Quickly charge iPhone and Co. wirelessly

Wireless charging of smartphones was a little widespread feature for a long time, but more and more cell phones are now offering this function. GIGA presents you a selection of the best inductive charging stations in 2021 in different versions. We’ll also show you what to look out for when buying a Qi induction charger.

Those who charge their cell phone are less and less tied to a charger with a cable that first has to be plugged in. The Qi standard makes it possible to conveniently charge your smartphone on a Qi charging station via induction. The market is now flooded with tons of these wireless chargers, which vary in price, speed, and size. There is also more than one option when it comes to positioning the smartphone. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a good charging station.

Inductive charging stations 2021: An overview of all test winners and recommendations

Contra

The best wireless charger by price / performance: Anker PowerWave 7.5 / 10 Pad

Check price at Idealo *

Facts:

• Price: from 18.99 euros on Amazon
• Charging power (all Qi-enabled devices): 5 W
• Charging power (iPhone 8 and newer): 7.5 W.
• Charging power (Samsung): up to 10 W.
• Compatible with smartphone cases (non-metallic): Yes, up to 5 mm
• Cable included: yes
• Power supply included: no

Particularities:

GIGA says:

The manufacturer Anker is no newbie when it comes to chargers. The company is particularly known for its inexpensive and high-quality power banks. If you are looking for an inexpensive charging pad that will inductively charge your smartphone (depending on the device) with up to 10 watts, the Anker PowerWave 7.5 / 10 pad is the best choice. To ensure that wireless charging works as quickly as possible, you need a “Quick Charge 2.0 / 3.0” power supply unit. A power supply unit with 5 volts and 2 amps is sufficient for 5 watts.

If you also need an even higher charging power, you can use the Anker PowerWave Alloy charging pad with 15 watts.

The best inductive charging station to put down: Anker PowerWave 7.5 / 10 charging stand

Check price at Idealo *

Facts:

• Price: from 19.99 euros on Amazon *
• Charging power (all Qi-enabled devices): 5 W
• Charging power (iPhone 8 and newer): 7.5 W.
• Charging power (Samsung): up to 10 W.
• Compatible with smartphone cases (non-metallic): Yes, up to 5 mm
• Cable included: yes
• Power supply included: no

Particularities:

• Protection against overheating by an active fan
• Smartphone can be leaned vertically or horizontally

GIGA says:

If you don’t want to put your smartphone down, but rather set it up at a slight angle, you should take a look at the Anker PowerWave 7.5 / 10 charging stand. As with the pad version, smartphones can be charged with up to 10 watts on the stand. A fan is also integrated here so that the charging station does not overheat. A suitable micro USB cable is also included. The Stiftung Warentest (Test 7/2019) is convinced and awarded the top grade (GOOD 2.2) among the inclined charging stations.

If you also want to have both the charging pad and the charging stand, you can currently buy both devices in a bundle from Amazon at a low price: Anker Wireless Charger Set

The best Qi charging station for Apple users: Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Dock

Check price at Idealo *

Facts:

• Price: from 119.95 euros at Amazon *
• Charging power (Apple Watch Series 1–4): 5 W
• Charging power (iPhone 8 or newer): 7.5 W.
• Compatible with smartphone cases (non-metallic): Yes, up to 3 mm
• Cable included: yes
• Power adapter included: Yes

Particularities:

• Power connection firmly integrated
• Additional USB-A input (5 V / 1 A) on the back
• Apple Watch can be charged in alarm clock mode

GIGA says:

If you mainly use Apple products, Belkin’s “BOOST UP” wireless charging station is an attractive option. With this charger you can charge your iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch can be switched to alarm mode. There is also a UBS-A port on the back, where other devices can be supplied with new energy via cable. The only disadvantage compared to the Anker charging stand: You can only place the iPhone upright on the charging surface.

The best charging station combination: IKEA HEKTAR

Check price at Idealo *

Facts:

• Price: 69.99 euros at IKEA *
• Maximum charging power: 5 W
• Compatible with smartphone cases: No information
• Power adapter included: Yes
• Cable included: yes
• Bulbs sold separately

Particularities:

• Power connection firmly integrated
• Charging station integrated in the lamp base
• Additional USB-A input (5 V / 2 A)

GIGA says:

In addition to the typical furnishings, IKEA now also offers smart products. The furniture store recently presented the Symfonisk loudspeakers in collaboration with Sonos. IKEA also offers wireless charging stations. If you have little space on your desk, the “HEKTAR” lamp with its integrated Qi charging function is a clever solution. However, the maximum charging power is limited to 5 watts. Alternatively, there is also a USB connection (5 V / 2 A) that can be used for other devices.

Buy induction charger: worth knowing

How fast can I charge my smartphone?

How fast the smartphone can be charged depends not only on the maximum output of the charging station and the power supply unit used, but also on your own smartphone. The Qi standard enables inductive charging with a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 15 watts. Some manufacturers (e.g. Xiaomi) even support wireless charging with 20 or 30 watts beyond the standard, provided that their own charging station and a Xiaomi smartphone are used.

If your smartphone has Qi wireless charging, the mobile phone is guaranteed to charge with 5 watts regardless of the accessories used. An iPhone can be charged with a maximum of 7.5 watts, while Samsung also supports up to 10 watts. The most reliable way to charge the smartphone is usually with the manufacturer’s charging pad. However, third-party manufacturers usually state which devices can be charged and how quickly.

Which power supply do I need?

If the power connection has not been integrated directly into the charging station, you will need at least one power supply unit with 5 volts and 2 amps. Then your smartphone will be charged with 5 watts. If you want to use up to 10 watts, at least one power supply with QuickCharge 2.0 / 3.0 is necessary. You should not operate a charging pad via a USB port, as the power of the connection is not sufficient.