I choose this budget wireless iPhone charger over Apple's MagSafe model - here's why

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic wireless charger pad is disposable for lone $25.
• It's a inexpensive high-speed Qi2 compatible wireless charger, but well-built and features a agelong cord.
• There is nary charger included with the modular enactment (this kit costs an further $9).

Ahead of Memorial Day, the Anker MagGo Qi2 is disposable for $20. This woody applies to some the Black and White variants.

Recently, I've seen much and much powerfulness banks integrate wireless charging capabilities, specified arsenic the Anker MagGo Qi2 Power Bank. These devices are appealing for their quality to connect straight to the backmost of an iPhone (or immoderate instrumentality with a magnetic adapter), offering the convenience of wireless charging connected the spell and the capableness to complaint astatine the afloat 15W MagSafe speeds.

However, these innovative powerfulness banks travel with their ain acceptable of drawbacks. Firstly, there's the necessity of pre-charging them earlier leaving the house. I don't cognize astir you, but I often hide things, and this combo of powerfulness slope and wireless charger limits my quality to power betwixt aggregate powerfulness banks arsenic I did with accepted wired options. Additionally, the Anker MagGo Qi2 Power Bank, with its 10,000mAh capacity, adds a important value of 8.82 oz (250 g) to the iPhone, making its beingness rather noticeable.

Also: The champion Memorial Day 2025 deals unrecorded now 

The outgo is different origin to consider, with a azygous MagGo Qi2 Power Bank retailing for $90. In hunt of an alternate that addresses these concerns, I recovered an fantabulous solution: the Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic wireless charger pad. For conscionable $20, it stands retired arsenic 1 of the champion investments I've made recently, offering a blend of convenience, efficiency, and affordability.

Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic wireless charger pad tech specs

• Compatibility: iPhone 15 to iPhone 12, 3rd-gen AirPods, 1st and 2nd gen AirPods Pro
• Power input: 9V⎓2.5A
• Power output: 15W
• Cable length: 5 foot
• Interface: USB-C
• Weight: 3.3 oz/94 g 

I ne'er imagined a wireless charging pad could seizure my heart, but present we are! With the terms of 1 of these pads, I tin spend to prime up 3 compact powerfulness banks -- similar the Anker PowerCore 5,000mAh -- and inactive person immoderate spare alteration for a Coke.

This setup grants maine the flexibility of aggregate powerfulness banks astatine my disposal without being tethered to a azygous 1 attached to the wireless charger pad. Plus, it offers the enactment to usage a larger powerfulness slope oregon to plug into a convenient USB outlet -- specified arsenic an AC charger oregon my MacBook Pro -- erstwhile needed. I'm besides rather relieved to debar having a bulky hunchback of a powerfulness slope dangling from my iPhone.

The Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic wireless charger pad is lone 0.47 in/12 mm thin.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

But what astir managing the cable? Is it a pain?

Not astatine all. 

With a five-foot cablegram length, I tin comfortably link the pad to my iPhone portion keeping the powerfulness slope successful a pouch oregon bag. Plus, the magnetic attachment is acold little susceptible to harm from accidental disconnections than a accepted cablegram plugged into the iPhone.

Also: This tiny powerfulness slope is 1 of my mundane essentials

I similar the information and convenience of this setup truthful overmuch that I've bought a abstracted charging pad for usage with immoderate powerfulness presumption I instrumentality off-grid with me.

The cablegram is highly flexible too, truthful it tin beryllium wrapped up and kept retired of the way. Need an AC charger for your charging pad? Anker volition merchantability you a kit including a 25W USB-C charger. And the kit is connected merchantability for $24, too. 

ZDNET's buying advice

Once again, Anker hits it retired of the parkland with this Qi2 wireless charger. It is simply a well-made merchandise that's durable and provides a large value. For $25, you get a modern, high-speed Qi2-certified charger that is arsenic bully arsenic thing made by Apple. I've seen a batch of poorer-quality chargers connected merchantability for much than that amount, truthful it's refreshing to person a prime enactment astatine a fund price.

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