Why is there never a charger when you need one? Or at least one that’s actually compatible with your phone or earbuds.
Wireless charging pads can be one of the most convenient gadgets to have around, and they’re often universal and work with a mix of devices.
Right now, I’m loving Apple’s MagSafe Charger.* It usually sits on my desk but I like to take it as a backup power source whenever I’m travelling. It’s gives my iPhone 17e* a huge boost within just half an hour, and compatible with other non-Apple products so I don’t need to hunt down extra cords and adapters.
Looking for a budget buy? The “hassle-free” Anker PowerWave has dropped to just $29.99, and can be used as a regular phone stand when it’s not busy juicing up your device.
NEED TO KNOW Wireless charging is usually slower than wired charging since electricity isn’t flowing directly from the power source. Instead, it uses a conversion proces which leads to some energy loss. When buying a wireless charger, the most useful features shoppers found were fast charging speeds, affordable prices and solid construction. OUR TOP PICKSBEST WIRELESS CHARGING PADS AND MATS
Apple MagSafe Charger (2m),* $89 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer
Apple might be notorious for keeping a tight-knit ecosystem, but this MagSafe pad has been a fantastic go-to for a mix of Apple and Android devices. It’s super compact and lightweight, and boasts a nice strong magnet and decently fast charging.
I usually prefer regular wired chargers when I need a quick battery boost, but this option has been a great alternative.
If you have a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, you can use the 30W USB-C Power Adapter to get up to 25W wireless charging. It’s especially handy if you have a compatible device, such as an iPhone 16, iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, since this combo can get from zero battery to 50 per cent within just 30 minutes.
Anker PowerWave Pad and Stand, $29.99 (down from $49.99) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
While we would normally advise you to be wary of cheap chargers, this budget friendly Anker model boasts more than 96,000 reviews on Amazon Australia, making it one of the most popular options on this list.
Compatible with a range of iPhones, Samsung phones and Google Pixel phones, the 10W wireless charger is ideal for households with blended smartphone allegiances. It also switches between 10W and 5W charging modes, depending on the power needs of your device.
The charger comes with a safety system that prevents overheating and overcharging and can be used horizontally to watch movies and videos, or vertically to take calls or use facial recognition as you charge.
“This wireless charger is amazing,” one Amazon Australia reviewer raved.
“I would highly recommend this wireless charger to anyone who wants a hassle-free and efficient wireless charging experience.”
Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand, $98 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
We love a multifunctional gadget and this sleek Satechi two-in-one wireless charger fits the bill, offering a space for your phone as well as your earbuds.
“Great fast charger but also useful as a portable stand when unplugged to use for FaceTime calls etc. Highly recommend!!” praised one fan.
“Solid, heavy, beautifully made and elegantly designed. A really nice piece of kit to use with your iPhone and AirPods,” a second raved.
BEST BUDGET WIRELESS CHARGER
Belkin BoostCharge Wireless Charging Pad 15W, $39 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Belkin offers a great range of products to suit most budgets, and this wireless charging pad is no exception. Happy shoppers say it’s “super fast and convenient”, and you “don’t need to perfectly align the phone” like some other models.
This Belkin charger offers up to 15W of wiressless charging and can handle phone cases up to 5mm thick.
BEST WIRELESS CHARGER FOR MAGSAFE IPHONES
Anker MagGo Wireless Charger 2-in-1 Stand, $59.99 (down from $79.99) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Designed to power up iPhone models from iPhone 13 up to iPhone 16, this Anko charging stand comes with 360-degree rotation and an adjustable viewing angle so you can keep watching videos as you charge. Meanwhile, the base provides a nice cradle for your AirPods charging case, and has two handy LED lights so you can keep an eye on the battery status.
It isn’t the most powerful charging stand out there, but that hasn’t stopped reviewers on Amazon raving about it, with one calling it a “sleek and reliable charging solution” and a “must-have for convenient and efficient charging”.
iVanky 4-in-1 Apple Wireless Charging Station , $29.98 (down from $49.99) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a sturdy, compact wireless charger with a sleek minimalist aesthetic, the iVanky 4-in-1 charging station could be a good fit. This cute little unit packs a punch, and can charge your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch in one go, all while acting as a handy night light.
“The magnetic connection is strong and secure, and the fast charging is no joke -everything powers up quickly and efficiently,” raved an Amazon Australia customer.
“It does the same job as other brands but without the ridiculous price,” agreed another.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A WIRELESS CHARGER
When choosing wireless chargers to include in our list, we considered several factors:
Form and style: As wireless chargers often occupy visible spaces like bedside tables or desks, we looked for a variety of styles to suit different aesthetics.
Customer rating: We compared a huge range of products to find the ones customers rated highly.
Charging speeds: Different phones have varying wireless charging speeds. We included a range of options in this guide so you can find one that optimises charging for your device.
Budget: Wireless chargers can differ significantly in price, so we looked for reputable options to suit various budgets. As with most tech though, cheaper options are often less efficient, which is something to consider.
Brands: We looked for well known or highly-rated brands that are trusted by consumers.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles.
We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat is wireless charging?
While wireless charging wasn’t overly successful when it was first introduced, it has come a long way since.
Using magnetic induction, wireless chargers power up the battery of compatible devices through a charging pad or base station instead of through cables.
It may not beat out good old wired charging in terms of speed, but it’s convenient, can cut down on cable clutter and allows you to charge up multiple devices in one go.
Do wireless chargers work on all phones?
No, only certain phones have wireless charging capabilities. Most recent smartphone models do support wireless charging, but you should check the specifics of your model before investing in a wireless charger. Compatible phones are usually marked with “Qi wireless charging” or simply “wireless charging”.
You’ll also need to ensure that the wireless charger you’re interested in is compatible with your smartphone model.
Is wireless charging bad for your phone?
Any form of charging will wear your battery out over time, but wireless charging shouldn’t be any more harmful to your device than standard wired charging. While it is true that wireless charging generates more heat than wired charging, which can put more strain on the battery, both your charger and smartphone should be designed to manage this effectively.
To ensure heat doesn’t exceed safe limits, it’s a good idea to invest in a wireless charger from a reputable brand which includes safety features like temperature protection.
Can I charge my phone wirelessly if I have a case?
Most phone cases can be used with wireless charging, as long as they aren’t too thick. You can also buy specific phones cases, such as MagSafe-enabled cases for iPhone, to ensure they’ll work with a compatible charger.
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*Products loaned by Apple for a 100 per cent honest, independent review.
Tahnee-Jae Lopez-VitoSenior Shopping Writer