Other Wireless Chargers We Tested
There are a lot of wireless chargers. Here are a few more we like, but for one reason or another don’t warrant a place above.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Peak Design Mobile Wireless Charging Stand for $80: This slim, aluminum, hinged Qi2 wireless charging stand folds flat, but Peak Design also offers magnetic cases for Samsung, Google, and Apple phones. I tested with the Pixel 8 case ($30), and it stuck on the stand in portrait or landscape orientation. It charges phones at up to 15 watts and comes with a 6.6-foot USB-C cable and three adhesive clips to keep it neat. You need a 20-watt power adapter (I like this teeny tiny Anker charger). Peak Design has a whole ecosystem of magnetic accessories, including a stand wallet, a tripod for mobile photography, and wall, bike, and car mounts. Everything I tried is top quality and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Krafted Couch Wireless Charger for $52: I thought this wireless charger, designed to drape over the arm of your couch, was a great idea when I saw it, but the ridges failed to keep it in place on my velvety couch, so it kept slipping down the side. The silicone finish with the Krafted logo is also a bit ugly. It’s basically a silicone mat with a magnetic charger inside, though it includes a fairly generous 6.6-foot (2-meter) cable and is Qi2-rated. If you’re always rooting around for a charger and one of the colors blends well with your furniture, it might be a good fit.
Nimble Apollo Wireless Pad for $18: The silicone surface of this wireless charger easily picks up dust and lint, but that might not matter if you’re shopping for the most eco-friendly charger. It’s made of recycled silicone, and its texture helps keep phones from sliding off the surface. The rest of it is made with post-consumer plastic and alloy, and even the packaging is plastic-free. Better yet, if you have an iPhone 12 or newer with MagSafe, the magnets inside the Apollo keep your iPhone aligned for more efficient charging, even if they’re not as strong as standard MagSafe wireless chargers.
Einova Eggtronic Charging Stone for $70: Made with 100 percent solid marble or stone—you can choose from a variety. Every pick in this guide looks a lot like a wireless charger, but visiting friends have asked if this one is a drink coaster. (I’m still figuring out whether that’s a good or bad thing.) It has zero LEDs, perfect for bedrooms; just try to hide the cable to truly make it blend into your home. We recommend putting a case on your phone when using it with this charger, as there’s a risk of scuffing up the back with these harder surfaces. —Julian Chokkattu
Rapport London Formula Wireless Charging Tray for $495: Yes, this is an obscene price for a Qi wireless charger. You can probably make a version for a fraction of the cost. But Rapport’s build quality is quite nice, with a lacquered grey box and a soft-touch fabric to keep your watches and phone scratch-free. It reliably recharged several Android phones without making them too warm, all while offering storage for a few watches. It’s attractive, but you’ll need cash to burn at this price. —Julian Chokkattu
iOttie iOS Wireless Duo for $50: This dual-charging system looks pretty—I like the fabric-wrapped stand—and you can charge another device on the rubberized charging pad next to it. The stand can be used in portrait or landscape, though in the latter orientation it’ll block the pad. I use the pad to top up my wireless earbuds, but I wouldn’t use this iOttie on a nightstand because the front LED can be glaring. A cable and adapter are included, which makes it a good value. It can charge Pixel phones at up to 15 watts, iPhones at 7.5 watts, and other Android phones at 10 watts. —Julian Chokkattu
Journey Alti Play Performance Desk Mat for $120: This desk mat doubles as a wireless charging pad. On the left side is a plasticky rectangle with a Qi2 magnetic puck for your smartphone. Above it is a little area to charge wireless earbuds (5 watts). Naturally, there’s RGB all over, and two buttons let you cycle through patterns and colors. It’s a smart-looking system, but the mat’s quality leaves a bit to be desired. I didn’t have issues gliding my mouse on it, and it stays put thanks to the rubber underside, but I just didn’t like the look and feel of the Lycra surface. Journey has some other versions of this mat that use different materials, so take a look if you like the overall aesthetic. —Julian Chokkattu
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Zens Liberty Wireless Charger for $150: I tested the Glass Edition of this wireless charging pad, and it looks stunning with the 16 overlapping copper coils on display (the standard version has a woolen fabric top). It can charge two devices simultaneously at up to 15 watts apiece. As stylish as it is, the price is too high. Because you can see the coils, placement is never an issue, but it’s bulky; the fan is audible at times, and while I had no problem charging my iPhone or AirPods, my Pixel 6 Pro got very warm on this pad.
Xiaomi Mi 80-W Wireless Charging Stand for $80: By far the fastest wireless charger we have tested, this stand is only worth considering for Xiaomi phones (it seems to charge most other phones at 10 watts or below). I tested with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which tops out at 50 watts (some Xiaomi models can go higher). The unusual sail shape combines a white triangular section with a clear acrylic base that has a subtle groove to hold your phone in place and a gap underneath for the exhaust grill from the noisy fan. The USB-C port and LED indicator are on the back.
Does My Phone Support Wireless Charging?
Not all phones support wireless charging, but most brands have models that do, so look up your phone model first. You’ll usually see “Qi wireless charging” (the default standard) or simply “wireless charging” if it does on the product page or specs list.
Phones that support the latest Qi2 standard bear the Qi2 logo and have a ring of magnets for easy alignment (just like Apple’s MagSafe). Qi2 is backward compatible, so Qi phones can charge on Qi2 chargers, though they may charge more slowly. Sadly, this does not always apply the other way round, as we discovered with the HMD Skyline (the first Qi2 Android phone), which cannot be charged with all Qi chargers.
Some phones are also Qi2 Ready, like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series. This means they have the necessary internal components to enable Qi2 functionality—faster charging and more efficient energy transfer—but they don’t have built-in magnets. To enable full Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, you need to pair the phone with a Qi2 Ready case with magnets inside. The latest update, Qi2 25W, allows for a faster maximum charging rate of 25 watts, up from 15 watts. Supported phones include the iPhone 17 range and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Do Wireless Chargers Work With Phone Cases?
Yes, most wireless chargers can charge through cases, unless the case is particularly thick. Check the product listing—there’s usually a case thickness limit in millimeters. Phones can get hot when charging wirelessly, so don’t worry if your phone is really warm when you pick it up. Most smartphones have limits that stop charging if they get too hot.
If you have a MagSafe charger or a Qi2 charger with magnets, you can use a magnetic case even if your phone doesn’t support those standards. You may not be able to take advantage of all the features, but it should deliver basic wireless charging that’s more precise thanks to the magnets.
Yes, Cords Will Charge Your Phone Faster
Some manufacturers like Apple make wireless chargers that recharge their respective phones faster than others, but if you want the fastest phone charger, you’re better off sticking with a cord. Wireless charging works best on desks or nightstands when you’re not using your phone or in a rush to recharge it. Check out our Best USB-C Cables guide if you need one, though the cable that comes with your phone should be sufficient.
What’s a Fast Wireless Charging Speed?
Most MagSafe and Qi2 chargers can go up to 15 watts, and a handful of proprietary wireless chargers for specific phone models can charge even faster. The latest Qi2 25W standard allows for charging up to 25 watts. It’s worth noting that, even where phones support them, the maximum charging rates are only reached some of the time (the charging rate is automatically adjusted to preserve battery health). Many older iPhones are capped at 7.5 watts for wireless charging and many older Android phones are capped at 10 watts. We have included the maximum wireless charging rate in the specs table for each entry. Remember that the charger also requires the correct cable and power adapter to charge at its maximum rate.
Is Wireless Charging Safe?
There’s no definitive evidence that it’s harmful. You may worry the phone’s battery might degrade faster with wireless charging, but manufacturers set safe limits for phone batteries, stipulating how much a battery can be charged and how far it can discharge. Regardless of the charging source you use, whether you plug into a wall adapter or use a wireless charging pad, these limits can’t be overridden. You won’t overcharge your phone by leaving it on a wireless charger all night.
How Do I Keep My Phone’s Battery Healthy?
Try to keep your battery between 50 and 80 percent for optimum battery health. Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharged will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life. Battery technology has improved in recent years, and phone batteries are more reliable than ever. If you switch phones every two to three years or don’t mind paying a modest fee for a battery replacement on that timescale, it’s not worth worrying too much about how often or when you charge your phone.
What Is the Downside of Wireless Charging?
The main downside is that wireless charging is slower than wired charging. Wireless charging is less efficient because some of the power is lost as heat. Original Qi chargers are only around 60 to 75 percent efficient. Qi2 chargers manage 75 to 80 percent efficiency, but wired charging is typically 85 to 95 percent efficient.
How I Test Wireless Chargers
I test every wireless charger for at least a week, using it to charge both my Pixel 11 Pro XL and iPhone 16. I also test with an older iPhone 12 and Pixel 9. I live with most chargers on my nightstand or work desk. When possible, I check the charging rate and note how long it takes to charge my phone. I assess the design’s usability and the magnets’ strength, test any additional charging ports or pads, and try out any special features.
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