I’ve been a science writer for over a decade, and I’ve covered a wide variety of topics, from particle physics to satellite remote sensing. Since joining Wirecutter in 2017, I’ve reported on electric vehicle chargers, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, surge protectors, and more.

This guide builds upon the reporting of Wirecutter’s Nick Guy, who has reviewed mobile accessories since 2011.

These charging stations are designed for people who own multiple Apple devices (more specifically, an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and/or AirPods) and want to wirelessly charge all of them at once. Like single-device wireless chargers, they conveniently eliminate the need for charging cables. However, they pass power less efficiently (and thus charge your devices a bit more slowly) than their wired counterparts.

Most smartphones, and many mobile accessories, support Qi (pronounced “chee”) wireless charging. This feature allows you to simply set down your device in the right spot to juice up, as opposed to having to physically plug in a cable every time your battery is running low.

The best wireless chargers also have MagSafe and/or Qi 2.0 (Qi2) capabilities, using internal magnets to firmly hold your Qi-compatible device in place and more precisely align it with the charging pad. MagSafe and Qi2 also allow you to get up to the maximum 15 W wireless charging speeds, whereas standard Qi charging goes up to only 7.5 W.

If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, or you have a set of AirPods or AirPods Pro from 2021 or later, you can take full advantage of MagSafe and Qi2 capabilities. Otherwise, you can add magnetization to many Qi-compatible devices with a magnetic phone case or ring-shaped adapter—though, due to the added resistance, these typically can’t achieve top wireless charging speeds.

To get the fastest possible charge, you still need to use a cable—more specifically, a USB-C cable paired with a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) wall charger. So, depending on the devices you have and what you use them for, you’ll have to decide whether sacrificing some power for the added convenience of wireless charging is a worthwhile trade-off.

We scoured the sites of major retailers, attended trade shows, and read online user and editorial reviews to find the most beloved and widely available brands. We then narrowed our testing pool based on the following criteria:

• Charging speed: We strongly favored multi-device charging stations capable of providing the fastest possible charge to your key devices. The latest Qi standard supports up to 15 W output, but we still considered models with lower power ratings since they’re often cheaper. If you typically charge your devices overnight or at your desk during the day, you might not mind (or even notice) the slightly slower charging speeds. Plus, while most iPhones support up to 15 W wireless charging, many other Qi-compatible devices are unable to reach those speeds, even in ideal conditions.
• Design: Since these charging stations will likely occupy a prominent place in your home, we placed a high value on their appearance. This includes the quality of materials used, the layout of the charging pads, and useful extra features, such as a phone stand or charge-status lights.
• Power source: For multi-device wireless chargers, we preferred models with USB-C input because they can be easily paired with any sufficiently powerful USB-C wall charger (and some even come bundled with such a charger). We also considered models that come with their own proprietary wall charger, though cords with unique plugs are more difficult and expensive to replace.
• WPC certification: We gave preference to chargers that have been certified by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), an industry group that includes hundreds of device manufacturers, accessory makers, and more. For a charger to be certified by the WPC, it must be submitted to an authorized test lab and found to be both safe and in compliance with the Qi standard. If a wireless charger isn’t certified, that doesn’t necessarily mean the charger is unsafe or noncompliant, but models that have been verified offer more peace of mind.
• Brand reputation: We considered models only from companies with a good reputation for warranty coverage and customer support. Even the best electronic devices can fail, and you should be able to get help if you need it.
• Price: The most expensive multi-device charger we selected for testing was $200, but many sell for $100 or less and provide similar performance. We tested pricier options only if they could add an extra feature or capability that you don’t typically get with cheaper models.

We tested the performance of each charging station by putting a fully drained phone (we used an iPhone 15) into airplane mode and then placing it on the main charging pad. If a charger came with its own wall adapter, we used it. If a charger came with only a USB cable, we plugged it into a 20 W USB-C wall adapter.

We measured the phone’s battery level after 30 minutes and then again after an hour. Any reputable Qi charger will fully charge a phone in a few hours (and certainly overnight), so we focused on differences in short-term charging. We also measured each charger’s power output using the Charger Master iOS app to verify these results.

For the secondary and tertiary charging pads—made for passing power to a set of AirPods and an Apple Watch, respectively—we placed the corresponding devices on them, observing how long it took for them to begin charging and how firmly they stayed in place on the pad. We checked back after an hour and again after two hours to ensure that they were still charging.

Finally, we spent weeks using the top contenders on a daily basis, assessing the overall user experience for charging wirelessly overnight and throughout the day. We considered each charger’s look, feel, ease of use, and build quality. We also assessed the efficacy of any extra features—like a built-in phone stand to watch movies, make video calls, or use StandBy mode—and included accessories, such as a wall charger or international plug adapters.

The Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand 2nd Gen (WIZ017) is the best wireless charging station for ensuring your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch are charged and ready to go when you need them. It’s on the larger side yet still has a sleek and practical design, and it comes from a company we trust. Also, it’s relatively inexpensive, considering its wide array of features.

It quickly charges up to three devices at once. This charging station has a MagSafe pad for an iPhone, a MagSafe pad for an Apple Watch, and a Qi pad for a set of AirPods or other Qi-compatible wireless earbuds (rated for 15 W, 5 W, and 5 W charging speeds, respectively). In our testing, we observed a maximum of 10.6 W charging speeds on our iPhone; this falls short of the optimal 15 W, but it’s still faster than most chargers we’ve tested.

It excels in both form and function. As far as multi-device charging stations go, this one is rather svelte, with an elegant, sculptural design. It comes in either black or white.

A heavy, rubberized base keeps this charging station from skidding across your desk or bedside table when it gets bumped or jostled. A shallow divot in the base, designed to hold an AirPods case, blends seamlessly into the design—and it has a small LED that illuminates to let you know your earbuds are charging.

A thin metal stand branches out to hold the phone and watch charging pads, keeping them comfortably spaced, so you can adjust or remove one device without disturbing the other. The stand is tilted at a convenient angle for viewing both device screens, so you can keep an eye on your texts and other notifications as needed.

The phone can be oriented vertically, for video calls or scrolling the web, or horizontally, to stream a show or movie. And this helpfully allows you to use your iPhone’s StandyBy feature, so it can passively double as a clock, a calendar, or a photo frame while it’s charging.

It’s easy to use. Our iPhone and Apple Watch magnetically snapped into place with ease on their respective charging pads, and the AirPods case stayed put too, thanks to the pad’s shallow divot. All three devices began charging within seconds of being set down, and that continued without interruption until they were fully charged.

It’s a safe purchase. This model is WPC-certified—unlike many models we tested, including our other picks. And it’s backed by a two-year warranty, giving you plenty of time to resolve any issues that might arise. Belkin is a well-known company that makes many of our charger picks, and we’ve found its customer support to be reliable and responsive.

It’s reasonably affordable. Nothing that costs over $100 can be considered cheap. But, at $130 as of this writing, this charging station still costs less than many other multi-device wireless chargers with similar or worse charging speeds, build quality, and/or overall functionality.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Its wall charger isn’t our favorite. Since this model’s wall charger uses a barrel-style DC plug to connect to the charging station, it might be tougher to replace than a USB-C charger if you break or misplace it. But as far as DC chargers go, this one has a conveniently long 5-foot cord, and it’s relatively compact and unobtrusive. Plus, since it’s included with the charging station, you have everything you need straight out of the box.
• It has a large footprint. Many other models we tested take up less space on a nightstand or desk. But the trade-off here is that this model keeps your devices adequately spaced for easy access, and it has a less-cluttered look. The wider, heavier base helps it remain securely on your tabletop, too.
• It’s not adjustable, and it doesn’t fold or collapse. We generally prefer models that let you raise and tilt your phone, making it easier to scroll, video chat, or watch a movie while it’s charging. But we think the stationary height and angle of this one’s stand is still effective in most cases. And since it doesn’t break down for travel, if you want to bring it with you on trips, it’ll take up an awkward amount of space in your bag.
• Not all of the charging pads are magnetic. Although the phone and watch charging pads are MagSafe-compatible, the AirPods charging pad is not. It also doesn’t have a grippy texture like on some other models we tested, so it doesn’t keep the device stuck in place as firmly as it could. Even so, our AirPods still managed to stay put throughout our testing.

The Anker PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Magnetic Stand (A2561) is the best wireless charging station if you don’t have an Apple Watch—just an iPhone and AirPods (or other wirelessly charging earbuds). Although it has one less charging pad than our top pick, and it’s slightly less powerful, it has equally great looks, build quality, and ease of use. Plus, as of this writing, it’s less than half the cost.

It charges an iPhone and a set of AirPods at a steady pace. This model’s dual charging pads (one on the base and one on the stand) are rated for 7.5 W and 5 W, respectively. In our testing, we measured up to 6.4 W charging speeds; this is slower than with our top pick, but it’s still well within the range of others we tested. The secondary pad will also charge any other brand of Qi-compatible wireless earbuds, if you’re not an AirPods person.

It’s well designed. This charging station has a clean, streamlined look that won’t be out of place on a nightstand or desktop. It looks a lot like the Apple devices it’s meant to charge, with an exterior made of matte-textured aluminum and white plastic.

It takes up a bit less surface area than our top pick, yet it still has a relatively sturdy base. The phone stand isn’t height-adjustable, but it has a hinge that lets you tilt your screen up or down for a better viewing angle.

The main charging pad is MagSafe-equipped, so you can securely attach any compatible phone. The AirPods pad isn’t magnetized, but it has thin ridges that help keep your earbuds in place while they’re charging, and it has a small LED to let you know they’re properly aligned.

It comes with a USB-C cable. Although it doesn’t come with its own wall charger, like our top pick does, this model comes with a 4-foot USB-C cable that can be paired with any sufficiently powerful USB wall charger.

It’s a safe buy. Unlike our pick, this model isn’t WPC-certified. But it performed well in our testing, and it’s made by a company we trust, with fast and reliable customer support. It’s also backed by an 18-month warranty.

If you like having a desk mat or blotter at your workstation, and you want to charge an iPhone and a set of AirPods while you work, the Journey Alti Slim Wireless Charging Desk Mat excels at both. It’s reasonably powerful, easy to use, well built, and versatile, and it looks great on a desk.

It charges up to two devices at once. The Alti Slim has two wireless charging pads: a MagSafe pad for a phone and a Qi pad for a set of earbuds. The pads are rated for 15 W and 5 W charging speeds, respectively, though in our testing, we measured only up to 7.7 W from the 15 W pad.

It has an understated look and lots of handy features. This model has a USB-C input port, and it comes with a 5-foot USB-C charging cable (you supply your own wall charger). It seems well constructed, and it has a sophisticated look that can blend in seamlessly with a variety of desk setups.

The mat comes in black or gray, and it’s composed of two layers of fabric: one made of felt and one made of vegan leather. Magnets let you detach the fabric mat from the charging module, so you can choose which layer goes on top, as well as whether you want your devices sitting on the right or left side. The top layer can also be flipped back, so you can tuck your paper to-do list or desk calendar out of sight.

The flat charging module is compact, unobtrusive, and encased in vegan leather. Although it doesn’t allow you to prop up your phone while it’s charging, you can still do a bit of gentle scrolling. And there’s ample room between your two devices, so the desktop doesn’t feel cluttered.

It’s expensive, but it’s a good value for what it offers. This model costs as much as any of our other picks ($130 at this writing), and it lacks WPC certification. But it’s unique among the charging stations we tested, and in our experience Journey offers fast and reliable customer support. This model comes with a one-year warranty.

If you travel frequently and you’d like to charge your Apple gear wirelessly while you’re away from home, the Journey Swiv 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station is the best way to do that. It has three MagSafe charging pads and an elegant look and feel, and it folds up small enough to fit in a pocket.

It holds up to three devices firmly in place. This is the only one of our picks with three MagSafe-compatible wireless charging pads, so your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods (2021 or later) won’t slide around and become disconnected while they’re charging. You can use it to charge other Qi-compatible devices, too, but they won’t be able to take advantage of the magnets.

It’s relatively powerful. This model’s charging pads are rated for up to 15 W, 10 W, and 7.5 W speeds. In our testing, we measured a maximum of 7.3 W from the 15 W pad; that’s slower than with some other chargers we tried, but it won’t make a difference if you’re charging overnight or on a long plane ride.

It’s small, light, and easily packable. This model has a super-compact design, weighing just 5.4 ounces (about as light as an iPhone SE). It has a sleek and sophisticated look, and since the main charging pad is built into a flap of vegan leather, you can neatly fold it up for storage.

It’s packed with handy features. It has a USB-C input port and comes with a 5-foot USB-C charging cable (you supply the wall charger). It doesn’t have a phone stand, but the Apple Watch charging pad can be flipped upright, so you can use it as a makeshift clock—a rare capability among portable wireless chargers.

It’s on the pricier side but still offers good value. This model lacks WPC certification, and it costs almost as much as our full-size top pick ($120 at this writing). But, like the other Journey models we tested, this model is backed by solid customer support and a one-year warranty.

If our top pick is unavailable, or you want a similar model that’s smaller and comes with a USB-C wall charger: Get the OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe (15 W). It has two MagSafe charging pads for your iPhone and Apple Watch (rated for 15 W and 5 W, respectively), as well as a Qi charging pad for your AirPods (rated for 5 W).

In our testing we measured up to 8.8 W charging speeds, which is less power than we saw with our top pick but still more than with most models we tested. It’s sleek, compact, and sturdily built.

A small divot in the base keeps an AirPods case fairly well aligned while charging, and a stand holds your phone and watch aloft while they’re charging. However, it’s not adjustable, and the devices are somewhat cramped (especially if you want your phone in a landscape orientation).

This model is on the pricier side ($130 at this writing), and it lacks our top pick’s WPC certification. But it’s backed by a lifetime warranty, and it comes with a 6.6-foot USB-C cable and wall charger.

If you like the sound of a charging station that doubles as a desk mat, but you want more colors to choose from: Get the Journey Alti Wireless Charging Desk Mat. While the Alti Slim we recommend comes in only black or gray, the Alti is also available in dark brown or navy blue.

As its name suggests, the Alti Slim is on the smaller side, so it works with most desk sizes. But if you have a bigger desk and want a bigger blotter, the Alti might be a better fit: Its fabric mat measures 14.6 by 26.8 inches (whereas the Slim’s is 11.8 by 28.7 inches), and its charging module measures 14.6 by 3.9 inches (the Slim’s is 11.8 by 3.9 inches).

If you want a wireless-charging desk mat, and it absolutely has to come with a USB-C wall charger: Get the Journey Alti Ultra Wireless Charging Reversible Desk Mat. Like the Alti, it’s a few inches bigger than the Alti Slim on all sizes, measuring 14.6 by 28.7 inches (fabric mat) and 14.6 by 3.9 inches (charging module).

It comes only in black, and it’s on the pricier side ($170 at this writing). But it comes with a 5-foot USB-C cable, a 30 W USB-C wall charger, and international plug adapters.

If our travel pick is unavailable, or you want something even more compact and don’t mind giving up one charging pad: Get the Zens 2-in-1 MagSafe + Watch Travel Charger. Both of its charging pads are MagSafe-compatible, keeping your Apple Watch and a second device (such as an iPhone or AirPods case) held firmly in place while charging. The pads are rated for 5 W and 15 W, respectively, but we measured 7.5 W at most in our testing.

This charger is unbelievably small—about the size and shape of an Oreo cookie. So it’s highly portable, though a bit cramped when both devices are charging at once. Encased in white plastic, it’s relatively sleek-looking and sturdily built.

It costs $100 at this writing, and it comes with a 3-foot USB-C cable (no wall charger, so you’ll have to supply your own), as well as a convenient hardshell case. It’s also backed by an unusually long three-year warranty.

This is not a comprehensive list of models we’ve tested. We have removed discontinued models and those that no longer meet our criteria.

Two wireless charging pads

The Apple MagSafe Duo Charger is a former pick, but our also-great pick for travel charges more devices, weighs less, and folds up smaller.

The Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand (WIZ010) takes up more space on a nightstand or desktop than comparable two-device charging stations.

The iOttie iON Wireless Duo Stand + Pad (CHWRIO107GL) isn’t especially compact or stylish, and it lacks MagSafe compatibility.

The iOttie Velox Wireless Duo Stand is one of the least powerful models we tested (we measured up to 6.1 W charging speeds), and its USB-C input cable is not removable. It’s stylish, but the navy-and-gold color scheme makes it tougher to incorporate with most decor.

The Zens Liberty Wireless Charger Glass Edition has 16 overlapping wireless charging coils, allowing you to position two Qi-capable devices pretty much anywhere on its surface (aside from the very edges) to charge. This design makes placement almost foolproof, solving one of wireless charging’s biggest drawbacks. But the Liberty is bulky and expensive, and it has loud fans that kick on when you’re charging a phone.

Three or more wireless charging pads

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe has a compelling design. It can charge up to three devices when expanded, and it packs up into a neat cube when it’s not in use. The phone-charging pad is angle-adjustable, and it flips up to reveal a small mirror and earbuds charging pad underneath. Also, a watch-charging pad is hidden in a slot on the side of the cube.

After trying it for a few weeks, however, we decided that it’s impractical for everyday use (the design is too cluttered, and it’s too easy to knock over) or for travel (it’s compact, but the shape makes it awkward to pack in a bag).

The Anker 533 Wireless Charger (3-in-1 Stand) lacks MagSafe capabilities, and you have to supply your own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.

The Anker 533 Magnetic Wireless Charger (3-in-1 Stand) requires you to supply your own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable. And the shallow divot that’s meant to hold an AirPods case in place isn’t especially grippy.

The Anker 737 MagGo Charger (3-in-1 Station) has MagSafe charging pads for an iPhone and an Apple Watch, and the rubber grips on the AirPods pad keep it securely in place. However, it’s a bit too small for everyday use on a desktop or nightstand, and it’s still too bulky to be practical for packing in a travel bag.

The Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe has no stand to prop up your phone while it’s charging, the small divot that holds your AirPods case is awkwardly shaped, and it takes up more horizontal space than most of our picks. Plus, it performed worse in our charge tests compared with otherwise comparable models.

The Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is a former pick, but it fails to set itself apart from many newer models because it lacks MagSafe, and the AirPods pad doesn’t provide much grip.

The ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with CryoBoost is not very compact or pretty to look at, its built-in cooling fan is noisy, and you have to supply your own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.

Journey’s Trio 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station and Trio Ultra 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station each have an angle-adjustable phone stand and a charging stand for an Apple Watch. However, we don’t like that the watch is hidden behind the phone, because you can’t see alerts on your watch while it’s charging. Also, the tertiary charging pads lack magnets or any other grippy material to keep your AirPods case aligned while charging.

The Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand with MagSafe has a sturdy base and a phone stand that is both height- and angle-adjustable. But we don’t think most people need that much vertical height—the neck extends up to 16 inches, making it more like a selfie stick that also happens to charge. And the AirPods charging pad lacks magnets or any other kind of grippy material to hold it in place.

The Mophie 3-in-1 Stand for MagSafe Charger isn’t as small or sleek as its competitors, and you have to supply your own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.

Mophie’s 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad and 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand have a built-in charging stand for the Apple Watch, as well as grippy divots to hold your AirPods securely in place while charging. However, neither has a MagSafe phone pad, and their exteriors have a smooth texture that makes it tricky to align your phone with the charging coils.

The Native Union Drop XL Wireless Charger (Watch Edition) has a small footprint, and it quickly charged everything we placed on its surface. It’s encased in a neutral gray fabric, with rubber ridges for extra grip, and it has a detachable Apple Watch charging stand. However, aligning an AirPods case is tricky since it lacks MagSafe and has no clear placement markings.

The OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station for MagSafe (7.5 W) comes with a USB-C cable and wall charger, but the divot over the AirPods charging pad is too slick, the phone stand isn’t adjustable, and you have to supply your own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.

The Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand has two MagSafe charging pads, for an iPhone and an Apple Watch, the latter of which is removable. It has an angle-adjustable stand and lights that indicate when each charging pad is in use. However, the exterior has a glossy finish that attracts dust and smudges. And even though it has a divot with grippy rubber on the base over the AirPods charging pad, it’s still tricky to align.

The Satechi Trio Wireless Charger With Magnetic Pad keeps all three of your devices firmly in place while charging, but it has no phone stand (so you can’t easily use your phone while it’s charging), and it takes up a lot of surface area on a nightstand or desk.

The Scosche Base3 3-In-1 Wireless Charging Dock is less expensive than our picks, but it has a traditional Qi stand rather than a MagSafe charger, and it charges more slowly. Also, the all-plastic design is less than elegant.

The Zens 4-in-1 Magsafe Compatible Wireless Charging Station (ZEDC21B/00) is as expensive as any charging station we’ve tested, costing $200 at this writing. It’s sleek and sturdy, and it’s the only contender with a handy groove to hold an Apple Pencil (though it can’t charge it).

However, it takes up a lot of desk space, and the phone stand is not height- or angle-adjustable. Also, the built-in iPad charging plug is wobbly, and it doesn’t allow you to charge in landscape orientation. And since it’s not removable, you can’t use it to prop up a book or anything other than a phone or tablet.

The Zens Dual+Watch Aluminum Wireless Charger is nice-looking and relatively inexpensive, and it charges devices quickly. However, two of its three charging pads lack MagSafe capabilities, so it’s difficult to properly align devices on them.

The Zens MagSafe+Watch 15W MagSafe Charging Station (ZEDC22B/00) is one of the priciest models we tested, costing $170 at this writing, and it has no standout features compared with similar models. Plus, the charging pad on the base is unmagnetized and smooth-textured, so your device can easily slide out of alignment while charging.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.