The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
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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. Still, I'm always disappointed when I test a smartphone that doesn't support it. I've gotten used to 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 100 products over the past few years, my colleague Simon Hill and I have sorted the good from the bad (there are certainly bad ones) and have identified the best wireless chargers. There are so many styles, shapes, and build materials that you have options, 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, Best iPhones, Best 3-in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers, Best MagSafe Chargers, and Best MagSafe Power Banks.
Updated October 2025: We've added chargers from Anker, Google, Belkin, Pitaka, and Twelve South.
Does My Phone Support Wireless Charging?
Not all phones support wireless charging, but most brands have models that do, so look up your phone model first. You'll usually see "Qi wireless charging" (the default standard) or simply "wireless charging" if it does on the product page or specs list.
Phones that support the latest Qi2 standard, bear the Qi2 logo and have a ring of magnets for easy alignment (just like Apple's MagSafe). Qi2 is backward compatible, so Qi phones can be charged on Qi2 chargers, though they may charge at a slower rate. Sadly, this does not always apply the other way round, as we discovered with the HMD Skyline (the first Qi2 Android phone) which cannot be charged with all Qi chargers.
Some phones are also Qi2 Ready, like Samsung's Galaxy S25 series. This means they have the necessary arrangement inside to enable Qi2 functionality—faster charging, more efficient energy transfer—but they don't have built-in magnets. To enable the full Qi2 capability, you need to pair the phone with a Qi2 Ready case with magnets inside. The latest update, Qi2 25W, allows for a faster maximum charging rate of 25 watts, up from 15 watts. Supported phones include the iPhone 17 range and Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Do Wireless Chargers Work With Phone Cases?
Yes, most wireless chargers can charge through cases, unless it's a particularly thick case. Check the product listing—there's usually a case thickness limit in millimeters. Phones can get hot when charging wirelessly, so don't worry if your phone is really warm when you pick it up. Most smartphones have limits to stop accepting a charge if they get too hot.
If you have a MagSafe charger or a Qi2 charger with magnets, you can use a magnetic case even if your phone doesn't support those standards. You may not be able to take advantage of all the features but it should deliver basic wireless charging that's more precise thanks to the magnets.
Yes, Cords Will Charge Your Phone Faster
Some manufacturers like Apple and OnePlus make wireless chargers that recharge their respective phones faster than others, but if you're looking for the speediest phone charger, you're better off sticking with a cord. Wireless charging is best for desks or nightstands when you're not really using your phone or in a rush to recharge it. Check out our Best USB-C Cables guide if you need one, though the cable that comes with your phone should be sufficient.
What's a Fast Wireless Charging Speed?
Most MagSafe and Qi2 chargers can go up to 15 watts, and there are a handful of proprietary wireless chargers for specific phone models that can charge even faster. The latest Qi2 25W standard allows for charging up to 25 watts. It's worth noting that, even where phones support them, the maximum charging rates are only reached some of the time (the charging rate is automatically adjusted to preserve battery health). Many older iPhones are capped at 7.5 watts for wireless charging and many older Android phones are capped at 10 watts. We have included the maximum wireless charging rate in the specs table for each entry. Remember that the charger also requires the correct cable and power adapter to charge at its maximum rate.
Is Wireless Charging Safe?
There's no definitive evidence that it's harmful. You may worry the phone's battery might degrade faster with wireless charging, but manufacturers set safe limits for phone batteries, stipulating how much a battery can be charged and how far it can discharge. Regardless of the charging source you use, whether you plug into a wall adapter or use a wireless charging pad, these limits can’t be overridden. There’s no risk of overcharging your phone by leaving it on a wireless charger all night.
How Do I Keep My Phone's Battery Healthy?
Try to keep your battery between 50 and 80 percent for optimum battery health. Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharging the battery will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly 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 modest fee for a battery replacement on that timescale, it’s not worth worrying too much about how often or when you charge your phone.
Other Wireless Chargers We Tested
There are a lot of wireless chargers. Here are a few more we like, but for one reason or another don't warrant a place above.
Baseus Nomos 5-in-1 Charging Station for $100: If you liked the PicoGo W2 above but need more gadget-charging power, this 5-in-1 could be worth a look. It also has a tilting pad and retractable USB-C cable, but adds two more USB-C ports and one USB-A, along with a stats-filled display. It’s perfect for your desktop. I also tried and quite liked the Baseus Nomos 8-in-1 Magnetic Charging Station ($80), which combines a similar folding Qi2 pad with three US AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and one USB-A.
Rapport London Formula Wireless Charging Tray for $475: Yes, this is an obscene price for a Qi wireless charger. You can probably make a version for a fraction of the cost. But Rapport's build quality is quite nice, with a lacquered grey box and a soft-touch fabric to keep your watches and phone scratch-free. It reliably recharged several Android phones without making them too warm, all while offering storage for a few watches. It's attractive, but you have to have cash to burn at this price.
iOttie iOS Wireless Duo for $60: This dual-charging system looks pretty—I like the fabric-wrapped stand—and you can charge another device on the rubberized charging pad next to it. The stand can be used in portrait or landscape, though in the latter orientation it'll block the pad. I use the pad to top up my wireless earbuds, but I wouldn't use this iOttie on a nightstand, because the LED on the front can be glaring. A cable and adapter are included, which makes it a good value. It can charge Pixel phones at up to 15 watts, iPhones at 7.5 watts, and other Android phones at 10 watts.
Samsung Wireless Charger Trio for $58: If you have a recent Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch, then this is an excellent triple wireless charger to add to your home. You place the watch on the circular dip; I used it near my front door for several months, and it charged the Samsung's Wear OS-powered Galaxy Watches with zero issues. The Trio is attractive, has LEDs that light up quickly, and comes with a 25-watt wall charger and USB cable. My partner and I usually drop our wireless earbuds cases next to the watch. I don't need to be too precise—the six coils inside give you some flexibility as to where you place them. If you only need the watch charger and space for one other device, it comes in a standard pad version, too. Just remember, it only supports the models specified above. Several customer reviews mention that it does not work with older Galaxy watches.
Journey Alti Play Performance Desk Mat for $120: This is a desk mat that doubles as a wireless charging pad. On the left side is a plasticky rectangle with a Qi2 magnetic puck for your smartphone. Above it is a little area to charge wireless earbuds (5 watts). Naturally, there's RGB all over, and there are two buttons you can press to cycle through patterns and colors. It's a smart-looking system, though the quality of the actual mat leaves a bit to be desired. I didn't have issues gliding my mouse on it, and it stays put thanks to the rubber underside, but I just didn't like the look and feel of the Lycra surface. Journey has some other versions of this mat that use different materials, so take a look if you like the overall aesthetic.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad (Qi2) for $20: This simple pad from Anker sticks well, has a durable aluminum casing that stays relatively cool, charges at up to 15 watts, and has a 5-foot USB-C cable permanently attached. You can use this charger with Qi2 Ready phones, such as Samsung's Galaxy S25 series, provided you use a magnetic phone case.
Apple MagSafe Charger for $43: Apple's MagSafe charger is quite basic. Since the charger magnetically stays attached to MagSafe iPhones, you don't have to worry about accidental misalignments causing you to wake up to a dead device. There's no charging adapter, but this is the version with the longer 2-meter cable.
RapidX Modula 5 Modular Wireless Charging System for $24: This modular system from RapidX is great for couples or families, because it is compact and can wirelessly charge two phones at up to 10 watts each. The beauty is that you can add or remove pods, and a single charging cable can power up to five. The pods snap together magnetically and pull apart for easy packing. You can buy additional phone pods and an Apple Watch pod. You only get a 30-watt US power adapter and a 5-foot USB-C cable in the box, so you will need a more powerful adapter if you plan to add pods. (RapidX recommends 65 watts or above for three or more devices.)
Courant Catch:2 Essentials for $150: Wireless chargers should look nice. You shouldn't settle for anything less! This Courant dual charger oozes luxury with its Belgian linen-wrapped surface (especially in the camel color). I've used it by my front door to recharge my partner's and my wireless earbuds for two years. The rubber feet prevent it from shifting around, but even if there are five coils in this pad, you should try to be precise when you put your device down to charge and make sure the LED lights up to double-check. It comes with a color-matching USB-C cable.
Zens Liberty Wireless Charger for $185: I tested the Glass Edition of this wireless charging pad, and it looks stunning with the 16 overlapping copper coils on display (the standard version has a woolen fabric top). It can charge two devices simultaneously at up to 15 watts apiece, and there’s an optional Apple Watch add-on ($15). As stylish as it is, the price is too high. Because you can see the coils, placement is never an issue, but it’s a bulky charger; the fan is audible at times, and while I had no problem charging my iPhone or AirPods, my Pixel 6 Pro got very warm on this pad.
Xiaomi Mi 80-W Wireless Charging Stand for $50: By far the fastest wireless charger we have tested, this stand is only worth considering for Xiaomi phones (it seems to charge most other phones at 10 watts or below). I tested with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which tops out at 50 watts (some Xiaomi models can go higher). The unusual sail shape combines a white triangular section with a clear acrylic base that has a subtle groove to hold your phone in place and a gap underneath for the exhaust grill from the noisy fan. The USB-C port and LED indicator are on the back.
Don’t Bother
They can’t all be winners. Here's a wireless charger we don’t recommend.
Raycon Magic Mat Pro: I love the idea of a mouse mat with a wireless charging spot for your phone, but the execution here is terrible. The spot is finicky to find, it can’t cope with thick cases, and my Xiaomi 14 Ultra would not charge at all (the camera bump is too big). Raycon says the fake leather is waterproof, but I found it a dud as a mouse mat and uncomfortable to rest my arm and hand on.
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