We\u2019ve rounded up the best MagSafe and MagSafe-compatible chargers, from the plain to the multi-functional and even the most colorful.<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s MagSafe technology presents a more efficient way of wirelessly charging compatible iPhones.<\/p>\n
MagSafe is the ring of magnets around the iPhone 12 and 13\u2019s internal charging coil, which senses compatible accessories and magnetically snaps securely into place with the right accessories.<\/p>\n
MagSafe is supported by all models of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. It allows certified and compatible accessories to magnetically clamp to the back of the iPhone, creating a strong and less wasteful connection.<\/p>\n
MagSafe charging can be twice as fast as standard Qi wireless charging for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n
First, it supports 15W iPhone charging, compared to the usual 7.5W from a Qi charger; note, though, that this is 12W for the iPhone 12\/13 mini.<\/p>\n
Standard non-MagSafe magnetic chargers \u2013 also known as MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers \u2013 are limited to 7.5W.<\/p>\n
In our tests, MagSafe speeds slowed to under 10W once the iPhone reached 50 percent charged.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s still faster than the compatible chargers but the speed benefit of certified MagSafe isn\u2019t quite as stark as the simple numbers suggest.<\/p>\n
Second, the connection is much more precise than what you get from just placing your phone on top of a non-magnetic wireless charging pad. Wireless charging is inefficient, losing as much as 50% of its power through poor placement and a handful of environmental factors. With MagSafe\u2019s optimum positioning, that wireless inefficiency is more like 30% wastage compared to cabled charging via Lightning.<\/p>\n
And you\u2019re less likely to wake up to find your phone wasn\u2019t correctly placed so didn\u2019t charge at all!<\/p>\n
Why wireless?<\/h2>\n
Wireless charging is convenient and fine for situations when you don\u2019t need a super-fast recharge.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re leaving your home in 20 minutes and need as much juice as possible, plug in the Lightning cable as even a 12W USB charger can power up an iPhone a third faster than wireless, and 50% faster if you use a 20W USB-C-to-Lightning PD charger.<\/p>\n
It is less wearing than constantly inserting a cable into your phone, and more reliable as that vulnerable Lightning port can fill with fluff and dust after all the time spent in your trouser pocket or bag and it\u2019s one of the most common reasons that an iPhone refuses to charge even when connected with a cable.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to clean with a toothpick (but please do it softly!) but will affect most of us at some time.<\/p>\n
Wireless charging isn\u2019t affected by the build-up of dust and fluff in the phone port and is also less vulnerable to oxidation and corrosion.<\/p>\n
With wireless, you don\u2019t have to remember to run around trying to find who\u2019s taken your Lightning cable, and it\u2019s certainly a lot neater.<\/p>\n
Of course, wireless charging is not really wireless, unless you are using a portable MagSafe battery pack. The MagSafe charger is still connected by a cable to your wall charger; it\u2019s just the connection to the phone that is properly wireless.<\/p>\n
MagSafe certification<\/h2>\n
Apple certifies MagSafe accessories with its Made for iPhone (MFI) badge. This ensures that the output charging is 15W, compared to non-certified but MagSafe-compatible Qi chargers that are usually just 7.5W.<\/p>\n
Certified MagSafe chargers also have a single-wire NFC antenna that allows the iPhone to identify the device, a built-in magnetometer, and a compass to prevent interference while you are using your iPhone while it’s charging.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t rule out mere MagSafe-compatible chargers as they are often high quality and nearly always noticeably cheaper. \u201cMagSafe compatible\u201d is used widely to mean any accessory that includes a bunch of magnets.<\/p>\n
Outside of Apple\u2019s own products and a couple from favored accessory maker Belkin, there aren\u2019t a lot of MFI-certified MagSafe chargers to choose from anyway. These two companies have the certified market sewn up.<\/p>\n
Choose a well-respected brand, such as Anker or Moshi, and you\u2019ll get a quality product.<\/p>\n
While super-cheap charging cables should be avoided as they can be unsafe, compatible wireless charging is inherently safer due to the technology. But we\u2019d still stay clear from something that looks too cheap.<\/p>\n
And, of course, the iPhone 12 and 13 models work with non-magnetic chargers, too; check out our roundup of the best wireless chargers for iPhone<\/a>.<\/p>\n The most basic form of MagSafe or magnetic charger is the simple pad that latches on to the compatible iPhone. Some pads feature a pop-out arm so the iPhone can be propped up while charging.<\/p>\n There are also products that can charge an iPhone and other Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch or wireless AirPods charging case at the same time.<\/p>\n Note that the AirPods case must be of the wireless variety, and the original AirPods case lacked this functionality.<\/p>\n These multi-device chargers come in either flat pad form or as more vertical stands.<\/p>\n Some MagSafe chargers come with their own wall charger, but most require you to add your own. Apple recommends at least a 20W USB-C power adapter (wall-socket charger) and we agree. You won\u2019t get over 15W charging power from the MagSafe charger to the iPhone, but 20W all but guarantees you\u2019ll get as much power as you can.<\/p>\n The Anker Nano II 30W Fast Charger is one of our favorites, and we have tested the best wall chargers<\/a> to help you choose a recommended solution.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Certified<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 15W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1m (3.3ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: White<\/p>\n The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. It\u2019s the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore.<\/p>\n It\u2019s as minimalist a design as you\u2019d expect from Apple \u2013 it looks a lot like the Apple Watch Charger.<\/p>\n You can also use it to charge your AirPods.<\/p>\n Its main advantage over the non-certified competition is its 15W charging power. It\u2019s still half as fast as using a Lightning cable but more convenient when you\u2019re not in a desperate rush.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not perfect. The charger is too small and light to stay on the desk when you pick up your iPhone, making it a poor wireless charging pad. The 1m cable is far too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget that it still requires a USB-C wall charger (at least 20W recommended if you want the full 15W potential).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Certified<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 15W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 2m (6.6ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: Black, White<\/p>\n Available in two predictable colors, the Belkin MagSafe Charger Pad is as fast as Apple\u2019s Charger and comes with a longer cable and handy pop-up stand.<\/p>\n The cable is twice as long as Apple\u2019s, which makes using the phone much easier when charging. It\u2019s also thicker nylon-braided cable with a handy integrated silicone cable tie.<\/p>\n It is pricier than Apple, which is a surprise, so you\u2019re paying a premium for the longer premium cable and the kickstand but we think it\u2019s worth the extra if you must have a certified 15W MagSafe charger.<\/p>\n You can buy direct from Belkin with a 27W power adapter included or just on its own if you already have a wall charger to use.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Compatible<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 7.5W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1.5m (5ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: White<\/p>\n Another basic magnetic charger, Anker\u2019s PowerWave Magnetic Pad works just like the Apple and Belkin chargers, but at the lower 7.5W as it\u2019s not officially certified by Apple.<\/p>\n It works just fine, though, and is one of the cheaper premium magnetic chargers.<\/p>\n The cable is a decent length at 1.5m.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Compatible<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 7.5W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1.5m (5ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: White, Black, Blue, Pink<\/p>\n This is a small, simple magnetic charging pad that has a kickstand that lets you prop your attached iPhone 12\/13 up either in landscape or portrait mode for video viewing or hands-free FaceTime calls.<\/p>\n The cable length is reasonable at 1.5m.<\/p>\n It\u2019s available in four colors, so is wildly more flamboyant than the other magnetic wireless chargers tested here.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Compatible<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 7.5W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 2m (6.6ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: Black, White<\/p>\n Belkin doesn\u2019t just make MagSafe chargers; it has a range of compatible magnetic products, too.<\/p>\n Its low-end Magnetic Charger Pad is not as fast as Apple\u2019s Charger as it\u2019s one of the non-MagSafe-certified products, but it is cheaper and comes with a cable that is twice as long as Apple\u2019s, which gives you more flexibility depending on the distance of your power socket to where is most convenient for you for charging. It also features a handy cord wrap.<\/p>\n An LED indicates if there\u2019s any charging interruption from another object that maybe could harm your phone.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t mind the slower 7.5W charging, this is an affordable solution that beats the official Apple product with its longer cable.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Certified<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 15W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1.2 m (4ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: 40W AC power adapter<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: Black, White<\/p>\n As an officially MFi-certified MagSafe charger, the Belkin Charge Pro hits the 15W heights just like the Apple chargers.<\/p>\n Like Apple\u2019s own Duo Charger it can simultaneously power up your AirPods at 5W on its Qi circular base, plus it has the bonus of being a stand that can hold the iPhone in either portrait or landscape mode with its stable weighted base.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a bit plasticky but still looks suitably Apple-ish, and it beats the Apple 2-in-1 on price.<\/p>\n A small LED shows whether the placed AirPods case is wirelessly charging.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Compatible<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 7.5W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1.2 m (4ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: White<\/p>\n Built to charge both an iPhone 12\/13 and wireless AirPod case charger, the Anker PowerWave isn\u2019t MFi certified and therefore doesn\u2019t reach the 15W phone charging heights of the Apple.<\/p>\n Its 7.5W charging is fine if you have the time; if you\u2019re in a real hurry you\u2019d be better off using a cable than using a 15W certified MagSafe charger anyway.<\/p>\n The AirPods are charged at 5W, which is standard for all such multi-device magnetic chargers.<\/p>\n You get angled landscape and portrait modes with this good-looking stand from one of our favorite premium accessory makers.<\/p>\n The magnetic link is super strong so you don\u2019t need to worry about the iPhone falling off even during re-angling.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n MagSafe<\/strong>: Compatible<\/p>\n Output charging<\/strong>: 7.5W<\/p>\n Cable<\/strong>: 1.5 m (5ft)<\/p>\n Wall charger<\/strong>: Not included<\/p>\n Colors<\/strong>: White, Black, Misty Blue<\/p>\n Anker\u2019s MagGo 633 isn\u2019t just another passive iPhone and wireless AirPod case charger stand with angled landscape and portrait modes. It is much cleverer than that.<\/p>\n You can remove the charging section from the stand and use it as a 5000mAh portable magnetic charger that clamps onto the back of an iPhone 12\/13 and will charge your phone on-the-go up to a near full charge.<\/p>\n The power bank holster on the stand can be angled up to 40 degrees.<\/p>\n The detachable power bank is powered up while in the stand, via the connected 1.5m USB-C cable that requires a decent (at least 20W) wall charger. You can swap out the cable for a longer or shorter one if that\u2019s what you require.<\/p>\n This is a great combination of desk-bound charger and portable power bank. For more options, read our roundup of the best MagSafe power banks<\/a>.<\/p>\nMulti-device magnetic chargers<\/h2>\n
What else you need<\/h2>\n
Apple MagSafe Charger \u2013 Best simple MagSafe charger if you must buy Apple <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe 15W \u2013 Best simple MagSafe charger <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Anker PowerWave Magnetic Pad \u2013 Best budget magnetic charger <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Charger \u2013 Best budget magnetic charger with kickstand <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Belkin Magnetic Portable Wireless Charger Pad 7.5W \u2013 Best budget magnetic charger with 2m cable <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand \u2013 Best 2-in-1 MagSafe charger <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Anker PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand \u2013 Best budget 2-in-1 magnetic stand <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Anker 633 MagGo Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand \u2013 Best charger stand with portable power bank <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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