The perfect MagSafe and Qi2 chargers for iPhones

Editor’s be aware: Amazon’s fall Prime Day sale is set for October eighth and ninth; nevertheless, if you wish to store early, we’ve already pulled collectively a information to the finest Prime Day offers you will get forward of time.

Wi-fi charging is much less environment friendly than plugging in a wire, but it surely’s actually handy — particularly once you add magnets. Most individuals who’ve an iPhone 12 or later and need a magnetic charger ought to get a Qi2 charger. Any Qi2-certified charger will cost a MagSafe iPhone at as much as 15W — simply as quick as MagSafe on any cellphone however the iPhone 16. Qi2 chargers are additionally inexpensive than MagSafe-certified ones, and there are lots of extra choices. And in contrast to MagSafe, Qi2 is an open commonplace. There’s just one Qi2-compatible Android cellphone proper now — the HMD Skyline — however we anticipate Google, and perhaps Samsung, so as to add Qi2 to telephones in 2025.

Qi2 provides some much-needed simplicity to the magnetic charging ecosystem. The choices that when consisted of MagSafe-certified chargers (made or licensed by Apple, able to 15W charging on iPhones) and “MagSafe-compatible” chargers (made by third events, able to 7.5W charging on iPhones) are actually being changed by Qi2.

Except you will get an ideal deal or you may have an iPhone 16, the one MagSafe-certified charger nonetheless price contemplating is Apple’s new puck. The 16-series iPhones can cost at as much as 25W on the brand new charger and the brand new charger solely. The brand new charger can also be Qi2-certified, so it’s price contemplating for as soon as. 

There’s little cause to get a “MagSafe-compatible” charger until you’re an Android consumer with a magnetic cellphone case. These authentic Qi telephones fall again to 5W charging on Qi2 however can cost at as much as 10W with an everyday Qi charger. 

Confused? Try the desk under summarizing these charging velocity nuances, and skim on for our favorites of the Qi2 and MagSafe pucks, stands, 3-in-1 chargers, and battery packs we’ve examined up to now.

Certification: MagSafe, Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 25W (iPhone 16), 15W (Qi2) / Cable size: 6.6ft / 2m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: no / Guarantee: One yr

Whereas Qi2 is as quick as MagSafe on the iPhones 12 by 15, Apple has moved the goalposts with the iPhone 16 technology. The brand new telephones can cost at as much as 25W with the up to date MagSafe Charger — making it your best option for house owners of the newest iPhone. It’s nice to see sooner wi-fi charging, but it surely does imply you’re once more incentivized to purchase Apple’s puck over cheaper, extra broadly out there Qi2 choices.

For as soon as, there’s good cause to think about the Apple puck. It’s Qi2-certified in addition to MagSafe, so it’ll work with non-Apple Qi2 gadgets ought to these materialize. And the corporate has lastly added a model with a 2m / 6.6ft cable as an alternative of solely providing a too-short 1m / 3.3ft one. Get the longer one. You’ll additionally want an AC adapter because it doesn’t include one. Each Anker and Nomad, amongst others, have choices which can be smaller and cheaper than Apple’s USB-C chargers. Nomad’s, particularly, has a good, flat design.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: Sure, non-compulsory / Guarantee: Two years

Any Qi2-certified charger will cost any MagSafe iPhone at 15W (aside from the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini, which high out at 12W). For those who simply need a fundamental puck, we like Anker’s MagGo Qi2 wi-fi charging pad. Its five-foot cable is shorter than the 6.6-foot one on Apple’s new MagSafe charger, but it surely’s additionally $20 cheaper. When you think about that Anker contains an AC adapter and Apple doesn’t, it’s extra like $40 cheaper. Except you may have an iPhone 16 and really need that 25W charging, the Anker Qi2 puck is a greater worth.

Anker’s dependable previous magnetic Qi charger (mannequin 313) was our go-to suggestion for an extended whereas, and the 7.5W charger remains to be high-quality for in a single day use in case you rating one supercheap. However most individuals ought to spend the additional $10 and get a Qi2 puck.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: Sure / Guarantee: One yr

The Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wi-fi Charging Stand makes an ideal journey charger for individuals who hit the highway with an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It folds up flat and compact sufficient to simply slip right into a bag or carry-on pocket, and it features a 45W energy plug with prong adapters that cowl many of the globe. Its aluminum and faux-leather development can also be substantial sufficient, and its design elevated sufficient, to be the primary 3-in-1 charger in your desk when you’re again residence. (There’s additionally a 2-in-1 model with out the Apple Watch charger, which is equally good however doesn’t include an AC adapter.)

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: Sure / Guarantee: Two years

Anker’s folding 3-in-1 is smaller and extra compact than the Satechi — it’s extra like a bar of cleaning soap than a bar of chocolate — but it surely doesn’t embrace prong adapters. Additionally, its lighter construct makes it simple to unintentionally decide up the entire charger once you simply meant to seize your cellphone and offers it extra restricted articulation for residence desktop use. It’s finest suited to frequent vacationers who don’t wish to pack up their residence charger earlier than each journey.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: about 5ft / 1.5m (completely connected) / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: Sure / Guarantee: Two years

As soon as once more, the Belkin “tree” towers over all others on the subject of a 3-in-1 for residence use. The newest model fixes a few of our minor grievances from its predecessors whereas adopting the Qi2 commonplace. It now makes use of an included 36W USB-C energy adapter as an alternative of a big plug with a barrel connector, and the elevated Qi2 mount can tilt your cellphone in quite a lot of angles. Its nylon-wrapped USB-C cable isn’t removable, however at the very least it’s about 5 toes lengthy.

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: about 6.6ft / 2m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Guarantee: Two years

For those who don’t thoughts getting slightly spendy for one thing that simply seems to be and feels good, the newest Nomad Stand One Max is a good residence charger. It’s smooth and minimal, principally steel and glass, and in contrast to the earlier mannequin, it fees an iPhone horizontally with out blocking the Watch charger — allowing use of StandBy mode. Its greatest drawbacks are its non-tiltable cellphone mount and the truth that, along with its excessive price ticket, you need to additionally finances for a 30W energy adapter.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: about 5ft / 1.5m / Connector kind: 12V AC / AC adapter included: Hooked up / Guarantee: Two years

Employees opinions on this orb are, frankly, divided, however I had it on my desk for some time, and I miss it. This Dying Star-looking factor has a Qi2 pad on the entrance and two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC shops on the again, with as much as 67W charging between them. Totally utilized, yeah, it’s gonna seem like a cable octopus, but it surely’s good to have one thing in arm’s attain that may cost your cellphone, your laptop computer, and no matter else you’ve received happening.

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: as much as 15W / Cell capability: 25.41Wh (6,600mAh) / Connector kind: USB-C / Guarantee: Two years

This folding Qi2 battery pack doubles as a cellphone stand and has 6,600mAh capability, which is greater than sufficient to completely cost even an iPhone 16 Professional Max. You can too cost from its USB-C port in case you want. It’s not the slimmest Qi2 battery, but it surely’s sturdy sufficient to carry the cellphone in panorama mode with out toppling, which is good.

Learn my hands-on with the Anker MagGo Energy Financial institution (6.6K).

Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: 3.3ft / 1m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Guarantee: One yr

The Verge’s Thomas Ricker likes this compact Qi2 automobile charger. It may be both vent- or dash-mounted, and it’s cheap, although you’ll have to produce your personal energy adapter. There have been many extra Qi2 automobile mounts launched since he examined this, and we have now a couple of extra within the queue, however this one’s good!

Learn our full assessment of the ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wi-fi Automobile Charger.

Now that Qi2 is broadly out there, it’s a secure wager that you just’re at the very least getting one thing respectable if it’s Qi2-certified and it’s from a good model. Whereas our best-ofs above don’t cowl each single make and mannequin of charger on the market, we’re continuously testing models from the likes of Anker, Belkin, Casetify, Mophie, Nomad, Satechi, Ugreen, Peak Design, Zens, and ESR. If there’s a Qi2 charger from considered one of them that looks like a great match on your explicit wants and your finances, it’s possible price a shot. When unsure, know the retailer’s return coverage and the producer’s guarantee if it finally ends up not being to your liking.

Replace, October third: Adjusted pricing and added a point out of Amazon’s subsequent Prime Day occasion, aka Prime Large Deal Days.