Few things are as satisfying as opening the box to your brand new mobile phone. All the booklets, earbuds and accessories are still neatly wrapped in their containers, and it simply smells like new technology.
Depending on the phone manufacturer, some people are reluctant to unravel the included charging cable and socket adapter. If you already have a trusty charging cable, you might want to leave the new one in the box. But a charging stand is an elegant and excellent solution if you want to keep your charging area neat and tidy.
In this article: Anker 313 Wireless Charger, Elago Charging Station and Yootech 10W Max Wireless Charging Stand.
Before buying a charging stand for your phone, you need to know that there are two kinds of stands available. Some stands have built-in charging pads or surfaces, while others don’t.
Generally, there are two wireless charging standards. Qi compatibility is the most common. These have magnetic coils inserted into the stand, allowing you to place your phone in the holder to charge.
Stands that don’t have built-in charging pads are generally made specifically for Apple’s MagSafe chargers. The vertical surface of the stand has a cut-out in the body where you place the MagSafe charger and then place the phone on the stand. When the two gadgets line up, the phone charges.
If you buy a charging stand with built-in charging capabilities, it is important to look at the charging wattage. Description details for this are somewhat confusing, as the specifications indicate the total available wattage. However, this is not the wattage at which your device charges.
When manufacturers say their charger provides 15 watts, this typically means that Samsung phones charge at 10 watts and iPhones charge at 5 watts. Unless you have multiple devices, the indicated charging wattage is inconsequential — as long as the minimum wattage is compatible if your device.
It’s important to note that wireless chargers aren’t the devices that limit the charging wattage but rather your device. It differs between phone manufacturers, so you need to know the wireless charging speed of your device ahead of time.
Anker is well-known for its power supply products, and this wireless charger is no different. Made from the same robust materials as its other accessories, this charger provides 10-watt, high-speed charging for Samsung phones and gives iPhones a boosted 5-watt charge. It has two charging coils inside that let you recharge your device in any orientation.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
This charging stand is perfect if you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch. Compatible with MagSafe chargers, the primary area has a large cut-out where you put the magnetic charger to keep your phone securely in place. To the side, an Apple Watch easily fits over the arm to charge on the smaller magnetic charger. The MagSafe chargers are not included, but you can feed the wires easily through the stand.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Iniu 15W Qi-Certified Fast Wireless Charging Stand
This wireless charging stand provides a total of 15 watts of power to compatible devices. It features an LED indicator light on the right side that is bright during the day and automatically dims when it gets dark. The gadget has four charging modes: 15 watts for LG phones, 10-watt fast charging for Samsung devices, 7.5 watts for iPhones and 5 watts for other Qi-compatible devices.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Yootech 10W Max Wireless Charging Stand
This stand is an elegant charger that keeps your phone in a portrait orientation while delivering 10 watts of charging power. It has two coils to maximize the charging surface area and has three modes, depending on the device. A green indicator light at the bottom of the stand’s base turns off when it enters the charging state.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Kabysio Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone
This stand is made from robust metal and plastic and serves as a holder for the iPhone’s MagSafe charger. The top section of the stand has an indented cut-out that securely keeps the removable charging pad in place. It comes with a charging cable and a wall socket adapter.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Anker PowerWave II Wireless Charger with Power Adapter
The PowerWave II automatically switches between 7.5-watt, 10-watt and 15-watt charging modes, depending on your device. It has two coils inside, which lets you charge your device in landscape or portrait orientation. It is compatible with almost all Qi-enabled devices.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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