11 best wireless phone chargers that make cable clutter a thing of the past
Ditch your cord for one of these convenient gadgets.
Ditch your cord for one of these convenient gadgets.
When it comes to sheer convenience, nothing beats having a wireless charger on hand. Today's wireless charging accessories are more versatile than ever — handy for charging smartphones and other compatible gadgets like , smartwatches, and even battery packs. And their charging speeds keep getting faster and faster, making sacrificing velocity for convenience a thing of the past.
To determine the best wireless phone chargers worth buying, we scrutinized and tested products from leading accessory makers like Anker, Belkin, and mophie.
Best Wireless Chargers
What to Consider
Form Factor
Wireless chargers typically come in two forms: a stand or a pad. A charging stand will allow you always to keep an eye on your phone while charging it and choose between placing it in landscape (great for watching content) or portrait mode. The charging pad is less versatile, compact, and often more affordable. Portable battery packs with Qi compatibility — — are becoming increasingly common. You can choose between a single or a dual wireless charger depending on how many gadgets you plan to charge.
Charging Speed
The above feature is directly linked to the maximum power output of a charger — the higher it is, the faster it will be. We suggest that you look for a fast wireless charger with a maximum power output of 10 watts and up to avoid the need to upgrade for a while.
But if we're talking specifics, iPhone users should look for a wireless charger that supports the Apple-specific 7.5-watt Qi power output (at the very least). The latest support even faster, , but you'll have to look for a . High-end Android phones are compatible with high-power outputs above 10 watts.
Additional Features
A wireless charger will work with most smartphone cases unless your phone has a metal back or, on certain occasions, a metal insert for a magnetic car mount. Still, if you like to protect your phone with super-rugged covers, be sure to check if they are compatible with Qi chargers.
Before making the purchase, take note if the wireless phone charger you're interested in comes with . Many budget-friendly offerings don't, so unless you already have one, you might have to spend an additional $15-20.
Learn more about our favorite wireless phone chargers and find the perfect one for you among our top picks below.