Wi-fi charging is slower and fewer environment friendly than plugging in a wire, however it’s actually handy — particularly if you add magnets. Most individuals who’ve an iPhone 12 or later (besides the 16E) and need a magnetic charger ought to get a Qi2 charger. Any Qi2-certified charger will cost a MagSafe iPhone as much as 15W — simply as quick as MagSafe on any telephone however the 25W-capable iPhone 16. Qi2 chargers are additionally inexpensive than MagSafe-certified ones, and there are numerous extra choices. And in contrast to MagSafe, Qi2 is an open standard.
All of Samsung’s Galaxy S25-series phones — together with the new S25 Edge — are “Qi2 Ready,” which suggests they don’t have the magnets, however they’ll cost as much as 15W on a Qi2 charger when paired with a Qi2 Ready magnetic case. Whereas it’s disappointing that Samsung didn’t embody Qi2 within the telephones themselves, most individuals use a case, so this seems like a small worth to pay for entry to the massive ecosystem of Qi2 equipment. Should you use Android and just like the sound of Qi2, we count on Google and others to launch extra Qi2-compatible telephones later this year.
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.
Until you will get an excellent deal or you have got an iPhone 16, the one MagSafe-certified charger nonetheless price contemplating is Apple’s improved puck. The 16-series iPhones can cost as much as 25W on the brand new charger and the brand new charger solely. The brand new charger can be Qi2-certified, so it’s price contemplating for as soon as.
$49
Apple’s up to date MagSafe Charger is the one mannequin that may at present provide as much as 25W energy to iPhone 16 sequence telephones. It even works with non-Apple Qi2 gadgets.
$110
The wonderful 3-in-1 BoostCharge Professional stand provides 15W wi-fi charging and a refined design, one that enables the hooked up telephone to tilt.
$70
Anker’s MagGo energy financial institution options 6,600mAh capability and a built-in stand that, whereas greater than it must be, is much sturdier than the kickstands on competing fashions.
There’s little motive to get a “MagSafe-compatible” charger except you’re an Android person with a magnetic phone case on a telephone that isn’t Qi2 Prepared. The unique Qi telephones fall again to 5W charging on Qi2 however can cost as much as 10W with an everyday Qi charger, whereas Qi2 Prepared telephones can cost as much as 15W when paired with the correct magnet case and charger.
Confused? Take a look at the desk under that summarizes these charging pace 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.
MagSafe / Qi2 Most cost charges
Charger kind |
iPhone 16 and 16 Professional |
iPhone 12 – 15 |
Non-Qi2 telephones |
---|---|---|---|
New Apple MagSafe / Qi2 charger | As much as 25W | As much as 15W | 5W |
Qi2 | As much as 15W | As much as 15W | 5W |
MagSafe-certified | As much as 15W | As much as 15W (12W for Minis) | lower than 5W (Apple being Apple) |
MagSafe-compatible / Qi with magnets | As much as 7.5W | As much as 7.5W | As much as 10W |
What we’re on the lookout for
The Qi2 certification ensures not simply correct 15W charging, but in addition the power and place of the alignment magnets. Anyone can slap a hoop of magnets round an affordable Qi coil and name it MagSafe-compatible, but when it isn’t licensed, you gained’t get greater than 7.5W charging from it, and there’s no assure that the magnets will likely be sturdy sufficient. MagSafe certification is ok too, however MagSafe chargers are typically dearer than Qi2, aren’t suitable with non-iPhones, and (excluding the brand new one) aren’t any sooner than Qi2.
Does it embody the AC adapter? Is the cable lengthy sufficient? Can it cost a couple of gadget?
Does the charger journey simply, or is it greatest left in a single spot to by no means transfer?
Is it janky or refined? Does it have intelligent design parts or bonus options?
Does this charger supply a greater worth than most, or not less than justify its worth?
Greatest for the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional
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 12 months
Whereas Qi2 is as quick as MagSafe on the iPhones 12 via 15, Apple has moved the goalposts with the iPhone 16 technology. The brand new telephones can cost at as much as 25W with the updated MagSafe Charger — making it the only option for house owners of the unfortunate event iPhone. It’s nice to see sooner wi-fi charging, however it 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 motive 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 a substitute 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 nice, flat design.
— Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Greatest Qi2 charging puck total
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). Should you 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, however it’s additionally $20 cheaper. When you think about that Anker contains an AC adapter and Apple doesn’t, it’s extra like $40 cheaper. Until you have got an iPhone 16 and actually need that 25W charging, the Anker Qi2 puck is a greater worth.
— Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Greatest Qi2 3-in-1 charger for journey
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 12 months
The Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wi-fi Charging Stand makes an excellent journey charger for individuals who hit the street 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 a lot of the globe. Its aluminum and faux-leather development can be substantial sufficient, and its design elevated sufficient, to be the principle 3-in-1 charger in your desk when you’re again residence. (There’s additionally a 2-in-1 version without 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 — however it doesn’t embody prong adapters. Additionally, its lighter construct makes it straightforward to by chance choose up the entire charger if you simply meant to seize your telephone and offers it extra restricted articulation for residence desktop use. It’s greatest fitted to frequent vacationers who don’t wish to pack up their residence charger earlier than each journey.
— Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Greatest Qi2 3-in-1 stand for residence
Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Apple Watch quick charging: Sure / Cable size: about 5ft / 1.5m (completely hooked up) / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: Sure / Guarantee: Two years
As soon as once more, the Belkin “tree” towers over all others in relation to a 3-in-1 for residence use. The unfortunate event 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 a substitute of a big plug with a barrel connector, and the elevated Qi2 mount can tilt your telephone in a wide range of angles. Its nylon-wrapped USB-C cable isn’t removable, however not less than it’s about 5 toes lengthy.
— Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: about 5ft / 1.5m / Connector kind: 12V AC / AC adapter included: Connected / Guarantee: Two years
Workers opinions on this orb are, frankly, divided, however I had it on my desk for some time, and after I despatched it again, I missed it sufficient that I purchased one. 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, however it’s good to have one thing in arm’s attain that may cost your telephone, your laptop computer, and no matter else you’ve obtained occurring.
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 telephone stand and has 6,600mAh capability, which is greater than sufficient to totally cost even an iPhone 16 Professional Max. You can even cost from its USB-C port for those who desire. It’s not the slimmest Qi2 battery, however it’s sturdy sufficient to carry the telephone in panorama mode with out toppling, which is good.
$20
A compact, versatile Qi2 charger for vent and sprint mounting. Read our review.
Certification: Qi2 / Wi-fi cost output: 15W / Cable size: 3.3ft / 1m / Connector kind: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Guarantee: One 12 months
The Verge’s Thomas Ricker and I each like this compact Qi2 automobile charger. It may be both vent- or dash-mounted, and it’s cheap, although you’ll have to provide your personal USB-C energy adapter. I purchased the “CryoBoost” version, which has a cooling fan, since I dwell in sweltering Texas. And since my automobile is historical and my previous Bluetooth FM transmitter’s USB port couldn’t energy the Qi2 pad, I additionally obtained this 60W FM transmitter / USB-C charger thing. It plugs into the 12V (the “cigarette lighter”) port and has an built-in coiled 30W USB-C cable, which I take advantage of for the ESR Qi2 charger, plus one other 30W USB-C PD port, a USB-A port, and the aforementioned Bluetooth FM transmitter. Truthfully, a killer deal.
There are a ton of Qi2 automobile mounts on the market, and we have now a couple of extra within the queue, however this one’s good!
Different chargers price contemplating
Now that Qi2 is broadly out there, it’s a protected guess that you simply’re not less than 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 incessantly testing items from the likes of Anker, Belkin, Casetify, Mophie, Nomad, Satechi, Ugreen, Peak Design, Zens, Sharge, and ESR. If there’s a Qi2 charger from one in every of them that looks as if a great match on your specific wants and your funds, it’s probably 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, Might twenty first: Adjusted pricing / availability for a number of choices and famous that the brand new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge additionally helps Qi2 charging when paired with the correct case.