Best Wireless Chargers – A Comprehensive Guide

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Wireless charging is becoming increasingly popular as phones, tablets, and other devices become compatible with the technology. The convenience of being able to charge your devices without having to plug them in is an attractive feature for many consumers, but with so many options on the market, understanding the different types of wireless chargers and finding the best one for your needs can be a challenge. In this guide, we will cover all the basics you need to know to choose the right wireless charger, including the different types of chargers, the advantages of wireless charging, and the top models to consider.

Types of Wireless Chargers

The two main types of wireless chargers are inductive chargers and resonant chargers. Inductive chargers use an electromagnetic field to transfer energy from the charger to the device, while resonant chargers use magnetic resonance to transfer energy. Inductive chargers are the most widely available and are usually the most affordable, but they are limited in their range – usually only a few centimeters – and can take longer to charge the device. Resonant chargers have a longer range – up to a few meters – and can charge devices faster.

Advantages of Wireless Charging

Wireless charging offers several advantages over traditional wired charging that make it worth considering. First, it’s more convenient, since you don’t have to plug in your device. Just set it on the charger and it will start charging. Second, it’s safer, because there are no cables or wires to trip over or cause other hazards. Third, it’s more efficient, since it avoids energy loss due to heat generated by the cables. Finally, it’s more durable, because there are no cables that can be damaged or worn out over time.

Samsung Wireless Charger

Samsung Wireless Charger Pad Trio

Also known as the Samsung 3 in 1 Wireless Charger, Samsung Wireless Charger Pad Trio is capable of charging three devices simultaneously. This could be two phones as a smartwatch, a phone and two wireless headphones, three phones, and any other combination you can think of.

The charger includes six coils for easy alignment, and it has a dedicated area for Samsung Galaxy watches. Made with Fast Charging power, this will rapidly charge your devices so they back to 100%. Crafted with a minimalist design and LED lights so you can quickly check on the charging status.

Feel free to charge with cases on. The Samsung Trio Charger can reach 3mm deep, which allows it to get through most phone cases.

Best Features

  • Charges three devices at once
  • Quickly charges devices, even if their case is still on
  • Has a dedicated spot for Galaxy and Active smartwatches

Check Price: Samsung Wireless Charger Pad Trio ->

Apple Wireless Charger

Apple MagSafe Charger with Fast Charging

This Apple charging station is capable of wirelessly charging most modern iPhones. As an iPhone wireless charger, this has magnets that perfectly align with iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro. Made with Qi charging, so it can wirelessly charge iPhone 8 and later, but the magnet will not align with these models.

You’ll find that this Apple wireless charger can quickly charge your batteries and get you back to your busy day. If you want to charge your Apple Watch simultaneously, then consider picking up the Apple MagSafe Duo Charger.

Best Features

  • Perfectly aligned magnet for iPhone 12 through 14
  • Works with iPhone 8 and later
  • Fast charging for Apple devices

Check Price: Apple MagSafe Charger ->

Wireless Charger Stand

Anker Wireless 3-in-1 Charging Station

The Anker 533 Wireless Charging Stand is capable of charging a phone, Apple watch, and wireless headphones all at the same time. Made with wide capability, this is capable of charging both Android and Apple devices as long as they accept Qi charging.

The stand has a 60° viewing angle so that you can watch movies, browse websites, or scroll through social media either vertically or horizontally. Plus, the Anker 533 has a foldable design that allows it to easily pack away and go anywhere.

Made with safety features such as temperature control, surge protection, and much more to ensure your devices are safe.

Best Features

  • Charges your phone, Apple watch, and wireless headphones at the same time
  • Made with the perfect viewing angle to using your phone as it charges
  • Foldable design makes it simple to pack away

Check Price: Anker Wireless 3-in-1 Charging Station ->

PS5 Wireless Charger

OIVO Dual Controller Charging Stand

Here’s the best PS5 wireless charger for controllers as it uses copper connectors for fast charging, and the cradle holds the controller in place so it doesn’t fall off while charging. You’re able to charge both controllers and it takes just 2 hours to go from dead back to 100%.

Not sure if the controller is done charging? The LED light on the front glows red if the controller is charging and blue if the battery is full. All it takes is one look to know whether the controllers are fully charged or not. Plus, this is the perfect place to store your controllers between gaming sessions.

Best Features

  • Securely holds your controllers while charging them
  • Charges two controllers at once, fully charges them in two hours
  • Has blue and red LED indicators to let you know if charging is complete

Check Price: OIVO Dual Controller Charging Stand ->

Desk Lamp With Wireless Charger

AFROG Desk Lamp with 10W Fast Wireless Charger

This multifunction desk lamp will illuminate your desk and office area while also wirelessly charging your phone or tablet. It comes with a 10W fast wireless charging pad that fits one device. If your device doesn’t support wireless charging, or if you need to charge another device, then use the USB ports on the back.

Along with quick charging, the LED lamp has five lighting models and seven levels of brightness. You can choose between a bright and intense white that keeps you focused, or a soft light that’s ideal for relaxing and before bed. Also includes heat dissipation so that the lamp stays cool even if you’re charging multiple devices.

Best Features

  • Allows for both wireless and wired charging
  • Works with compatible phones and tablets
  • Fantastic lamp with multiple lighting and brightness options

Check Price: AFROG Desk Lamp and Wireless Charger –>

Chromebook Charging Station

Belkin Store and Charge (Up to 10 Devices)

Though not technically a wireless charger, this charging station is ideal for Chromebooks, laptops, and any mobile device in your home. The slotted, space-saving tray holds 10 devices at once and you can easily store all the chargers right within the station. Simply pick the right charging port and connect it to your device. This makes it simple to charge all the devices in your home while also tidying up your devices.

While it’s built for school classrooms, this works equally well in homes with many devices, or households with kids that have a variety of phones, tablets, laptops, and Chromebooks. Everything will be kept in one place, and the built-in surge protection keeps all the devices safe as they charge.

Best Features

  • Holds 10 devices at once and charges all of them
  • Is compatible with most laptops, tablets, and phones
  • Built-in surge protection keeps all the devices safe

Check Price: Belkin Store and Charge ->

Wireless Charger Alarm Clock

ANJANK Wooden Digital Alarm Clock and Wireless Charger Station

This lovely wooden alarm clock includes a non-slip wireless charger on top for phones and other compatible devices. It supports 5W, 7.5W, and 10W charging, and it uses Qi charging to ensure near universal compatibility with most phone models. There’s also a USB port for wired charging or for charging a second device.

Includes a large LED display with five dimmer options, a stylish wood design, two alarm modes (buzzer or radio), and an FM radio so you can listen to your favorite station. The sleep timer ensures the radio stops after 10 to 120 minutes, depending on your preference.

Best Features

  • Near universal wireless charging compatibility
  • Includes USB charging as well for a second device
  • Stylish wooden alarm clock also includes FM radio

Check Price: ANJANK Wooden Clock and Wireless Charger ->

Pixel Watch Charging Stand

Heyven Stand Charger for Pixel Watch

There are many wireless watch charging stands for Apple Watch or Fitbit, but finding one for Pixel Watch might be harder than you think. The good news though is that you don’t have to look very far. Heyven Pixel Watch Charger allows you to charge your Google Pixel Watch with ease.

The magnetic stand charger is the perfect place for your Google smartwatch. Just place it on the stand and it will begin charging. Keep in mind that this is specifically made for Pixel, so other smartwatches may not work with it. This stylish stand takes up very little space, and it will fit in just about anywhere.

Best Features

  • Dedicated to charging Google Pixel Watches
  • Has a magnet to keep your watch in place
  • Stylish and compact design fits anywhere

Check Price: Heyven Stand Charger for Pixel Watch ->

Nightstand With Charging Station

Seventable Nightstand with Wireless Charging Station

This stylish and modern nightstand includes a wireless charger that works with most Android and Apple devices. Along with the wireless charger, you also get two USB ports and two AC outlets to charge other devices, power desk lamps, or use other appliances. You get large storage space with three sliding drawers, and this can be placed in the bedroom, an office, dining room, or anywhere else.

One of the most unique elements is the LED light with 20 different colors. The included remote control allows you to easily pick the best color along with brightness. The nightstand can be assembled in about 30 minutes, and the sturdy material ensures it will last a long time.

Best Features

  • Wireless charger works with nearly all devices
  • LED cabinet offers 20 different colors through the remote
  • Fast assembly, and fits in any room

Check Price: Seventable Nightstand with Wireless Charging Station ->

Charging Stand for Phone

NANAMI Qi Certified Wireless Charging Stand

This phone charging stand comes with two coils for fast, accurate charging. It works with Samsung phones, Apple iPhones, Pixel phones, and much more. Plus, it’s made for 10W and 7.5W fast charging or 5W Qi charging, giving it near universal compatibility. The ergonomic stand allows you to continue using your phone as it charges.

The intelligent LED light is blue for standby, green for charging, and flashing blue to indicate there is an improper alignment. Feel free to keep the phone case on, even if you have a thicker case. This is able to charge through 5mm cases, which ensures that rugged cases won’t get in the way.

Best Features

  • Set at an ergonomic angle so it’s easy to continue using your phone
  • Two charging coils make it easy to align the phone
  • Works with thick cases and most phone models

Check Price: NANAMI Qi Certified Wireless Charging Stand ->

Wireless Charger Buying Guide

As you can see from our wireless charger reviews, there are tons of models to choose from. While it depends on your need and how you want to use the charger, this buying guide will give you an idea of what to look for:

  • Device Compatibility: many wireless chargers attempt to be universal, but this can be difficult as some models only accept certain wattages. Check to see what devices it can work with, and make sure it uses the Qi charging standard, as this will ensure the best compatibility.
  • Wattage: look for a wireless charger that provides at least 10W or 15W of charging, and also ensure that it is adaptive for 7.5W and 5W charging for other devices. Newer devices tend to need higher wattages, so getting a stronger charger future-proofs it when you get a new device.
  • Power Source: while this charges your device wirelessly, the charger itself must be connected to a power source. Does it have a wall outlet, USB connector, or some other power source? Wall outlets tend to be the easiest and most stable, but consider your needs.
  • Safety Features: you want a product with safety features like surge protection to keep your device safe. The last thing you want is to accidentally damage your phone or smartwatch.
  • Phone Cases: most wireless phone chargers work even if you have a phone case, but it depends on the thickness. The majority of chargers work with standard 2mm phone cases, but you might need a special model for rugged cases that are closer to 5mm.

FAQ

Here we’ll answer your biggest questions about wireless chargers.

Is Wireless Charger Bad for Battery?

Are wireless chargers bad for your phone battery? Many people are worried about wireless chargers damaging their device, but the truth is that they are typically safe. The one thing you must consider is heat. Wireless charging does generate more heat, but a good charger will mitigate this by cooling the device and having adequate air flow.

Wireless Charging vs Wired: Is Wireless Charging Worth It?

In general, wireless charging is significantly faster than wired charging, even if you’re using the best Lightning or USB cord. Not only that, but large wireless charging pads allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Wired charging is adequate, but wireless is much better.

Are Wireless Chargers Safe?

The vast majority of wireless phone chargers have excellent safety standards, features to prevent overheating and surges, and they safely connect to your device’s battery to directly charge them faster than wired charging. While there are certainly outliers, wireless charging stations from reputable brands are safe.

Are Wireless Chargers Universal?

There are efforts to make them universal, but currently some wireless chargers only support certain devices, plus some devices don’t accept wireless charging. If you have iPhone 8 or later, newer Samsung models, or newer Pixel phones, then you should have no problem with most wireless chargers. Picking a model with Qi charging will ensure it’s as universal as possible.

Are Wireless Chargers Slower or Faster?

Wireless chargers are much faster than wired ones. This is because they directly charge your battery rather than the charge going through a cable. You’ll find that your devices charge in half the time or even faster.

How Wireless Chargers Work?

These devices have electromagnetic coils that have their own magnetic field. This field generates energy that is directly sent into your phone’s battery. While it might seem like a wired connection is more direct, this connection provides faster charging as the energy is sent right into the battery.

Can Wireless Chargers Charge Airpods?

There are some headphone wireless chargers made specifically for Apple Airpods, but the truth is that these headphones can be charged by many different models. As long as the charger is Qi-certified, then it will have no problem charging your Airpods or most other wireless headphones.

Will Wireless Chargers Affect Credit Cards?

Though unlikely, the electromagnetic field created by wireless chargers could damage credit cards. The more likely problem is that the cards will block the signal, which will prevent effective charging. If you have a wallet phone case, then remove any credit cards before charging the phone.

Wireless Charging With Case?

Unless you have a very weak charger, the majority of phone chargers can wirelessly pass through your phone case. Most cases are around 2mm thick, which is no problem for these models. If you have a rugged case that is closer to 5mm thick, then you might need a specialized charger or you’ll have to remove the case.

Why is Wireless Charger Not Working?

This is usually due to misalignment or interference. If the phone is misaligned, then simply move it until it aligns with the coils. Most charging models have an icon or indicator to let you know if the device is misaligned. There could also be interference from metal devices or credit cards on your phone. Remove any cards or metal items and try again.