When it comes to finding the best wireless charger, there are loads of options out there to choose from and many reasons you should consider getting one.
Wireless charging allows you to power up your phone without the need for pesky cables and wires and also neatens up your living or workspace. If you're big into creating a minimal setup, then they're a must for many.
In addition, they also represent one of the best accessories to go with your smartphone, alongside any of the best rugged phone cases so you can keep your device safe, too.
Wireless charging, however, only works with Qi-compatible phones. These phones have built-in 'coils' that allow them to receive energy from the pad, which is then converted to charge the battery.
Some of the best mid-range phones, for instance, have wireless charging capabilities, and it's slowly becoming a feature on some of the best cheap phones too.
There are also different types of wireless chargers. You'll likely come across Mag-Safe chargers, developed by Apple, that click on to the back of your Mag-Safe compatible phone or onto one of the best Mag-Safe cases.
These ensure that the coils between the pad and phone are perfectly aligned, and are often able to output more charge than your typical charging pad.
You can find out more about wireless chargers in our FAQ section at the end of the article, but for now, let's take a look at what we think are some of the best options available today, based on specs, general reviews, and features they offer to help point you in the right direction.
Best Wireless Charger
- Apple Mag-Safe Charger
- Samsung Wireless Charger Pad
- Anker Wireless Charger
- Native Union Dock
- Belkin Boost Charger
Best Wireless Charger All-Rounder - Native Union Drop
The folks at Native Union have been producing some great-looking gear for some time now, and their wireless charging pads are up there with the best in terms of design.
This pad in particular features a non-slip, geometric patterned surface which makes for easier placement, in addition to some visual interest.
It comes with a 6.5-foot charging cable, which is more than enough to give you some flexibility if your plug sockets are far away from your chosen location.
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Overall, it's probably one of the best-looking charging pads we've seen, and while it may not be quite as powerful as some of the Mag-Safe options, it should be more than enough for most people's needs.
It comes in a variety of different finishes too!
Best Wireless Charger For MagSafe - Apple Mag-Safe Charger
And speaking of Mag-Safe, this is one option you could go for if you have a compatible iPhone or iPhone case.
Always check your phone for compatibility to make sure, but you're looking at iPhone 12 and later to attach straight to the back, and there are some special cases which allow you to do the same with some older generations.
MagSafe is essentially Apple's name for its magnetic charging cables and pads, such as this one, and offers a more secure connection than other chargers.
What makes the Mag-Safe charger quite interesting isn't so much the higher power, but what it allows you to do when it's on.
If you're watching something and have the screen horizontal, but plugged in, you'll normally run into that awkward grip where the charger pokes into one of your hands. If you're gaming on a phone in particular, this can be a real pain.
With the Magsafe charger, it doesn't compromise your grip, as the charging pad is centrally secured to the back of the iPhone. It's important to remember not to have your phone on the charger before it's plugged in, because this will stop the device from sensing its max power potential.
Mag-Safe wireless chargers are well worth it if you want ultimate versatility in our eyes.
Best Wireless Charger Samsung - Samsung Wireless Charger Pad
The Samsung Wireless Charger Pad looks to be a great option for a powerful and rather premium wireless charger.
It comes up to 15W of power for charging Qi-enabled devices, which should have them charged rather quickly, and Samsung says it'll work with both phones and Galaxy Buds too, giving you a choice of what to charge.
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In addition, the Samsung Wireless Charger Pad also features quite a sleek and smooth design that shouldn't take up too much space, or look out of place in a modern home setting.
There's also a direct cooling fan built-in to the pad to help cool your phone while it charges, which will be handy if it's been running hot at all.
Best Wireless Charger Anker - Anker Wireless Charger
Anker is another big name that delivers the goods across fairly reasonable price points. In fact, their power banks are also up there with the best too.
This wireless charger is basically your standard charging pad, with the addition of a small LED light that gives you a lot more information than you'd expect.
It can show you when there is a meta obstruction detected, an incompatible AC adapter or cable, and importantly when it's working and charging your phone (or earbuds).
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Add a slimline design that has a touch of that premium look, and you've got a bit of a winner here for the price.
Best Wireless Charger Dock - Native Union Dock
Native Union does it again with another charging pad that is as stylish as it is practical. Native Union has a mag-safe variation of this that does away with the circular back, but we really like this one for a few reasons.
One, you don't need to have a Mag-Safe compatible iPhone to use it, and two, its wider back panel allows you to lean your phone horizontally.
Read More: Does The iPhone X Support Wireless Charging?
This makes it great for watching movies, but not draining your battery at the same time.
Another worthy consideration if you're looking for a great wireless charger if you ask us.
Best Wireless Charger Belkin - Belkin Boost Charger
One of the more affordable options out there, this Belkin Boost charger is pretty much all you need, minus a few more premium touches in the way of materials.
Rather than any metal anywhere, you're getting a matt-black surface, that in its own way looks pretty good. The design itself is simple, with three non-slip pads that work as expected, but also raise your phone up away from the charger to keep it cooler.
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And thanks to its design, it's very lightweight, which makes it great for travel.
For the price, you can't really ask for much else.
Wireless Charger FAQs
Wireless chargers can present a few more questions than answers at times, so let's tackle a few so you can get informed ahead of your purchase.
Is it worth buying a wireless charger?
Yes, for a number of reasons. If you're working and constantly picking up your phone and setting it down, it can reduce any stray wires running across your desk, and make sure that you're not constantly plugging it in and out.
The chargers that prop up your phone so you can see what's on the screen without picking it up are even better and mean that your phone should have a good level of charge throughout the day.
What is the fastest wireless charger?
How fast your device charges actually has more to do with the device itself that the charging pad. For example, a 10W pad won't charge a pair of AirPods at the same rate as a specific phone.
If you want a fast wireless charger, playing safe and going for something with 10W - 12W should do you well across a number of devices, but the Mag-Safe chargers look to be the winners in the race when paired with an iPhone 12 and later.
Is wireless charging bad for battery?
Whether wireless charging is bad for your battery is something we've explored in depth before, and in short, it's not.
If you use it as advised, which involves making sure it's aligned to the pad and not on for too long (which applies to charging in general), you should be all good!
How does wireless charging work?
Wireless chargers work via a process called induction, in which both the device to be charged and the charger have coils in them that can interact via electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves carry energy from the charger into the receiving coil, which can be stored just like with a wired charger.
Is wireless charging slower than wired?
In a general sense, wireless charging via a pad is slower than a hard-wired connection to a charging brick which then is directly plugged into the mains.
Wired, fast chargers will have more watts of power at their disposal than wireless pads, which means they can charge devices more quickly.
Can you speed up wireless charging?
It is possible to speed up wireless charging somewhat by turning off your phone, putting it into aeroplane mode, or closing any background apps.
Fundamentally, closing apps down or turning the phone off means it consumes less power, and the less power it consumes, the less is needed to charge your phone, meaning charging will be more efficient.
Can I leave my phone on a wireless charger overnight?
A general rule of thumb is that you technically shouldn't leave your phone on a wireless charger overnight.
Manufacturers recommend your charge your phone up to around 75-80% in order to prolong battery life and charge it within a 40% charge window from 35% upwards.