The Best iPhone Charging Stands and Stations for Your Setup

Although we live in a time when everyone has their phones with them all the time – at home, in the office, and everywhere in between – you can’t always keep it tucked away in your pocket. Sometimes your phone needs a charge, other times, you need to make sure you’ve got your data backed up, and – on occasion – you just don’t want to carry the damn thing around. Well, you can take care of all those instances simply by picking up a good iPhone charging stand (or station), and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for our guide to the best iPhone charging stands and stations.

why should you use a charging stand?

With designs that keep you from just tossing your phone haphazardly onto a desk or countertop and frequently include some way to connect to either a wall socket for charging, to your computer for syncing, or to some kind of speaker system to play music directly from your onboard files or apps, charging stands are an excellent way to ensure that your device is safe, fully charged, and loaded with everything you need to get you through the rest of your day.

power

When it comes to charging stations, power output plays a crucial role in determining how fast your iPhone gets juiced up. iPhones equipped with wireless charging (iPhone 12 and up) can typically charge at rates of up to 7.5W, so a charging stand offering up to 10W is perfectly fine. Since the introduction of the iPhone 12, newer iPhones can support even faster charging speeds (up to 15W). Now, the latest iPhones use magnets to pinpoint the perfect charging position (MagSafe) and provide more charging speed, but you’ll need a MagSafe-compatible charging stand or station to take advantage of it.

MagSafe Connection

MagSafe tech is purpose-built for Apple iPhones (from the 12 on) and provides faster charging speeds compared to regular wireless charging. In contrast, thanks to the widespread adoption of the Qi standard by most manufacturers, regular (Qi) wireless charging is compatible with a variety of devices, making it a universal charging tech that can charge more than just Apple products (but not as fast as MagSafe).

what to look for

Compatibility: Make sure the stand or station supports the charging type your iPhone uses, whether it’s Lightning, USB-C, or MagSafe. Also, keep in mind that some charging stands (especially the Qi-compatible wireless ones) will also support Android or Google devices, which can be helpful if you own multiple smartphones.

Charging Speed: MagSafe-compatible charging stations will charge your iPhone faster, and stands with fast-charging capabilities can take it even further. Do keep in mind that wireless charging is not as fast as wired charging just yet (even with the extra power MagSafe provides), but it can still be fast.

Design: Some iPhone charging stations may come with the ability to charge other devices (like your Apple Watch or AirPods). If you want a one-stop solution for your charging needs, a 3-in-1 station can be helpful.

Material: This is more of an aesthetic concern, but it’s best to get a charging stand that matches the area where you plan to place it. For home office setups, something that matches your desk is a good start.

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charger

Best Starter Charger: While this wireless charging dock from Belkin isn’t necessarily anything to write home about – it’s a fairly simplistic stand without any fancy accouterments – you will never be wanting when it comes to reliability. Certified to meet Apple performance standards, this desk accessory comes with 10W of fast-charging power and is compatible with Qi-enabled devices, like iPhone, Samsung, and Google phones. There’s also a version with a convenient Bluetooth speaker if you want to keep the music going while it’s charging, but we’ve linked to the version without it as well because it’s a little cheaper.

Courant Mag:2 Essentials

Best Minimalist Charging Stand: If you are more into a minimalist or modernist style, this stand from Courant is an excellent option. Made from high-performance Belgian linen in a weighted design, this wireless charging stand has a MagSafe spot for your iPhone with 7.5W of output, and a spot below it for your AirPods (with a 5W output). The sleek and minimal design of this charging station makes it a great choice if you want something that blends in with your interior, rather than a bulky hub.

Twelve South HiRise 3

Best Nightstand Station: Another elevated display-style stand, the HiRise 3 from Twelve South is in another class. First off, this MagSafe charging station can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time, with a whopping 23-foot USB-C cord included. It also has indicator lights on the base, so you can see how much power you’re getting and how much time is left on the charge. Lastly, it comes in black or white, so you can match it to your favorite device or throw caution to the wind and mix it up.

Anker MagSafe Charger 3-in-1 Cube

Best 3-in-1 Charger: This 3-in-1 powerhouse from Anker covers all of your charging needs, capable of up to 15W of MagSafe fast-charging, with a spot for your AirPods and Apple Watch to charge as well. It may come in this unique cube design, but it can easily fold up and be taken with you, making this a convenient travel station as well. The cube comes with a 30W charger and a 5ft USB-C to USB-C cable, along with the ability to view your phone in either landscape or portrait mode for added customization.

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1

Best Fast-Charging Station: It shouldn’t surprise you that yet another Belkin pick has landed on our list, because they’ve been making some of the best third-party Apple accessories since those commercials with Justin Long. They’re at it again with this 3-in-1 MagSafe station, and it provides up to 15W of charging for your iPhone, with a spot for your Apple Watch and AirPods for added convenience. It also comes with a 2-year warranty and a Connected Equipment Warranty (CEW) of up to $2,500, so Belkin is betting on the reliability of this pick.

Nomad Base One Max

Best Charging Station Overall: Nomad is one of the top manufacturers of third-party accessories for iPhones (and Apple products in general), and it’s with good reason. They know how to make a good-looking product that functions well, and this charging station is no exception. You’re getting up to 15W of MFi MagSafe charging for your iPhone and a spot for your Apple Watch in this sleek, weighted base that’s made of metal and glass. While this version doesn’t come with a spot for your AirPods, Nomad offers a 3-in-1 option for $20 more.

Grovemade Wood MagSafe Stand

Best Wood Charging Stand: Grovemade has a history of making drool-worthy desktop gear out of a combination of natural solid wood and metal, and their wood iPhone dock certainly fits the bill. Custom-manufactured in Portland, Oregon, this hand-finished wooden iPhone charging stand is compatible with iPhone 12-14. And if you’re worried that this doesn’t look the most stable, fear not. Each one weighs in at 3 pounds, so it won’t be tipping over anytime soon. It’s available in Walnut, Brass, or Maple finishes, and you’ll need your own MagSafe charger to use it.

The Best Apple Watch Chargers and Stands for Convenient Power

If you’re interested in chargers focused on the Apple Watch, our best Apple Watch chargers and stands guide has you covered.