The best wireless chargers for iPhone and Android phones in 2023
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As most phones now support wireless charging - why do we have to bother with glass bodies otherwise! - wireless chargers come in all shapes and forms. Here we will try to answer any of the questions you might have and give you our top picks for the best wireless phone chargers on the market right now.
- Anker Powerwave and Powerwave II
- Belkin Boost Up
- Apple MagSafe Charger
- Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen)
- Samsung 15W Fast Charge 2.0
- Belkin - BOOSTCHARGE PRO 3 in 1
- Helpful tips you should know when shopping for a wireless phone charger
- What are the advantages of using a wireless charger?
- What types of wireless chargers are there and how to know if your phone is compatible?
- How fast are wireless chargers?
- Is it safe to use wireless chargers?
You might also want to check out some of our other charger-related content:
Anker Powerwave II Pad
Anker PowerWave II wireless charger
If you want something that is fast, there is the Powerwave II. It comes with a maximum of 15W charging speeds, new added silicone rings to prevent accidents, and—unlike the previous model—comes with an included power adapter.
Belkin Boost Up
Belkin Boost Charge phone wireless charger
If you prefer a wireless charger that would hold your phone up Belkin's Boost Up wireless charging stand is one of the most popular options. It won't break the bank, but will cover all the basics you might expect.
The Belkin Boost Up supports up to 10W power output and you can place your phone both horizontally and vertically. Samsung phones charge at 9W, while iPhones at 7.5W.
Apple MagSafe Charger
Apple MagSafe wireless charger
If you own or plan to own an iPhone 12 or newer, then you should certainly consider Apple's own wireless MagSafe Charger. Apple's own wireless charger can perfectly align, assuring maximum charging speeds, which in this case is 15W (12W for the iPhone mini models).
Another bonus that stems from the magnetic connection is being able to use your phone while it is wirelessly charging. A couple of things to note are that the cable is 1m long and the charger works only with MagSafe cases.
Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen)
Google Pixel Stand wireless charger
While it is thicker and larger than the previous generation, the new Google Pixel Stand keeps the minimalist and simple look. Its larger size helps house the newly added fan that’s there to keep the charger cool while it's charging a phone at high speeds.
While it is on the pricier side of the spectrum, the Pixel Stand comes with a 30W USB-C power adapter and 1.5m USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
Samsung 15W Fast Charge 2.0 Wireless Charger Stand
Samsung wireless phone charger
Unsurprisingly, Samsung's own 15W fast charger is probably one of the best choice if you've equipped yourself with a Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, or S22 Ultra, but it's compatible with all Qi-enabled devices nonetheless.
Like the Google Pixel Stand, the one from Samsung also features a built-in fan to cool the internals of the dock and thus ensure a constant charging speed. You can also disable the fan and the LED lighting through your Galaxy device to ensure no disruptions while you go to bed.
The charger allows for horizontal and vertical use and comes with an included 25W wall charger and USB-C cable in the box.
Belkin - BOOSTCHARGE PRO 3 in 1
Belkin 3 in 1 wireless charger for Apple products
If you find yourself deeply invested in Apple products and own the full trio of AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone, then the Boostcharge Pro 3 in 1 wireless charger from Belkin might tickle your fancy.
MagSafe compatibility allows the charger to juice up your iPhone at 15W no matter if you place it vertically or horizontally. The Apple Watch and AirPods sections, on the other hand, charge ate 5W. If you don't mind the price and have all three devices, this is probably the most convenient wireless charger for you.
Helpful tips you should know when shopping for a wireless phone charger
- Wireless charging is mostly about convenience, not speed. In many cases, your smartphone will charge faster from its wired charger.
- Not all wireless chargers come with their own adapter, so you will either need to use the one that came with your phone or buy a new one that's powerful enough. The iPhone's stock, 5-watt charger, for example, does not have the power to drive a wireless charger efficiently.
- Although all of today's smartphones use Qi wireless charging, some phones do charge faster thanks to support for newer versions of the Qi standard.
- Some chargers are marketed as "for Samsung" or "for iPhone", but they do work with any Qi-capable phone. It's just that these models may be designed to work better with a particular phone brand.
- Having a thicker case on your phone may result in slower wireless charging. Wireless charging may not work if you have a case with metal elements or one that holds credit cards.
- Wireless charging speed can be affected by a number of factors, including temperature and how well the phone is aligned with the charger.
What are the advantages of using a wireless charger?
There is one major reason to get yourself a wireless charger for you phone and that is convenience. It might seam like a trivial matter to simply plug in and out a cable, but there is sense of intuitiveness when you get rid of that whole step all together. In addition to that, you don't have any loose cables falling left and right. Instead, a wireless charger provides a form of simplicity and chance to decorate/optimize your space.
What types of wireless chargers are there and how to know if your phone is compatible?
Almost all consumer mobile devices that support wireless charging are compatible with the Qi wireless standard. Most of the major manufacturers such as Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, etc. come work with Qi wireless charging. In other words, in most cases you don't have to worry whether your phone is compatible. If it comes with support for wireless charging, than it will likely work with almost all wireless chargers on the market.
Nevertheless, some companies make their own proprietary wireless chargers that achieve better results or have some type of quirk or feature attached to them, so it is possible for a charger to be more compatible with a specific phone model. One obvious example are Apple's (and third-party company's) MagSafe chargers, which can perfectly align to iPhone 12 series and newer, and can achieve speeds of 15W compared to the 7.5W of regular Qi chargers (specifically for iPhones).
How fast are wireless chargers?
Usually, regular Qi chargers vary between 5W, 7.5W, 10W, 15W, and the latest can go up to 30W of maximum power output. But some household names in the world of charging tech innovation like OnePlus and Oppo have managed to achieve 50W. Honor, on the other hand, has even managed to go as high as 100W. These manufacturers, however, sell their own proprietary chargers that can only deliver these results with specific phone models made by the respective company.
Is it safe to use wireless chargers?
So far there are no signs that wireless chargers are harmful to us or our devices in any way. If you want to be extra careful, just stick to first party solutions from the same manufacturer that made your phone, or trusted third-party ones like Anker and Belkin for example.
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