Wireless charging is not as cool. It’s not exactly wireless—the cord runs from the outlet to the charging pad—and it won’t charge your smartphone any faster than plugging it in with a good ol’ cable. However, I’m always disappointed when I try a smartphone that doesn’t support it. I’m used to plopping the phone down on the pad every night, and fishing for the cable in the dark feels like a chore. It is more comfortable than others. After testing over 100 products over the past few years, my friend Simon Hill and I have sorted the good from the bad (there are always bad) and have determined the best wireless chargers. There are a variety of styles, shapes, and materials to choose from, including stands, pads, wireless battery packs, and models that even double as headphone stands. Check out our other buying guides, including the Best Android Phones, 3- Best. in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers, Best MagSafe Chargers, Best iPhones, Best Samsung Galaxy S24 Cases, Best iPhone 16 Cases. Updated January 2025: We added chargers from Nomad, Zens, Baseus, and UGreen. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get the best-in-class reports that matter so much to your attention for only $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.Does My Phone Support Wireless Charging?Container ButtonAccordionItemNot all phones support wireless charging, but most brands have such models, so check your phone model first. Usually you will see “Qi wireless charging” (default setting) or just “wireless charging” in that case. Phones that support the latest Qi2 standard, have the Qi2 logo and have a magnetic ring for easy syncing (like Apple’s MagSafe). Qi2 is backwards compatible, so Qi phones can be charged on Qi2 chargers, although they charge more slowly. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always apply the other way around, as we found with the HMD Skyline (the first Qi2 Android phone) which cannot be charged with the majority of Qi chargers. Can Wireless Chargers Work With Phone Cases? can fill through the case, unless it is a particularly thick case. Check the product list – usually there is a case thickness limit in millimeters. The phone can get hot when charging wirelessly, so don’t worry if the phone is really warm when you pick it up. Most smartphones have a limit to stop charging if it gets too hot. Yes, Cables Will Charge Your Phone FasterAccordionItemContainerButton Some manufacturers like Apple and OnePlus make wireless chargers that charge your phone faster than others, but if you’re looking for speed, you’d better stick with a cord. Wireless charging is best for desks or nightstands when you’re not using your phone or in a hurry to charge it. exclusive wireless charger for certain phone models that can charge faster. Please note that even if the phone supports it, the maximum charge level is limited to a certain amount of time (the charge level is set automatically to maintain battery health). Many older iPhones are limited to 7.5 watts for wireless charging and many older Android phones are limited to 10 watts. We’ve included the maximum wireless charging rate in the specs table for each entry. Note that the charger also requires the correct cable and power adapter for maximum charging. Is Wireless Charging Safe to Use?ButtonAccordionItemContainer There is no definitive evidence that it is harmful. You may be concerned that your phone’s battery can drain faster with wireless charging, but manufacturers set safe limits for phone batteries, which determine how much the battery can be charged and how much it can be discharged. Regardless of the power source you use, whether you plug into a wall adapter or use a wireless charging pad, this limit cannot be changed. There is no risk of overcharging your phone by leaving the wireless charger on overnight. How do I Keep My Phone Battery Healthy?Accordion Container ButtonTry to keep your battery between 50 and 80 percent for optimal battery health. Keeping the phone fully charged or empty will wear down the battery a bit faster, and constantly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life. Battery technology has improved in recent years, and phone batteries are more reliable than ever. If you switch phones every two to three years or don’t mind paying a small fee to replace the battery on that timescale, then there’s no need to worry about how often or when you charge your phone.
22 Best Wireless Chargers 2025: Wireless Charging for Devices
