Best wireless chargers of 2026: Expert tested


In a world filled with mobile accessories, a wireless charger may be the best contender for your cash. Wireless chargers, many of which use MagSafe technology, simplify the battery-boosting process for your favorite devices while eliminating the need for tangled cords. 

I’ve tested over a dozen wireless chargers from brands like Anker, Belkin, and more for features like foldability, form and design, charging speeds, and multi-charging capabilities. We’ve also tested wireless chargers that can help boost your Android device or wireless earbuds. I’ve also selectively incorporated other picks based on ZDNET expert reviews and evaluations. 

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What’s the best wireless charger right now? 

Our pick for the best wireless charger is the Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station. It has a foldable, compact form with multi-charging capabilities, 15W Qi2 charging, and frequently goes on sale. Check out our top picks and see how they compare to our best overall and find the best wireless charger for your lifestyle. 

Also: The best MagSafe accessories you can buy: Expert tested

In our July update, we updated product descriptions and content throughout. 

The best wireless chargers of 2026

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anker-maggo-3-1-wireless-charger-on-table

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

Why we like it: Anker’s MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station for iPhone is a wireless charging dream. This MagSafe charger features 15W charging, offers a stand component for my iPhone 14 Pro, charges all of my Apple devices simultaneously, and folds up easily for quick transport and storage. 

Who’s it for: If you need a functional 3-in-1 charger that would also cut down the number of cords I need while traveling. This 3-in-1 is truly worth your money — especially if you own an Apple Watch or AirPods and want a great charger for at home and on the go.

Who should look elsewhere: If you’re looking for something that takes up more vertical space than not, this option won’t be for you. It also doesn’t offer a stand configuration. 

Also: I found a Qi2 charging station that can do it all (and Apple users will love it)

Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station features: Compatibility: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless Earbuds, Apple Watch | Color: White or Black | Foldable | Easy for travel | Comes with wall adapter 


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qdos-snapstand-wireless-charger-on-table

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

Why we like it: The Qdos SnapStand 3-1 MagSafe wireless charger offers 15W fast charging. It can also charge your AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone simultaneously. The unique stacked ring design easily folds down flat for quick, compact transportation, and allows your iPhone to chill in standby mode when turned 90 degrees. 

Who’s it for:  If you need the sleekest wireless charger option, this one is it. There are other 3-in-1 options on this list, only a few are foldable. It’s so compact that it fits in the back pocket of my jeans. It’s just as easy to toss in a bag for traveling as the Anker 3-1, but it offers a much different approach to the same desired functionality. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you’re not looking for a thin profile or stand configuration, I think there’s better options suited for more multi-use situations. However, if you’re looking for aesthetics, this one is a winner. 

Qdos SnapStand 3-1 Wireless Charger featuresCompatability: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless Earbuds, Apple Watch | Color: Space Grey | Comes with wall adapter | Aesthetic design | Unique, fold-flat design | 60% recycled materials 


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anker-maggo-3-1-foldable-wireless-charger

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

Why we like it: Like other charging options on this list, you can charge multiple devices wirelessly, like an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. The major difference with this form factor is that it takes up more surface area on a desk, so it may not be the best fit for an at-home setup. But it edges out other wireless chargers thanks to its easy-to-carry and lightweight design. This charger truly perfect for your daily commute, frequent travels, or if you pack light.

Who’s it for: If Anker’s 3-in-1 charging option entices you, but still isn’t as portable as you’d like, try their foldable MagGo iteration, which features a UFO-like design.

Who should look elsewhere: Again, if you’re interested in a stand option for your iPhone, this won’t meet those expectations. It’s also not great for compact tabletops or desks but is perfect for travel. 

Also: My new favorite travel accessory is a 3-in-1 MagSafe charger that’s smaller than a cookie

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad: Compatibility: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless Earbuds, Apple Watch | Color: Black Stone, Aurora White, Pink Aura, Teal Oasis | 15W Fast Charging | Foldable, compact design | Lightweight 


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Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

Why we like it: If you prefer a stand configuration, Twelve South’s HiRise 2 Deluxe is a quality option for a 2-in-1 charging. The HiRise 2 Deluxe joins the lineup as a more practical and affordable version of the HiRise 3 Deluxe, which is a wireless charging stand that charges up to three different devices at once. 

Who’s it for: For a more accessible $80, the HiRise 2 Deluxe charges your iPhone with 15W of power, an additional Qi2-compatible phone, as well as a pair of AirPods or earbuds with 5W. The HiRise 2 Deluxe also uses vertical space instead of horizontal so it can be placed on even the most crowded nightstand or desk. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you’re eyeing a travel or compact option, this isn’t for you. 

Also: I ditched my USB-C cables after trying out this 2-in-1 wireless charger

Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe Charger: Compatibility: MagSafe compatible phone, Wireless Earbuds | Color: Black, White, Glacial Blue | 15W Fast Charging | 2-in-1 charging | Stand feature | Clean, sophisticated design 


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stand-one-max-by-nomad

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Why we like it: Nomad brings an elevated design and environmentally conscious mindset to their tech gear. This 3-in-1 stand features 15W Qi2 charging and a fast Apple Watch charger. Nomad’s Stand One Max is made of weighted metal and glass for a seamless design, and it’s available in white and black. Its handy stand allows your iPhone to rest in StandBy mode, as well. This stand features fast charging and three-device charging

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a true stand layout for your devices, Nomad’s Stand One Max is a staff favorite. Former ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner prefers this Nomad stand — which is on its third-generation — over other options from Belkin and Anker. 

Who should look elsewhere: This stand features fast charging and three-device charging, its base is still a little larger than other configurations on the market due to the side-by-side placement of the iPhone and Apple Watch chargers. If you are looking for more vertical models, you’re going to want to look for options that stack their charging components, like the Qdos SnapStand. 

Nomad Stand One Max Wireless Charger featuresCompatibility: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless Earbuds, Apple Watch | Color: Carbide or Silver | Supports StandBy mode | Apple Watch Fast Charger | Luxury design | 


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Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic wireless charger pad

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Why we like it: If you’re looking for a single, affordable, easy-to-use, and travel-friendly charger, this MagSafe option from Anker is a great pick. It comes with a 5-foot cord which makes it perfect for a couch or bedside, and leverages Qi2 charging for a fast power boost. It also charges your iPhone or wireless earbuds.

Who’s it for: If you need a single, no-fuss MagSafe charger to use in your home or on the go, this one from Aker is reliable. 

Who should look elsewhere: This isn’t for anyone needing multi-use charging or stand configurations. 

Also: This $20 MagSafe charger is better and cheaper than Apple’s own accessory

Anker MagGo Qi2 Wireless Charger featuresCompatibility: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless earbuds | 5-foot cord | Lightweight and compact design | Budget-friendly 


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Our current top pick for the best wireless charger is Anker’s MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging station. It’s travel-friendly and compact for at-home and on-the-go use, plus it features 15W Qi2 charging. Although it’s normally over $100, it frequently goes on sale for $88, giving it even more value if you can nab it on sale.

Check out how our other top picks compare. We’re continually testing products to make sure we’re bringing you the freshest picks possible.

Best wireless charger Multi-charger? Price* Wattage (based on iPhone charger) Qi or Qi2?
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Yes, 3-in-1 charging $86 15W Qi2
Qdos SnapStand 3-in-1 Yes, 3-in-1 charging About $69 15W Qi
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 (foldable) Yes, 3-in-1 charging $72 15W Qi2
Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe Yes, 2-in-1 charging $80 15W Qi2
Nomad Stand One Max Yes, 3-in-1 charging $165 15W Qi2
Anker MagGo Qi2 No, single device charging $26 15W Qi2

*MSRP at the time of publication. 


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Just because users favor a specific model doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right option for you. Consider these recommended best use cases to help you find the best wireless charger for your needs. 

Choose this best wireless charger… If you want…
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Quick 3-in-1 charging in an easy to transport setup that often goes on sale.
Qdos SnapStand 3-in-1 A unique 3-in-1 charger with a flatter form when compressed, also good for travel.
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 (foldable) Lightweight, portable charging for multiple devices.
Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe 2-in-1 charging for two devices.
Nomad Stand One Max A true 3-in-1 standing setup to charge multiple devices with Qi2.
Anker MagGo Qi2 A simple, affordable single device MagSafe charger.


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While testing and researching the best wireless chargers, the ZDNET team consider key factors like power output, design, connectivity, materials, and price to help guide our decision-making. We’ve tested every product recommended on this list for its charging capabilities, overall value, and functionality. Many of these picks are our personal charging stations that we use every day, so you can trust that we’re not just sharing random products. 

We look for a product that adds value to your life. That is, can you “add” this product into your daily life and benefit from its presence, or is it just another buzzy fad product that’s too good to be true?

If we think another product is worth your money, we’ll update this list or write up a spotlight review highlighting its best qualities and specifying who it’s for. Plus, we are routinely scouring the web for new products that are worthy of testing, following news on product rollouts and upgrades, and sourcing the best deals. We know buying anything in the current economy is not just for your whims. That’s why this list, as well as our other advice, is tailored to your needs, wants, and your budget and why our picks are expert-tested and expert-vetted. 


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  • Power: Most wireless chargers on this list average an output of 15 watts, and many also feature Qi2 fast charging. This means you’ll have a speedy charging experience, but keep in mind some chargers offer less wattage or are not designed to use Qi2 charging. For the most part, if you’re looking for a daily charger that will stay at home or in the office, most of these picks will suit your needs. If you’re in the market for a quick charger for travel, you’ll want to lean more towards Qi2 options. 
  • Design: Consider whether you plan to take your wireless charger on-the-go. If so, a portable, lightweight design may be a better fit for you. Likewise, if this charger will remain on your bedside table or desk, consider how much space you’re willing to sacrifice, if you want a vertical or horizontal orientation (i.e. stands vs. bases), and how many devices you’re wanting to charge at the same time. 
  • Connectivity: Most of these wireless chargers use MagSafe technology, though several options do not. Some chargers also feature added USB-C or USB-A ports to allow for the charging of extra devices. Most importantly, be sure to check what types of charging your phone and other devices support before making a purchase. A MagSafe option won’t do you any good if your phone does support it, but you can always convert your device into a MagSafe option. 
  • Price: Wireless chargers can vary in price depending on the type of charger you choose. For example, wireless chargers that accommodate multiple devices will likely be more expensive than single-device chargers. Wireless chargers range in price greatly, but most of the picks on this list are around $100 or more, depending on the model you choose. Also consider that wireless chargers are often one-time purchases, at least for a few years, so while they are pricier than cord combinations, it isn’t an everyday purchase. 


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MagSafe refers to a magnetic wireless charging technology developed by Apple. It uses a ring of strong magnets on the back of compatible devices — the iPhone 12 and newer, with some exceptions — to connect to your phone and charge without a cord. MagSafe also allows you to securely attach other accessories, like wallets, stands, grips, and more to your phone. The point of the magnetic ring is to ensure a perfect alignment for efficient, effective charging, and a strong grip. 


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Both cable charging and wireless charging boost your phone effectively. With a cable, you have to make sure you’re near an outlet or alternative power source. 

With MagSafe, you can experience wire-free charging at home or purchase a battery pack for power on-the-go. If you’re often mobile, we recommend a MagSafe battery pack to keep your iPhone charged while you travel. For certain situations or environments, a cable may be preferred. For example, I test MagSafe battery packs when I commute into the office, and MagSafe charging stations like those included on this list at home. I also employ a classic lightning cable and wall adapter combo to charge my phone while actively using my phone. When I charge my phone, AirPods, and Apple Watch overnight, I use Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 setup. 


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It depends. Most recent phone models within the last few years — including both Apple and Android — offer wireless charging. Most current iPhones, however, also feature MagSafe charging capabilities. It’s possible that you may still own a phone that doesn’t feature wireless charging, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to check the specs of your device to ensure wireless charging is an option.  Always be sure to pay attention to your make and model while shopping for any type of charger. 


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In the words of our senior reviews editor Kerry Wan, Qi2 is essentially MagSafe for Android. Qi2 allows certified phones and devices to charge at 15W — the same as MagSafe. Qi2’s predecessor, Qi, was limited to only 5W charging speeds. 

Qi2 was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and is the latest standard in wireless charging technology. It delivers up to 15W of charging power, uses magnetic alignment to improve charging speed, and offers universal compatibility with Qi2 devices — including the iPhone 15 series and up — as well as any future products designed with Qi2 compatibility. 


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It depends. In my testing experience, wireless chargers do not often come with a wall adapter in the box. If you have an extra on hand, this won’t be an issue. Otherwise, it will be an added expense, especially if the particular setup requires a larger wattage adapter. Keep this in mind while you shop. However, a few picks on this list come with the entire wireless charging setup, including the wall adapter, like the Courant Catch 2. 


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Latest updates

  • In our July update, we completed a full formatting and style overhaul to the page to make it easier to read, and more helpful to readers. This included new top picks, new images, and new efforts to better track our updates. 

Other wireless chargers we’ve tested

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Twelve South ButterFly SE in pink with iPhone and Apple Watch

Jada Jones/ZDNET

This foldable wireless charger option from Twelve South is another great pick for travel. Similar in design to the Anker foldable model, this charger can provide a MagSafe boost to two devices at once — like an iPhone and AirPods. 

ZDNET’s Jada Jones says this charging station is highly compact, making it ideal for travelers and habitual end-of-night nightstand charging folks. Since you can only charge two devices at once — which may not be enough power for some — consider a 3-in-1 option, especially considering the price point. 

Also: Traveling with multiple cables gives me a headache. This tiny gadget solved that problem


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Torras PolarCircle Qi2 MagSafe charger

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET


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ESR HaloLock with CryoBoost wireless car charger

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET


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Nomad Base One Max

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Nomad’s Base One Max charger is expensive at $170, but it does offer 3-in-1 wireless charging. It’s also particularly sleek and luxurious. ZDNET’s Adrian Kinglsey-Hughes particularly liked this charger for its 15W, Made for iPhone (MFi) wireless charging capabilities. 

Also: Apple fans will dig this stylish new 3-in-1 charger from Nomad


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Meta stripped NameTag facial recognition code from its AI app one day after WIRED exposed it on 50 million phones. Meta says no decision has been made.

Meta removed nearly all traces of an unreleased facial recognition system from its smart glasses companion app on Friday, one day after WIRED reported that the software had been quietly embedded in an app installed on more than 50 million phones. The feature, which Meta internally called NameTag, was designed to convert faces captured by the company’s Ray-Ban smart glasses into unique biometric signatures and compare them against a database stored on the user’s device. WIRED also found that faces the system failed to recognise were cropped, indexed, and stored locally for future processing.

Andy Stone, Meta’s vice president of communications, told WIRED on Monday that the feature is “purely exploratory,” adding that no final decision has been made on what to do with it. That characterisation sits uneasily with the evidence WIRED documented. The version of Meta AI published the day of WIRED’s Thursday report contained several code libraries explicitly named for face recognition, a process for running the NameTag recognition pipeline, and a “Person recognised” alert the app would have shown if someone were identified.

Friday’s release stripped all of it out, along with a folder where the app would have stored the cropped images and biometric signatures of unrecognised faces. Meta did not answer WIRED’s questions about why the code was removed or whether the changes were planned before the story was published. A few fragments remain in the latest version, including an internal debug menu label and a dormant link meant to open a recognised person’s profile, pointing to parts of the system that are no longer there.

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The gap between Meta’s public statements and the code WIRED found is the central tension. Before the Thursday report, Stone dismissed the findings by writing that the company could not answer questions about how the system would work because “the feature does not exist.” Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, called the reporting “incredibly misleading” and “absolutely dishonest.” Yet the code was functional enough to include three AI models, one to detect faces, another to crop them, and a third to encode them as biometric data, all embedded in the companion app for a product already at the centre of a mounting privacy crisis.

Meta declined to answer ten questions WIRED posed before publishing, including whether it had already created the database of face profiles NameTag uses, how long the app retains photographs and biometric data of unrecognised people, and whether that data would ever be sent back to Meta’s servers. The company also did not respond to questions about whether it was building NameTag for blind or low-vision users, or to criticism from privacy advocates who warned the system could let stalkers and abusers identify strangers in public.

NameTag first surfaced in February, when The New York Times, citing internal Meta documents, reported that the company was developing face recognition for its smart glasses and considering a launch as early as this year. One internal memo reportedly described releasing the feature during a “dynamic political environment” when privacy and civil liberties advocates would be distracted by other concerns. WIRED subsequently found that much of NameTag’s machinery had been built into the Meta AI app as early as January, months before any public acknowledgement, adding another layer to the company’s pattern of shipping first and disclosing later when it comes to its smart glasses.

Kade Crockford, director of the technology for liberty programme at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said the removal does not undo the original decision to ship the code and pointed to it as evidence that consumer privacy needs stronger legal protection than Congress has been willing to provide. The Massachusetts House of Representatives last week unanimously passed a consumer privacy bill that, if enacted as written, would impose strong enforcement provisions including a private right of action allowing aggrieved users to sue. “State lawmakers need to do their job and step up to protect consumer privacy,” Crockford said.

Meta’s sneaky tactics in slipping the face-recognition code into its smart glasses show exactly why data privacy bills need the teeth of strong enforcement,” Crockford added. “Companies like Meta prioritise their bottom line, so lawmakers need to speak in the only language its C-suite understands.” Whether a code removal prompted by investigative reporting constitutes a victory or merely a tactical retreat depends on what Meta does next, and on whether the regulatory pressure building on both sides of the Atlantic produces enforceable consequences before the feature quietly returns under a different name.



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