Imagine: you don’t need to connect a cable from a plugged-in unit to your gadget every time, carefully aiming at the tiny connector. As a result, you do NOT loosen the socket, and microscopic scratches and abrasions do NOT appear around it on the body. Yes, if you've ever used it, you definitely know how convenient it is. A smartphone or other gadget is charged without connecting a cable: you simply leave the device on a kind of stand. Do you want such a super thing? Our rating of the best wireless chargers will help you make the right choice among the huge range of models on the market.
Photo: flickr.com
Why are wireless charging convenient?
With wireless charging, you simply place your smartphone on a special pad. If at this moment someone calls you, all you have to do is pick up the phone, talk and return the phone to its place. There is no need to disconnect and connect the cable. Wireless headphones and smart watches are charged in the same way. The main thing is to make sure before purchasing a device whether your smartphone or other gadget supports wireless charging.
In this top, we evaluated wireless chargers in terms of their power, functionality, cooling system performance, ease of use, packaging, and the overall relationship between price and quality. Functionality here means the presence of the Quick / Fast Charge option and other features. Cooling can be passive or active, but we evaluated its other aspects: efficiency and noiselessness. And the point for the package was given depending on the presence of a standard adapter and cable to a wireless charger.
Wireless charging of smartphones. Answers to the most interesting questions
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Talking about what wireless charging is is not the most original idea. If before 2022 many tech sites wrote about this, then after the release of the first Apple smartphones with wireless charging (iPhone 8 and iPhone X), such articles appeared literally everywhere.
That's why we have this dilemma. On the one hand, no one needs another reprint on the topic of wireless charging. But on the other hand, we didn’t write anything about it.
Well, they didn’t write and there’s no need to! — a person who has not read our article about how a smartphone battery works and how to charge it correctly would say. But if that article (on such a hackneyed topic) turned out to be interesting, maybe this one will turn out good too? Well, let's check it out!
First, we will talk about the general principle of how wireless charging works, and then we will move on to the most interesting and exciting issues.
How wireless charging works on smartphones
About the same as a regular charger that you use to charge your phone every day! Or did you think that inside that small box with a USB cable that needs to be plugged into a power outlet, the current only flows through the wires?
As we know, a smartphone needs 5 volts to charge, but the socket produces 220 volts. To prevent our device from burning out when connected to an outlet, it is necessary to lower the voltage. For this you need that same box called a power supply. Inside this block there is a transformer, the principle of which resembles the operation of wireless charging.
When you plug the power supply into a socket, the wire from it does not go straight into the smartphone, but is simply wound onto a coil and is not connected to anything else:
But how then does the current flow into the phone if the wire from the socket does not go anywhere? Wirelessly! And next to this coil there is another one, the wire of which is connected to the smartphone:
This clever trick allows us to lower or increase the voltage. And it works as follows.
When alternating current flows through a wire, an alternating magnetic field is created around it. The more current, the stronger this field. Why is this happening? Yes, this is just how our world works - a thrown stone falls down, and the movement of electrons in the wire is accompanied by the appearance of a magnetic field.
The word variable only means that the current constantly changes its direction. That is, at first all the electrons move in one direction of the wire, and then in the opposite direction. In one second, the current in a socket changes its direction 50 times. This is what distinguishes alternating current from direct current, in which electrons always move in only one direction.
When the current changes direction, the direction of the magnetic field also changes (north and south). We can say that our conventional magnet (magnetic field) seems to turn over 50 times per second.
So, more than a century ago, people discovered that not only does current create a magnetic field around a wire, but the magnetic field itself generates electricity in another piece of wire if this wire is nearby.
And the coil is needed only to strengthen the magnetic field, because the magnetic fields of each turn of the wire overlap each other.
It turns out that when we plug in the power supply, current flows through the first coil and creates a magnetic field, which in turn causes electrons to move in the other coil, creating electricity there.
This is how easily current is transmitted “through the air” from one piece of wire to another!
If you're wondering how 220 volts turned into 5 volts, it's even simpler here. It turns out that the difference in voltage depends on the number of turns of the wire. If we wind the wire from a 220V socket, conditionally, into a coil of 220 turns, and we wind the second wire that will connect to the smartphone into a coil of 5 turns, then 220V on one side will turn into 5V on the other wire! That is why the picture shows a different number of turns:
If current can easily “flow” between two unconnected wires, there is nothing stopping us from splitting such a transformer in half by pulling out the second coil and placing it in a smartphone.
Now, in order to “send” energy through the air, you will simply need to place the smartphone on the charger so that their coils are in close proximity to each other (the blue arrows show the magnetic field):
That's the whole secret of wireless charging!
And if everything is clear with this, then we can move on to interesting questions.
— Why does everyone call these chargers wireless if they are connected to an outlet by wire!?
Exactly for the same reason why Wi-Fi is called wireless Internet, despite the fact that the router itself is connected to charging via a wire.
Of course, it would be much more convenient if charging worked similarly to a Wi-Fi router. That is, there would be a device in the house that simply “transmitted” energy into space. Need to charge your smartphone? Lower the shutter on your phone and turn on charging, like Bluetooth or NFC.
In principle, transmitting energy over long distances is a very real task and, perhaps, such technology will soon be available to smartphone users, but for now we must be content with electromagnetic induction.
— Why don’t all smartphones support wireless charging?
In order for a smartphone to be charged wirelessly, there must be a coil inside it, the wires of which are connected to the battery. If the manufacturer has not built in this coil, such a smartphone will not be able to charge wirelessly.
Here, for example, is what it looks like on the iPhone XR:
Credits: iFixit
In addition, if the smartphone has a metal back cover, there cannot be wireless charging there, since a current will appear in the cover under the influence of a magnetic field and it will begin to heat up greatly. This won't end well.
— Is it possible to buy any wireless charger for a smartphone or do you need a specific one?
Just a few years ago, there were several incompatible wireless charging standards on the market. The most popular of these was Qi (pronounced "Chi" or "Qi"), but there were others, such as PMA.
But since there was no fundamental difference between Qi and PMA, plus Apple chose Qi as the standard for the iPhone, PMA lost the battle. Today, almost all devices use the Qi standard, so if your smartphone is more or less modern, any charger of this standard will do.
— Do I need to turn off wireless charging from the outlet when it is not charging my smartphone?
There is no need for this. Wireless charging works in standby mode when there is no load. Naturally, practically no electricity is consumed and charging does not heat up.
Periodically, such a charger sends test pulses in anticipation of a response from the smartphone, and until it responds, the device will not turn on.
— Is it necessary to place a smartphone on charge in a strictly defined place with millimeter accuracy?
Millimeter precision is not required. But, nevertheless, the coils inside the smartphone and the charger must be located more or less accurately relative to each other.
If you buy the cheapest Chinese charger, most likely there will be only one coil inside it and you will have to watch every time where and how you put your smartphone so that the placement of the coils matches. Otherwise, the smartphone will either not charge at all, or the efficiency (efficiency) of charging will be extremely low and most of the energy will go to waste.
In ordinary (good) charges, several overlapping coils are placed at once:
When you put your smartphone on such a charger, it turns on exactly the coil that is closest to the phone's coil. So, when using a normal charger, you do not need to precisely position the smartphone. They just put the phone on charge and went about their business.
There are other interesting solutions. For example, when the coil inside a wireless charger can move - you put your smartphone, and it moves right under the phone’s coil.
— Does the case affect the operation of wireless charging?
In the case, the smartphone will be located a little further from the coil, but if its thickness does not exceed 2-3 mm, this should not affect the received power. Therefore, there is no need to remove the case while charging. If it is too thick or the smartphone is located too far from the coil (say, further than 7 mm), charging is simply turned off.
The material of the case does not play any role, unless it is metal. If there are metal inserts on the case, you need to ensure that they do not overlap the coil. But even in this case, charging may not work. See the next answer for details.
— What happens if you put a metal object on the charger or there is something made of metal nearby?
Naturally, when a metal is exposed to an alternating magnetic field, electricity is induced inside and the metal object begins to heat up. This could result in the most unpleasant consequences, even a fire. But such a scenario is impossible even in theory.
The fact is that the Qi standard is not just a coil through which current flows and a magnetic field arises. In fact, wireless charging is a very smart device that will never turn on until it “agrees” with the smartphone.
In standby mode, wireless charging is unable to charge a smartphone or heat a metal object. It practically doesn't work. As soon as any metal object, including a smartphone coil, comes into the charging field, it begins to interrogate the device.
Having sent a request, the charger awaits a response. If the device confirms that it is fully compatible with the Qi standard, then the charger will check the device's position information. And if all these “metal object” checks pass successfully, only then will charging turn on.
Naturally, a simple piece of hardware “doesn’t have enough intelligence” to activate the charger.
But what happens if we place a smartphone on the charger, and there is a metal object (coin, ring, paper clip) or magnet nearby? After all, the smartphone will not tell the charger in any way, they say, there is something suspicious lying nearby and it is better to hold off on transferring energy for now.
That's right, he won't say! But this is not required. Charging does not stop communicating with the smartphone, which tells it a lot of information (received power, charge percentage, etc.). And if she notices that a certain amount of energy is bypassing the smartphone, charging immediately stops (or does not start at all). This technology is called Foreign Object Detection.
By the way, it is this “communication” between the charger and the phone that guarantees the timely shutdown of the charging process when the battery is fully charged.
— What happens if you put a phone that does not support this technology on a wireless charger?
Although this question may seem purely hypothetical, it actually has practical implications. The fact is that today car holders for smartphones with built-in wireless charging are very common. Therefore, some may be concerned about what will happen if an ordinary smartphone is placed in such a holder.
As you probably already guessed, nothing bad will happen, since the Qi standard necessarily requires agreement with the device before charging begins. What can you “talk” about with a smartphone that does not understand the “language” of wireless charging? Accordingly, charging simply will not work.
— Does wireless charging affect the operation of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC?
It would seem, what does Wi-Fi or Bluetooth have to do with it?
In fact, wireless charging operates at a specific frequency because the direction of the current changes thousands of times per second. When charging, electromagnetic waves are generated that can spread beyond the smartphone. But the operating frequency of Qi charging is from 100 to 300 kHz, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operate at 2.4 GHz, and NFC at 13.5 MHz.
Thus, wireless charging cannot in any way affect the operation of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC. However, it is quite capable of causing interference in the range of 100-300 kHz.
— Is wireless charging harmful to health?
If you put your hand on the wireless charger, nothing will happen, as it won't even turn on. When charging is working, its electromagnetic radiation is completely harmless to human health. As well as radiation from a smartphone or 5G towers.
— Does wireless charging kill your smartphone battery?
No stronger than wired charging. The battery is “killed” every day by the very process of charging and discharging, since after each such cycle the capacity is slightly reduced due to the chemical processes occurring inside the battery.
But what is truly harmful to the battery is very high temperatures. And here the situation is as follows. On the one hand, the wireless charging method is far from the most efficient. The charger consumes more energy than it delivers. And the smartphone receives less energy than the charging gives out. Some of this energy goes into heat.
By the way, in conventional charging, the coils do not just “dangle” in the air, but are wound on a special magnetic circuit in order to achieve the most efficient transmission of the magnetic field. There is no magnetic circuit here.
Often the heat generated is not enough to cause any harm to the battery. And fast wireless chargers are even equipped with a cooling system.
In addition, during the charging process, both devices do not stop exchanging information and if the temperature rises dangerously, the charger will begin to reduce power.
Overall, wireless charging is a completely natural method that is no more dangerous than wired charging.
PS
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Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 - affordable wireless charging
Inexpensive charger from a famous Chinese brand. It costs about 1200 rubles, although it is assembled with very high quality. The body is made of aluminum alloy, and the front part is made of durable glass. On the side there is a connector for connecting a USB Type-C cable (included).
The charger is made in the form of a thin “tablet” with a diameter of about 9 cm and a thickness of only 7 mm. The output power is 9 W, which is enough to power any smartphones that support the Qi standard. One of the interesting features of the Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 is the presence of a fast charging function.
This model provides protection against overheating, short circuit and overvoltage. If you place any metal object (scissors, paper clips, etc.) on the stand, the charger will not turn on. In other words, it automatically recognizes when a smartphone, watch or other gadget that supports wireless charging is placed on the platform. There is an indicator on the Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 case. When it lights up red, it means that the gadget was placed unevenly on the site and its position needs to be corrected.
Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 is a compact and stylish tablet. Photo: cafago.com
Advantages of Xiaomi ZMI WTX10
- Laconic design and compact dimensions
- Overheat and short circuit protection
- Fast charging function
- Cable and adapter included
Disadvantages of Xiaomi ZMI WTX10
- The smartphone must be placed strictly in the center
- The glass surface is slippery, so vibration may cause the smartphone to slide off the stand
- Short cable
Our assessment of Xiaomi ZMI WTX10: average score - 8
- Power - 7/10
- Functionality – 7/10
- Cooling – 8/10
- Equipment - 10/10
- Design and comfort - 7/10
- Price / quality - 9/10
Best external wireless charger: Hoco CW24 Handsome
Laconic 3 in 1 solution
Pros: a modern solution for lovers of technological devices, allowing you to charge mobile gadgets in one place, from one wire, in a few hours. Hoco CW24 has a thin, minimalist and stylish design of a white platform on which you can charge your phone, wireless headset and smartwatch. Three different induction coils provide independent power supply to the devices being charged without mutual interference.
The device is connected to the network using a USB Type-C connector. Peak power – 22.5 W. The wireless charging base is suitable for all gadgets that support the Qi standard. The integrated intelligent system regulates the power of the coils, protects against voltage surges and overheating, so the batteries of smartphones and other mobile equipment will last much longer.
The dimensions of the accessory are 200x92x10 mm, it does not take up much space on the desktop or on the bedside table. The base and area for placing the phone have an anti-slip coating. The LED indicator displays the activity status. Perfectly compatible with iPhone 12, 11, X, XS, XR, 8, 8 plus, Samsung Note 5, S6 Edge, S7, S7 Edge, S8, S8+, S9, S9+ and many Xiaomi smartphones.
Cons: not identified
Wireless charging Samsung EP-P1100 - a simple and reliable device
This is another inexpensive wireless charger in tablet form, but this time from the Korean brand Samsung. The device is compatible with all phones that support the Qi standard. Users of smartphones and other Samsung gadgets also have access to the Fast Charge function.
The diameter of the charging station is 88 mm. You can carry it with you in a small bag, because the device is not only compact, but also lightweight: it weighs only 58 grams. Output power - 10 W. Like most similar branded gadgets, it has protection against overheating and short circuit. Therefore, you can safely leave smartphones and other gadgets charging unattended.
The thickness of wireless charging is less than 12 mm. On the side there is a connector for the USB Type-C cable. Photo: samsung.com
The Samsung EP-P1100 case is made of matte plastic. There is a soft rubber on the surface, thanks to which the smartphone does not slip off even when vibrating. There is an indicator on the case that lights up in two colors: red indicates the charging process, and green indicates its completion.
The device is connected to the charging unit via a USB Type-C cable, but it is not included. You also need to purchase the block itself.
Advantages of Samsung EP-P1100
- Fast charging function (for Samsung devices)
- Anti-slip rubber band
- Short circuit and overheat protection
- Two-color charge indicator
Disadvantages of Samsung EP-P1100
- No cable included
- The phone only charges if you place it exactly in the middle
Our rating of Samsung EP-P1100: average score - 7.1
- Power - 8/10
- Functionality – 7/10
- Cooling – 7/10
- Equipment - 8/10
- Design and comfort - 7/10
- Price / quality - 6/10
Huawei CP61 - wireless phone charger with an original design
This charger model, like the previous ones, has a “tablet” shape. The body is made of plastic covered with thick gray fabric. There are also several rubber inserts on the surface. They prevent even phones with glass backs from slipping.
Huawei CP61 has a record output power in its segment - 27 W. There is a fast charging function that works with all devices that support it. The only drawback is the rather noisy operation of the fan, which can be heard at night. This device also has a fairly high price (compared to the previous two) - about 3,000 rubles.
Huawei CP61 stands out from its competitors with its unusual design thanks to the fabric covering of the case. Photo: chargerlab.com
The charger is equipped with protection against overheating and short circuit. If you put any metal object (keys, coins) on the stand, it will not turn on. The kit includes a cable for connecting the device to an adapter or USB connector of a computer/laptop.
Advantages of Huawei CP61
- Original design thanks to fabric covering
- Record power
- Detection of foreign metal objects
- Cable included
Disadvantages of Huawei CP61
- Noisy cooling fan
- Costs more than 3000 rubles
Our rating of Huawei CP61: average score - 7.5
- Power - 10/10
- Functionality – 7/10
- Cooling – 6/10
- Equipment - 8/10
- Design and comfort - 7/10
- Price / quality - 7/10
Charger for multiple gadgets - Samsung EP-P6300
This 2022 wireless charger has an output power of 10W. The device has a fairly massive plastic case (white or black) with a soft-touch coating. There are two platforms on top: a large one for placing a smartphone or headphones, a small one for a smart watch. Each zone is marked with corresponding pictograms. If desired, you can even place two smartphones on the platform or simultaneously a phone, watch and headphones.
The Samsung EP-P6300 case contains 6 induction coils that provide efficient charging of any gadgets that support the Qi standard. The device recharges smartphones in cases whose wall thickness does not exceed 3 mm.
Samsung EP-P6300 is capable of simultaneously charging several gadgets, such as two smartphones and a watch. Photo: hifi-review.ru
There are three indicators on the device body. When the red light is on, charging is in progress. If it blinks, you need to change the position of the gadget. When the battery is fully charged, the green indicator lights up. An important advantage of the Samsung EP-P6300 is the inclusion of a 25 W adapter in the kit. It also includes a meter cable.
Advantages of Samsung EP-P6300
- Ability to charge multiple gadgets simultaneously
- Silent operation
- Adapter and cable included
- Pleasant to the touch and practical soft-touch coating
Disadvantages of Samsung EP-P6300
- High price (about 5000 rubles)
- Output power is only 10 W
Our rating of Samsung EP-P6300: average score - 8.5
- Power - 8/10
- Functionality - 8/10
- Cooling – 8/10
- Equipment - 10/10
- Design and comfort - 10/10
- Price / quality - 7/10
Best wireless watch charger: Bixton QiPad
Leather covered top panel
Pros: the wireless platform for charging gadgets is an analogue of Apple AirPower, which was never released by the Cupertino team. At a price of less than 2000 rubles. The user receives a station included, as well as a cable for connecting high quality USB-C. The box contains instructions in Russian, so there should be no problems with connecting and setting up.
QiPad can simultaneously charge two smartphones or a phone and headphones. The main thing is that the device supports Qi technology. The maximum charging power is 9 W. On the right side of the twenty-centimeter case there is a window into which the original “tablet” charger from the Apple Watch is inserted. This is a very convenient solution that allows you to integrate an original Apple accessory into a single candy bar.
It is worth noting the top cover of wireless charging - it is made of eco-leather, which does not allow gadgets to slide on the surface and does not leave scratches on the phone body. A small blue indicator will inform the user about the progress of recharging the battery.
User tests show that a smartphone's battery can be fully charged using the Bixton QiPad in an average of 3.5 hours. Therefore, the device should be considered as an ideal option for charging your phone at night: the battery charges more slowly, which means it wears out more slowly.
Cons: you cannot use the phone while charging, no adapter included.
Google Pixel Stand - a functional gadget with a stylish design
Pixel Stand is an expensive but functional station for wireless charging of smartphones. The high price is offset by ample features, such as full voice control or connection to the Google Home system. For wireless charging to become part of a smart home, you need to install the application of the same name on your smartphone. This allows access to different functions when the phone is placed on the stand, for example:
- a video intercom call appears on the display,
- the phone displays a photo from the album when charging,
- the station connects to smart speakers.
The charger looks quite stylish, it is made in white. The base has non-slip pads, and the phone is placed on an inclined stand. It also has some interesting features: for example, you can set a light alarm clock, which will help you wake up peacefully without loud annoying sounds.
Google Pixel Stand stands out from its competitors with its stylish design. Photo: devicedictionary.com
Benefits of Google Pixel Stand
- Lots of features for Google smartphones
- Stylish design
- Built-in alarm clock
- Flexible settings with Google Assistant
Disadvantage of Google Pixel Stand
- Very high price for wireless chargers (about 7,000 rubles)
Our Pixel Stand rating: average score - 9
- Power - 8/10
- Functionality - 10/10
- Cooling – 8/10
- Equipment - 10/10
- Design and comfort - 10/10
- Price / quality - 8/10
Chronology of development
The idea of transmitting energy over long distances without the use of accompanying conductors has long been exciting the minds of the best thinkers on the planet. The first progress in this matter began at the beginning of the 20th century.
The well-known Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla discovered, implemented and described such technology. But society was not ready for such technologies, since the memories of the witch hunt and incidents in Salem were still alive in the people’s memory, and therefore the technology was consigned to oblivion and sank into oblivion. But only up to a certain point.
A lot of time has passed since that moment, several world wars have happened, and now humanity has reached a level of development at which ideas that were almost a century old are not so crazy and unacceptable.
In addition, technical progress and the evolution of microprocessor technology are a very good help for converting electromagnetic waves into a directed flow of electrical energy.
There is no doubt that somewhere in closed facilities a similar technology has long been developed and brought to perfection. But these devices are unlikely to be used for industrial purposes. Therefore, I propose to consider those options that were initially aimed at entering the civilian market.
Wireless charging Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Pad with a minimalist design
Another wireless charger from a Chinese manufacturer included in our top. It looks like a compact flat stand for a smartphone. Quick Charge support ensures fast battery charging: up to 50% in just over half an hour. The maximum output power of the device is 10 W. There are all the necessary types of protection: from short circuit, overheating, accidental switching on when placing foreign metal objects on the surface.
Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Pad costs less than 1,500 rubles, comes complete with a cable, but without an adapter.
The minimalistic design of the charging tablet looks very stylish. But, unfortunately, dust quickly sticks to the rubberized surface. Photo: androidauthority.com
Benefits of Mi Wireless Charging Pad
- Compact size and modern design
- Affordable price
- Fast charging function
- Anti-slip pads
- Cable included
Disadvantages of Mi Wireless Charging Pad
- Gets hot while charging your smartphone
- Dust adheres to the rubberized surface
Our rating of Mi Wireless Charging Pad: average score - 7.3
- Power - 8/10
- Functionality – 7/10
- Cooling – 6/10
- Equipment - 8/10
- Design and comfort - 8/10
- Price / quality - 7/10
Best Wireless Charger for iPhone: Apple MagSafe
Original accessory from California
Pros: Fast wireless charging for iPhone 12 and 12 Pro for those who prefer original Apple accessories. Round magnets around the perimeter of the device allow you to firmly fix the phone on the device and center it for more efficient charging with a power of up to 15 W.
The magnetic wireless charging wire for iPhone rotates in all directions, which allows you to comfortably use applications and watch movies. The Qi standard is supported, so iPhone 8 and newer models can be charged using the accessory. The gadget is also suitable for AirPods headphones with a wireless case.
MagSafe charges the iPhone 12 to 50% in an hour, older Apple phone models are slightly slower. The price of the device in online stores at the time of compiling the rating is less than 3,500 rubles. For normal operation, you will need a 20 W adapter, which must be purchased separately.
Now consumers are at the beginning of technological changes in the Apple smartphone line, and in a couple of years Cupertino will abandon the lightning connector in their devices, and recharging will occur only through MagSafe. Nobody knows yet whether this will happen in the new iPhone 13 or a little later, but it’s worth considering buying a magnetic wireless charger now, before its cost increases.
Cons: short cable (1 m) and the need to additionally buy a 20 W adapter.
Skyway Energy Fast - “wooden” wireless charging
The latest wireless charger in our rating has an original design, but fits into any interior. Its body is made in the form of a stand on which the phone is placed at a certain angle. The device works with all smartphones that support the Qi standard.
The maximum output power of Skyway Energy Fast is 10 W. There is a fast charging function Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. During operation, the charger does not heat up much, although there is no active cooling. This is an advantage as there is no noise or discomfort, for example when you are sleeping.
The body material of Skyway Energy Fast is stylized as wood, which looks very laconic and modern. Photo: skyway-tm.ru
Advantages of Skyway Energy Fast
- Stylish design
- Silent operation
- High quality built body
- Possibility to place the phone horizontally or vertically
Disadvantages of Skyway Energy Fast
- No adapter included
- No active cooling
Our rating of Skyway Energy Fast: average score - 7.5
- Power - 8/10
- Functionality – 7/10
- Cooling – 7/10
- Equipment - 8/10
- Design and comfort - 9/10
- Price / quality - 6/10
Best wireless charger for iPhone 12: Pastila
Popular model at an affordable price
Pros: a laconic and convenient 3-in-1 station for simultaneous charging of a smartphone, smart watch and wireless headphones. It runs on a single wire and can replace a bunch of chargers that are lying around the house. The neat white color and glossy finish of the device body can look harmonious in the interior of any space.
The cost in online stores is less than 2,000 rubles, which makes it an excellent gift for loved ones or friends. It comes with a powerful 18W QC 3.0 PD power supply that delivers excellent power output and speed, charging iPhone 12 to 50% in 40 minutes. Considering how energy-intensive smartphones are, the base is optimal for placement on a desktop in an office. This way, by the end of the day you will have a fully charged phone, which means 2-3 episodes of your favorite TV series on the way home by subway.
Wireless charging is aimed primarily at owners of Apple equipment, since the watch deck only works with Apple Watch models. There is a backlight at the bottom of the case, so the charging base can be used as a small night light. But if the light bothers you, you can turn it off.
Cons: the device is designed for iPhone 11 and higher models.
Results of the wireless charger rating
In this comparison table, we not only collected all the ratings of the wireless chargers included in the rating, but also ranked them in ascending order of average score:
| Model | Power | Functionality | Cooling | Equipment | Design and convenience | Price quality | Average score |
| Samsung EP-P1100 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7,1 |
| Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Pad | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7,3 |
| Skyway Energy Fast | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7,5 |
| Huawei CP61 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7,5 |
| Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Samsung EP-P6300 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8,5 |
| Google Pixel Stand | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
The leading places are rightfully occupied by the Samsung EP-P6300 and Google Pixel Stand, as these wireless chargers are the most advanced and functional of all. Both have only one drawback - the high price. However, it is compensated by other advantages. If you just need good wireless charging for one smartphone and without additional functions, you can safely buy the Xiaomi ZMI WTX10 or, having overpaid a little, take the Huawei CP61 with a record maximum power.
All wireless chargers reviewed work stably without causing problems for smartphone users. You can also find cheaper analogues on sale, but the savings often come at a cost. Such a device may not have protection against overheating or short circuit, or will be triggered by any metal object accidentally falling on the surface. In addition, cheap Chinese gadgets rarely produce the declared voltage, which is why the charging process takes a very long time.
Which devices support Qi wireless charging?
Almost every smartphone supports wireless charging technology. However, if we talk about a smartphone from Apple iPhone, then they need an additional accessory so that the phone can be charged using wireless charging.
Other smartphones that come from the manufacturer, such as Asus, Meizu, Xiaomi, HTC, LG, Samsung, Nokia and others, can be charged using wireless charging without any additional accessories.
However, let's list all the device models that support wireless charging:
- Apple: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X.
- Nokia : Lumia 720, Lumia 735, Lumia 810, Lumia 820, Lumia 822, Lumia 830, Lumia 920, Lumia 925, Lumia 928, Lumia 930, Lumia 950XL, Lumia 950 Dual-SIM, Lumia 1020, Lumia 1520, Lumia Icon.
- Samsung : Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Duos, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy Note 8.
- Motorola : Droid Bionic, Droid 3, Droid 4, Droid Maxx, Droid Mini, Droid X, Droid Turbo, Moto Maxx.
- LG : Revolution, Spectrum, Spectrum 2, Optimus 2, Lucid 1, Lucid 2, G2, G3, G3 Prime, G3 Cat 6, G4, G5, G6, G6+, Optimus, Optimus Pro, Optimus G Pro, Optimus G Pro 2 , Optimus IT, L-05E, V30.
- Google : Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7.
- HTC : Thunderbolt, Droid Incredible 2, Droid Incredible 4G LTE, Rezound, Rezound 8X, Droid DNA, 8X.
- Sony : XperiaN3, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3V, Xperia Z4V.
- YotaPhone : Yota Phone 2.
- Vertu: Signature Touch.
- Kyocera: Hydro Elite, Urbano L01, Urbano L03, Kyocera Torque, Kyocera Torque GO2.
- Blackberry: Z30, Classic.
- Asus: Padfone S.
- Cat: Catphone S50.
