The 10 Best Apple Charging Stations to Keep Your Tech Charged and Ready

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As we accumulate more devices, keeping them charged can be a frustrating experience. That's why a wireless charging station is so essential. They provide a streamlined and organized space for charging the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. They also help eliminate the ugly mess of chargers and cables that come with owning various devices that get tangled more often than not. Given our increasing dependence on Apple gear, a charging station is an excellent alternative to single wireless chargers and a practical gift suitable for anyone.

Thanks to technologies such as MagSafe and the latest inductive Qi wireless charging standard, Qi2, these charging stations provide support for fast charging and a secure magnetic connection for precise alignment. With these advancements, charging stations have become a must-have accessory, whether you're charging at your desk or nightstand. We spent several hours researching, testing, and comparing chargers from leading accessory makers such as Anker, Belkin, and Nomad to help you find the best Apple charging station worth gifting.

Best Apple Charging Stations

• Best Overall: Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

• Best Budget: STM ChargeTree Swing 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

• Most Versatile: Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging Station

• Most Compact: TwelveSouth Butterfly

• Best Travel Charger: Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

What to Consider

While Apple charging stations share the single goal of recharging devices, they all vary greatly in size, shape, appearance, and features. The main differences between them are how many devices they hold, their charging speeds, and whether or not they use MagSafe. MagSafe is a technology from Apple that uses a system of built-in magnets to allow compatible accessories to seamlessly snap onto the back of an iPhone.

Flat Versus Elevated

Before shopping for an Apple charging station, be sure to decide whether you want a charger that elevates your iPhone and doubles as a viewing stand or if you’d prefer a charging pad that rests on a flat surface. A vertical stand is a must-have if you own an iPhone 14 Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro. Their always-on displays will allow them to double as useful smart displays or fancy picture frames in StandBy mode — an awesome new feature brought by iOS 17.

Vertical charging stands look great on a desk, where you can glance at the iPhone throughout the day. Meanwhile, a flat charging pad works well on a nightstand, where devices may sit overnight. If you're looking for a more streamlined appearance, flat is the way to go, but elevated gives you more options for display.

Power Output

Our recommended MagSafe charging stations have a maximum power output of 15 watts, which means that they can replenish a compatible iPhone battery at full speed. We also advise that you shop for a product that has MFi certification, which stands for “Made for iPod, iPhone, and iPad.” It's a program that ensures that accessory makers use Apple-approved safe parts in the manufacturing process.

Wireless chargers equipped with new Qi2 technology are a solid alternative to chargers that are MagSafe-certified. Developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), Qi2 chargers will offer faster charging speeds and mandate the magnet's strength, size, and dimensions. Importantly, Qi2-certified chargers are cheaper than models that are MagSafe-certified but can still charge compatible devices (like the iPhone 13, 14, and 15) at up to 15 watts.

Lastly, take note of whether the charging station comes with a power brick, as several big-name offerings do not. Thankfully, getting such an accessory is not too expensive these days. You can snag a great adapter for $20 or less.

Find the best Apple wireless charging station for yourself or someone you care about among the thoroughly scrutinized products below. Our favorite picks will ensure you and your loved ones won’t get interrupted by a low-battery notification halfway through the day.

How We Selected

We've been testing charging stations since Apple introduced wireless charging to its iPhone in 2017. For this guide, we relied on first-hand testing, expert and user reviews, and industry research of products from leading brands, ensuring they meet our strict criteria. That includes, at a minimum, the ability to charge multiple devices at once and MFi certification. In addition, we considered features like the charging station's design (i.e., whether it's flat or elevated) and its maximum power output.

By carefully considering these important charging station features, every option on our list will help the Apple user in your life replenish all their devices efficiently and conveniently. Whether they prefer a sleek, minimalist design or an elevated station, our recommendations cater to various preferences while delivering reliable performance.

MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

If your loved one has an iPhone 12 series or newer, I recommend this three-in-one charger from Belkin, which is arguably the ultimate Apple charging station. The accessory flaunts a timelessly cool design with stainless steel arms. The Belkin comes in black or white, so it’ll also blend in with many décor and style preferences.

The charging station features a MagSafe charger to juice up an iPhone and a magnetic charging module for an Apple Watch, plus a spot to wirelessly charge AirPods. It supports the fastest charging speeds, doesn’t take up too much room on a table, and allows a smartphone to charge in either landscape or portrait mode.

One reviewer says, “The Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is a premium solution that lives up to its higher price point, delivering exceptional build quality and functionality. From the moment you handle the stand, its solid feel and substantial weight become apparent. This weightiness proves invaluable when attaching and detaching my iPhone and Apple Watch from the magnetic connector.”

Another neat touch? It has an LED light onboard that shines red when devices are misaligned. When it’s white, your giftee will know that everything is working as intended.

Read More: The Best MagSafe Cases for Every iPhone

ChargeTree Swing 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

The STM ChargeTree Swing is the charging station to get if you are shopping on a tight budget. Priced well below $100 before additional deals and discounts, the accessory has a Qi wireless charging stand that’s compatible with iPhone and Android phones, a charging pad for AirPods and other compatible wireless earbuds, and a swiveling Apple Watch dock.

We like the retractable watch dock because it makes the clutter-reducing ChargeTree Swing even more space-efficient when charging Apple’s timepiece isn’t necessary (e.g., the Apple Watch Ultra can last for days on a single charge). The feature is also convenient for sharing the ChargeTree with an Apple Watch-toting household member.

Another bit we like about the STM ChargeTree Swing is that every charging surface it has features a convenient light indicator. Such functionality is missing on many pricier rivals. You can order the product in black or white.

3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging Station

The 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe by Anker is a fantastic alternative to our top pick, offering fast charging speeds for Apple gear in a more compact and versatile form at the same price point. Impressively, the gadget has a MagSafe dock with adjustable angles, so you can opt to charge your iPhone while elevated or flat, with the former a must for taking advantage of Standby Mode in iOS 17.

Lifting the MagSafe dock reveals a spot for powering up AirPods or other compatible earbuds, while the right side of the station is home to a retractable Apple Watch charging dock. We love that the charger looks like a small cube (hence the name), not a tech accessory when not in use.

The compact design makes the 3-in-1 Cube a reliable travel companion. And in case you can’t find a spot for the 14-ounce gadget while packing, keep in mind that its 30-watt USB-C adapter is great for individually charging phones, tablets, and countless small gadgets.

One satisfied customer writes, “I particularly like the ability to slant the iPhone screen while charging. It makes it so easy to adapt the viewing angle to whatever I am doing. The ease of using the Apple Standby mode is automatic and makes your iPhone a really nice bedside alarm clock while charging.”

Butterfly

Following the release of the iPhone 15, Apple stopped selling the MagSafe Duo (although it’s still available at third-party retailers), our previous portable pick. Luckily, the ultra-portable TwelveSouth Butterfly fills that gap. The 2-in-1 charger features two aluminum-clad charging pads — one is MagSafe and the other is an Apple Watch charger — tethered by a vegan leather strap.

Cleverly, the TwelveSouth Butterfly features magnets on both sides of the charging pads to securely close for travel. The magnets also allow the pucks to open back to back, forming a kickstand for the iPhone's Standby Mode. The TwelveSouth Butterfly can charge a compatible iPhone at 15 watts and delivers fast charging to all Apple Watch models. It can also charge any AirPods that support wireless charging.

At $129, the Butterfly is on the expensive side for a 2-in-1. However, it does include a 30-watt power adapter, four international plug adapters, and a 3.3 foot USB-C to USB-C cable, so you won't need to buy anything extra. Our biggest gripe with the Butterfly is the magnetic connection is so strong the entire charger will lift when removing the iPhone. Users will need to use two hands — one to grab the iPhone and the other to peel off the charger.

2-in-1 Power Bank with MagSafe

Want to charge multiple Apple gadgets without plugging into a power outlet? OtterBox’s battery-powered charger features a full-speed MagSafe charger, an Apple Watch dock, and a fast USB-C port for powering up other devices and replenishing their batteries. The latter has a robust 10,000 mAh capacity, allowing it to charge an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a set of wireless earbuds with power to spare.

We were impressed by the gadget’s versatility during our testing. The MagSafe and Apple Watch charging docks can accommodate devices in a flat or a vertical position. This means that, depending on your preferences and the iPhone model you own, there’s an option to choose between using the Apple Watch in nightstand mode or a compatible iPhone with iOS 17 and Standby on.

The product’s retail package includes a bundled USB-C cable, which, measuring 1.6 ft (0.5m) in length, could be a tad longer. Considering that you or the gift recipient probably have such a cable already, this is definitely not a dealbreaker.

3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

This triple MagSafe-compatible charger is perfect for folks who travel, since it folds up to the size of a compact mirror. It has dedicated spots for juicing up an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

Compared to Apple’s MagSafe Duo, the Mophie charger comes with a detachable USB-C cable and 30-watt power adapter, which can be stored in an included felt carrying pouch. (As a comparison, Apple’s charger only includes a Lightning-to-USB-C cable.)

This one has an extra charging slot as well. Even better? The device's charging speeds won't slow down if it's also charging an Apple Watch. This is not the case if you're recharging an iPhone and the Watch simultaneously using Apple's MagSafe Duo charger.

Base One Max

The Base One Max charging station by Nomad sets itself apart from similarly priced rivals by featuring a low-key design and a high-quality build. Crafted using metal and glass, the Apple accessory makes its rivals look (and feel) generic in comparison. It also delivers fast charging speeds for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

Upon unboxing the Base One Max, we were impressed by its craftsmanship and tactility. Weighing almost 1 lb., the Apple charging station will instantly treat you or the gift recipient to a sense of quality that’s not typical for this product category.

Overall, the Base One Max is an amazing buy if you value design and craftsmanship and don’t mind charging your iPhone only horizontally. You can order the product in carbide or silver. Its bundled USB-C cable with a matching color is also decidedly upmarket, but dropping $150 would not get you a charging adapter.

MagSafe 2-in-1 Charging Station

The Belkin 2-in-1 wireless charger is nearly identical to our best overall pick, with the only major difference being that it doesn’t have a place to charge an Apple Watch. It’s a good option for folks who don’t have a smartwatch and for anyone who wants to gift a sleek Belkin charger for a budget of just under $100.

As you’d expect, the Belkin can simultaneously charge an iPhone and a set of AirPods at their fastest charging speeds. Since the iPhone is magnetically attached, it can be used in portrait or landscape mode. (And can easily be placed back in the middle of the night when you pull it off to check your phone after going to the bathroom.)

I keep this charger on my nightstand to charge my devices before bed, but have found that this wireless charger makes an excellent accessory for Facetime calls or watching videos, as well.

Read More: The Best AirPods Accessories Worth Buying

MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station

Charging stations can be big and bulky, taking up precious space on a desk or nightstand. The Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station is roughly the size of a deck of cards when folded, yet can expand to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. The stand, which charges the iPhone, can flip up to reveal a charging pad for Apple's wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, a puck flips out from the base, providing a dedicated space for charging the Apple Watch.

As a bonus, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station comes with a 40-watt AC adapter, so it isn't necessary to buy one separately. Anker's charging station is part of a wave of devices that support the new Qi2 standard, which delivers an output of up to 15 watts and uses rings of magnets to ensure proper alignment. Anker's charging station also has Apple MFW certification, or "Made for Watch," designating it as an accessory that is specifically designed for the Apple Watch.

The fact that the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station is so compact means it can slide into a jacket pocket or backpack easily. In addition to the 40-watt USB-C charger, the MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station comes with a 5 foot USB-C to USB-C cable.

MagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Pad

The Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad features a modern, minimalist aesthetic that's perfect for nightstands. The versatile charging pad supports MagSafe and delivers fast wireless charging, with space to simultaneously charge an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.

Similar to the Nomad Base One Max, the Belkin has a satisfying heft, weighing nearly 1 lb. Although it's primarily made of plastic, it has a high-end matte finish and non-slip surface, ensuring devices stay in place while charging. The MagSafe charging puck is elevated off the pad's surface, a clever design that allows users to easily pick up their iPhone. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch charger can be flipped up to support the device in Nightstand mode.

Thankfully, the Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad comes with a 40-watt AC adapter, unlike the Nomad Base One Max. At 9.3 inches wide, Belkin's charging pad requires a lot of room on a nightstand or desk. Still, its beautiful design and ability to charge three devices simultaneously makes it an excellent 3-in-1 charger.

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