Best wireless chargers for fast, cable-free charging

This Qi2 25W charger looks and feels the part on an office desk, with a reassuringly weighty base, metal arm and 90-degree rotating charge pad for your phone. It also features two other pads for your earbuds case and watch, and its design can support all three while saving precious desk space, so it’s also great for nightstands. And to keep your phone cool during charging, there’s an integrated fan that’s whisper quiet, something few chargers can boast.

The rotating hinge has the ideal balance of rigidity versus give, and you can remove your phone easily without unsettling the base. The charger also comes with a fabric charging wire and feels pretty solid.

Just note that, for its multiple pads and premium design, it’s quite a bit more expensive than other chargers, but it does look really smart to have in the office.

It took around 2 hours and 18 minutes for my Samsung Galaxy S24+ to charge from 25 per cent until full, while Qi2 25W-enabled phones can reportedly charge from 0 to 50 per cent in just 25 minutes.

This cheap and cheerful wireless charger might have a low price tag, but it’s got a fair bit going for it. Simply plonk your device onto the magnetic pad, and you’re good to go. The magnet itself is strong, and you’re able to use your phone with your thumbs, which isn’t really practical with traditional charging stands.

However, without a stand, you don’t have any leverage to push the phone off against, meaning removing your device is a two-handed deal. And while the charger provides a secure mount, I’d have liked a rubberised or thicker pad so you can extract your device more easily, and its glossy surface also serves as a magnet for finger smudges. Still, the extra-long flexible fabric cable is a welcome touch.

With its low, low price, it’s an excellent jumping-off point if you want a wireless charger without breaking the bank.

It took around 2 hours and 18 minutes for my Samsung Galaxy S24+ to charge from 25 per cent until it reached 100 per cent. Just be warned, while it supports Qi2 wireless charging, it tops out at 15W instead of the higher-standard 25W Qi2 charging. I also felt my phone getting noticeably warmer while charging.

From the outset, I’m impressed by this foldable yet uber-compact Qi2 charger, which is great if you need to travel extremely light. Its three charging pads are linked by high-quality silicone bands, and when you’re done charging, the whole thing magnetically clips together and folds into the size of an earbuds case, ready to slip into a pocket or handbag. Plus, its matte plastic design feels nice in the hands and is resistant to grubby fingerprints.

The charging station also comes with a plug and various travel adaptors, so Anker really wants it to be your travel companion for your smart essentials. However, note that there’s no 25W charging, and the unit also lacks silicone feet, so it can shift about when you’re adding and removing devices, but it’s a minor quibble.

From a 25 per cent battery, my Samsung Galaxy S24+ took under 2 hours and 20 minutes to fully charge.

Apple’s official wireless charger hasn’t fallen far from the tech giant’s tree, with a premium yet minimalist design, a brushed aluminium base that resists dust and fingerprints and a rubberised pad to protect the phone. Its braided cable also feels very high quality, and at 2m, it’s long enough for most settings. Still, be wary that this version has a hefty price tag. The 1m cable is cheaper, but this option doesn’t offer much leeway.

It makes total sense as a purchase if you’re locked into Apple’s product ecosystem, but as you may expect, it won’t work with non-MagSafe devices.

It should offer faster 25W wireless charging for compatible iPhone 16 and 17s, bumping your battery to 50 per cent in around 30 minutes, while older iPhones can still get reasonably swift 15W. I charged my iPhone 15 from 25 to 100 per cent in just under 2 hours.

The compact form factor of this charger makes it great for travel and hot-desking, and if you need to pack light, it collapses into the size of a pack of playing cards. Once it’s opened, you have access to a second charging pad for an earbuds case, so it’s super compact for a dual charger, even if you can’t see the case’s charging light due to it being behind your phone.

Thanks to its decent design and tiny frame, I’d be very happy taking this away with me on longer haul trips. It feels light and sturdy enough that the charger will never close when accommodating a phone, even if its longer profile makes it a little wobbly at its sides. Still, with its curved, smooth edges and strong hinge, I sometimes found it tricky to open.

From a 25 per cent battery, my Samsung Galaxy S24+ took 2 hours 18 minutes to fully charge, and it should take Qi2-enabled phones just 34 minutes to go from 0 to 50 per cent.

I’m impressed by the solid build quality of this wireless car charger from Anker, as it feels more premium and offers a more stable mount than cheaper models that can quickly fall to bits. There’s even a fan that can help keep your phone cool as it charges.

There’s a large cylinder you twist to hook and tighten onto a vent blade. Still, the unit protrudes from the vents a little too much, and the mounting system can be too big for smaller vents.

Compatible phones can take advantage of the fast 25W charging, so you won’t have to worry about losing power, even if you’re rinsing Spotify and Google Maps. From 25 per cent, it took 2 hours and 18 minutes for my Samsung S24+ to get to full capacity.

Like other chargers in this list that demand a high wattage to work, you’ll likely be unable to charge with your vehicle’s USB-C port, so you’ll need to use your 12V socket. Thankfully, Anker has included a dual charging plug, so you can still connect a dash cam or another phone.

With its metal design, silicone base and charging pad, this Mous charging stand looks great for the home office or work desk. Its modular design also allows you to snap on an additional charger, helping you keep a minimal desk footprint and adding versatility for different device brands.

I found the base could do with being a little more weighty to resist nudges and bumps, as it feels a little wobbly when you plonk on a phone. Still, it’s wide enough not to topple over when removing your device. The magnet is also at just the right strength, so you can take off your phone without feeling like it’s too loose. The cable is also fabric, and the connectors have plenty of flex.

However, the lack of 25W ultra-fast charging won’t win over power-hungry phone users. From 25 per cent, my Samsung S24+ charged to full capacity in 3 hours and 24 minutes. You can also charge either an Apple Watch or a Pixel Watch.