14 best wireless chargers

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

With the advent of the first gadgets on the market that support wireless charging technology, the idea was immediately picked up by many electronics manufacturers. Now on sale there are many wireless chargers of various form factors. Due to the relative ease of production, such devices are supplied, including by not very well-known companies, which creates some difficulties with the choice. Expertology experts have analyzed the current market in 2020 and prepared relevant recommendations, which we have prepared in the form of an express review.

How to choose wireless charging

The ease of use of wireless charging (just put the smartphone on the base-mat) has a downside – the complexity of the choice. These chargers can vary greatly in form factor, materials, design, and most importantly, power. A separate issue is wireless charging technology, and we will start with it.

Technology

At the very beginning, we will take as a basis that we will consider only the most densely entered technology in the market – Qi, developed by the Wireless Electromagnetic Energy Consortium. The previous technology – PowerMat – was forced out of the market in a natural way due to imperfections. And more advanced than Qi, Rezence technology has not yet gained any significant presence in the market.

In any case, even those smartphones that are fundamentally not compatible with Qi technology memory can be easily adapted to this charging method by purchasing an inexpensive miniature and completely unobtrusive adapter.

Power

A key indicator that displays the potential capabilities of the charger in terms of the speed of charging the gadget. In a nutshell – the more this power, the faster charging can occur. The key word here is “may”, since it will still be necessary for the smartphone itself to support such power.

In any case, if the charging power exceeds the capabilities of the smartphone, the latter is not in danger, it will simply charge within its own “bandwidth”.

Another thing is if the power of a wireless charger is noticeably less than the potential for this part of a smartphone. In this case, the process of full recharging can take many hours.

Therefore, the general conclusion is that charging should be selected according to power, focusing on the characteristics of the smartphone itself. That is, the power of the charger must be equal to or greater than the corresponding parameter of the gadget. There is no fundamental power limit for the described charging principle. There is only a rational limit, above which it makes no sense to increase power. For modern Qi-type wireless chargers, it is 15W at a current of 2A. However, there are separate models with a larger capacity, up to 30W.

One or two coils

The principle of wireless charging is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, which is based on the use of induction coils. There are wireless chargers with one or more coils. The presence of two coils does not mean that charging will be faster. The speed depends only on the power, and the presence of two coils will only add ergonomics to the device.

The fact is that in order to close the circuit, it is necessary that the induction coils in the charger (charger) and the smartphone “coincide”, that is, they are physically on the same axis. If only one coil is used in the charger, it can be problematic to put the smartphone in the right place the first time with one movement in order for the charging to work. If several coils are used in the memory, then it is more likely that when installing a smartphone, at least one of them will coincide with the “receiving side”.

Base surface

It would seem that a secondary point is the nature of the surface of the memory base. Most wireless chargers do not provide a mount for a charging gadget. Therefore, if the surface is slippery, it will be easy to accidentally hit the smartphone and drop it.

Base size

If you own multiple gadgets with Qi-charging support, you don’t have to buy as many wireless chargers. Alternatively, you can purchase one memory with a large base area and several induction coils.

Form Factor

The most common form factors for wireless chargers are a simple flat mat, vertical stand, transformer, or car holder. It is already easy to choose here, it is enough to at least know that such formats exist.

Rating of the best wireless chargers

The best budget wireless chargers

Now let’s move on to the analysis of the characteristics of specific models that have received high marks from our experts. In the first selection, we will consider the most affordable options for no more than 3 thousand rubles as of April 2020.

Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Pad

Rating: 4.6

The section will open the wireless memory of the famous Chinese brand Xiaomi, which is also the cheapest in the selection. The model was first presented in the spring of 2018. Pay attention to the model name – do not confuse it with Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charger, as the latter has tangible drawbacks at an almost similar price.

Mi Wireless Charging Pad is made in the form of a small (even tiny, when compared with the size of modern smartphones) stand of the correct round shape. Platform dimensions – 9.8×9.8×0.8cm. This model is already strikingly different from the Mi Wireless Charger, which is half the size. The weight of the device is 187g. Housing made of durable aluminum on the right. The base is fully rubberized so that the base is guaranteed not to slip on the table.

This model, due to its size, is primarily focused on tablets, but, of course, there are no fundamental restrictions on charging other gadgets. The active elements are two induction coils. The maximum power is 10W. The output voltage is from 5 to 9V. The maximum output current is 2A. The model has a certificate of conformity from the Wireless Power Consortium, confirming compliance with Qi technology

The device also supports fast charging within the Quick Charge 2.0 standard. In this mode, you can recharge the gadget up to half the battery capacity in a short time, thereby ensuring uninterrupted communication. For this function to work, you will need an additional 9V charger supplied with your smartphone (tablet) or purchased separately.

The charger is connected via the USB Type-C port. A suitable connection cable is included in the scope of delivery.

The charger is provided with several levels of protection against emergency situations – overheating, increased loads, power surges in the network. Thus, the device is able to reliably protect both itself and the charging gadget from failure.

Spigen Essential F301W

Rating: 4.5

The review continues with another inexpensive wireless charger for gadgets compatible with Qi technology manufactured by the American company Spigen Inc. The characteristics of the model are almost identical to the previous one.

Essential F301W base dimensions – 78.7×10.0x78.7mm, weight – 129.3g. The body material is durable ABS plastic in dark gray, closer to black. The optimal distance for triggering the electrical circuit is 5 – 7mm. The current charge level is shown by the LED indicator.

Charger power – 10W. Operates in two voltage and current modes: 5V and 2A; 9B and 18.A. Supports fast charging. The compatibility of a particular gadget with the fast charging mode of this particular model must first be clarified before purchase.

The device has built-in protection mechanisms against extreme conditions – overheating, overload, etc. During charging, the battery of the gadget being charged can and will heat up, but within reason, at the level of the traditional wired method – here you should follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of a particular gadget.

According to Spigen Inc, this model is compatible with most modern smartphones, regardless of platform (Android or iOS). The optimal dimensions for a comfortable and stable location with the coincidence of induction coils are approximately corresponding to the diagonal of the screen from 4 to 5.7 inches.

The Spigen Essential F301W comes with a standard USB to Micro USB connection cable.

The main claim of users and experts of Expertology to this model is the poorly thought out nature of the base surface. The solution with sloping edges outside the circular active part is at least strange, since a smartphone laid on the base often spontaneously moves out.

Baseus Three-coil Wireless Charging Pad

Rating: 4.4

Continue our tour of the best Qi wireless chargers in 2020 according to Expertology magazine with a model from Baseus. It is a well-known Chinese brand of digital accessories owned by Shenzhen Times Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.

This model is already another popular form factor – a stand for vertical installation. This format does not particularly limit the scope of application, since it does not fit a certain range of smartphone sizes, but almost all existing ones on the market. The base stop has no frames, and even has a silicone pad for guaranteed stability. Plastic surfaces have a soft-touch coating that is pleasant to the touch. Finally, no one forbids using the charger in a supine position. To do this, simply remove the plastic stop, and lay the base flat.

Product dimensions – 142x72x9mm, weight – 143g. Housing materials – corrosion-resistant zinc alloy, polycarbonate, silicone inserts for stability. The output interface is USB Type-C.

The most noticeable advantage of this model is the presence of as many as three induction coils. The manufacturer insistently emphasizes this circumstance already in the name of the accessory – “Three-coil”. The total output power is similar to the previous model – 10W. The layout for voltage and amperage modes is organized in a similar way: 5V / 2A or 9V / 1.67A. The device is equipped with the necessary basic protection against overheating, overload and power surge protection.

The Baseus Three-coil Wireless Charging Pad’s conditional energy conversion efficiency rating is 72%. The operating frequency range of the radiation is 105 – 205 kHz. The optimal distance for the chain to actuate is up to 8mm.

There are actually no obvious shortcomings in this model, the only thing that some buyers are dissatisfied with is the lack of a fast charging function. But this feature is not in every gadget. Also, some people complain about the too bright LED, annoying at night.

Official manufacturer’s warranty – 12 months. There are wireless memory devices of other form factors in the assortment of the Baseus trademark, but this one deserves the greatest popularity and the best feedback.

Skyway Energy Fast

Rating: 4.3

Next, consider the popular inexpensive wireless charging of the Russian trademark Skyway. This is also a vertical form factor charging, but this time the design is monolithic, and it will not work to use the charger in the supine position.

Skyway Energy Fast case is made of high quality plastic. The execution is neat, without distortions, irregularities and other “artifacts”. The base is at an angle and is bolted to the stand. Position adjustment is not provided. Connects to a power source via a non-removable USB cable with a classic Type A plug. There are 4 rubber feet on the bottom surface of the stop to prevent slipping. There are three decorative options in the assortment – solid black, dark wood (mahogany) and light wood.

The maximum output voltage of the device is 9V at a current strength of 1.2A, which is enough to fully charge a conditional average smartphone within 2.5 hours. This speed is provided by the fast charging mode in accordance with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

Despite the fact that this model, it would seem, loses the previous one in terms of “transformer” qualities (only a vertical position is possible), this particular format is becoming more and more in demand. When the smartphone is placed vertically on the wireless charger, it is convenient to continue using it while charging.

The results of independent tests also show decent sensitivity and “range” of the charger. So, when compared with many wireless chargers on the market, not everyone is able to grasp pairing with a phone in a thick or even thin case. Here, for the most part, this problem is not encountered.

Nillkin Magic Disk 4

Rating: 4.2

The first part of the review of the best wireless chargers according to Expertology magazine will be completed by the model of the famous Chinese brand of mobile accessories Nillkin. So we turn again to the form factor that started it all, that is, the horizontal mat format.

The device is enclosed in a case in the form of a regular circle. Diameter – 110mm, height – 16.5mm. The range includes a choice of different colors. One of the most popular is white. The main body materials are durable ABS plastic, tempered glass, even with some degree of impact resistance. It is the glass part of the device that serves as a surface for installing the gadget for charging. The center of the active zone is indicated by the pointer in the form of “+”. The base is rubberized for the stability of the base itself, and logically, a similar coating for plastic sidewalls is “asked” here, but it is not. However, the smartphone from the base does not tend to spontaneously roll off, as is the case with the Spigen Essential F301W.

The connector for connection is located on the sidewall – microUSB. The package includes a cable up to 1 meter long. A little further from the socket is the backlight control button, which is tied to the following modes: one press – turns on the white backlight (turns on automatically when current is applied to the memory); the second press turns on the RGB backlight with a smooth change of shades; the third press turns off the backlight.

Nillkin Magic Disk 4 operates on the following input voltage and amperage options: 5V and 2A; 9V and 1.7A. The maximum allowable range of the paired device for stable charging is 6mm. The estimated energy conversion efficiency is 80%. Fast charging technology is supported, but compatibility with a specific device needs to be clarified.

It is also worth adding to the description of this model that only one induction coil is used here, and although it is of a relatively large area, you still have to center the charged gadget, but over time it is easy to get used to it. Users also note an audible characteristic “electrical” crackling during charging, which can cause discomfort. Another point – the device does not charge smart watches Apple Watch.

The best universal wireless chargers

In the second part of the review, we will consider interesting wireless chargers from different manufacturers, regardless of their cost and without regard to the form factor. Samples with a variety of features and functionality will be presented.

Samsung EP-NG930

Rating: 4.9

Let’s start with the brand model, which automatically attracts the lion’s share of the target audience. The South Korean giant Samsung is constantly developing and launching new and more advanced wireless chargers on the market, and the EP-NG930 is currently one of the best combinations of quality and value.

This charger is also a vertical form factor, although at a glance it may seem that the model is at least combined. Slightly confusing is the round shape of the active part, as in almost all horizontal models. Plus, the stand mount looks detachable, or at least foldable, but it’s actually not.

The body material of the Samsung EP-NG930 is high-quality plastic, the surfaces are mostly glossy. There are two colors – black and white. In the black version, fingerprints and scratches are naturally clearly visible on glossy surfaces. In white, such visibility is drastically lower. Tellingly, the surface of the reverse side of the device is matte, and why it was impossible to do the same on the front part is not clear. The active zone is surrounded by a wide rubberized ring, which will not allow the stacked smartphone to slide off.

The device is connected via the MicroUSB socket. In normal mode, charging occurs imperceptibly, but it takes a long time – at least three hours, and often much more. The changed color of the LED indicator will inform about the full charge.

Devices that support wireless fast charging technology are much more interesting to charge. The device is automatically recognized and fast charging is automatically activated. At the same time, the active cooling fan starts. Its noise level does not exceed 6 dB, that is, the engine and blades are almost inaudible.

The Samsung EP-NG930 bundle is ridiculously modest. And the funny thing about this is that the great Samsung saved even on the necessary connection cable, probably counting on the fact that the user will deal with the issue on his own. The solution is strange to say the least.

Momax Q.Pad Pro

Rating: 4.8

Let’s continue with an interesting and increasingly popular solution of the Momax trademark. This is the dual wireless charger of the Q.Pad Pro model. By double here we mean the presence of two independent seats for rechargeable smartphones.

This model is designed for horizontal installation and horizontal arrangement of rechargeable gadgets. The charger has an oblong shape, in which the location of the active zones is easily guessed. Each zone includes two induction coils. Therefore, there is no need to carefully adjust the gadget to the optimal position. The developers did not even begin to apply any markup to the surface, probably in order not to spoil the fashionable minimalist design.

The charging process starts automatically as soon as the gadget or pair of gadgets is placed on the base. The maximum charging power is 10W. It is at this power that Samsung smartphones and other compatible smartphones are charged. As for the iPhone, they have a standard 7.5W wireless charging mode. It is also important to understand that when charging two devices at the same time, the active zones do not interfere with each other in any way, and do not reduce the total charging time, which can be reduced to 2.5 hours or even less due to such an accelerated mode.

The device is compact, weighs 175g. It also comes with a USB cable for connection. The official warranty for this model is 1 year.

Samsung Wireless Charger Duo EP-N6100

Rating: 4.7

The third item in this part of the review is another Samsung wireless charger. This model is much more expensive than the previous version of the Korean technology giant, but there are more than objective reasons for that.

The key feature of the EP-N6100 series is multi-charging – the presence of two seats, and at the same time they are different in terms of the position of the device being charged, and not equivalent, as is done in the above-described Momax Q.Pad Pro model. So, here we see one horizontal place and one stand for vertical installation, arranged similarly to the compact single-shot model EP-NG930.

Device dimensions – 209.3 × 88.5 × 96.5mm, weight – 296g. The main material is durable plastic with extremely accurate manufacturing and fitting of parts. The surface is matte, which is especially pleasing after the extremely easily soiled gloss of the EP-NG930 model. Two colors are offered – white and black.

The charger seats are equivalent in terms of charging capacity, although the right horizontal one is unobtrusively positioned by the manufacturer as intended for charging smart watches. And here is one not-too-pleasant moment – not all smartwatches are equipped with straps that fully unfasten to lay the watch flat on the panel. Users get out of the situation by putting a watch with a strap on the base itself, but in this case the circuit closes unstably.

The device is connected via a USB Type-C port. You can place your smartphone on the stand in any position – portrait or landscape, and charging will work, since the seat is equipped with at least one induction coil. The model supports fast charging mode, and when it is activated, the active cooling fan immediately turns on. Fan noise is almost imperceptible.

The charger is supplied with a 1.2 meter connection cable. Official manufacturer’s warranty – 6 months.

Zens Dual Aluminium Wireless Charger + Apple Watch 10W Black (ZEDC05B/00)

Rating: 4.7

Now consider a wireless charger, which, with its form factor, is fundamentally different from all of the above. This is a whole docking station with the most versatile approach to the types of devices being charged. This is the most expensive model in the selection, but for a very large target audience, it is definitely worth the money.

Construction dimensions – 24.1 × 8.9 × 11.5 cm, weight – 800 g. The Zens range has two color schemes for the model – black and white. The case is mostly made of high-quality plastic with impeccable technical performance.

The docking station is a platform with two active zones for charging. The left zone is equipped with a stand, the right zone is equipped with a polished metal tripod “hanger” for smart watches. Although there are formally two active zones, the manufacturer positions the device as a three-charger for the iPhone, AirPods headphones and Apple Watch smart watches. At the same time, it is emphasized that no one forbids using the right zone to charge the second iPhone. And, of course, you can charge not only Cupertino gadgets on it, but any devices compatible with Qi wireless charging technology.

The total output power of the charger is 20W, 10 for each active zone. Each zone is autonomous, and they do not “steal” power from each other during operation. A notable feature of the device is the presence of an additional USB port, which can also be used for charging, but already wired. The device supports fast charging mode. The package includes a power adapter from the mains.

This bright flagship model of the well-known Zens brand is a kind of business class in this market segment. At the moment, this is perhaps the most convenient and multifunctional charger for wearable gadgets with wireless charging function. The model has certificates of compliance with MFi and Qi technologies. The manufacturer provides a full three-year official warranty.

Xiaomi Mi Wireless Fast Charger 20W

Rating: 4.7

And to round off Expertology magazine’s selection of the best universal wireless chargers, we’ll take a look at something remarkable from Xiaomi. This is the most powerful charger in our review – 20W per device.

The charging form factor is horizontal. The body is made of durable polymer with a matte finish. The block is monolithic – the emphasis with the active zone and the stand are a single whole. Rounded edges, matte surface, impeccable workmanship – all this is an indisputable plus for the appearance of the model. The bottom stand has a rubberized insert, so that even on a smooth table surface it will not slip.

Product dimensions – 56x47x28mm. Connects via USB Type C port. A 1m cable with support for the required powers is included in the package. Actually, this is the whole package, but there is no power adapter in the set, and this is a minus, since without it the user will not receive maximum power, which is almost the only fundamental advantage of this model.

The base is equipped with more than one telecoil, so that the smartphone can be placed in any position – landscape or portrait. The active zone is quite sensitive and closes the circuit with the smartphone in the case without any problems. Supports fast charging.

In conclusion, we add that this is not a record power output of Xiaomi wireless chargers. At the end of last 2019, another novelty came out – a similar charger to the described model, but with an output power of 30W. We did not consider this option due to redundancy (so far it is relevant almost exclusively for the flagship Mi 9 Pro), but we consider it necessary to inform the reader about its existence.

Best car wireless chargers

The final category in Expertology’s best wireless chargers of 2020 are devices with a special form factor, optimally adapted for installation and use in the car.

Qcyber Mobile GRAVITY

Rating: 4.9

Let’s start with the most inexpensive version of the Qcyber brand. This is an extremely simple and cheap wireless charger, but it is quite functional and not without attractiveness in terms of design.

The dimensions of the device are 104x96x18mm, the weight is only 70g. The material is strong plastic with a matte surface and an interesting texture of the core coating. The model got its name GRAVITY, not least due to the gravitational type of smartphone holder, freely rotating 360 degrees around the axis of the gadget. The device itself is attached to the air duct deflector on the car panel or any other surface where it can be fixed.

The electrical parameters of Qcyber Mobile GRAVITY are as follows: input voltage – 5V with a current of 2A, output power – 10W, operating frequency range – from 110 to 205 kHz. Both normal charging and fast charging are supported.

The charger is connected via a USB socket to the cigarette lighter or from any other source through the appropriate adapter. Installing the smartphone on the base is also extremely simple – the side latches hold the gadget firmly, but not too tight, so you can put and remove the smartphone even with one hand.

On the body of the charger there are multi-colored indicators signaling the modes and states: blue color – normal charging progress; red – fast charging mode; green – charging completed. When the device is turned on, its readiness for operation is signaled by the ignition and immediately turning off all three indicators at the same time.

Qcyber Mobile GRAVITY comes in a secure package with a protective tray inside. The package includes the charger itself, standard and short fasteners for the deflector, microUSB cable, and documentation.

Qcyber Mobile AUTOMATIC

Rating: 4.8

And in order not to go far, let’s immediately consider another Qcyber wireless charger – the AUTOMATIC model. It is already more complicated, a little more expensive and definitely more interesting than the previous one.

This model also has a comfortable size, but it also has three points of change of position, like an engineering desk lamp. The main material is a strong black plastic. The surface of the front side of the active zone is glossy.

The rack itself can be mounted on the deflector using special fasteners, or on any flat surface using a suction cup. The name AUTOMATIC here has a very specific meaning, and even more than GRAVITY in the previous model. It implements automatic capture and fixation of the smartphone based on sensor data – that is, you do not need to manually push or move anything, since the device will do everything independently and correctly.

The rack is connected via a USB interface with a Type-C connector. The mode and status indication system is slightly different from the Gravity model described above. So, here a solid red indicator indicates the readiness of the charger for operation, a stable blue one indicates the normal course of charging, and a blinking one indicates the presence of an unwanted metal object nearby that may interfere with effective charging.

The device supports fast charging mode. In this case, the voltage will vary from 4.5 to 5V, and the current will be 2A. The time to fully charge the battery of an “average” smartphone will be up to 3.5 hours.

The Qcyber Mobile AUTOMATIC package includes a folding rack with an active zone, a deflector mount, a suction cup, a microUSB Type-C cable, and documentation.

Nillkin Car Magnetic Wireless Charger II

Rating: 4.7

Now let’s pay attention to another wireless charger of the well-known Nillkin brand already mentioned above. Structurally, this is an extremely elementary device, much simpler even than Qcyber Mobile GRAVITY. We emphasize that here we are talking about the second generation of the accessory in this series.

This model uses not a mechanical, but a magnetic method of fixing a charging smartphone. In order for the smartphone to be attached to the platform, you must first glue a regular metal U-shaped plate or small tablet plates in random order to it. The plates themselves are included in the delivery package – one U-shaped and six “tablets”. Can be glued to the cover from the outside or from the inside. But with internal placement, the magnetic effect may weaken, and the mount will not be so reliable. However, the strength of the magnet is even slightly excessive, so there should be no problems, and the smartphone will not fall off even with a sharp acceleration.

Charging uses a current of 5V and a power of 2A at the input, and a maximum of 5V and 1A at the output. The transmission range for closing the electrical circuit is standard for this type of device – 6 – 8mm. The sensitivity is sufficient to easily charge a smartphone in a case. The estimated energy conversion efficiency is over 70%. This is an average result for normal wireless charging without fast mode support.

Depending on the desired installation method, you need to choose a specific modification with the desired type of fastening when ordering. Available options – on the deflector without fixation adjustment, on the deflector with fixation adjustment, on the dashboard (sticker). These modifications are marked – A, B and C, respectively. Mount C on 3M double-sided tape has the advantage of turning in all directions.

The Nillkin range has special cases for smartphones for use with this charger model. They do not require sticking plates, which eliminates the problem of undesirable change in the appearance of the back of the smartphone.

The obvious drawback of the Nillkin Car Magnetic Wireless Charger II is actually the only one – there is no fast charging mode.

Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger (Black) (WCJ02ZM)

Rating: 4.7

And our review will be completed by another interesting wireless charger for smartphones, now in a form factor adapted for installation in a car.

The device has small dimensions – 80x100x20mm, weighs 140g. The case is made of black plastic (the only color solution in the range) with a pleasant texture. The design is discreet, minimalistic, but stylish with noticeable attention to detail.

The model is interesting primarily for its power – up to 20W. Power mode layout: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A, 15V/1.8A, 20V/1.35A. Supports wireless charging. The sensor distance varies from 20 to 50mm.

The package of this model includes a base with an active zone, a power adapter, a deflector mount, a USB type-C cable, and documentation. Manufacturer’s warranty – 12 months.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.