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Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries. rtp pipe extrusion line
After new testing, we’ve made the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad our top pick and the Zens Magnetic Nightstand Charger our upgrade pick.
If you’ve grown weary of cables—each day an ouroboros of perpetual plugging and unplugging—wireless chargers are a convenient way to juice up your phone (or other compatible device), even if they’re slower than wired chargers.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe is the best wireless charger because it charges iPhones and Android phones faster than the competition. And, despite being one of the cheapest models we tested, it’s equipped with premium features, like MagSafe capabilities, a built-in stand, and a 6.6-foot USB-C power cable.
This wireless charging pad can fast-charge the iPhone 15 and other compatible devices. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, but it has a long power cable, MagSafe support, and a built-in stand.
May be out of stock
This wireless charger has MagSafe capabilities and a built-in phone stand that’s especially topple-proof. It comes with its own wall charger, but it’s on the bulkier side.
We required each Qi charger to be rated for at least 7.5 W charging speeds, but we gave preference to those supporting up to 15 W.
We focused on models with good build quality and useful features, like MagSafe compatibility or a built-in stand.
We favored models with USB-C input, since they can be easily paired with any sufficiently powerful USB wall charger.
We preferred Qi chargers that have been tested and certified for safety and standards compliance by the Wireless Power Consortium.
This wireless charging pad can fast-charge the iPhone 15 and other compatible devices. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, but it has a long power cable, MagSafe support, and a built-in stand.
May be out of stock
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe is the best Qi (the predominant wireless-charging standard) wireless charger for a single device. It’s rated to charge at up to 15 W (that’s faster than many models, especially in this price range), and it offers the convenience of MagSafe to compatible devices.
It also has a handy built-in stand, and the included power cable is lengthy, ruggedly built, and has an attached cable tie to keep it neatly coiled for travel or storage. It’s made by a well-established brand with great customer support, and it has a two-year warranty.
We have a few quibbles with this model, but they’re minor. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, so you have to supply your own USB wall charger. And the USB-C power cable is non-removable, so you can’t swap it out if it gets damaged.
Charging speed: rated at up to 15 W (we measured up to 10.9 W) Input port: n/a Included in the box: magnetic wireless charger with permanently attached 6.6-foot USB-C cable and cable tie
This wireless charger has MagSafe capabilities and a built-in phone stand that’s especially topple-proof. It comes with its own wall charger, but it’s on the bulkier side.
If you want a wireless charger with an extra-sturdy stand for your desk or nightstand, the Zens Magnetic Nightstand Charger is your best bet. It costs more than our top pick (twice as much, as of this writing) and takes up more room. But this added bulk, as well as the four rubber feet on the bottom, make it less likely to slide off your tabletop or topple over during a video call.
This model comes with its own wall charger, which is completely removable from the body of the unit. It also includes two international plug adapters, so you can use the charger in the EU or UK as well as the US. But because the wall charger has a barrel-shaped DC connector, you can’t easily replace it if it breaks or swap it out for a (likely more compact) USB wall charger.
It charges a little slower than our top pick: Both models are rated for 15 W, but we measured a maximum of 10.9 W with the Belkin and 7.7 W with the Zens. This shouldn’t be a big issue for most people, though, especially for charging overnight or throughout a workday.
Despite these trade-offs, this model is worth the splurge if you plan to set up your wireless charger semi-permanently in one spot. It’s also backed by a longer warranty than our top pick, giving you up to three years of coverage, and it has an additional safety and compliance certification.
Charging speed: rated at up to 15 W (we measured up to 7.7 W) Input port: DC Included in the box: magnetic wireless charger, 24 W proprietary wall charger, two international plug adapters
I’ve been a science writer for over a decade, and I’ve covered a wide variety of topics, from particle physics to satellite remote sensing. Since joining Wirecutter, in 2017, I’ve reported on electric vehicle chargers, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, surge protectors, and more.
This guide builds upon the reporting of Wirecutter’s Nick Guy, who has reviewed mobile accessories since 2011.
A wireless charger can be used to charge any electronic device with Qi (pronounced “chee”) capabilities, including all current iPhones, most Android phones, and many wireless earbuds, smart watches, fitness trackers, and other wearables. Rather than physically plugging in a cable every time your battery is running low, a wireless charger allows you to simply set down your device in the right spot to juice up.
The best Qi wireless chargers also have MagSafe and/or Qi 2.0 (Qi2) capabilities, using internal magnets to more precisely align your Qi-compatible device with the charging pad and form a firm connection. This lets you pick up and use your phone while it’s charging wirelessly, or you can toss it in your bag if you have a portable wireless charger. It also enables a more energy-efficient (and often faster) charge.
In ideal conditions, regular Qi chargers can reach outputs up to 7.5 W, while MagSafe and Qi2 allow you to get up to the maximum 15 W wireless charging speeds. (So far, however, no charger has reached full 15 W speeds in our testing.)
If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, or a set of AirPods or AirPods Pro from 2021 or later, you can take full advantage of MagSafe and Qi2 capabilities. (We expect to see a Qi2-capable Android phone soon.) You can also add magnetization to any Qi-compatible phone with a magnetic case or a ring-shaped adapter, though, due to the added resistance, these typically can’t achieve top wireless charging speeds.
To get the fastest possible charge, you still need to use a cable. Most basic USB wall chargers can charge an iPhone or Android device at least 30% faster than any Qi charger, and an 18 W or 20 W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger paired with the right USB-C cable can charge nearly 50% faster. So you need to consider—depending on the devices you have and what you use them for—whether sacrificing some power for the added convenience of wireless charging is a worthwhile trade-off.
If you’ve fully embraced the cord-free lifestyle, and you want to charge two or more Qi-capable devices simultaneously, we have a separate guide to multi-device wireless charging stations. We also have guides to the best wireless power banks and wireless car mounts for on-the-go charging.
We scoured the sites of major retailers, attended trade shows, and read online user and editorial reviews to find the most beloved and widely available brands. We then narrowed our testing pool based on the following criteria:
No matter what kinds of USB-powered devices you own, we have picks to power them at their fastest charging speeds.
We tested the performance of each Qi charger by putting each fully drained phone (we used an iPhone 15 and a Motorola Moto G) into airplane mode and then placing it on the charging pad. If a charger came with its own wall adapter, we used it. If a charger came with only a USB cable, we plugged it into a 20 W USB-C wall adapter.
We measured the phone’s battery level after 30 minutes and then again after an hour had elapsed. Any reputable Qi charger will fully charge a phone in a few hours (and certainly overnight), so we focused on differences in short-term charging. We also measured each charger’s power output using the Charger Master iOS app to verify these results.
Finally, we spent weeks using the top contenders on a daily basis, assessing the overall user experience for bedside, desktop, and (when it made sense to do so) on-the-go wireless charging. We considered each charger’s look, feel, ease of use, and build quality, and the efficacy of any extra features and included accessories.
This wireless charging pad can fast-charge the iPhone 15 and other compatible devices. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, but it has a long power cable, MagSafe support, and a built-in stand.
May be out of stock
We’ve tested dozens of wireless chargers, and the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe offers the best combination of key features: fast charging speeds, MagSafe compatibility, a built-in kickstand, and an elegant overall design. Plus, it’s affordable and made by a company we trust.
It charges devices quicker than competitors. Belkin’s charger is rated to deliver up to 15 W wireless charging speeds. Although it didn’t quite achieve those results in our testing, it still produced a faster charge than most models. In our charge tests, we measured up to 10.9 W, which was about 41% faster than with our upgrade pick from Zens.
It has MagSafe capabilities. Because it’s equipped with strong internal magnets, this charger can lock any MagSafe-compatible device firmly in place. This allows for more-efficient charging and reduces the risk of the device being accidentally knocked out of alignment. In our testing, our iPhone 15 snapped easily into place, began charging in under a second, and stayed securely on the charger when we picked up the phone to use it.
We saw similar results with a magnetic ring adapter and thin phone case over a 3rd Gen iPhone SE (which doesn’t have native MagSafe capabilities), but the connection wasn’t quite as strong. If you go that route, you should expect some sliding.
It has a built-in kickstand. If you like to prop your phone up for video calls or streaming your favorite shows, this charger has a small metal kickstand that can be easily flipped open for this purpose. And if you have an iPhone with StandBy Mode, you can use your phone as a desk clock, calendar, and more without running down the battery.
It has a sophisticated look and feel. Belkin’s charger has a streamlined shape, and it’s compact enough to slip into a pocket or cable organizer. Its USB-C power cable is 6.6 feet long, encased in braided-nylon fabric, and it has an attached silicone strap to keep the cable in a tidy coil for travel or storage. It weighs just 3.5 ounces (including the cable and cable tie), which is lighter than a mixed fruit cup.
It’s a safe buy. We’ve recommended numerous Belkin products over the years, and the company has consistently offered great customer support. If you have any issues with this charger, it’s backed by a two-year warranty.
It’s inexpensive. At this writing, our pick costs $30, making it one of the cheapest options we tested.
This wireless charger has MagSafe capabilities and a built-in phone stand that’s especially topple-proof. It comes with its own wall charger, but it’s on the bulkier side.
The Zens Magnetic Nightstand Charger costs more than our top pick, charges a bit slower, and has a bigger footprint. However, it has an incredibly sturdy stand, so it’s a better option for watching a movie in bed or taking a video call at your desk. This charger is worth the splurge if you plan to park your wireless charger semi-permanently in one spot.
It’s slower than our top pick, but it’s faster than most other wireless chargers. Like the Belkin charger, this one is rated to output up to 15 W but fell short in our testing. Compared with the 10.9 W we measured with the Belkin, we saw 7.7 W with the Zens charger.
That means it will charge your devices a bit more slowly than our top pick, but you likely won’t notice the difference—especially if you’re primarily using it to charge your phone overnight or during the workday.
It has MagSafe capabilities. Like our top pick, this model has internal magnets to better align compatible devices on the charging pad, reduce slippage, and let you use your phone while it’s charging. In our testing, this feature worked just as well as it did in the Belkin BoostCharge Pro.
It’s heavy but sturdily built. This model is heavier than most single-device wireless chargers—it weighs just over half a pound, not including the wall charger. But that weight keeps it from sliding around on your table or desk, and it seems solidly built overall. It also has four small, rubbery feet for extra grip.
It has an especially topple-proof stand. Its round charging pad can be flipped up to form a stand for your phone, and it’s much more robust than the toothpick-esque kickstands that most models (including our top pick) have. You can also adjust the viewing angle, which is rare for these stands.
It has a hidden compartment. Zens charger has a small divot underneath that’s lined with a grippy material, which (when the stand is upright) can be used as a handy catch-all for small items like hairpins, rings, paper clips, or a set of earbuds.
It comes with its own wall charger (but it’s not our favorite). This model comes with its own wall charger, so you don’t have to supply your own, as you do with our top pick.
Unlike that of our top pick, this model’s cord can be removed from the base, so you can use it as a non-charging phone stand if you have a full battery and want more mobility. Plus, it’s one of the few options we’ve seen with swappable international plugs. So you can use it while traveling in the EU or UK without having to buy an extra adapter.
However, the included wall charger is on the bulkier side, and since it has a barrel-shaped DC connector—rather than, say, USB-C—you can’t easily replace it if you lose or break it. And since it doesn’t come with a cable tie, as the Belkin model does, the cord is more prone to tangling.
It’s pricey, but it offers extra peace of mind. As of this writing, the Zens charger costs $60, which is twice the price of our top pick. On the upside, though, it’s WPC-certified (our top pick and other top contenders are not). And its three-year warranty is longer than most, so you have even more time to reach out to the company if issues arise.
The Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is the best way to wirelessly charge an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods every day.
If our upgrade pick is unavailable, and you’re willing to spend a bit more on a similar model: Get the Peak Design Wireless Charging Stand. Like the Zens charger, it has MagSafe capabilities, and both are rated for up to 15 W wireless charging speeds (we measured 7.3 W in our testing, close to the Zens charger’s 7.7 W).
Made almost entirely of metal, it’s sturdily built and has a sleek look. A grippy layer of rubberized material over the charging pad keeps even non-MagSafe phones relatively stable while charging, and two strips of a similar material on the bottom of the unit provide extra grip.
Much like Zens charger’s version, this charger’s stand lets you adjust the viewing angle, and the base has a small indent to hold an AirPods case or other oft-misplaced objects. While nonessential, these features are especially handy for a stationary nightstand or desk setup.
The Peak Design charger doesn’t come with its own wall adapter, but a 6.6-foot USB-C cable is included in the box, as well as a few adhesive clips to help you reduce cord clutter. It lacks WPC certification, but it is made by a reputable brand with good customer support. This charger is a great alternative if the Zens model is unavailable, or if the price ($80 at this writing) drops significantly.
If you want more color options than you get with our picks, and if you don’t mind a model that’s more prone to smudges and backed by a shorter warranty: Get the ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Charger. Like our picks, it has MagSafe capabilities, and it’s rated for up to 15 W wireless charging speeds (we measured 8.3 W, which splits the difference between our picks).
It’s super sleek and compact, so it’s ideal for travel. It’s also relatively sturdy, made mostly of aluminum. It has a small built-in kickstand, and it includes a 5-foot removable USB-C cable in the box (but no wall charger).
The glossy surface of the charging pad attracts fingerprints and other smudges easily, but it’s not overly noticeable. It also comes in more colors than most (silver, black, and blue, as of this writing).
It’s not WPC-certified, and the one-year warranty is on the shorter side, but that should still be sufficient time to use it in your daily life and ensure you don’t have a dud. It’s also inexpensive: $20 at this writing.
This is not a comprehensive list of models we’ve tested. We have removed discontinued models and those that no longer meet our criteria.
The Anker PowerWave Sense Pad Alloy charged phones rapidly in our tests, and it comes with a cable and a Quick Charge 3.0 wall charger. We also like its metal body and fabric-lined surface, but it lacks a built-in stand, and it costs more than otherwise comparable models.
The Anker PowerWave Stand is a former pick, but comparable options with magnetic wireless charging and/or more power are available for about the same price.
Anker’s PowerWave II Pad and PowerWave II Stand charge more slowly than competitors, and they come with a proprietary AC charger that you can’t replace as easily as a USB charger if necessary.
The Apple MagSafe Charger is sleek-looking and compact, but it charges at a slower rate than cheaper models we tested.
The Belkin BoostCharge 15W Wireless Charging Stand (WIB002) had inconsistent charging rates in our testing, and it offers no benefits over faster and/or cheaper options.
Belkin’s BoostCharge 10W Wireless Charging Pad (WIA001TT) and BoostCharge 10W Wireless Charging Stand (WIB001TT) performed well in our testing, but other models we tested offer magnetic wireless charging and/or more power for about the same price.
The Belkin BoostCharge 7.5W Magnetic Portable Wireless Charger Pad (WIA005TT) performed well in our testing, but it has a non-removable cable, and other models we tested offer more power for about the same price.
The ESR HaloLock Magnetic Wireless Charger is a pad-style charger with built-in magnets, so if you’re using a MagSafe-capable phone, you don’t have to worry about misalignment. It was far slower than other chargers in our testing, though, hitting only a 30% charge after an hour. It also lacks a power adapter.
The Native Union Drop Wireless Charger and Nomad Base Station Stand both have a luxurious fabric exterior, but they’re only rated at up to 10 W, lack Magsafe/Qi2 functionality, and cost more than most models we tested.
The Nimble Apollo Wireless Pad is made of recycled materials, includes a 20 W wall adapter, and performed well in our charging tests. However, it costs more than chargers we tested with more power and/or WPC-certification.
The OtterBox 7.5 W Charging Pad for MagSafe has a similar range of features as our top pick, and at this writing both models cost the same. However, the OtterBox model has slightly slower charging speeds (we measured up to 6.2 W in our testing), and it lacks a built-in kickstand.
The OtterBox Wireless Charging Pad 15W 78-80954 and the Zens Single Fast Wireless Charger Slim-line both performed well in our testing, but other models with MagSafe/Qi2 support are available for about the same price.
The Samsung EP-NG930 is a former pick, but it’s slower than other models and doesn’t look as nice.
The Satechi USB-C Magnetic Wireless Charging Cable performed well in our testing, but it doesn’t come with a wall adapter, and it costs about the same as otherwise-comparable options.
Zen’s Built-in Wireless Charger 10W (ZEBI03W/00) and Built-in Wireless Charger 15W (ZEBI04W/00) can be installed permanently on a desk or table, so you can lay your phone almost completely flat on the tabletop. However, they lack Magsafe/Qi2 functionality and cost more than most models we tested. We also think most people would prefer a portable option for travel or even around-the-house use.
This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.
Sarah Witman is a senior staff writer who reports on powering and charging technology for Wirecutter. She previously worked as a writer, editor, and fact checker for several science magazines. Though she researches and tests chargers for a living, her phone battery is usually low.
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