Every year, as smartphones get closer and closer being cable-free, more and more phone components and accessories are going wireless. First it was speakers, then it was headphones, and now it’s finally the granddaddy of them all: power.
Using a Qi compatible wireless charging pad, you can now fully charge your smartphone without plugging anything into the phone itself. All you have to do is place your phone on top of the charging pad and the pad automatically starts wirelessly charging your phone through resonant inductive coupling – a fancy way of saying “physical contact” – even if your phone is in a case.
Wireless charging pads technically have wires (they connect to a power source via Micro-USB), but they’re much more convenient than regular phone power cables – they don’t constantly fall off the table or get lost behind furniture.
In addition to the convenience of not having to physically insert and remove a power cable, wireless charging pads have other benefits too:
? Use Headphones and Charge Your Phone Simultaneously
Most modern phones, including the iPhone, have eliminated the 3.5mm audio jack, which means that headphones and charging are now handled through a single port. So if you want to charge your phone and use wired headphones simultaneously, you’re out of luck. But wireless charging pads free up your Lightning/Micro-USB/USB-C port for headphones so you can charge your phone and listen to music at the same time.
? Compatible with iPhone and Android
Wireless charging pads work with any Qi compatible iPhone (iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X) or Android phone (Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy Note, Google Nexus, etc.) That means you won’t need separate Lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-C cables for each of the unique phones used by your family members. You can use one wireless charging pad to charge all of them – perfect for households that have multiple types of smartphones.
Now that Apple has finally embraced wireless charging, the market is flooded with seemingly identical wireless charging pads and it can be hard to know which one is best. We’ve taken a look at what’s out there and are reviewing the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad due to its impressive price, speed, reliability, and form factor.
First Impressions
When you place your phone on top of the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad, it instantly starts charging with an impressive 10W of power. For comparison, the standard charger that comes with your iPhone only provides 5W of power.
The iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X will accept a maximum of 7.5W through a wireless charger; so with 10W of power, this wireless charger will charge your iPhone as fast as possible. This 7.5W limit is coded into iOS and can be increased in future versions of iOS. If Apple does choose to increase the iPhone’s wireless power capabilities to 10W in the future, this wireless charger will already be compatible.
The Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad is roughly the size of an iPhone X so it doesn’t take up any more countertop space than your phone already does. It has a simple white logo on top, a red light that appears when it’s plugged in, and some basic model/safety information on the back. Otherwise, it’s a completely black slick-looking gadget.
It’s made of sturdy lightweight plastic that’s super portable and travel-ready. You can leave it on your desk or easily throw it in your bag and take it with you.
Top Features
? Unique Shape
Most wireless charging pads are too small to fit an entire phone on top of them, so you’d have to adjust the placement of the phone through trial and error until the wireless charging pad finally registers the phone and starts charging it. But the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad is the same size as your phone, so you won’t have this issue. You can easily fit the entire body of the phone on top of the wireless charging pad and it never has any issues detecting the phone.
? Safety Compliant
Many cut-rate wireless charging pads skimp on safety protocols. This wireless charging pad takes no such risks – it has safety certificates from CE, FCC, and ROHS. It also includes a built-in intelligent system that prevents your phone from overheating or short-circuiting so you don’t have to worry about damaging your phone or starting a fire.
? Includes an AC Adapter and USB cable
Unlike many of its competitors, the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad comes with a micro-USB cable and an AC adapter right in the box. Because both are included in the box, you’ll save some money.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a standard wireless charging pad and don’t want to spend a fortune, you can’t go wrong with the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad.
It does all the things you want a wireless charging pad to do: it charges your iPhone or Android phone quickly and safely, it comes at a good price, and it’s easy on the eyes.
It also has a unique shape that makes it easier to use and comes with all of the necessary cables and adapters.
The Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad normally costs $21.99, but you can get it for just $19.99 at the iDrop News Store.
Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad
“Powerful charging and a low price point makes the Qi Wireless Fast Charging Pad a great value.”
Buy$19.99