The Best Cheap Wireless Charger
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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Qi, pronounced CHEE, is a wireless-charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium. Many smartphones, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, support wireless charging. So do other small electronics like true wireless earbuds.
The latest Qi-standard, released in 2015, allows for fast charging: a significant improvement over older wireless charging standards. A fast charger provides excess power to a device, but in controlled way, to prevent damage from overloading or overheating a circuit.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
A wireless charger uses induction to create a short-distance electromagnetic field; then, a compatible electronic receiver converts this field into electricity and stores it within its battery.
The latest Qi standard allows for up to 15 watts of power to be transferred at a distance of up to 1.6 inches. Future standards will allow for up to 60 watts of power transfer, which is enough to charge a laptop.
How Much Does a Good Wireless Charger Cost?
A good Qi-certified wireless charger/QC 3.0 wall-plug combination (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $28, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same wireless chargers cost around $20 while on sale: an average discount of 29%.
Charging stations come in all shapes and sizes, including: stands, pads, docks, mats and in-car models. The best wireless chargers come with a UL or ETL-listed power adapter that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard. On the other end of the spectrum, many inexpensive chargers are sold without an AC-adapter.
Beware of Fake Wireless Phone Chargers
That’s the headline of a blog post published by the Wireless Power Consortium, which goes on to warn that low-grade phone chargers “can cause injury, electric shocks and even fires.” While no electrical device is truly risk-free, the Qi-certification program is designed to “verify that the product has implemented all mandatory safety features, as well as features that are necessary to ensure interoperability of wireless power transmitters and power receivers.”
As for the general question of whether wireless charging is safe for humans, The U.S. National Research Council concluded in 1996 that “No clear convincing evidence exists to show that residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are a threat to human health.” After more than two decades, no organization has linked inductive charging with cancer.
Here are the best inexpensive Qi-certified wireless chargers that support 10W charging for Android phones (with 7.5W charging for iPhones) and include a Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 wall adapter:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find Qi-certified chargers with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any charger with a price above the mid-point.
To find wireless chargers with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Chargers with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 5% of the analyzed products remain.
iOttie Ion Qi-Certified Wireless Fast Charging Stand
Good Value: $35 | Great Deal: $21
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iOttie’s charging stand is sturdy and good looking, according to several customers. Some reviewers warn that a thick phone case may prevent charging; others complain that this charger has too precise of a “sweet spot.”
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day.
Insignia Qi-Certified Wireless Charging Pad
Good Value: $25 | Great Deal: $16
Check Current Price on Best Buy
Best Buy’s budget wireless charger works reliably with iPhones and Androids, according to several customers. Some reviewers complain that this charging pad has a slippery surface and is slower than other models.
Yootech Qi-Certified Wireless Charger with QC3.0 AC Adapter
Good Value: $17 | Great Deal: $13
Yootech’s charging pad works well with iPhones and Android devices, according to several online customers, many of whom say this unit is ideal for a bedroom (because the indicator lights shut off after a few seconds). Some reviewers say this pad has a “sweet spot” and is slow to charge; others warn that it runs hot.
Tzumi HyperCharge Qi-Certified Wireless Charging Pad
Good Value: $30 | Great Deal: $21
Check Current Price on Best Buy
Tzumi’s wireless charging pad is lightweight, portable and rubberized, according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that this pad runs hot and has a very precise (i.e. small) area that supports charging.
Yootech Qi-Certified Wireless Charging Stand
Good Value: $23 | Great Deal: $16
Yootech’s inexpensive charging stand has a sturdy base and supports phones that are placed horizontally or vertically in its cradle, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish that the wall plug had a longer cord; others warn that this charger may ultimately need to be replaced under its warranty.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day.
About the Author: John DeFeo was formerly the head of editorial insights for science and technology brands such as Live Science and Tom’s Guide. He specializes in online review analysis and moderates a daily deal sub-Reddit.
