In today's busy digital world, one thing is for sure: the best smartphones are essential - but they're also power-hungry. They continually need to be topped up with juice from time to time. The best wireless phone chargers make the often annoying chore of fiddling with various wires and adapters super easy. No more grabbing the wrong connector or snagging a trailing wire. With a wireless charger, simply throw on your device and away it goes. But can you find the right one for your phone?
Best wireless phone chargers of 2024 at a glance
• Best overall wireless phone charger: Spigen SteadiBoost Convertible 15W Fast Wireless Charger - View at Amazon
• Best budget wireless phone charger: Anker Wireless Charger PowerWave Pad - View at Amazon
• Best wireless phone charger and stand: Belkin BoostCharge Pro wireless charging stand- View at Amazon
• Best Mag-Safe wireless phone charger: JSAUX Magnetic Wireless Charger - View at Amazon
There are primarily two types of designs of wireless chargers. One is the pad-type, which lays flat on a surface with the smartphone placed on top. The second is the stand-type, which holds the device vertically. Each variation has its benefits. For example, the pad type has a low profile and simple design, whereas the stand will allow the user to read texts or video chat. Which works best for you is entirely down to personal preference. Either type will work with high-end or budget smartphones as long as it supports wireless charging.
If you have a smartphone from the Apple iPhone range you may have a unique type of portable wireless charging, thanks to MagSafe. This feature allows compatible magnetic accessories (including a wireless battery pack) to be attached securely to the rear of an iPhone 12 (or above). We've included some of these in our picks below. Elsewhere, you'll come across the term Qi or Qi2 charging - a universal standard for wireless power - and a host of handy features depending on the model you choose.
If this sounds like too much choice, we've put together a handy guide at the end of the article to help you navigate wireless charger tech and help you pick the right one for you. So, let's get ready to ditch those wires and plug straight into the best wireless phone chargers of the year.
The best wireless phone chargers of 2024
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall wireless phone charger
Spigen Description
The Spigen SteadiBoost wireless phone charger not only has a premium look and feel, but it also has enough juice for fast charging. For those phones that support it (and it supports all devices with Qi certification) it can deliver up to 7.5 watts for iOS smartphones and up to 10 or 15 watts for Android and others.We also like the vertical stand which means you have the option of keeping an eye on your phone throughout the day or laying it flat for a more pad-like low profile on your desk. Safety-wise, this is very well protected - featuring heat control and smart chip protection to intelligently manage the charger itself. All in all, it’s a great-looking and practical wireless charger that is a great match for a wide range of smartphones.
Pros
- Excellent build quality and refined design make for a professional look for your desk
- The foldable stand and pad design means this is practical and suitable for various settings
- Up to 15 watts of fast charging for compatible devices for more convenience
Cons
- Some find the LED indicator light too bright for use in a bedroom
Best budget wireless phone charger
AnkerDescription
The Anker PowerWave Pad is probably the most popular wireless charger around. It’s a universal charger - when paired with a Samsung adapter, it’ll switch modes to fast-charge 10W for charging Samsung smartphones, while it’ll go to a fast-charge 7.5W mode for iPhones or 5W for other phones or Airpods.
Its performance is nippy, with Galaxy smartphones charging fully in an advertised 30 minutes, and it’ll even charge through phone cases (up to 5mm thick). Note: While you need to provide the relevant mains adapter, the pad comes with a 4ft USB cable.
Pros
- Great compatibility due to Qi certification
- Excellent wireless charging power thanks to 10W max output
- Charges through phone cases up to 5mm thick for extra convenience
Cons
- Its looks are a little plain
Best wireless phone charger and stand
Belkin Description
Thanks to the MagSafe compatible design, this Belkin BoostCharge Pro can accommodate all compatible phones on its magnetic mount. That means that this turns into a convenient and practical phone stand for a bedside table or desk too. It’ll also fold flat for a more pad-like profile if you need it to.
But what we like to see on any phone stand is a tilt function - and this does just that, making it the ideal way to watch videos or just use the phone while it’s on the charging stand. In terms of power delivery, this is Qi2 standard - that means it uses those MagSafe magnets to perfectly align any compatible phone for maximum charging efficiency. It’s smart and it works fast with up to 15 watts of fast charging power.
Pros
- An attractive and practical wireless phone charger that can fold flat for travel
- The tilt-adjustable stand means comfortable viewing angles
- Fast charging for the latest iPhones and all Qi MagSafe phones
Cons
- A little chunky on the desktop for some
Best Mag-Safe wireless phone charger
JSAUXDescription
Given that the point of a decent MagSafe wireless charger is to perfectly align with your phone to maximise the charging power, this JSAUX model does that very well indeed. Not only is this a 15-watt wireless charger, but it’s also compatible with a wide range of iPhones, Android and Google phones. The included cable is also a dual-adapter type, with USB-C and USB-A options.The design also complements the advanced magnetic alignment and charging features on offer here. It has a premium look, but the main feature for us is the overall size. If you like a MagSafe charging pad that doesn’t look like an oversized drink coaster, this is it. It’s compact and doesn’t overshadow the phone when it’s attached.
Pros
- A smaller design than most that won’t be visible underneath most phones
- 15w charging capacity for supported fast-charging phones is a time-saver
- A high-quality metal build means this is durable and looks good
Cons
- No plug-in adapter is included
Best portable wireless phone charger
Anker Description
As with other products here, the Anker Power Bank, 622 attaches to the rear of an iPhone )12 or higher) via MagSafe. It’s a nice, compact option that is ideal for commuting and air travel. Its capacity is 5,000mAh, which is more than most, and it even comes in cheaper than many normal power banks at this price. It charges up to 7.5W too, depending on what your phone can take.One of our favourite features here though is that it can work as a stand as well as attach to your phone magnetically. All in all, we reckon this is a great - if chunky - addition for anyone looking to charge up wirelessly on the move.
Pros
- A great capacity power bank that will give you lots of extra power when you need it
- Foldable design means you can attach it to your phone or use it as a stand
- Trusted and reliable Anker build and safety features
Cons
- Once again, this is a charger that doesn’t come with an adapter - 12w is recommended
Best wireless phone charger for Apple fans
Belkin Description
If you’re Apple through and through, then Belkin has what you need. The BoostCharge PRO 3 will wirelessly charge an iPhone 12, Apple Watch and AirPods. Visually, it’s an impressive sight, as an iPhone 15 (or 12 and above) connects to its charge pad via MagSafe and thus appears to float.
The Apple Watch rests just next to the phone on another pad while AirPods can charge via the base. It’s a 15W charger, too, so everything gets powered up very quickly. We can see this looking great and being a practical choice for a bedside or desktop.
Pros
- The three-in-one design means you can keep all your Apple kit charged and organised
- MagSafe magnetic alignment for compatible phones means attaching the phone for the best charge is hassle-free
- A robust yet modern design that will suit a range of decor
Cons
- Takes up more space than most others here
Best Apple wireless phone charger
Apple www.currys.co.uk
Description
As the name suggests, this MagSafe Duo Charger uses Apple’s magnetic technology to attach to an iPhone 8 or later model. And, once unfolded, the other pad can pop up to support an Apple Watch for wireless charging. Despite the Apple name, it’ll still work with other Qi-certified devices too.
As with many devices these days, there’s no included adapter - but the included USB-C to Lightning cable should suit most user’s existing phone adapters. One of the best features here, though (other than the outstanding Apple design and build) is the folding design. That makes this the ideal wireless charger for travel - compact, sturdy and able to keep your iPhone and Apple Watch topped up no matter where you go.
Pros
- Excellent Apple design and build - it looks great and will last
- The folding design makes it ideal for travellers
- Will keep your phone and Apple Watch (and other Qi-certified devices) topped up at once
Cons
- No adapter is included (but your iPhone one should work fine)
Best wireless phone charger for Samsung Z Flip
SwanScout Description
If you’re the proud owner of a Samsung Z Flip (although, this will work with other QI phones) this is the wireless charger you’ve been waiting for. Other than the fact that it has a premium look and feel with its sleek low-profile base, it’s perfectly designed to be a vertical stand for the Z Flip. The lack of a tall support means that you can slot your Z Flip onto this in its folded form and the support isn’t visible.
Other than giving an uncluttered look to your folding phone, this will deliver up to 10W of charge and comes with plenty of safety features like over-voltage and over-temperature protection. Lastly, the whole thing folds flat, so travelling with this is easy.
Pros
- The design doesn’t interfere with your Z Flip when it’s charging
- Foldable design means you can take it with you easily
- Wide compatibility with other makes and models
Cons
- The charging light is a little bright for use in bedrooms for some
Best in-car wireless phone charger
Belkinwww.currys.co.uk
Description
The one place you can really benefit from wireless phone charging is of course the car. But what makes this BELKIN WIC004btBK model work so well is the combination of vent-mounting for the charger itself and MagSafe compatibility. All in all, that means you can slot this into a vent and quickly and easily mount your phone perfectly.
You’re also getting the well-renowned Belkin build quality, so this should weather the knocks and bumps much better than most in-car chargers. Compatibility is also excellent, fitting iPhone 12 and greater, plus all MagSafe-compatible and Qi-certified smartphones. Neat and functional, it’s an in-car essential.
Pros
- Super-easy to fit into all cars for maximum convenience
- Excellent compatibility with a wide range of phones
- East mounting for efficient wireless charging thanks to the MagSafe-compatible magnetic mount
Cons
- The only method for mounting this into the car is in a vent
Best Samsung wireless phone charger
Samsung Description
Aside from being a great all-around wireless charger, this one is for those Samsung fans who really want to keep things on-brand. This Samsung Convertible Wireless Charging Stand has a simplistic design that just works. The materials and build are typically premium, so you can sit this on your desk and it will really look the part.
It’s not as fast as other chargers here, delivering a maximum of 9 watts, but that’s enough for most Samsung and Android users. Believe it or not, it’ll also work with other Qi-certified phones - including iPhones. Best of all, it can fold flat and be used as a pad or stand.
Pros
- A perfect and stylish addition to any Samsung fan’s desktop
- Works with a wide range of phones, not just Samsung
- Folds flat so can be used as a stand or pad as needed
Cons
- The charging light is too bright for some
Best wireless phone chargers of 2024: Buyer's guide
Ensure compatibility with your phone
Not all smartphones support wireless charging, but many modern Android smartphones and Apple iPhones and if it does you'll need to check that it supports the Qi charging standard (see below for a more detailed view of what that is). And, naturally, the same goes for the charger itself. The Qi standard is the de facto universal method for wireless charging, and that means that it's trusted and safe. So, find a charger that is Qi and you won't go wrong.
Don't be tempted by cheap, unknown brands
For the same reason as mentioned above, many unknown brands either pretend to be fully Qi compliant, or they just don't bother. Charging standards aside, as with anything that plugs into a socket, the build quality and safety standards can vary wildly depending on what you choose. Our advice is to stick to recommended and trusted brands that are well-known. Our recommendations above are all from reputable brands.
Check that your phone case doesn't get in the way
It's a rarity, but any chunky cases made largely from metal could block all or some of your wireless charging signal. Some metal or tough smartphone cases are, however, designed and built to support wireless charging. So, if in doubt, see if you can check your phone on a friend's wireless phone charger to make sure.
Best wireless phone chargers of 2024: FAQs
What is Qi charging?
Qi charging is a wireless charging standard that has been adopted by the technology world. The system can wirelessly charge phones, tablets and other compatible devices from a range of distances. The vast majority of products that are advertised as having “wireless charging” are using a system based on the Qi format. If in doubt, you can always check your device’s specifications.
Fun fact: Qi is a Chinese word pronounced “chee” and refers to the spiritual concept of energy and life flow. In the West, we tend to read and pronounce it as though it’s a two-letter acronym: Q and I.
What is Qi2 charging?
As of 2023, the Qi standard evolved into Qi2. This new version of the wireless charging standard allows for higher wattages - such as 15W for fast charging. But,. crucially, it was developed alongside Apple so that the charging coils of the phone align with those in the charger perfectly. It does this via magnets - so any phone with Mag-Safe compatibility will slot onto the charger for the best most efficient alignment for reliable charging.
Will a wireless phone charger charge my AirPods?
Yes, so long as they are AirPods 2 or later. With this generation, Apple added wireless charging to the AirPod case, and it’s compatible with any Qi-certified charging pad. The AirPods can also charge wirelessly without the case.
Many other earphone manufacturers also include some form of wireless charging compatibility, including Samsung, Sony and Skullcandy (plus more that don’t start with an ‘S’).
Is wireless phone charging safe?
Wireless charging is perfectly safe. Though it sounds like unchecked electricity is being passed from pad to device, in reality, no exchange occurs between the charging pad and the device. The wireless charging process uses electromagnetic principles, which induces the device to charge itself with electrons already present within the device. The process does create a very small electromagnetic field, but it’s so low that it has no adverse effects. And that's a relief for anyone with a premium smartphone for photography or other large-screen mobile that probably costs more than the average laptop.
If you’re interested in diving into the physics of Qi wireless and wireless charging, be sure to watch ThioJoeTech’s simple scientific explanation here:
William Lobley is the Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.
He has spent nearly five years writing about tech, audio, outdoors and fitness and has reviewed everything from smartphones to ice baths. In addition, he's well-versed in sniffing out the best deals and savings the internet offers.
When not at his desk writing, reviewing or deal-hunting, he'll be relaxing with Japanese crime novels, bingeing some classic anime, strolling the countryside or at the gym listening to the heaviest metal Spotify has to offer.
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