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Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone | Macworld

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We’ve rounded up the best MagSafe, Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible magnetic chargers, from the plain pad to multi-functional (up to six devices charged) stands, and even the most colorful—from snap-on chargers and modular stands to foldable power bank and full desk mat. Coil Induction QC3.0 Wireless Car Charging Holder

Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone | Macworld

Apple’s MagSafe technology, supported by all models of iPhone 12/13/14/15, presents a more efficient way of wirelessly charging compatible iPhones. MagSafe is the ring of magnets around the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15’s internal charging coil, which senses compatible accessories and magnetically snaps securely into the most efficient charging position with the right accessories. And you’re less likely to wake up to find your phone wasn’t correctly placed so didn’t charge at all!

Offering 15W power output, MagSafe charging is twice as fast merely compatible 7.5W magnetic wireless charging.

A new Qi2 standard, supported by the iPhone 13/14/15 family, now means that some non-MagSafe chargers are able to charge supporting phones at the full 15W—if they are certified for Qi2, of course. Qi2 is based on the same technology as Apple’s MagSafe so offers similar 15W speed charging.

We’ve started testing the new Qi2 chargers—read our Anker Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station review—and the Qi2 charging speeds are close enough to MagSafe’s to be regarded as identical.

Apple certifies MagSafe accessories to ensures that the output charging is 15W, compared to non-certified but MagSafe-compatible chargers that are usually just 7.5W. Certified MagSafe chargers also have a single-wire NFC antenna that allows the iPhone to identify the device, a built-in magnetometer, and a compass to prevent interference while you are using your iPhone while it’s charging.

The new Qi2 certification means that such products should match MagSafe certification at a 15W charging speed.

In our tests, 15W Qi2 and 15W MagSafe chargers are evenly matched for charging speeds, and 7.5W MagSafe compatible chargers, as you might expect, take around twice as long—certainly in the early stages of charging.

Don’t rule out 7.5W chargers as they are often high quality and nearly always noticeably cheaper. “MagSafe compatible” is used widely to mean any accessory that includes a bunch of magnets.

Thankfully, Qi2 should greatly expand the number of fast 15W chargers and supporting devices, and we are seeing Qi2 chargers from power specialists such as Anker and ESR.

We have avoided the many cheap models found online and focused on the premium brands, while also including those that offer something different.

And, of course, the iPhone 12/13/14/15 models work with non-magnetic chargers, too; check out our roundup of the best wireless chargers for iPhone. We also have a round up of the Best MagSafe portable battery packs and power banks. And for many MagSafe chargers reviewed here you’ll likely still need a wall charger to power the—here’s our recommendations of the best iPhone chargers.

The most basic form of MagSafe or magnetic charger is the simple pad that latches on to the compatible iPhone. Some pads feature a pop-out arm so the iPhone can be propped up while charging.

There are also products that can charge an iPhone and other Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch or wireless AirPods charging case, at the same time. Note that the AirPods case must be of the wireless variety, and the original AirPods case lacked this functionality. The base of a multi-charger could also be used to charge a second iPhone but mostly not magnetically and at 5W rather than 7.5W or 15W. Also see our round up of the Best Apple Watch chargers and stands.

We have tested a lot of magnetic chargers—MagSafe, Qi2 and Compatible—and here inform you which one will work best for you. There’s simple magnetic wireless chargers, multi-device chargers, travel chargers, car chargers and more.

The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. It’s the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore.

It’s as minimalist a design as you’d expect from Apple–it looks a lot like a giant Apple Watch Charger.

You can also use it to charge your AirPods.

Its main advantage over the non-certified competition is its 15W charging power. It’s still half as fast as using a Lightning or USB-C cable, however, and if you are going to the bother of connecting this product to a wall charger, why not just use a Lightning (iPhone 12/13/14) or USB-C (iPhone 15) cable? You can fast-charge an iPhone to 50% battery in under 30 minutes using a cable, while it takes around 50 minutes to wirelessly charge iPhone from 0 to 50% using even 15W MagSafe.

And the Apple MagSafe Charger is not perfect. It is too small and light to stay on the desk when you pick up your iPhone, making it a poor wireless charging pad. The 1m cable is far too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time, or maybe stretch from a power socket to a nearby table.

Don’t forget that it still requires a USB-C wall charger—at least 20W recommended if you want the full 15W potential.

We think there are better MagSafe and MagSafe-compatible alternatives, so keep reading for our non-Apple recommendations.

Available in two predictable colors, the Belkin MagSafe Charger Pad is as fast as Apple’s Charger and comes with a longer cable and handy pop-up stand.

The cable is twice as long as Apple’s, which makes using the phone much easier when charging. It’s also thicker nylon-braided cable with a handy integrated silicone cable tie.

It is pricier than Apple, which is a surprise, so you’re paying a premium for the longer premium cable and the kickstand but we think it’s worth the extra if you must have a certified 15W MagSafe charger. Again, a straight cable connection will be faster but we like the kickstand, which you don’t get with a standard cable connection.

You can buy direct from Belkin with a 27W power adapter included or just on its own if you already have a wall charger to use.

Another basic magnetic charger, Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charger Pad works just like the Apple and Belkin chargers, and also at a fast 15W—although it’s Qi2 rather than Apple MagSafe.

It works just as well, though, and is one of the cheaper premium magnetic chargers.

The cable is a decent length at 1.5m—half again as long as that on the Apple MagSafe Charger pad, but not as long as on the Belkin.

Colors: White, Black, Blue, Pink

This is a small, simple magnetic charging pad that has a kickstand that lets you prop your attached iPhone 12/13/14/15 up either in landscape or portrait mode for video viewing or hands-free FaceTime calls.

The cable length is reasonable at 1.5m.

It’s available in four colors, so is wildly more flamboyant than the other magnetic wireless chargers tested here.

Apple Watch fast charge: Yes

Wall charger: 40W AC power adapter

A 3-in-1 charger that can re-power iPhone, AirPods and Watch is a boon for Apple fans, but most of the products we’ve tested take up quite a lot of desk space. The stylish HiRise 3 Deluxe, as its name suggests, goes more vertical and so has a smaller footprint—handy for bedside tables and other places where a giant charging stand is less welcome.

It is fully Apple certified, so can fast-charge any MagSafe iPhone (iPhone 12, 13, 14 or 15 models but not SE) at 15W as well as fast-charge an Apple Watch (Series 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra) at 5W and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, and all AirPods Pro) at 7.5W.

It’s 6 inches (15.4cm) high, 3.4in (8.5cm) wide and 6.3in (15.9cm) deep. In comparison, the Belkin 3-in-1 is 13.5cm wide. For an even smaller footprint, consider the OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station, reviewed below.

The MagSafe iPhone charger can angle and tilt by 35-degrees, and hold the device in either landscape or portrait—so works well in iOS 17’s StandBy mode.

The base charges at 7.5W and can be used to power up AirPods or a second iPhone, and the Watch part fast charges at 5W.

Apple Watch fast charge: Yes

Wall charger: 30W AC power adapter

This 3-in-1 charger for iPhone, Watch and AirPods has a small footprint, about the same size as the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe reviewed above. It also matches that charging station in terms of charging speed. It’s fully certified for iPhone (so fast 15W) and Watch (fast 5W). Non-certified rivals will charge an iPhone at 7.5W and Watch at 3W. The lower charging pad is rated at 5W and can be used to charge your AirPods or a second phone, although not magnetically and much slower than the main MagSafe pad.

While this is an impressive 3-in-1 charger, we prefer the cheaper HiRise 3 Deluxe for its more flexible Watch charging module. It is a little taller, which some may prefer.

It does come in white, which might blend in with your environment better than the black-only HiRise.

It measures 6.7 inches high, 3.4in wide and 5.3in deep (16.9-x-8.6-x-13.4cm).

Apple Watch fast charge: Yes

Wall charger: 36W AC power adapter

This fast-charging 3-in-1 charger is a little smaller than even the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe and Journey Trio Ultra, both reviewed above. It measures 5.6 inches high, and 4.6 inches both wide and deep (13.9-x-11.7-x-11.7cm).

It’s a great multi-device charger but is beaten by the other two fast 3-in-1 products, which both feature tiltable iPhone charging pads.

Apple Watch fast charge: Yes

Wall charger: 40W AC power adapter

Power specialist Anker is one of the first companies to release Qi2-compatible chargers, and the foldable Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is a great example of what we can expect from the latest technology.

It charges the iPhone (iPhone 13 and later) at 15W, and is also certified by Apple to fast-charge the Apple Watch, as well as Qi charge AirPods in a wireless charging case.

It is super compact, measuring about the length and width of a credit card (3.5×2.36 inches; 8.9×6cm) and an inch (2.5cm) deep, weighing 6.9oz (195g). The 5W Watch-charging module is tucked away on the underside (see above) and can lie flat or sit up at an angle for Nightstand mode.

The Qi2 pad raises to create a stand for your iPhone, in either portrait or landscape mode for StandBy mode. You can also charge an iPhone with the charger folded and the Qi2 pad on top. You need to unfold it only if you want to charge some AirPods or use the Qi2 pad as a stand.

Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone | Macworld

Magsafe Wireless Charging Dock There are certainly many cheaper 3-in-1 foldable chargers—for example, the $50 Kuxiu X55 3-In-1, reviewed below—but none at either 15W MagSafe or Qi2. You’ll also need to add a USB-C power supply to these cheaper 3-in-1 devices, while the Anker MagGo Charging Station ships with its own powerful 40W wall charger.