If you have enough devices with wireless charging support, a single device pad or stand won't cut it. It can be difficult to buy a multiple-item charger. The last thing you want is something that won't fit on your nightstand, and you have to contend with varying levels of support. Don't worry, though. We'll walk you through what you need to know, and recommend a few models that are appropriate for your situation.
It won't surprise you to know that your phone choice affects your choice of chargers. Only owners of the iPhone will need to think about Apple Watch compatibility. If you want to power aGalaxy Watch, you'll need anAndroid phone. You can attach your phone to it using MagSafe if you buy an older phone, but the newer phones have some form of fast wireless charging.
It's not just a question of getting the fastest charge. You should think about what you will buy in the future. If you have an Apple Watch, don't buy a two-device charger. You will want to get something more generic that doesn't lock you into any one platform if you switch to Android or vice versa.
The cradles, trays and other features that are included in the chargers might not even account for year-to-year changes. For small phones like the iPhone 13 mini, some vertical stands are too tall. It is worth buying something that is more likely to last because you can never be sure that next year's phone or watch will work.
If you are fiercely loyal to one brand, you should not be afraid to get a vendor-specific charger. Apple isn't expected to ditch MagSafe any time soon, and there's a good chance that SAMSUNG will keep making GALAXY WATCH for a while to come.
You're probably buying a multi- device charge up with one location in mind. It could be on your desk or nightstand. You might want to use a shared station for yourself and a partner if you buy a charging station just for yourself.
If you have a nightstand, you'll want a stable unit that won't swallow your free space or fall to the floor. Your screen is less likely to keep you awake if you prefer a lay-flat phone pad. The Apple Watch can double as an alarm clock, so you might want a vertical charging option for your wristwear.
At a desk, you may want to have a vertical phone stand. Will the table be low enough for the charger to sit on? It may be easier to grab your devices with horizontal pads. The pads should be protected while they are in your bag. Aesthetics count. If it is likely to sit in a posh room where guests will see it, you may want something pretty.
If it's a shared charging station, you'll want something with multiple generic surfaces, and you'll probably have to charge more than one watch at a time. There are a few 4-in-1 chargers on the market, or models that have the option of having ausb ports.
It's no secret that wireless charging is slower than wired, and that power to multiple devices adds a new challenge. You will have to forget about the fastest, device-specific options from brands like Google, OnePlus and SAMSUNG as these chargers often have to support a wide range of hardware.
There isn't much separation on the speed front. The fastest multi- device chargers tend to top out at 15W. If you want to get that full 15W on an iPhone, you'll need a MagSafe charge.
It is rare that you will find a truly slow example. Even some of the most affordable options will not be enough to charge your phone, and the 5W for other devices is more than enough. Speed won't make a huge difference if you only dock overnight or while you work. It's important to make sure that whatever you buy is powerful enough to hold a phone in a case. Fast charging for other devices is rare, although you will occasionally find faster options for the Apple Watch Series 7.
There are a lot of little details that differentiate a good and a great charging point. You don't always need to pay more to get those, but a larger outlay may be worthwhile to avoid frustration in the future.
The chances of your expensive gadgets sliding off their charging points are reduced by a textured surface. The base needs to have enough weight and grip to hold the charge. If there is a wobble, steer clear of any floating or vertical stands.
You want to make a note of what's in the box. We have seen many Apple Watches that are just holders for your existing charging puck.
Status lights are helpful for confirmation of correct placement, but you want to make sure they don't stay on for too long. It's true that cradles and trays can limit compatibility, but you want your devices to stay where you put them. You can prevent your phone from sliding by keeping shelves and lips open. As heavier watches might droop, be wary of floating smartwatch mounts.
You should have a good idea of what you want at this point. We have tried many models and have a few favorites.
If you're an Apple fan, it doesn't get much better than the most advanced model from Belkin. The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 pad has a MagSafe charging port for your phone, a fast charging port for the Apple Watch Series 7 and a space for earbuds with compatible cases. The base is covered in plastic and has a light for your earbuds. It supports more devices than you might think. The horizontal layout of the Pro pad allows you to charge virtually any phone at reduced speeds. One of the most convenient Apple Watch chargers we have seen is from Belkin. It works vertically and horizontally, and has a knob to adjust for different sizes.
It is not the best choice for a nightstand because it is large. If you have an older phone, consider the smaller footprint of the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe 15W. You won't find a second phone, and you won't be able to connect to the internet. It is easily worth the $150 asking price.
Buy BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 at Belkin - $150
There are many high-end chargers to choose from, but thePowered 3-in-1 Dock from Logitech offers a few features that help it rise above. It consumes relatively little space, and the horizontal and vertical chargers deliver up to 10W while gripping your devices tightly, so you and your partner can top off.
There are a few limitations. The vertical stand isn't good for small phones. The floating stand works with most Apple Watches, but heavier ones might not charge properly, and this author has a steel Series 5 with a Leather Link strap. Your $130 will be well-spent if those aren't issues.
Buy Logitech Powered 3-in-1 at Amazon - $154
There are many more affordable 3-in-1 chargers. The Anker 533 Wireless Charger 3-in-1 Stand is the most expensive one on the market. It folds up for travel, has a 10W vertical stand, and lets you charge an Apple Watch either vertically or horizontally. You don't have to buy an aftermarket brick or rely on proprietary cables to get started with this box.
The cost-cutting measures are to blame. You won't have room for a second phone. The Apple Watch mount is a bring-your-own-cable affair that only supports olderusb-a connections. The included cable won't work here. This is a good deal at $60.
Buy Anker 533 3-in-1 charger at Amazon - $60
If you're willing to spend a bit more and live in Apple's universe, the Otterbox 3-in-1 Charging Station for MagSafe is worth your attention. The small footprint makes it ideal for nightstands. There is an area normally reserved for a single device where you can tuck your phone, earbuds, and Apple Watch. A fast wired option is available in the box, which is a 36W power adapter.
There are some things that are clear. The floating MagSafe stand does not allow older phones. You'll need to bring your own Apple Watch cable to use the USB-A port. The clock function is not allowed by the horizontal-only watch mount. It is difficult to top the space and utility for $80.
Buy MagSafe 3-in-1 charger at Otterbox - $80
It is difficult to choose an absolute winner in the 2-in-1 field. The dual wireless charging pad from Mophie hits many of the right marks. It's a great pick for a two-phone household because it can charge two devices at the same time. The fabric surface should keep your gadgets stable, and the status lights will confirm accurate placement. You can plug in your watch charger or any other wired hardware with ausb-a port.
There are few complaints. You won't be able to charge at 15W, and we'd rather have a different type of charge. It is a safe choice at $80, and worth buying over less expensive options.
Buy Mophie Dual wireless charging pad at Amazon - $80
Multi-device chargers from phone manufacturers tend to be either compromised or highly proprietary, but that is not the case with the Super Fast Wireless Charger Duo. It's compact and delivers high-speed charging for one phone and an accessory, whether it's aGalaxy Watch or another manufacturer's earbuds. When your batteries are full, the status lights will dim and change color.
For two-phone households, this won't help and only guarantees 15W charging for some of its own phones. You will want to be aware of which version you buy, as there are different versions with and without a power adapter in the box. Both are cheap at respective prices of $90 and $70. The pads are device-agnostic, and this is still an elegant charger for travel.
Buy Duo charger at Samsung - $90
The Mophie Wireless Charging Mat is the only one built with more than one person in mind. Two phones and two accessories can be connected to the pad at 10W. There is a spare port for charging Apple Watch models that use the included mount and your own cable. A fabric surface, subtle device trays and indicator lights will take the mystery out of charging.
If your home has more than one Apple Watch or accessory that won't fit the smaller charging pads, you might find it limiting. Even so, Mophie is giving away $150. The compatibility issues of rivals like Base Station Pro are not a problem for the 4-in-1.
Buy Mophie 4-in-1 charging pad at Amazon - $150
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