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Our gear experts analyzed the market before buying 16 of the best wireless chargers for side-by-side testing. The convenience, speed, and user-friendliness of wireless chargers are undeniable, yet the market is inundated with products that seem almost identical. We pitted these chargers against each other to identify which ones deliver power best to popular phones and devices. We gauged the charging speed, scrutinized ergonomics, evaluated aesthetics, considered versatility, and factored in any additional features. Our comprehensive review provides expert advice to easily find the fastest charger and the best choice for iPhones, and it will undoubtedly assist you in identifying the ideal wireless charger for your needs and budget.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 17, 2023, to include product recommendations as alternatives to our existing award winners.
Stated Power Output: Up to 15W | Input Power Connector: USB-C
REASONS TO BUY
Elegant
Compact
Magnetic coupling
REASONS TO AVOID
Collects metallic dust
Lacks indicator light
If you're seeking a straightforward wireless charger for an Apple device, the Apple MagSafe Charger is your best bet. Whether you need to charge AirPods or an iPhone, the charger magnetically attaches to your devices, firmly securing them to the pad. The aluminum charger boasts a clean, sleek aesthetic and offers up to 15W output for speedy charging with Apple-specific products. This charger functions even through thin cases.
The MagSafe charger is neat and stylish right out of the box, and a brushed aluminum finish helps conceal fingerprints or dirt. However, with a magnetic charger, metallic dust can adhere and cause potential scratches on the charger and the device. Fortunately, it features a scratch-resistant plastic ring for the phone to rest on, similar to design of top-rated car phone mounts, which will help avoid unwanted damage to your devices. Even considering this minor criticism, we found this charger to be a superior option for Apple devices. If you're looking for a wireless charger on a more friendly budget, the Yootech Qi-Certified 10W Max Fast Wireless Pad is another fantastic option that also works with Android and Samsung devices.
The Apple MagSafe pairs perfectly with other Apple products.
Stated Power Output: 5W, 10W | Input Power Connector: Micro-USB
REASONS TO BUY
Minimalist design
Strong charging capacity
REASONS TO AVOID
Included power cable is short
Tends to tip forward easily
The Anker 313 Stand is uncomplicated, swift, and effective. In our examinations, this charger showed exceptional charging speed. It impressed us by fully powering a Samsung S8 30-60 minutes faster than competing models. This charger lets you position your phone in portrait or landscape modes, doubling as a phone stand. It maintains a low profile with its plain design and a subtle LED charging status light, yet it is aesthetic enough to station on any table in the house.
We observed a minor drawback: it can be unstable if nudged from behind due to a lack of grippy footers. Without a rubberized backing on your phone case or some other non-slip material to enhance grip, your phone could easily slip off the charger itself. The charger's design also makes it difficult to charge things like earbuds. Despite these issues, the Anker 313 provides a speedy and uncomplicated solution for wireless charging and is an excellent choice for those seeking a charging stand with a basic appearance that operates swiftly. If superior phone security is a top priority, the Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Stand provides a solid platform with the ability to place your phone in landscape mode for added versatility.
The Anker 313 Stand has plenty of clearance for protruding cameras on phones. It's shown here with playing cards as spacers mimicking the added bulk of a case.
Stated Power Output: 5W, 7.5W, 10W | Input Power Connector: USB-C
REASONS TO BUY
Fast charging
Stable and grippy
Ideal for earbuds
REASONS TO AVOID
Tends to collect dust and dirt
If you prefer a pad over a stand, the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad might be the ideal choice. It boasts swift charging speeds and is compatible with many phone case thicknesses — it charged our test phone with a 7mm gap between it and the pad. The entire charger illuminates with an LED status light, providing a helpful visual from any angle, and has the grip necessary to keep your devices, including your wireless earbuds, stationary while charging.
While the LED ring light might be advantageous for some, it might be too conspicuous for others' taste. Fortunately, the LED light turns off after a certain period, ensuring your bedside table isn't bathed in light throughout the night. This is one of our top picks if you're in the market for a wireless charging pad rather than a stand. Generally, pads and peripheral gadgets like wireless earbuds are a superior choice to power a mobile device. If you're looking for a wireless pad with a simplistic look and a sleek design, the TOZO W1 Ultra Thin Wireless Aviation Aluminum might be a more suitable option for those who want to match the modern aesthetic in their home.
The Yootech is a simple docking station for a single Qi-compatible phone or accessory.
Stated Power Output: 10W | Input Power Connector: USB-C
REASONS TO BUY
Impressive charging capability
Can power three devices simultaneously
Serves as a mobile stand
REASONS TO AVOID
High-end price
The Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank stands out in our lineup, functioning as a wireless charging pad and a portable power bank. Plug the Anker 533 in to rejuvenate its internal battery and place your phone on top for wireless charging at your workstation, or carry this charger as a wireless or wired portable charger. It can even charge up to 3 devices simultaneously — two via wired connections and one wirelessly. This elegant charger even features a small clip that can double as a mobile stand.
However, it's worth noting that this charger is more expensive than other top-tier models we tested. The insufficient non-slip material makes it relatively easy to displace your phone while using the wireless charging function unintentionally. While the integrated phone stand is a great feature, we wish there was a way to charge your phone in this position wirelessly. We wholeheartedly recommend the Anker 533 to anyone searching for a comprehensive charging solution. If you're looking to step up your charging capabilities even further, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Pad is capable of charging three devices altogether. This allows for a condensed charging station and makes sure all your devices are charged up equally for the day ahead.
The Anker 533 has solid charging capabilities and doubles as a wireless charging pad and a portable power bank.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Compare Products
There isn't much diversity in appearance when it comes to wireless charging pads.
Credit: David Wise
Why Trust GearLab
We powered various gadgets using these products, evaluating the performance of each with smartphones, wireless earbuds, and smartwatches. In a direct comparison, we measured charging performance by noting the time each device took to replenish the same phone's battery and used a series of spacers to gauge the maximum allowable distance before charging became ineffective. We also examined whether these chargers could maintain battery life during movie playback and assessed each product's aesthetics, ergonomics, and stability.
Our in-depth testing of wireless chargers breaks down into four different metrics:
Charging Performance (40% of overall score weighting)
Ergonomics and Stability (30% weighting)
Aesthetics (20% weighting)
Other Features (10% weighting)
Jacob Clark is our trusted authority on wireless chargers. With a diverse background in chemistry, mathematics, kinesiology, and music, Jacob brings a unique analytical perspective to product reviews. His range of reviews spans from outdoor gear to technology, and his unique blend of scientific understanding and practical experience makes Jacob an invaluable resource for our readers.
David Wise laid the foundation for this review of wireless chargers. David has assessed and reviewed hundreds of consumer products for GearLab, spanning categories such as portable chargers, digital multimeters, 3D printers, and cordless tools. His formal education, A Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering from MIT, concentrating on lithium battery-powered systems — including a wirelessly rechargeable autonomous underwater robot.
We used a series of 3D printed spacers of different thicknesses to measure and compare the effective charging gap.
Unboxing the Apple Mag Safe wireless charger.
We used a Samsung S8, capable of Fast Wireless Charging at 10 watts, as our test phone to compare performance side-by-side.
Analysis and Test Results
We conducted extensive market research before choosing and purchasing the most promising wireless chargers to test side-by-side. We categorized our head-to-head comparisons into four specific criteria — charging speed, ergonomics and stability, aesthetics, and extra features — and compiled this detailed account of the nuanced differences to help you find the best option for your needs.
What's the Best Value?
Luckily, most of these products — including premium options — are inexpensive. However, there are still certainly a few models that will stand out to the budget-conscious. The Yootech Wireless Pad is not just one of our favorite pads but one of our all-time favorite chargers and is an excellent pick if you're on a tight budget. While the Apple-specific MagSafe Charger is a bit more expensive than the top-performing stand, the Anker 313, both are still significantly less expensive than many other options that cost a lot more. As a result, each presents a fantastic value, regardless of your device-allegiances.
Although it's more expensive than many other options, the sleek folding design of the MagSafe Duo is handy for on-the-go charging, especially if you own multiple Apple devices.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Charging Performance
We evaluated charging performance by considering each charger's advertised power output. We also used test phones to compare charging durations between top-rated smartphones. Our Samsung S8 could charge at a maximum of 10 watts, while an Apple iPhone 13 Mini could charge at a maximum rate of 15 watts. Finally, we used spacers of different thicknesses to identify the largest effective charging gap between the charger and the device.
The Anker 313 Stand and Samsung 15W Duo Pad particularly stood out in our charging time test. Both options took 2 hours and 18 minutes to fully charge, powering the phone once it reached 5% battery to ensure minimal use while charging. The Yootech Wireless Stand and Belkin BoostCharge Pro Pad took only slightly longer, requiring about 15 extra minutes to charge our test phone fully.
The Anker Stand delivered some of the fastest charge times in our evaluations.
Credit: David Wise
Generally, the wireless charging pads took longer than the charging stands to replenish our test phones. The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad performed exceptionally well, completing the task in under 3 hours. It's important to highlight the MagSafe Charger's ability to deliver up to 15 watts for iPhone models, well-exceeding the 7.5 watts offered by other Qi-wireless charging platforms compatible with iPhones. This extra power boost lets you fully charge your phone in about 2 hours, starting with 5% battery life.
Here you can see by the indicator lights that even with 9mm worth of playing cards, a pair of Apple AirPods can still connect to the UCOMX wireless charger.
Credit: Jacob Clark
We also evaluated the maximum effective charging gap of each charger. We employed a series of spacers to simulate case thickness to identify whether this factor could impede a model's charging capabilities. Remember that a metallic case or mount will instantly disrupt wireless charging, regardless of the charger. The 313 Stand and Belkin BoostCharge Pro could effectively charge a phone with a 7mm spacer between the phone and the charger, while others were limited to around 4mm. These chargers can also accommodate a phone in portrait or landscape orientations without impacting charging performance.
We also consulted the AccuBattery app when comparing charging performance.
Credit: David Wise
The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and Samsung 15W Duo Pad impressed us most among the charging pads we tested. Our phones continued to charge with a 7mm spacer separating them from these pads, suggesting that even the bulkiest and most rugged cases should be compatible with these models.
Playing cards paired with a caliper was an accurate way to test how close a device needs to be to register and charge on a wireless pad.
Credit: Jacob Clark
The Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank also demonstrated excellent charging performance. It charges most Qi-certified devices at their maximum rate with its 10W output capacity, exhibiting performance similar to the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad. Furthermore, thanks to its 18W USB-C output, it can utilize every bit of power, charging most smartphones as quickly as possible.
The Anker 313 Stand is an exceptional wireless charging stand and one of our all-around favorites.
Credit: David Wise
Ergonomics and Stability
Wireless charging necessitates accurate phone positioning, so we tend to favor chargers that allow you to easily align your phone, hold it securely, and resist tipping over or sliding across a table. We concentrated our next series of tests on each charger's stability and holding ability for phones and other devices.
The Yootech Wireless Stand emerged as the clear victor in the charging stand category. Most stands feature a small protrusion for phone placement and a gap underneath, but the Yootech's front is solid, preventing it from tipping forward like others we tested. The bases of the Yootech Wireless Stand and the Anker 313 Stand are entirely coated with non-slip rubber, effectively preventing any slippage.
The UCOMX is a handy folding three-in-one charge that can handle all your daily devices at once.
Credit: Jacob Clark
We appreciate that the NANAMI Wireless Stand and the UCOMX Foldable Pad incorporate a small amount of rubber to cushion your phone and keep it steady. This feature is particularly useful if your phone lacks a rubber case. While this non-slip material doesn't influence charging phones in portrait mode — where they tend to tip over rather than slide out — it greatly affects charging your phone in landscape mode.
Most of the charging stands can charge your phone in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Credit: David Wise
For charging pads, the Mophie Wireless Pad and Twelve South PowerPic Mod impressed us with their resistance to phone slippage. While most charging pads feature grippy material to prevent phone sliding, the designs of these models particularly excel at keeping your phone secure.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro has a clean design and a powerful magnet to keep your devices in place while charging.
Credit: Jacob Clark
The Apple MagSafe Charger and its sibling, the Apple MagSafe Duo, offer superior connection quality compared to other models. Despite their relatively small charging bases, their magnetic attachments link precisely to the iPhone MagSafe connection for maximum efficiency. The magnet's strength allows the pad to stay attached while lifting the phone, enabling users to charge wirelessly while holding and using their phone. While this feature offers a certain level of convenience among wireless charging pads — where it provides a competitive edge — it is still more annoying than using a regular, wired charger.
There is still enough magnetic attraction from the MagSafe charger to lift with a smaller device like AirPods.
Credit: Jacob Clark
The Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and UCOMX Foldable Pad also excel at keeping earbud cases stable, thanks to a raised rubber ring. The Anker 533 features a similar raised ring of non-slip material, but it is much smaller than its counterparts, making it slightly easier to knock your phone off, though not significantly so.
The PowerCore III 10K Wireless has a ring of non-slip material, but it has a smaller overall footprint than most modern smartphones.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Aesthetics
These devices often occupy a prominent position on a nightstand or desk, so their aesthetic appeal is worth considering before making your final choice. Most of these products are fairly generic, but a few standout options deserve mention for their aesthetic appeal.
While the design of most wireless charging pads seems to be inspired by a hockey puck, the Tozo W1 deviates significantly from this trend. Boasting one of the lowest profiles, this slim, stylish pad is barely thick enough to accommodate the USB-C connector. It features a glossy mirror-like finish that adds to its aesthetic appeal, and the charging indicator lights on the side provide attractive accents to the overall design.
The TOZO W1 has a mirror-like finish but can easily get covered in fingerprints.
Credit: David Wise
The rest of the charging pads are all fairly similar in appearance. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro pad is slightly thicker and features a matte black finish that effectively resists dust, dirt, and fingerprints. But the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad stands out with one of the highest profiles among the group. But the concentric rings of non-slip material and solid illuminated charging indicator add a nice touch of visual appeal.
Perhaps the most pleasing stand to the eye is the Twelve South PowerPic Mod, designed after a picture frame and quite aesthetic compared to other black or white plastic models.
Credit: Jacob Clark
The Anker 533 is relatively bland, mirroring many other portable chargers. However, its textured finish is notably pleasing. None of the charging stands are particularly eye-catching, with many sharing similar designs. The Yootech Stand and Samsung Duo Pad are notable options for a more rounded look.
The Anker 313 Stand has a simple and clean aesthetic.
Credit: David Wise
For those who prefer a more angular look and a charger that blends more seamlessly into the background, the minimalistic square design of the Anker 313 Stand and Apple MagSafe Duo are compelling options. If you're looking for something more unique, the Twelve South PowerPic integrates a picture frame into its design, allowing it to blend seamlessly with your home decor while still serving its charging function.
You can't beat Apple for sleek designs and the MagSafe Duo is no exception. It's simple, slim, and sharp-looking.
Credit: Nick Miley
Other Features
While these products are primarily designed to charge a smartphone, a handful boasts some extra features that add to their versatility. The Anker 533 easily claims the top position in this metric thanks to its capability to charge three devices simultaneously. It operates as a wired and wireless charger and is a phone stand with a slide-out clip.
None of the other products, including the 3-in-1 UCOMX Foldable Pad and the Belkin BoostCharge Pro, can charge more than one phone concurrently. However, all the charging pads compatible with Qi-enabled devices can simultaneously charge accessories, like earbuds and wireless charging cases. The charging stands, including the MagSafe Duo, share this capability. But aligning earbuds or other devices in the correct charging position can be a bit more challenging with a stand than a pad.
The Anker PowerWave Pad doesn't have a raised ring to help align and secure earbud cases.
Credit: David Wise
All of the charging stands can also function as phone stands when unplugged. A few charging pads, like the Yootech Fast Wireless Pad and the Twelve South PowerPic, thoughtfully switch off any charging status lights after a specific period. This is especially nice if you have them on your bedside table.
The Anker 533 is one of the most versatile models we tested. It can wirelessly charge a phone while simultaneously charging up to two other devices with its USB and USB-C connections.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Conclusion
Whether you're searching for the fastest charger, the most aesthetically pleasing stand, or one capable of handling multiple devices, we hope this review proves helpful in your quest for a new wireless charger.
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