the battle of the foldable travel MagSafe iPhone and Watch chargers, we crown the Evolved 3-in-1 Foldable Charger as the best for Apple Watch users.

Naki Shared Power Bank It’s heavier and deeper than the ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, reviewed below, and doesn’t come with the smart case and USB-C charger, but it wins because its Watch charger is built-in rather than a separate module. Its also also an inch shorter and a little less wide, and can raise your iPhone higher and is more adjustable.