Buying guide for Best triple wireless charging pads
Wireless charging pads allow smartphone owners to simply place their phone on a pad to recharge, and they have really taken off in the past few years. However, anyone with smartphone-owning roommates, a spouse, or a growing family knows that one wireless charging pad just isn’t enough, and buying multiple pads is costly and takes up space. That’s where the triple wireless charging pad comes in.
With a single power cord to the unit and three charging points that can be used simultaneously, these streamlined devices promise to end the desperate scramble to be the first person to reach the charging pad.
What is a charging pad?
Wireless charging pads use electromagnetic induction to transfer energy from the pad to the smartphone. This is accomplished by the charger using an induction coil to generate an alternating magnetic field. A wireless-enabled smartphone has a receiver coil that receives and converts that alternating field into energy that is then fed to the rechargeable battery. It’s not as new as you might think. Rechargeable toothbrushes, for example, have used inductive charging since the 1990s. And at least one Palm model (remember those?) featured wireless charging in 2009.
Key considerations
Size
A triple wireless charging pad has a wide mat surface so that three smartphones can fit on the pad at the same time. Three induction coils are in place just beneath the pad surface, one for each phone. The pad itself is pretty thin – a quarter-inch or less – and is usually streamlined, with curved corners and little to no bezel.
Standards
There are two main competing standards in wireless charging: Qi and AirFuel. The fastest-growing standard – and the one you’ll most likely use – is the Qi standard from the Wireless Power Consortium. This is used by both Apple and Android devices. In fact, you’ll most likely see “Qi-enabled” or “Qi compatible” on the product packaging for almost all current-generation smartphones. Some smartphones support both major standards.
Power
The pad is charged by a single power cord, usually with a USB connector at the adapter end and a smaller connector, such as a micro USB connector, that plugs into the pad itself. An adapter is typically included in the package and should be used with the triple wireless charging pad so that the correct power is delivered to the device.
Triple wireless charging pad features
Heat
The back of your smartphone, where the induction coil and receiver coil are in closest proximity, heats up a bit during the charging process.
Wattage
Newer wireless charging pads can deliver up to 15 watts of power, but not every smartphone can handle that level of output, so a lower-wattage charging pad may work just fine, especially for older phones.
Charging speed
Triple wireless charging pads won’t charge a smartphone as rapidly as a direct cable connection. And when three devices are on the pad, the available power is split between three inductors, which can slow down the recharging even more.
Brand optimization
Some smartphone brands (such as Apple) offer wireless charging pads that deliver optimal power. Unfortunately, none of them are triple wireless chargers.
Lights
Indicator lights may be included on the pad. When lit, they confirm that the wireless charger is correctly connected to the receiver coil in the smartphones.
Optional features
These include additional wired charging ports, multiple charging modes, and automatic shut-off when charging is complete.
Did you know?
Always use the power adapter that comes with the wireless charging pad. Using a different power adapter can change the wattage and slow the charging rate.
STAFF
BestReviews
Triple wireless charging pad prices
Total wattage and add-on features have the biggest impact on the cost of a triple wireless charging pad.
Inexpensive
Lower wattage and no-frills charging mark the lower end of the price spectrum, with pads in this range starting at about $19 and going up to $29.
Mid-range
At about $29 to $34, the input wattage increases to 12 watts or more, providing more power to split between the charging stations.
Expensive
Shelling out $39 to $50 means you’ll get several more features like multiple indicator lights and extra micro USB slots, but the input wattage won’t necessarily increase.
Tips
Match charging standards. Make sure the charging pad you plan to purchase uses the same charging standard as the smartphones that will be charged on it.
Remove the smartphone case before charging. A smartphone wrapped in a thick rubber or plastic case (more than four or five millimeters thick) will probably charge more slowly. If you can easily remove the case for charging, do so.
Charge your phone at night. Plan to charge your smartphone on the charging pad at the end of the day, so it will be fully recharged and ready the next morning.
Align the phone correctly on the pad. The closer that the induction coil is to the receiver, the faster the charge.
- Note if your smartphone gets very hot. The smartphone may heat up slightly during charging, but if it gets almost too hot to hold in your hand, contact the manufacturer because this could be a battery problem.
FAQ
Q. I’ve tried using a wireless charging pad before and it didn’t work on my phone. The metal case on my phone is very thin, so what else could be wrong?
A. One thing wireless chargers can’t do is charge through metal, which breaks the connection between the inductor coil in the wireless charging pad and the receiver coil inside the phone. Remove the case before placing your smartphone on the pad.
Q. Will three phones charge as quickly on a triple wireless charging pad as they would individually on a single charging pad?
A. They probably won’t charge as quickly as they would on a single charging pad. However, if the input wattage is high enough (ten watts or more), then a decent amount of power will be distributed between the three inductor coils and the smartphones may charge nearly as fast as with a single, lower-powered charging pad.
Q. Why is Qi the dominant standard for wireless charging now when Powermat used to be the more popular product?
A. The answer to that could fill several articles, but the affordability of Qi-enabled chargers and the simplicity of setup and use had a big effect. Powermat, a founding member of the PMA/AirFuel Alliance, joined the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) in 2018, helping to unify the two standards. Apple’s decision to use Qi wireless charging in its new iPhones pretty much cemented the dominance of this charging standard.
