Wireless chargers are slowly yet surely replacing the older wired chargers as the norm. In the coming years, most smartphones will support wireless charging, and in fact, most newer phones already do. That being said, many people have never seen a wireless charger in action. How does wireless charging actually work? And how can you choose the best wireless charger for your device?
In this definitive guide, we will answer those questions and explain everything you need to know about wireless charging so that you can pick the perfect wireless charger for your device.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
The technology that makes wireless charging possible was actually invented more than 100 years ago by Nikola Tesla, but it took scientists a century to learn how to use this technology to transfer significant amounts of power. In simple terms, here’s how it works.
The basic idea is that coiled wires are looped around a magnet, forming what’s known as an inductor. When an electrical current travels through the wires, it generates an electromagnetic field that can transfer power to nearby devices.
To ensure that the power is not being transferred to unintended devices, wireless chargers are equipped with a transmitter that broadcasts a ‘handshake’. Transmitters are now being installed in most mid- and high-end smartphones and tablets, slowing becoming the standard in most handheld electronic devices.
Can You Still Use A Case?
It really all depends on the case you have. As a rule, you can leave the case or cover on your phone, and it will still charge wirelessly. If your case is particularly thick or is made of metal, however, then it may decrease the effectiveness of the wireless charger.
As the technology improves and wireless charging pads become more powerful, cases will be much less of an issue. But most already people use relatively thin phone covers, and so it’s not a problem, generally speaking.
What To Look For In A Wireless Charger
Wireless chargers are advertised with different bells and whistles, but for the most part, there are only a few features that you should look out for when picking out a wireless charging pad or stand. Let’s go over each individually so that you’ll know what separates a great wireless charger from a mediocre one and be able to pick the one that best suits you and your device.
Wattage
One of the most important considerations when choosing a wireless charger is the amount of power it can transfer; this metric is known as wattage. Wireless charging protocols have different power specifications, beginning with low power, which is primarily used for charging mobile devices. At the moment there are several wattages that are supported. 5W is a minimum, while some handsets support 7.5W, 10W and up to 15W (some even now support 30W. However, individual companies can develop their own technologies to deliver faster wireless charging speeds.
Standard (Qi)
Instituted by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the industry standard for wireless chargers is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”), which regulates the distance of wireless charging to a maximum of 40mm. Again, as the technology progresses and devices become able to transfer power over longer distances, the 40mm benchmark will likely be adjusted.
Brand
Your next consideration should be the brand. Some wireless chargers are cross-compatible with any device that has the appropriate transmitter, whereas other brands have installed proprietary transmitters ensuring that those devices will only work with wireless chargers from the same brand.
Some people prefer to buy all of their electronics from the same brand, such as Samsung or Apple, both of which are leading the industry in terms of implementing wireless charging technology in their devices. Others are less concerned with the brand of their charger and only care about whether or not it works well with their device.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you care about the brand name on your wireless charger, but as mentioned above, your device may only work with a charger made by the same brand. If that’s the case, make sure you pick the right charger for your specific device.
Format
Wireless chargers come in a variety of different forms, but there are two that are by far the most common: wireless charging pads (which allow you to lay the device flat) and wireless stand chargers (which generally provide better viewing angles). Generally speaking, the pads are more convenient as they can charge multiple devices simultaneously, but stand chargers tend to charge slightly more quickly, as all of their power is going to one device at a time.
Aesthetics
Last but not least, you’ll want to pick out a wireless charger that looks good. Most wireless chargers, especially the charge pads, are sleek, compact, and well-designed. Stand chargers tend to be a bit bulkier and more cumbersome, but this is largely a matter of personal taste and preference. When in doubt, pick the one you like the most; just remember that compatibility takes precedence.
Wired Charging Is Still Faster
To be sure, wired charging is still much faster than wireless charging, at least for the time being. As technology continues to advance, the gap in speed between wireless and wired chargers will continue to shrink. However, when you consider that wireless charging pads can charge multiple devices at the same time, it can actually be much quicker to charge all of your devices with a wireless charger rather than charging each device individually with a wired charger.
Our Favourite Wireless Chargers
There are a number of excellent wireless chargers on the market these days, but there are two that stand out for all the right reasons. For the time being, these are the ones that we highly recommend for people who are new to wireless charging and who want to have the best experience.
These two chargers are also somewhat future-proof, meaning that the specs and technology inside are unlikely to become outdated, at least for a few years. What makes them stand out from the crowd is that they support the latest wireless charging tech known as “MagSafe”— new ecosystem of accessories introduced by Apple for easy attachment and faster wireless charging. Keep in mind that both of these wireless chargers work exclusively with iPhones and Apple devices.
Apple MagSafe charger
The new line of Apple MagSafe chargers works exclusively with iPhone models from the iPhone 8 and onwards and other Apple devices, such as AirPods and the iWatch. The name MagSafe refers to the magnets which can be used to attach the charger perfectly with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models.
The Apple MagSafe charger boasts 15-watts of power, which is huge a step up from most of the other wireless chargers on the market, and it’s even available with its own wireless charging pod. Mind-blowing, right?
Some additional accessories include an optional 20-watt USB type-C cord for even faster wired charging and an all-new case that’s designed to work specifically with the MagSafe charger. If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, then the wireless MagSafe charger from Apple will likely be your best bet.
Belkin BOOSTCHARGE™ 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
An alternative to Apples’ MagSafe charger is the Belkin 3-in-1 wireless charging dock; in fact, the Belkin might even be better in some ways. Not only does the Belkin also feature the MagSafe system so that your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro can be magnetically lined up with the charger, but it also has a second and third charge pad designed to hold your iWatch and AirPods as well.
The Belkin 3-in-1, like the Apple MagSafe wireless charger, also features 15-Watts of peak power transfer, meaning that your devices will charge quickly, and the design allows the phone to be charged both horizontally and vertically so that you are free to watch videos Face Time while your device is charging.
Unlike the Apple MagSafe charger, the Belkin 3-in-1 will not work with iPhone 8 devices. The Belkin only works with iPhone 12 and newer devices, such as the latest Apple Watch models and AirPods.
Samsung’s Wireless Charger
Samsung’s Wireless Charger is compatible with both Android and Apple devices, so you can simply place and charge your phone or favorite earbuds. Your device is recharged quickly by harnessing up to 9W of Samsung’s Fast Charging support. Samsung’s wireless charger powers up your device through lightweight cases—so getting a power boost is as simple as putting down your phone. The charging pad uses color LEDs to let you know the device’s charging status—while dimming automagically at night so the light doesn’t disturb your sleep. With a slim, smooth and compact design, it fits even in your smaller spaces, so it’s easy to access when your phone or earbuds need a little extra juice. And it looks pretty nice, too.
Summary
Wireless charging is a big step in the right direction. Being free of cumbersome cords is always a good thing, and having the ability to charge multiple devices quickly and easily will surely become the standard in the years ahead.
There are plenty of great wireless chargers on the market; ultimately, determining which one will be best for you is a matter of your own personal taste and preferences, but if you use newer Apple devices, then we highly recommend the Apple MagSafe or Belkin 3-in-1.
