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22 Best Wireless Chargers (2021): Pads, Stands, iPhone Docks, and More | WIRED

 3 years ago
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The Best Wireless Chargers

Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will make recharging your iPhone or Android phone hassle-free. 

Wireless charging isn't nearly as cool as it sounds. It's not exactly wireless—a cord runs from an outlet to the charging pad—and it won't charge your smartphone faster than plugging it in with a good ol' cord. Despite this, I'm always disappointed when I test a phone that doesn't support it. I've gotten used to simply plopping my phone down on a pad every night, and fishing for a cable in the dark feels like a chore. It's pure convenience more than anything else.

After testing more than 50 charging products over the past year, we've sorted the good from the bad (and there are certainly bad ones) and have identified the very best wireless chargers. There are so many styles, shapes, and build materials that you have a lot of options, including stands, pads, wireless battery packs, and one that even doubles as a headphone stand.

Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Android Phones, Best Cheap Phones, Best iPhones, and Best Work-From-Home Gear. Simon Hill also contributed to this guide.

Updated August 2021: We've added several new picks from Samsung, Sonix, Mophie, Nimble, Powme, Nomad, Einova, Moshi, and Totallee.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

A Note on Charging Speed and Compatibility

You'll see “Compatible with iPhones and Android phones” under each slide, and that means the charger has a standard charging speed of 7.5 watts for iPhones or 10 watts for Android phones (including Samsung Galaxy phones). If it charges faster or slower, we'll indicate it. We've tested these with multiple devices, but there's always a chance your phone will charge slow or won’t work because the case is too thick or its charging coil doesn't align well with the charger.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

  • Photograph: Native Union

    The Best Stand

    Native Union Dock Wireless Charger

    This is one of the prettiest wireless chargers I've tested, especially in the rose color. The large circular fabric looks nice (and won't scratch your phone), plus the steel base and silicone grips prevent it from wobbling or sliding around. I really like that the LED is on the back. In a dark room, it emits a very faint glow, enough to make sure it's charging but not so distracting I had trouble sleeping. That's something I can't say for the many other wireless chargers with blazing lights on the front. You can charge in landscape or portrait orientation. The downside? No power adapter is included, but you get a 6.5-foot-long USB-A to USB-C cable.

    I also tested and like Native Union's wireless charging pad ($50) in case you don't want a stand.

    Compatible with iPhones and Android phones

  • Photograph: Kerf

    The Best Pad

    Kerf Wireless Charging Block

    Wireless chargers are usually plastic and rarely blend in with their surroundings, but Kerf’s chargers are covered with 100 percent natural and locally sourced wood. Choose from 15 wood finishes, from walnut to Canary wood, and each will come with a cork base to prevents slips. Starting from $39, these chargers can get expensive if you opt for rarer woods, and you have the option of engraving it. Kerf also makes phone cases, and you can ask for the charger to come from the same cut of wood.

    You can choose whether to get a cable and power supply ($20 extra), which is a nice way to prevent electronic waste if you already have those.

    Compatible with iPhones and Android phones

  • Photograph: Anker 

    Best Cheap Wireless Charger

    Anker PowerWave Pad and Stand

    Anker's pad and stand prove you don't need to spend much for wireless charging. They're both made from plastic with a rubbery finish on the bottom to prevent slips and slides, though it's not too grippy. A tiny LED lights up blue when it’s charging and flashes to indicate there’s a problem.

    We prefer stands over pads, because you can easily see your phone notifications, but Anker's pad is so cheap you could grab a few to scatter around your home. Both come with a 4-foot Micro USB cable, but you have to supply your own power adapter. That’s not a big surprise at this price. Most importantly, they'll charge your phone every bit as capably as the other options in our guide.

    Compatible with iPhones and Android phones


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