Buying a wireless charging station? Here’s what you should look out for
21/1/2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Whether it’s your Apple Watch, AirPods or iPhone, all your gadgets need power. Sure, you could go on sticking charging plugs and cables all over the place, but I personally think charging stations are a better option.
At home, I like having what’s essentially a power trough for my herd of Apple devices to drink from. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing several wireless charging stations. You’ll find links to the product reviews below. In this article, I’ll go over what you should look out for when buying a charging dock. And yes, I’m an Apple guy. So my advice will mostly be useful to fellow members of the Apple cult.
Room for two gadgets or three?
Some charging stations «only» have spaces for two devices. For instance, you can pop your iPhone onto a MagSafe point and, at the same time, charge your AirPods case on the base. These stations will be a decent option if Apple hasn’t managed to get one of its watches onto your wrist yet.
You can also get charging stations with a MagSafe slot and a charging puck for a watch. If you have one of these, you can charge either your iPhone or your AirPods on the MagSafe magnet – assuming you have a MagSafe AirPods case, that is.
Though the three stations linked above allow you to charge three different Apple gadgets, you can only charge two simultaneously. If you want to power your Watch, iPhone and AirPods at the same time, you’ll need a station with three slots.
Wireless chargers
−8%
EUR32,90 was EUR35,90
Duzzona 3 in 1 MagSafe QI Wireless Multi Charging Station 15W
15 W
Sometimes, things are simply a matter of taste. Some charging stations are designed to look pretty flashy. Apple gadgets on these chargers’ magnetic holders almost look like exhibits displayed in a museum. Personally, I prefer more compact designs. Say, ones with a foldaway charging puck that you can tuck out of sight once your watch is fully charged. But like I said, that’s a matter of taste.
How fast do you want your devices to charge?
Induction charging is slower than using a cable. It also causes more power to get lost during the charging process. What’s more, it creates excess heat, which can damage your smartphone’s battery in the long run. Still, good wireless charging stations achieve decent speeds – especially if they support the Qi or Qi2 standard. Qi2 has a charging capacity of up to 15 watts – twice as much as the older Qi standard. Some chargers are capable of even more, but these are developed by manufacturers in-house.
My colleague Lorenz has written about the Qi2 standard in more detail here:
If you’ve heard the recent chatter about Qi2 Ready and are feeling confused, Lorenz has broken it down for you here:
If it’s an Apple Watch you’ve got on your dock, even Qi or Qi2 compatibility won’t guarantee it’ll charge quickly. When I tried out the Duzzona charging station linked above, it felt like it took an eternity to charge my Apple Watch. This might have been down to the Duzzona’s built-in charging puck, which doesn’t have Apple’s MFi certification.
While we’re on the subject of pucks, make sure there’s a built-in connector for that on charging stations you’re looking at. Budget-friendly models such as this one) sometimes don’t come with a watch charging cable. You then end up having to buy one separately, leaving you with yet another extra cable lying around.
Coping with annoying LEDs
If you’re planning to set up your charging station in your bedroom, there are three things you should check before you buy a particular model. First off, does it have an LED indicator light? Secondly, is that light bright enough to bother you when you’re trying to sleep? Thirdly, can you switch the light off if necessary? As far the devices I’m familiar with are concerned, the answer to that last question is no.
Most charging stations have an LED that lets you know your devices are charging, although you can actually check that on your iPhone’s display. If the light bothers you at night, you can always cover it up with a piece of tape. I also know people who’ve painted over it.
Reviews
Okay, time to deliver on the promise I made earlier. I recently tested three charging stations. Two of them, incidentally, didn’t have LEDs. You can check out each of my reviews by clicking on the following links:
- Anker MagGo 3 in 1 – solid and stylish, both at home and on the go
- Belkin Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1 – fast, stylish, stable
- Zens Charger Nightstand Pro 2 – the bedside table king
Of course, there’s also a completely different way to charge your iPhone. In fact, it’s efficient and super inconspicuous. I’ve set up a cable (one of our own-brand ones, of course) on my bedside table. I simply plug in my iPhone before I go to sleep and let the optimised charging function do the rest.
Header image: Martin Jungfer
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.