With Qi2 chargers hitting the market in growing numbers, I’ve not too long ago spent a while testing out two comparable “tree-style” 3-in-1 desktop chargers from Anker and Belkin. 3-in-1 chargers like these, that are able to charging an iPhone, and Apple Watch, and one other gadget akin to AirPods, all wirelessly, have been my go-to bedside charger type ever because the introduction of MagSafe and are extremely popular with customers basically, so I believed it will be worthwhile to see how a few the newest choices carry out.
Anker (left) and Belkin (proper) Qi2 3-in-1 chargersEach the Anker MagGo Wi-fi Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) and the Belkin BoostCharge Professional 3-in-1 Magnetic Wi-fi Charging Stand with Qi2 15W provide 15-watt Qi2 telephone charging assist that’s equal to MagSafe while not having to license or supply parts from Apple, whereas official fast-charging pucks are used to make sure most Apple Watch charging efficiency. The bottom of every mannequin consists of a normal 5-watt Qi charging spot, which is lots to cost up any AirPods mannequin that features a wi-fi charging case. Each the Anker and Belkin fashions can be found in black or white with color-matched cables and energy adapters. Anker makes use of a normal USB-C to USB-C cable whereas Belkin makes use of a hard and fast cable that ends in a USB-C connector, in order that’s doubtlessly one thing to think about someway for both aesthetics or product longevity.
Whereas each chargers make the most of a comparatively heavy base for stability and as an AirPods charging spot, their “trunk and branches” with elevated charging pads for an iPhone and an Apple Watch differ barely in design, with the Belkin mannequin utilizing a forward-angled important assist topped by a single horizontal bar with the telephone charging pad at one finish and the Apple Watch charger on the different, whereas the Anker mannequin makes use of an offset vertical trunk with separate telephone and Apple Watch charging pads at totally different heights. The Anker design ends in a bit narrower total profile with an iPhone and Apple Watch mounted on the chargers, however the Apple Watch can find yourself considerably hidden behind the telephone in sure configurations akin to with the telephone in panorama StandBy mode.
The bottom on the Belkin mannequin is form of a flat mound with a small despair to assist information your AirPods to the correct charging spot, whereas the Anker base is extra dish-like with a small rim surrounding a flat high. The AirPods charging spot is a separate element embedded within the floor of the bottom and it is manufactured from a barely totally different materials, so you possibly can see the define of the charger to assist information placement, plus there is a gentle grey Qi emblem in the midst of the charging spot. Neither mannequin affords magnets on this charging spot to assist make correct placement even simpler.
General, the Belkin design affords considerably extra stability for a mounted telephone in my expertise, as tapping the telephone or producing vibrations on the desk floor will trigger the telephone to wiggle a good quantity whereas on the Anker charger, however it stays practically rock regular whereas on the Belkin charger. In case you’re planning to make use of one in every of these chargers on a desk or different state of affairs the place you may be interacting with the telephone whereas it is charging, this distinction alone is sufficient to argue for the Belkin in my view, as the quantity of wobble on the Anker charger is critical.
Trying on the Qi2 telephone charging pad itself, the Belkin model has the benefit of an adjustable angle wherever between totally vertical and totally horizontal, letting you place it nevertheless you like. The telephone pad on the Anker mannequin is at a hard and fast angle that ought to work for most individuals, however the possibility of changes on the Belkin mannequin is a pleasant function. The Belkin telephone charger additionally has an understated look with a plain black or white floor matching the bottom, whereas the Anker Qi2 charging floor is white on each the black and white mannequin and it has Qi2 branding and “Wi-fi Energy IQ” textual content on it that makes for a much less clear look.
Each chargers had been capable of take an iPhone 15 Professional Max from 30% to ~80% in about an hour, just about precisely in keeping with what I see from Apple’s official MagSafe charger. The charging price begins to sluggish considerably past that to stop overheating and overcharging, with all three chargers bringing the telephone to round 95% after 90 minutes.
In the case of the Apple Watch charging puck, the Anker and Belkin models are primarily equivalent, which is sensible contemplating these components are sourced from Apple. On each fashions, the puck itself is white on each black and white colour choices. I would like to see another puck colour choices from Apple to assist third-party producers provide extra flexibility in their very own colour choices.
Provided that these are official Apple Watch modules, they each endure from one of many frequent points some customers have complained about with Apple Watch chargers, and that is the truth that the watch tends to rotate whereas on the charger. Whereas the watch attaches to the charger magnetically, there’s nothing providing any rotational stability, so the burden of the watch or band can lead to the watch twisting a bit whereas on the charger.
To its credit score, Anker has tried to deal with this by together with a sheet of spherical stickers that may be positioned on the floor of the charging puck to extend friction and scale back the watch’s tendency to rotate. This answer does work fairly effectively, however the sticker is a little bit of an eyesore with a tab to facilitate removing hanging over the sting of the puck and a plus-shaped reduce within the middle of the sticker to permit it to adapt to the marginally concave floor of the puck.
The tree-style designs of those chargers means neither one helps Nightstand Mode for the Apple Watch, because the assist arms for the chargers get in the way in which of the band when attempting to show the watch horizontally, and even when they did not, the burden of the band would trigger the watch to rotate again to just about vertical. This is probably not a deal-breaker for a lot of customers, particularly with the iPhone now providing its personal panorama StandBy mode, however it’s value noting.
Each the Belkin and Anker fashions assist Apple Watch quick charging, and I noticed very comparable charging speeds taking an Apple Watch Extremely 2 from 20% to 80% in below an hour, in keeping with what Apple’s first-party quick charging cable delivers.
One important consider favor of the Anker MagGo Wi-fi Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) (additionally accessible at Amazon) is pricing, with an everyday worth of $99.99 in comparison with the Belkin BoostCharge Professional 3-in-1 Magnetic Wi-fi Charging Stand with Qi2 15W (additionally accessible at Amazon) at an everyday worth of $149.99.
Each manufacturers do often provide gross sales, with Belkin working a Summer season Journey Sale by itself web site on the time of this writing that may prevent some cash. With an everyday worth of $149.99, the BoostCharge Professional qualifies for a $25 low cost by itself, however when you throw in an affordable cable or different accent to bump above the $150 degree, it can save you a further $20 in your complete buy.
Each of those chargers are strong choices for a desk or nightstand, as they can help you cost a number of units from Apple’s ecosystem multi functional spot with easy and handy designs. I are likely to choose the general design and performance of the Belkin one, however the Anker one wins out on worth, so it is undoubtedly value weighing these components when making any buying selections.
It is essential to notice that neither of those tree-style chargers folds up or disassembles, and in consequence they each arrive in comparatively massive packing containers, so these chargers aren’t very sensible for journey. If it is essential to have the ability to take your 3-in-1 charger with you, contemplate a extra compact possibility akin to the favored Anker 3-in-1 Dice or Anker Qi2 MagGo Foldable Charging Station.
Be aware: Anker and Belkin offered MacRumors with the Qi2 3-in-1 chargers for the needs of this evaluation. No different compensation was obtained. MacRumors is an affiliate accomplice with Anker, Belkin, and Amazon. While you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, we might obtain a small cost, which helps us maintain the location working.
