Packaging and first impressions:
The charger came in a nice box and a relatively easy unboxing experience. The pad felt solid, yet slim and discreet. The manual was easy to read.
Aesthetic:
Overall the build quality is solid, the cable fits snug and the grip on the bottom of the pad does well enough to hold its own no matter what the surface. The thermoplastic polyurethane on the top does well to create enough friction so that your phone isnt sliding around.
Capabilities:
It gets the job done. The iphone 11, iphone 8, airpods (2nd gen) and google pixel 4 all charge without issues. As long as you are sure to center the device on the charging pad, it charges well enough. The silicon case on the iphone 11 seems to make charging slightly longer and taking the case off seems to be a better alternative. A nice feature is that it stops charging once it reaches full charge, sparing the battery life of our precious phones.
Tips:
As soon as my phone made correct contact with the pad, the blue led indicator lit up and my phone started charging. Make sure to connect the USB end to a charger that supports fast charging up to 7.5 w for iphones and 10 w for samsung galaxys. Make sure your case isnt too thick because it would hinder the charging capabilities.
Overall ratings:
Looks: 5/5
Capabilities: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Overall 4.5/5
Interested in trying out wireless charging?
A great budget option is the PowerWave Pad from Anker. It can fast-charge your Qi-compatible device, whether it's your phone or wireless earbuds! It's currently available in two color options, black or white, and is on Amazon for a little over $10, which is an awesome price point!
PowerWave Pad pictured in blackIn the box, you receive the wireless charging pad, a 4ft micro usb cable, and a quick start guide. It is important to note that it doesn't come with a wall plug adapter, Anker recommends using Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0 charger for the best results. Considering the price point, it's ok that one doesn't come included.
An easy to read quick start guide walks you through setting up your charger. After connecting your charging adapter to the pad, just align your device with the center of the pad, and your good to go! A sleep-friendly blue LED light lets you know that the device is charging. The pad will charge your device at a speed of up to 10 watts( note that Apple sets a limit of 7.5 watt charging on iPhones). It works great with cases under 5mm, although, you can't use it with pop socket or credit card wallet attachments. Also, the orientation of your device doesn't matter, you can place it however you'd like, just as long as it is centered on the pad.
PowerWave Pad pictured charging iPhone 11In addition to the ease of use, you've got Anker's renowned quality and safety behind your back. The pad is constructed from a durable plastic that is lightweight yet still has a premium feel with a rubberized coating that holds your device in place for optimal charging. Additionally, Anker's MultiProtect safety system ensures peace of mind with short circuit protection, temperature control, and foreign object detection.
While trying the charger out, the experience has been great for me, but if you ever have any issues/questions, the pad is backed by an 18-month warranty and comes with awesome tech support from Anker. All in all, I think this is a great option for anyone, whether you're just starting out with wireless charging or would like to add another to your setup.
Check out the PowerWave Pad here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082NKRJK8/ref=emc_b_5_t
A big thanks to Anker for providing the review unit! Please note that all opinions are my own.
P.S. Extra comparison!
I was able to take a look at Anker's PowerWave Pad 10w against Mophie's 7.5 watt wireless charger. Both are quite similar in function as they charge your Qi-compatible device, but here is a quick comparison.
Anker's PowerWave Pad 10W pictured on left, Mophie's 7.5W charger pictured on rightIn terms of design, both are currently available in black or white and feature rubberized coatings on the top. I personally like both designs, but some may have a preference for one or the other. Additionally, both feature advanced safety measures to protect your tech.
I thought Anker's pad stood out in a couple of areas: it features faster charger for certain devices at 10 watts, the placement of the charging LED is on the top rather on the side, and at around $10 it has a much lower price than the Mophie, which is around $40.
Mophie's pad stood out as well: it comes with a fast-charging adapter in the box, is available at Apple stores, and has a glass top which is a premium material.
Overall verdict: You don't have to sacrifice design or safety for cost, Anker's pad has it all! I would pick the Anker pad especially if I had an Android device capable of charging at the 10 watt speed. Although, if you are willing to spend more money for a different style, Mophie's pad is also a great option!