Other 3-in-1 Chargers to Consider
We have tested several other 3-in-1 Apple charging stations. Here are a few we liked:
Zens Office Charger Pro 3 Photograph: Simon Hill
Zens Office Charger Pro 3 for $104: I’m a fan of some of the interesting, out-of-the-box designs that Zens turns out, but this 3-in-1, while well-made and perfectly functional, doesn’t really stand out. It’s Qi2 certified (15W for iPhone, 5W for Apple Watch, 5W for AirPods), looks nice, and comes with the cable and charger, though it has a barrel port.
Lululook 3-in-1 Charging Station for $76: This is a perfectly competent 3-in-1 with Qi2 certification (15W for iPhone, 5W for Apple Watch, 5W for AirPods). It’s compact, you can angle the iPhone pad, and I like the gold finish of my review unit, but I prefer the Twelve South above, or the ESR if you don’t want to spend as much.
Aukey MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro Photograph: Simon Hill
Aukey MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro for $130: Devices get warm when charging wirelessly, and heat is the enemy of battery health, so you may want built-in cooling. Aukey’s MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro resembles a microphone, with a handy adjustable magnetic pad for iPhones that includes a fan to keep things cool. There’s an indent behind it to charge your Apple Watch (the strap droops around) and a spot on the base for AirPods. The fan inevitably makes some noise, but there’s a button on top to quieten it when you want to sleep.
Otterbox 3-in-1 Charging Station With Magsafe for $50: Folks seeking a more compact option will appreciate this solid aluminum 3-in-1 charging station from Otterbox. It can charge all your Apple gadgets (15W for iPhone, 5W for Apple Watch, 5W for AirPods) and comes with a 6.6-foot cable and a 36-watt wall charger. The integrated Apple Watch charger allows for Nightstand mode, but it is the weak link here, and I sometimes find that my watch twists slightly.
UAG 3-in-1 Travel and Desktop Charger for $170: This was close to earning a recommendation until I clocked the price. It’s a very smart 3-in-1 charging kit that folds flat and comes in a snazzy zip-up bag with a 4-foot braided USB-C cable and 25-watt power adapter, including plugs for the US, UK, and Europe. You can prop your iPhone at different angles on the MagSafe stand, and it works well with StandBy mode and Nightstand mode for your Apple Watch, but it’s not Qi2 certified, so you won’t get the stated 15-watt charging for an iPhone. Ultimately, it’s just too damn expensive.
Aukey MagFusion Z Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for $58: This clever 3-in-1 charging station folds flat very neatly and feels durable, but it’s kinda heavy for travel. I found my Apple Watch tended to list to one side on the charger and didn’t work with Nightstand mode unless I folded it above the main charger, which is also the position required for the iPhone to sit in landscape orientation for StandBy mode.
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