Wireless charging isn’t nearly as cool as it sounds. It’s not exactly wireless—a cord runs from an outlet to the charging pad—and it won’t charge your smartphone faster than plugging it in with a good ol’ cord. Still, I’m always disappointed when I test a smartphone that doesn’t support it. I’ve gotten used to plopping my phone down on a pad every night, and fishing for a cable in the dark feels like a chore. It’s pure convenience more than anything else.
After testing more than 100 products over the past few years, my colleague Simon Hill and I have sorted the good from the bad (there are certainly bad ones) and have identified the best wireless chargers. There are so many styles, shapes, and build materials that you have options, including stands, pads, wireless battery packs, and models that even double as headphone stands.
Check out our other buying guides, including the Best Android Phones, Best 3-in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers, Best MagSafe Chargers, Best iPhones, Best Samsung Galaxy S24 Cases, and Best iPhone 16 Cases.
Updated January 2025: We added chargers from Nomad, Zens, Baseus, and UGreen.
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Does My Phone Support Wireless Charging?
Not all phones support wireless charging, but most brands have models that do, so look up your phone model first. You’ll usually see “Qi wireless charging” (the default standard) or simply “wireless charging” if it does. Phones that support the latest Qi2 standard, bear the Qi2 logo and have a ring of magnets for easy alignment (just like Apple’s MagSafe). Qi2 is backward compatible, so Qi phones can be charged on Qi2 chargers, though they may charge at a slower rate. Sadly, this does not always apply the other way round, as we discovered with the HMD Skyline (the first Qi2 Android phone) which cannot be charged with the majority of Qi chargers.
Do Wireless Chargers Work With Phone Cases?
Yes, most wireless chargers can charge through cases, unless it’s a particularly thick case. Check the product listing—there’s usually a case thickness limit in millimeters. Phones can get hot when charging wirelessly, so don’t worry if your phone is really warm when you pick it up. Most smartphones have limits to stop accepting a charge if they get too hot.
Yes, Cords Will Charge Your Phone Faster
Some manufacturers like Apple and OnePlus make wireless chargers that recharge their respective phones faster than others, but if you’re looking for speed, you’re better off sticking with a cord. Wireless charging is best for desks or nightstands when you’re not really using your phone or in a rush to recharge it.
What’s a Fast Wireless Charging Speed?
The latest MagSafe and Qi2 chargers can go up to 15 watts, and there are a handful of proprietary wireless chargers for specific phone models that can charge even faster. It’s worth noting that, even where phones support them, the maximum charging rates are only reached some of the time (the charging rate is automatically adjusted to preserve battery health). Many older iPhones are capped at 7.5 watts for wireless charging and many older Android phones are capped at 10 watts. We have included the maximum wireless charging rate in the specs table for each entry. Remember that the charger also requires the correct cable and power adapter to charge at its maximum rate.
Is Wireless Charging Safe to Use?
There’s no definitive evidence that it’s harmful. You may worry the phone’s battery might degrade faster with wireless charging, but manufacturers set safe limits for phone batteries, stipulating how much a battery can be charged and how far it can discharge. Regardless of the charging source you use, whether you plug into a wall adapter or use a wireless charging pad, these limits can’t be overridden. There’s no risk of overcharging your phone by leaving it on a wireless charger all night.
How Do I Keep My Phone’s Battery Healthy?
Try to keep your battery between 50 and 80 percent for optimum battery health. Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharging the battery will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life. Battery technology has improved in recent years, and phone batteries are more reliable than ever. If you switch phones every two to three years or don’t mind paying a modest fee for a battery replacement on that timescale, it’s not worth worrying too much about how often or when you charge your phone.
