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Wireless charging is the future, but it’s also a blast from the past.
The technology first appeared in the 1890s to power electric vehicles, and is now making a major resurgence to fuel up all our wireless devices. It’s less wear-and-tear on your phone’s charging port, and much more convenient than having to use a cable each time.
What Are the Best Multi-Device Charging Pads?
Here’s what to look for when choosing the right pad for charging multiple devices at once.
Charge Speed: Each and every charging pad has a maximum wattage, and can only provide that much power to the devices on it. Typically an iPhone Qi charger uses about 7.5 watts, while smaller devices like AirPods and smartwatches only need about five watts. Even if there’s enough wattage to go around, this can still slow down the charging process overall. Be aware that some pads still require you to provide the device’s charging dock, specifically watches, and just acts as a more of a holder for them than actually charging.
Design: They may all look pretty similar at first glance, but some are more efficient than others and include hidden features, like ports and pull-out drawers for cables and accessories. For those who’ll be charging up a smartwatch along with multiple other items, having the watch charging pad pop up or jut out helps keep the band out of the way of the other things. If you’ll be traveling with your pad, having one that’s flat or where everything can fold down makes fitting it into a backpack a whole lot easier. A phone’s wireless charging coil tends to be somewhere in the middle, so if a charging pad is too short or awkward to accommodate your device, it can be frustrating getting the charging to kick in each time. Same goes for the pad itself, where more coils means not having to worry about getting your device just-right.
Extras: Some other nice-to-haves are things like an LED light that lets you know when it’s actively charging, a stand to keep devices upright, and the material on the pad (some prefer soft fabric, others traction).
We’ve selected some of our top picks here to refuel your devices whether you’re at home, at the office, or on the go.
1. Moshi Sette Q Dual Wireless Charging Pad
Moshi’s efficiently-designed pad is big enough for two full smartphones, and fuels up each with 15W for a speedy charge thanks to the high-density ferrite sheet inside. It’s Qi-certified, and even phones with cases up to 5mm thick are no problem.
A USB-A port lets you charge up a third device, like an extra battery or smartwatch, and aesthetically this looks professional in an office setting with its fabric finish on top and ring of silicon to hold devices in place.
Amazon
2. ZealSound Qi-Certified Ultra-Slim Triple Wireless Charger Station
ZealSound’s super-slim pad is made with a leather casing and a copper coil lining the inside for better and more efficient heat distribution. It’s long enough to hold three full phones, and is ideal for placement in a house’s busy central spot, like a kitchen or coffee table, so everyone with a dying device can have quick access.
There are built-in precautions like temperature control, short circuit prevention, and it’s nicely lightweight at 7.5oz. There are also no lights anywhere on it, making it perfect for a bedroom you want to keep in the dark.
A 24-watt adapter is included, but if you’ve got a thick (or metal) phone case over 4-6mm, you may need to remove it in order for the charging to kick in.
Amazon
3. Samsung Electronics Wireless Charger Trio
No more trying to get the alignment just right and waiting to see if the wireless charge is working. With six coils inside, this Samsung is ready to take on up to three of your devices easily – think two phones and a smartwatch or earbuds.
The LED lights on the surface give you a clear and instant reading on if charging is complete, or if it needs more time.
While this is made by Samsung, you don’t need to have one of their phones to benefit, as Apple devices are supported here too.
Amazon
From Rolling Stone US
