Wi-fi charging is inefficient in some ways. It expenses your cellphone extra slowly than utilizing a cable, makes use of extra vitality, and requires near-perfect alignment on a charging pad to even work. However inefficiencies apart, it’s simply so dang handy. So when Apple added a hoop of magnets to the iPhone 12 and dubbed it “MagSafe,” issues obtained way more fascinating. Not solely do the magnets assure excellent alignment each time but in addition, with a MagSafe-certified charger, your iPhone can cost at as much as 15W — double the 7.5W they get with different wi-fi chargers. And the magnets additionally enable for nifty equipment, like automotive mounts and removable card wallets.
The iPhone 14 is the third technology of MagSafe telephones, however the ecosystem remains to be a bit messy. It may be complicated to determine whether or not a charger is “with MagSafe” (Apple’s phrase that means actual 15W MagSafe) or simply appropriate with MagSafe (learn: a fundamental Qi charger with magnets slapped on). However the choices on provide now — official and in any other case — are principally fairly good. We’ve discovered one of the best MagSafe and MagSafe-compatible wi-fi chargers to your iPhone. As a result of when you go magnetic, it simply begins to really feel pragmatic.
What we’re searching for
- Charging velocity: Is it official MagSafe with as much as 15W charging or simply magnetic Qi with as much as 7.5W? For in a single day charging, magnetic Qi is okay.
- Comfort: Does it embrace the AC adapter? Is the cable lengthy sufficient? Can it cost multiple gadget?
- Portability: Does the charger journey simply, or is it extra more likely to reside in a single spot and by no means transfer?
- Design: Is it janky or refined? Does it have intelligent design parts or bonus options?
- Worth: Sadly, most MagSafe chargers are kinda expensive. Does this charger provide a greater worth than most, or not less than justify its worth?
The very best MagSafe charger for most individuals
Belkin BoostCharge Professional with MagSafe
$43$6028% off$43$43$6028% off
Belkin’s BoostCharge Professional with MagSafe helps 15W quick wi-fi charging with MagSafe-compatible iPhones and has a prolonged 6.6-foot built-in cable. Its prolonged cable, 15W charging speeds, and little kickstand make the BoostCharge Professional with MagSafe one of the best all-purpose magnetic charging puck.
$43 at Amazon (black)$50 at Apple$51 at Belkin
Official MagSafe: Sure / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: 6.5ft (2m) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: Two years
Belkin’s new BoostCharge Professional with MagSafe is round $10 greater than Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger, however it outclasses the Apple puck in almost each approach. It’s the one different magnetic charging puck “with MagSafe,” which implies it has the identical 15W wi-fi quick charging as Apple’s charger, as an alternative of being restricted to 7.5W. However the BoostCharge Professional has a 6.5-foot (two-meter) braided cable — twice so long as Apple’s — and it features a fold-out kickstand to prop your iPhone up in panorama orientation for watching or enjoying stuff as you cost.
Since this charger got here out, it’s develop into vanishingly troublesome to see why you’d purchase Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger. Okay, Apple’s charger is cheaper, about 10mm thinner, and a bit sleeker — nice. But it surely’s additionally hamstrung by a really brief cable: at simply 3.28ft / 1m, it feels such as you’re on a brief leash to your wall outlet if you wish to use the cellphone because it expenses, and it’s not lengthy sufficient to succeed in a wall outlet from any furnishings taller than a small nightstand. The Belkin BoostCharge Professional with MagSafe fixes the Apple puck’s largest situation, and in order for you that 15W charging, it is smart to spend the additional cash on the longer cable. (For those who don’t want the 15W charging — say, for in a single day charging — you will get a magnetic charger with an extended cable for a lot much less cash, however extra on that within the subsequent part.)
Apple’s MagSafe Charger does go on sale on occasion for round $30 or much less — creating an even bigger worth delta between it and the BoostCharge Professional. However frankly, it’d must be less expensive for me to advocate it over this Belkin with out barely gritting my enamel. Be sure to additionally get a high quality 20W USB-C energy adapter — neither Belkin nor Apple pucks include their very own.
Finest for in a single day charging
Anker 313 Magnetic Wi-fi Charger
$20$2623% off$20$20$2623% off
This Anker magnetic charging puck has a five-foot USB-C cable and wirelessly expenses an iPhone at as much as 7.5W.
$20 at Amazon (with energy provide)$20 at Goal (with out energy provide)
Official MagSafe: No / Wi-fi cost output: 7.5W / Cable size: 5ft (1.5m) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: 18 months
Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wi-fi charger (with energy adapter)
$13$3057% off$13$13$3057% off
Belkin’s BoostCharge Magnetic Wi-fi charging puck can cost a MagSafe-compatible iPhone at a good 7.5W velocity. Its prolonged USB-C cable additionally ensures you’ll have sufficient slack to make use of your cellphone whereas charging.
$13 at Goal (with energy provide)$28 at Walmart (with energy provide)
Official MagSafe: No / Wi-fi cost output: 7.5W / Cable size: 6ft (1.8m) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: Two years
You don’t have to pay the additional cash for a MagSafe-certified charger when you principally cost in a single day. Except you’re getting a dangerously low quantity of sleep each night time, your cellphone goes to be topped off by morning no matter which charger you employ. In actual fact, even when you use a 15W MagSafe charger for in a single day charging, your iPhone will robotically gradual its cost velocity to complete charging a bit bit earlier than you want it.
So until you intend to make use of the identical charger for each fast top-ups and in a single day charging, it can save you cash by shopping for both the Anker 313 Magnetic Wi-fi Charger or the usual Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wi-fi charger. These non-MagSafe magnetic chargers cost iPhones on the similar 7.5W price as another Qi wi-fi charger, they usually each work simply nice. The Belkin has a six-foot cable, however the Anker has a barely thinner charging pad and its five-foot wire is ample for many conditions.
For those who primarily cost your cellphone in a single day, save your cash
What makes each of those distinctive is their worth: you may choose up both puck for below $25 with a 20W USB-C energy adapter or about $15 with out one. They’re inexpensive sufficient that you could justify one (or extra) even when you additionally personal a fancier MagSafe charger for whenever you really need the velocity.
You’ll thank me when you may choose up your cellphone out of your bedside desk to your nightly doomscrolling with out yanking the cable out of the wall. (Wait, I imply your in-bed guided meditation and respiration workouts.)
The very best MagSafe charger for journey
Mophie 3-in-1 Journey Charger with MagSafe
$150
Mophie’s 3-in-1 Journey Charger with MagSafe unfolds to wirelessly cost a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch charger, and a pair of AirPods all on the similar time. It comes with a 30W energy adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, and a material journey pouch.
$150 at Apple$150 at Zagg
Official MagSafe: Sure / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: No / Cable size: 3.5ft (1.07m) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: Two years
Any charger can journey, however that doesn’t imply it travels properly. The Mophie 3-in-1 Journey Charger with MagSafe opens like a trifold pockets to cost your cellphone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all of sudden. It’s expensive at $149.95, however it’s an all-in-one journey answer: its folding multicharger pad, 30W energy adapter, and USB-C cable all pack right into a gentle material carrying case.
It’s arduous to overstate how useful this Mophie charger is when you journey with any frequency. I’m the sort that stresses endlessly when packing for an enormous journey, and realizing I had all my charging necessities on this little grey satchel gave me a small sense of calm — like having a totally prepacked toiletry bag.
And since this charger truly helps MagSafe charging speeds, it’s good for fast top-ups whenever you’re solely again at your resort for a brief break. You may as well squeeze a brief USB-C to Lightning cable into the carrying case with the opposite equipment so that you all the time have barely sooner 20W wired charging on reserve in an emergency.
Whereas Apple’s MagSafe Duo charger takes up even much less house in your journey bag — it’s about half as thick because the Mophie — it solely expenses as much as two units directly. The $129 Duo additionally prices about the identical or extra when you consider a 20W USB-C energy adapter and carrying case, each of which the Mophie package deal covers.
My solely gripe with the Mophie 3-in-1 Journey Charger, except for its excessive worth, is that, like Apple’s MagSafe Duo, it lifts up from a desk as you disconnect your cellphone — so it’s a must to maintain it down with one other finger as you draw back from the magnets. That’s removed from a deal-breaker, however be cautious that attempting to snooze an early alarm whereas severely jet-lagged might ship your AirPods and Apple Watch crashing all the way down to a resort room flooring.
The very best MagSafe 3-in-1 stand for house
Belkin BoostCharge Professional 3-in-1 Wi-fi Charger with MagSafe
$127$15015% off$127$127$15015% off
Belkin’s triple charging stand achieves 15W MagSafe wi-fi iPhone charging speeds and retains your cellphone and Apple Watch elevated for simple studying.
$127 at Amazon$128 at Belkin$150 at Apple
Official MagSafe: Sure / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure, on 2022 revised mannequin / Cable size: 4.8ft (1.47m) / Connector sort: barrel (AC adapter) /Guarantee: Two years
Belkin’s BoostCharge Professional 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand is one other expensive answer for charging your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all of sudden. However what makes this quirky trendy art-like magnetic tree particularly good is its MagSafe 15W charging, Apple Watch fast-charge help (for the Collection 7, Collection 8, and Extremely), and the truth that it places your cellphone and watch at a readable stage on a desk or desk.
In actual fact, the spacing of the cellphone and watch above the underside 5W Qi pad means you may match an entire different cellphone down there — making this stand particularly good in case you have a blended iPhone / Android family and need to share a bit of the wi-fi charging love.
The Belkin tree is constructed solidly, with sufficient weight to stop your cellphone or watch from tugging or toppling the entire thing over when eradicating them. My largest gripes with it are the excessive worth of $149.99 and the truth that its conventional 12V AC adapter with built-in cable appears bigger than it must be in comparison with a lot smaller USB-C energy adapters utilized by different chargers. Although, because you’re most certainly planting this tree in a single spot of your private home and never shifting round with it, the wall wart is usually forgivable.
Essentially the most versatile MagSafe multicharger for house and journey
Anker 3-in-1 Dice with MagSafe
$150
Anker’s cube-shaped triple-charger could be very compact however achieves 15W MagSafe charging with appropriate iPhones. It additionally concurrently expenses an Apple Watch and set of AirPods.
$150 at Apple$150 at Anker
Official MagSafe: Sure / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: 5ft (1.5m) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: 18 months
Anker’s 3-in-1 Dice is its first to help correct 15W MagSafe charging (not merely magnetic Qi), and its nifty compact design makes it a superb jack-of-all-trades for each house and journey use. It expenses your cellphone in an angled place, with simply sufficient house behind it to wirelessly cost your AirPods, plus a slide-out aspect drawer to your Apple Watch. I’m blissful to see that Anker took the tilt-top design of its cute little soda can 623 MagGo 2-in-1 charger and turned it into a fair higher 3-in-1. Sadly, along with being extra angular and far much less lovely, it obtained way more costly within the course of; it prices $149.95 and is just obtainable from Apple or instantly from Anker. Which means the Dice might not get the frequent reductions we see on Anker merchandise at Amazon or elsewhere.
Technically, it’s an oblong prism, not a dice
The value is a bit alarming, however $149.99 appears to be the going price for MagSafe 3-in-1s. It comes with a 30W USB-C energy adapter, and its pop-out Apple Watch charger helps quick charging on appropriate fashions. The charger itself is concerning the dimension of a Rubik’s Dice, although it’s barely taller than it’s large or deep. (Sure, I remorse to tell any of you sticklers that the Dice is technically an oblong prism, not a dice.) Arithmetic heresy apart, it feels about as compact as this design may be.
The Anker isn’t fairly pretty much as good for journey because the fold-up Mophie 3-in-1, and the Belkin tree factor is a greater 3-in-1 for house use when you like that elevated top and versatile second Qi spot. However Anker’s Dice is the second-best MagSafe multicharger for house use and journey, which makes it essentially the most versatile possibility when you journey sometimes and need a single 3-in-1 charger that does all of it.
The very best MagSafe-compatible battery pack
Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo)
$40$7043% off$40$40$7043% off
A transportable energy financial institution with magnetic wi-fi Qi charging, a handy folding kickstand, and a USB-C port for wired charging.
$40 at Amazon$40 at Anker (with provide code WS7D541OSZ)
Official MagSafe: No / Wi-fi cost output: 7.5W / Cell capability: 19.25Wh (5,000mAh) / Connector sort: USB-C / Guarantee: 2 years
I examined an entire bunch of magnetic battery packs. They had been all nice. The MagSafe-compatible choices from Anker, Mophie, and Belkin all labored properly sufficient for traditional 7.5W wi-fi iPhone charging, and also you’d in all probability be a-okay choosing whichever one works to your tastes with regards to worth, bodily dimension (some are chonky), and battery capability. It’s good to have a battery that clicks onto the again of your cellphone with out worrying about cables.
I like to recommend Anker’s 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) over the others I examined — even Apple’s personal MagSafe Battery Pack — as a result of it strikes the best steadiness of portability and battery capability. It’s barely bigger than the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack, however its 19.25Wh cell is sort of double the capability of Apple’s 11.13Wh. It helps passthrough charging whereas it’s plugged in, and its built-in origami kickstand is a useful addition that doesn’t add a lot bulk. The fold-out stand is even sturdy sufficient to help a hefty Max-sized iPhone in a protecting case, and when you get the revised Anker 622 that now incorporates a side-mounted USB-C port, you are able to do passthrough charging together with your cellphone propped up at an angle in your desk. Lastly, the Anker’s battery is available in some enjoyable colours to match your cellphone — or not less than stand out amongst your different equipment.
In comparison with the Anker 622, Apple’s kinda horrible MagSafe Battery Pack has little or no going for it. Certain, it’s a bit smaller, and its tight iOS integration lets it present its precise battery share in your lock display screen, which the Anker doesn’t provide. But it surely’s principally for top-ups: the meager battery might by no means absolutely recharge my iPhone 12 Professional Max that I used to be testing it with. It doesn’t even cost your cellphone any sooner than the Anker since Apple limits it to 7.5W when on the go. That’s baffling for a $99 battery pack.
If you need true 15W MagSafe charging from an influence financial institution, you will get the Mophie Powerstation 10K stand with MagSafe for $129.95. It’s costly, awkwardly chonky, and rimmed with cheap-feeling soft-touch rubber that will not age properly, however it may possibly attain 15W wi-fi charging with out the help of an influence plug. Plus, the Mophie’s sturdy metallic stand means it might be your desktop charging base that you could fold up and take with you on the go.
Different MagSafe and magnetic chargers price contemplating
Whereas those above are one of the best, listed below are some extra choices which are nonetheless completely nice:
- Apple MagSafe Duo charger: For those who’re going to spend as a lot as $129 on this Apple charger, I believe it’s higher so as to add one other $30 and get the Mophie journey charger, however the Duo is completely ample for journey or house use in case you have simply an iPhone and Apple Watch. For those who’re fortunate, it may possibly go on sale for as little as $99.99, although you’ll have to BYO 20W AC adapter.
- Courant Magazine:1 Necessities / Classics: Typically having one thing a bit “premium” is simply, properly, good. Courant’s magnetic charging pucks don’t get you MagSafe speeds, however for $50 to $80 (discounted to as little as $40) and with out a USB-C AC charger, you get a smooth design wrapped in gentle linen materials or posh leather-based. It’s completely pointless, however in order for you your tech to not be an eyesore to your private home decor, I believe they’re completely justifiable. Plus, the Magazine:1 has a prolonged six-foot cable.
- Courant Magazine:2 Necessities / Classics: Courant’s similar elevated components however this time in a 2-in-1 charger to your cellphone and earbuds. For those who’re the sort that obsesses over mid-century trendy stylings like hairpin legs and Eames chairs, right here’s your (non-MagSafe) magnetic charger. It’s even offered on the Herman Miller retailer — want I say extra?
- Nomad Base One Max: Talking of premium, the Nomad Base One Max affords full MagSafe charging help and a built-in Apple Watch charger in a smooth and minimalist metallic slab. I like this factor as a bedside charger as a result of it’s so hefty that your cellphone lifts proper off with out shifting the bottom even a millimeter. You may additionally use this factor as an improvised weapon in opposition to any would-be intruders because it’s two entire kilos of metallic! Melee fight preparedness apart, although, you will get a extra helpful 3-in-1 charger for the $149.95 worth.
- Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo): Ponder the almighty charging orb and all you may probably plug into it. The Anker 637 is sort of a bizarre amalgamation of a magnetic charging stand and an influence strip — it has the magnetic Qi charger, two USB-C ports, 4 USB-A ports, and three AC ports. The Qi charger and USB ports can output as much as about 65W mixed; you may cost as much as seven units on the similar time (not counting the AC ports) or plug in a lone USB-C cable and rise up to 65W of energy — sufficient to energy even some smaller MacBook Professionals. For those who suppose you could find an excellent use for the Anker 637 in your house, simply purchase it. It’s tremendous useful and there’s nothing else fairly prefer it. Then e-mail me and educate me the methods of your cable administration expertise as a result of I all the time find yourself turning this factor right into a spaghetti monster of cords.
- Anker 623 2-in-1 Magnetic Wi-fi Charger (MagGo): This charger’s actual identify is horrible, so it’s best to simply name it the soda can. As talked about above, Anker’s soda can is just like the precursor to its glorious new 3-in-1 Dice, however it’s less expensive and does a nice job charging your cellphone at 7.5W alongside a set of earbuds. Simply take into account that, when you apply it to your bedside desk, it can briefly mild up your darkish room with an obnoxious LED whenever you put your cellphone on it to cost.
Different chargers examined embrace the Nomad Stand One, Twelve South HiRise 3, Mophie Snap Plus Wi-fi Charger with 3-in-1 Wi-fi Stand for MagSafe Charger, and numerous Mophie Snap Plus Juice Pack energy banks. These didn’t make the minimize for numerous causes, and the suggestions above current higher options.
Pictures by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Replace Could third, 2023: Revised format of product playing cards and pictures.