WIRED updated its 2026 recommendations for MagSafe and Qi2 wireless chargers in July, adding a Nimble 3-in-1 charger, dropping some older devices and revising prices. For buyers, the useful bit is less glamorous than the accessory photos: magnetic alignment is now table stakes, while charging speed, included power bricks and device compatibility are where the traps live.
WIRED says Apple’s magnetic charging system works through a ring of magnets built into supported iPhones and compatible cases. That ring lets a charger snap into position instead of making users hunt for the right spot on a flat Qi pad, a ritual that has wasted more bedside patience than anyone should admit.
The system covers the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 lines, according to WIRED, with one named exception: the iPhone 16e. WIRED also notes that Qi2 and MagSafe are now often used together in the charger market. Qi2 support is not limited to Apple phones; WIRED cites the Google Pixel 10 series as an Android example, and says Android phones can also use magnetic charging cases.
The main picks
WIRED’s top basic charger pick is Apple’s 2-meter MagSafe Charger. The model is Qi2-certified and can supply up to 25 watts to iPhone 16 and newer models, according to WIRED. It does not include the wall adapter needed to hit that figure; WIRED says buyers need a 30-watt USB-C power adapter. The charger has an attached 6.5-foot cable, carries a one-year warranty and was listed at $49 from Apple, with lower sale prices shown at Amazon and Best Buy.
For a desk stand, WIRED chose Nomad’s fourth-generation Stand One with Qi2 25W. WIRED says the stand uses an aluminum-and-glass body with rubber padding, comes in black or white, and can charge both iPhones and a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL at its top supported speed. It also has a 5-watt Qi pad on the back for AirPods. The front pad is rated up to 25 watts, but the $125 stand ships without the 40-watt power adapter WIRED says it requires. It does include a 6.6-foot USB-C cable and has a two-year warranty.
WIRED’s 3-in-1 stand pick is Belkin’s 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand. It has a magnetic Qi2 phone pad, a magnetic Apple Watch puck with fast charging, and a Qi base for AirPods, according to WIRED. The stand supports landscape iPhone placement for Apple’s StandBy mode without blocking the watch charger. Its phone charging is listed at up to 15 watts, and Belkin includes a 36-watt power adapter with an attached 5-foot cable. WIRED showed an Amazon sale price of $66 against a $90 price, plus other retailer listings.
For a flat multi-device charger, WIRED added Nimble’s Podium 3-in-1 Wireless Charger. WIRED says the updated version has phone, AirPods and Apple Watch charging areas, with pop-up phone and watch pads for StandBy or Nightstand use. The phone pad can also lie flat for older Qi devices. WIRED’s prose describes the new Podium as supporting Qi2 25W, while its spec table lists wattage at up to 15 watts, a mismatch buyers should check before assuming maximum speed. The $140 charger includes a 5-foot USB-C cable and 36-watt power adapter.
Compatibility is the part to read first
- Apple’s 25-watt magnetic charging requires newer iPhones and a strong enough USB-C adapter, according to WIRED.
- Nomad’s Stand One supports Qi2 and MagSafe, but needs a separate 40-watt adapter.
- Belkin and Nimble include power adapters in the box.
- WIRED says it independently selects products, while also disclosing that it may receive retailer compensation or commissions from purchases through its links.
This story draws on original reporting from WIRED.
