No one likes wires, and wireless charging allows us to put down our phones on a desk, bedside table or even a coffee shop counter to pump more power into them without having to plug in a wire.
The newly launched iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus all support wireless charging, while Android devices such as the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus and the US version of the LG G6 will all work with these pads too.
Some phones that don’t come with wireless charging built-in will also work with the pads below thanks to accessories, such as the Moto Z range where you can buy a Moto Mod to allow for wireless charging.
Below we’ve put together a guide to some of our favorite wireless charger options on the market right now, and each should work with all devices that support the Qi wireless charging standard.
Some will also work with the competing standard AirFuel, which is a combination of PMA and AW4P tech, but we’ll note where that’s possible.
- Own an older iPhone? Here’s how to wirelessly charge your iPhone 7?
Note: Some of the wireless chargers below will allow for fast wireless charging on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, but that feature won’t be available until Apple releases a new software update that’s expected to land later this year. Until then you’ll only be able to wirelessly charge your iPhone at normal speeds. We’ll be sure to test the feature and update this guide when the update lands.
One of the new charging plates released alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone X is the Mophie wireless charging base, which will allow for fast wireless charging speeds on those phones when the software update is pushed out by Apple later this year.
Right now it’ll charge up any Qi enabled device as fast as your normal wall charger would, but it also has an attractive design and is very easy to use thanks to a great grip that will keep your phone securely on the charging plate.
One of the more affordable fast-charging pads we’ve found comes from RAVPower and you can buy it right now to work with your Qi compatible phone.
The plastic rimmed design does mean it’ll often get dust caught inside it, so you may find yourself cleaning it more often than other chargers, but the upside is it offers good grip so your phone won’t move, and the fast-charging tech features are appreciated too.
The low price is the real highlight of the RAVPower charger though, as it’s much more affordable than a lot of other options out there at the moment.
Another option officially made in partnership with Apple, the Belkin Boost Up pad will work with any device that supports Qi wireless charging, but is specifically built for iPhone.
Fast wireless charging will work with this pad later in the year, but right now it’ll charge up any compatible phone you have at acceptable speeds.
The Belkin is a bit larger than the two other wireless charging pads above on this list, but if size isn’t an issue for your desk or bedroom table, this could be a good choice as your way to charge up your phone.
There’s something deliciously anachronistic about wooden tech products, and the WoodPuck is a great example – people are always surprised that it can charge a phone. Despite the name, it’s made of sustainable tortoiseshell bamboo rather than a more traditional wood, which makes it handily light. It’s also not one of the giant panda’s preferred varieties, so you’re not depriving a bear of its tea.
WoodPuck uses the Qi standard and comes in a choice of two colors, Cappuccino and Espresso, to match your preferred aesthetic.
If we asked 100 people what they keep on their bedside table, the top two answers would probably be a phone charger and a lamp. This Ikea design combines the two in a stylish, practical piece of lighting tech using the Qi standard.
It feels deeply futuristic plopping your phone on your bedside lamp and know it’s charging. It’s also really nicely designed: the lamp is mega-flexible, comes in neutral colors and has a handy non-slip cross to keep your phone on the right spot. What a bright idea.
This unusual-looking charger wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end tech boutique. Between its circular and rectangular charging sections, it’s capable of charging any two Qi devices wirelessly with a wired USB port for adding a third.
Two subtle blue LEDs indicate the charger status of each pad, which shouldn’t be bright enough to disturb your sleep. However, the round portion of the tray is clearly designed for the wireless charging Bluetooth bottle speaker from the same product line, and looks a fair bit clumsier with a smartphone across it. If you happen to have the speaker, its night light feature plus this charging tray makes for a super-stylish nightstand combo.
OK, it’s more expensive than the lamp (and doesn’t have a lamp), but the Swedish supergiant’s other excellent offering in the wireless department can charge no less than three devices at once.
Oh, and did we mention it has a USB port too? So that’s four devices, potentially covering the whole family (or one really dedicated gadget fan). As before, it uses the Qi standard and has a range of matching cases, as well as two design options: white and wood. This simple, stylish design is pretty much exactly what we’d expect from an Ikea wireless charger, but without a hex key in sight.
Or you can wait for this…
Apple AirPower charging pad
Apple will also provide its own first-party charging pad for all its new wirelessly charged products. It’s called AirPower and will have room for your Apple AirPods, an Apple Watch 3 and an iPhone X, so you can have all three of your devices charge in one place.
Apple doesn’t plan to launch the AirPower charging pad until 2018, so it’s going to be a long wait until we get to use this option.