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Home Tech News

The best MagSafe and Qi2 chargers for iPhones

admin by admin
October 31, 2024
in Tech News


Wireless charging is less efficient than plugging in a wire, but it’s certainly convenient — especially when you add magnets. Most people who have an iPhone 12 or later and want a magnetic charger should get a Qi2 charger. Any Qi2-certified charger will charge a MagSafe iPhone at up to 15W — just as fast as MagSafe on any phone but the iPhone 16. Qi2 chargers are also less expensive than MagSafe-certified ones, and there are many more options. And unlike MagSafe, Qi2 is an open standard. There’s only one Qi2-compatible Android phone right now — the HMD Skyline — but we expect Google, and maybe Samsung, to add Qi2 to phones in 2025.

Qi2 adds some much-needed simplicity to the magnetic charging ecosystem. The options that once consisted of MagSafe-certified chargers (made or licensed by Apple, capable of 15W charging on iPhones) and “MagSafe-compatible” chargers (made by third parties, capable of 7.5W charging on iPhones) are now being replaced by Qi2.

Unless you can get a great deal or you have an iPhone 16, the only MagSafe-certified charger still worth considering is Apple’s new puck. The 16-series iPhones can charge at up to 25W on the new charger and the new charger only. The new charger is also Qi2-certified, so it’s worth considering for once. 

There’s little reason to get a “MagSafe-compatible” charger unless you’re an Android user with a magnetic phone case. Those original Qi phones fall back to 5W charging on Qi2 but can charge at up to 10W with a regular Qi charger. 

Confused? Check out the table below summarizing these charging speed nuances, and read on for our favorites of the Qi2 and MagSafe pucks, stands, 3-in-1 chargers, and battery packs we’ve tested so far.

a:hover]:shadow-highlight-franklin dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-highlight-franklin [&>a]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-white”>What we’re looking for

The Qi2 certification ensures not just proper 15W charging, but also the strength and position of the alignment magnets. Anybody can slap a ring of magnets around a cheap Qi coil and call it MagSafe-compatible, but if it isn’t certified, you won’t get more than 7.5W charging from it, and there’s no guarantee that the magnets will be strong enough. MagSafe certification is fine too, but MagSafe chargers tend to be more expensive than Qi2, aren’t compatible with non-iPhones, and (with the exception of the new one) aren’t any faster than Qi2.

Does it include the AC adapter? Is the cable long enough? Can it charge more than one device?

Does the charger travel easily, or is it more likely to live in one spot and never move?

Is it janky or refined? Does it have clever design elements or bonus features?

Does this charger offer a better value than most, or at least justify its price?

Apple’s updated magnetic charging puck is available in two sizes, 1m and 2m, and supports 15W MagSafe / Qi2 charging as well as 25W charging on the iPhone 16 only.

Certification: MagSafe, Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 25W (iPhone 16), 15W (Qi2) / Cable length: 6.6ft / 2m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: no / Warranty: One year

While Qi2 is as fast as MagSafe on the iPhones 12 through 15, Apple has moved the goalposts with the iPhone 16 generation. The new phones can charge at up to 25W with the updated MagSafe Charger — making it the best choice for owners of the latest iPhone. It’s great to see faster wireless charging, but it does mean you’re again incentivized to buy Apple’s puck over cheaper, more widely available Qi2 options.

For once, there’s good reason to consider the Apple puck. It’s Qi2-certified as well as MagSafe, so it’ll work with non-Apple Qi2 devices should those materialize. And the company has finally added a version with a 2m / 6.6ft cable instead of only offering a too-short 1m / 3.3ft one. Get the longer one. You’ll also need an AC adapter since it doesn’t come with one. Both Anker and Nomad, among others, have options that are smaller and cheaper than Apple’s USB-C chargers. Nomad’s, in particular, has a nice, flat design.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

The latest version of Anker’s magnetic MagGo charging pads supports 15W Qi2 and has a five-foot USB-C cable.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes, optional / Warranty: Two years

Any Qi2-certified charger will charge any MagSafe iPhone at 15W (except for the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini, which top out at 12W). If you just want a basic puck, we like Anker’s MagGo Qi2 wireless charging pad. Its five-foot cable is shorter than the 6.6-foot one on Apple’s new MagSafe charger, but it’s also $20 cheaper. When you consider that Anker includes an AC adapter and Apple doesn’t, it’s more like $40 cheaper. Unless you have an iPhone 16 and really want that 25W charging, the Anker Qi2 puck is a better value.

Anker’s reliable old magnetic Qi charger (model 313) was our go-to recommendation for a long while, and the 7.5W charger is still fine for overnight use if you score one supercheap. But most people should spend the extra $10 and get a Qi2 puck.

$20

This Anker magnetic charging puck has a five-foot USB-C cable and wirelessly charges an iPhone at up to 7.5W.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

$130

The Satechi 3-in-1 has a sturdy aluminum frame and folds flat for travel. Its included 45W power adapter allows simultaneous charging of a Qi2 phone, wireless earbuds, and Apple Watch (with fast-charging).

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes / Warranty: One year

The Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand makes a great travel charger for people who hit the road with an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It folds up flat and compact enough to easily slip into a bag or carry-on pocket, and it includes a 45W power plug with prong adapters that cover most of the globe. Its aluminum and faux-leather construction is also substantial enough, and its design elevated enough, to be the main 3-in-1 charger on your desk once you’re back home. (There’s also a 2-in-1 version without the Apple Watch charger, which is similarly nice but doesn’t come with an AC adapter.)

Anker’s Qi2-certified MagGo Wireless Charging Station unfolds to wirelessly charge a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a pair of AirPods, all at the same time.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes / Warranty: Two years

Anker’s folding 3-in-1 is smaller and more compact than the Satechi — it’s more like a bar of soap than a bar of chocolate — but it doesn’t include prong adapters. Also, its lighter build makes it easy to accidentally pick up the whole charger when you just meant to grab your phone and gives it more limited articulation for home desktop use. It’s best suited for frequent travelers who don’t want to pack up their home charger before every trip.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

The latest version of Belkin’s 3-in-1 BoostCharge Pro stand uses Qi2 for 15W wireless charging and a refined design allowing the attached phone to tilt. It also comes with a compact 36W USB-C power adapter.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: about 5ft / 1.5m (permanently attached) / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes / Warranty: Two years

Once again, the Belkin “tree” towers over all others when it comes to a 3-in-1 for home use. The latest version fixes some of our minor grievances from its predecessors while adopting the Qi2 standard. It now uses an included 36W USB-C power adapter instead of a gigantic plug with a barrel connector, and the elevated Qi2 mount can tilt your phone in a variety of angles. Its nylon-wrapped USB-C cable isn’t detachable, but at least it’s about five feet long.

An iPhone and Apple Watch wirelessly charging on a Nomad Stand One Max three-in-one charger. The iPhone is horizontal in StandBy mode and a person is tapping on the Apple Watch screen.An iPhone and Apple Watch wirelessly charging on a Nomad Stand One Max three-in-one charger. The iPhone is horizontal in StandBy mode and a person is tapping on the Apple Watch screen.

$150

Nomad’s updated 3-in-1 Stand One Max adds Qi2 support for charging compatible iPhones at 15W. It can simultaneously charge AirPods and fast-charge an Apple Watch.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: about 6.6ft / 2m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Warranty: Two years

If you don’t mind getting a little spendy for something that just looks and feels nice, the latest Nomad Stand One Max is a great home charger. It’s sleek and minimal, mostly metal and glass, and unlike the previous model, it charges an iPhone horizontally without blocking the Watch charger — permitting use of StandBy mode. Its biggest drawbacks are its non-tiltable phone mount and the fact that, in addition to its high price tag, you have to also budget for a 30W power adapter.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

$100

A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: about 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: 12V AC / AC adapter included: Attached / Warranty: Two years

Staff opinions on this orb are, frankly, divided, but I had it on my desk for a while, and I miss it. This Death Star-looking thing has a Qi2 pad on the front and two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC outlets on the back, with up to 67W charging between them. Fully utilized, yeah, it’s gonna look like a cable octopus, but it’s nice to have something in arm’s reach that can charge your phone, your laptop, and whatever else you’ve got going on.

A 6,600mAh Qi2 power bank with a hefty built-in stand. It’s bigger than it needs to be but the stand is a lot sturdier than the flimsy kickstands on other magnetic power banks.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: up to 15W / Cell capacity: 25.41Wh (6,600mAh) / Connector type: USB-C / Warranty: Two years

This folding Qi2 battery pack doubles as a phone stand and has 6,600mAh capacity, which is more than enough to fully charge even an iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can also charge from its USB-C port if you prefer. It’s not the slimmest Qi2 battery, but it’s sturdy enough to hold the phone in landscape mode without toppling, which is nice.

Read my hands-on with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K).

A black plastic car charging mount with the ESR logo at the center of the circular charging puck is mounted to a car’s vent.A black plastic car charging mount with the ESR logo at the center of the circular charging puck is mounted to a car’s vent.

A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: 3.3ft / 1m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Warranty: One year

The Verge’s Thomas Ricker likes this compact Qi2 car charger. It can be either vent- or dash-mounted, and it’s inexpensive, though you’ll have to supply your own power adapter. There have been many more Qi2 car mounts released since he tested this, and we have a few more in the queue, but this one’s good!

Read our full review of the ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger.

Now that Qi2 is widely available, it’s a safe bet that you’re at least getting something decent if it’s Qi2-certified and it’s from a reputable brand. While our best-ofs above don’t cover every single make and model of charger out there, we’re frequently testing units from the likes of Anker, Belkin, Casetify, Mophie, Nomad, Satechi, Ugreen, Peak Design, Zens, and ESR. If there’s a Qi2 charger from one of them that seems like a good fit for your particular needs and your budget, it’s likely worth a shot. When in doubt, know the retailer’s return policy and the manufacturer’s warranty if it ends up not being to your liking.

Update, October 31st: Adjusted pricing and availability.



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