Mophie Snap+ 3-In-1
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: People who want a no-frills experience.
This Mophie 3-in-1 desk charger comes with a Snap+ (read: MagSafe compatible) stand, a watch stand and an extra charging pad so you can power your AirPods or another Qi-compatible phone.
Another feature worth noting: The Apple Watch stand is just a holder, and you can slot in the charger that comes packaged with the Watch. This may feel inconvenient for those who want to keep the charger available for taking with you out the door, but it’s also a fairly standard practice with charging stations designed for Apple products.
The back of the charging stand has a USB-C port for plugging in your Apple Watch charger and a second barrel plug for powering the charging station. The phone stand tilts slightly up and down so you can find an optimal angle, but otherwise, expect a fairly basic charging stand for your Apple devices.
Pros:
- Charges all three Apple devices at once
- Very simple setup
Cons:
- You need to use your own Apple Watch charger
Best Compact iPhone Charging Station
Great For Small Spaces
Pitaka 3-In-1 MagSafe Charger
Number of devices: 2 or 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 7.5W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: Anyone looking for a compact charging station with power on the go.
This 3-in-1 charging station from Pitaka is a solid option if you also need power as you commute or travel. The MagSafe connector on this mount also doubles as a removable battery. The benefit here is not only is the power bank MagSafe compatible, but it’s also always docked when not in use, so it’s always fully charged. The power bank itself is a 4,000 mAh battery with a USB-C port so you can charge other devices if needed.
Meanwhile, the base comes in two varieties. One of these charging stations has an Apple Watch charger included (Pitaka offers a version without the charger for less.) Any other Apple Watch charger that uses USB-C will work—the USB-C port outputs power even if you just plug in a regular cable.
On the back, there’s a magnetically attached “shelf” where you can set your AirPods which charge via Qi wireless charging. The magnetic shelf can pop off, so be careful that it doesn’t drop or get lost, but overall this is a nice, compact charging station that can handle all three of your devices.
The base attaches to your desk with an adhesive, which is not our preference, but it’s designed this way because the base can also spin, allowing users to get the right angle for supporting your phone. A switch can also lock it in place so it doesn’t spin. Overall, we like this charging station because of its power on the go and compact design.
Pros:
- Additional portable MagSafe battery
- Very compact
Cons:
- Adhesive attaches it to your desk
- Watch and shelf attachments can get lost
Best iPhone Charging Station With Extras
A Sleek Option For Your Nightstand
Scosche MagicMount Base Pro
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 10W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: People who want a desk charger with nice extras.
Scosche has a charging station for all three devices which is a bit more compact, so it doesn’t take up room on your desk and also tilts down if you need to adjust the screen. The station also comes with an arm bracket that holds your Apple Watch charger and attaches to the station.
Meanwhile, the base of the power station holds two little extra goodies some users may enjoy. The first is a MagSafe-compatible 5,000 mAh power bank built into the base that you can remove and take with you for power on the go. It can still sit in the base and charge your Qi-compatible devices (like your AirPods) but it is also MagSafe, so you can charge two phones with MagSafe if that’s preferred.
The second bonus you get is an LED lamp built into the base. Simply touch the chrome arm on the lamp and your desk lights up in a soft glow. This comes in handy when you’re working late at night. It can be a bit annoying at times if you accidentally touch it while placing or removing your phone though, so keep that in mind.
Pros:
- Extra portable battery
- Built-in lamp
Cons:
- Expensive
Best iPhone Charging Station For Travel
Tuck This Into Your Shoulder Bag
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: Travelers who prefer a compact charger.
The Anker 15W Max Pocket-sized 3-in-1 charger earns its name by being truly pocket-sized. The charging station is about the length and width of a credit card and the thickness of two smartphones stacked on top of each other. The charger also comes with a wall plug and cable with a 90-degree USB-C plug on one end. That’s a smart design detail, as most charging stations are designed to plug into the wall.
The top half of the charging station folds up to turn itself into a stand. This angle exposes the Qi-compatible charging pad below for your AirPods. Meanwhile, the built-in Apple Watch charger is underneath the device and flips out when needed. It also has a small LED light built into the side to indicate when a device is charging.
The secondary Qi Charging pad is large enough to accommodate a set of earbuds, but not much else. In a pinch, you may be able to balance a second phone on there. The Qi pad also has a silicone layer that’s grippy to prevent devices from sliding around.
Pros:
- Very compact
- Portable
- Handy LED light to indicate charging
Cons:
- No carrying case
- Pricey for its category
Honorable Mention: Another Compact Travel Option
ESR 3-In-1 Travel Charger
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: People who want a very slim charger for their backpack or bag (and who don’t mind leaving the carrying case at home).
ESR has one of the smallest charging stands on this list, yet it comes with one of the largest carrying cases out there. The ESR 3-in-1 charging stand is very slim at just under 16 mm thick and 66 mm wide. It comes with a charging plug, USB-C to USB-C cable and an Apple Watch charger add-on, but all that comes in a case that is over 170 mm in length, 90 mm tall and 60 mm thick.
The stand itself unfolds so that your iPhone stands almost vertically. The AirPods charge in the space behind the vertical stand, and the Apple Watch charger plugs into a USB-C port near the back of the stand. All told, it doesn’t take up much desk space. The Apple Watch charger has a cap on it to protect the USB-C port. When in use, the cap magnetically attaches to the top of the Watch charger so it won’t get lost.
Overall, this is a very slim and smart design, and if the case feels too cumbersome, leave it at home and just slip the components into a backpack pocket.
Pros:
- Extremely slim design
- Very portable
Cons:
- Easy-to-lose pieces
- Large, bulky carrying case
Best Versatile iPhone Charging Station
Use It As A Stand Or A Pad
InfinaCore T3 Tri-Charge Wireless Charging Pad
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Cable only | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 3W
Best for: People who want a charging pad that can also be used as a stand.
The InfinaCore T3 charger is a very versatile charger that can accomplish a lot of goals. This is a standard three-pad configuration that unrolls to become flat. This puts your phone charger, watch charger and additional Qi charger in a row. The watch stand tilts up, so you can use it even if you have a watch band that stays closed. If you’re concerned that the charger has to lie flat, don’t fret. The charger has magnets on either end that allow it to sit in a triangular configuration with the phone on one side, the watch on the other and the extra Qi charger face-down on the table.
This arrangement allows you to turn the charging station into a phone stand so you can see your phone as it charges. This is a decent option if you don’t need to charge a set of earbuds, which are charged less frequently than the other two items. The charging stand comes with a cable, but does not include a wall plug in the box, so keep that in mind. When folded flat, the charging station is very compact, measuring under 30 mm thick.
The InfinaCore T3 charger doesn’t come with a case, which is not our preference, but the versatility and design stand out in this category. The price is also affordable.
Pros:
- Portability
- Magnets and clever design allows you to modify the shape
- Great price
Cons:
- No carrying case
- No wall plug
Best Portable iPhone Charging Station With A Case
Keep Your Charging Station Protected
Mophie 3-In-1 Travel Charger
Number of devices: 3 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: People who want a carrying case with a little extra room.
This three-pad charger from Mophie comes with a convenient carrying case, cable and wall plug. This one goes flat on the table—there’s no way to prop it up for media viewing. The carrying case features separate compartments for the charger, the cable and the wall plug, and even has an extra pouch for additional accessories.
While some charging station cases can feel bulky, the Mophie case is sleek and compact, so it’s great to maximize your tabletop space.
Pros:
- Compact charging solution
- Carrying case holds charger, plug, cable and has extra room
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Minimalist iPhone Charging Station
A Sleek Charger For Two Devices
ButterFly 2-In-1 MagSafe Charger
Number of devices: 2 | Plug/cable included: Yes | iPhone charging: 15W | Watch charging: 5W
Best for: People who only need to charge a phone and watch.
If you are on the hunt for a truly adorable little charging station that you can toss into a shoulder bag for your next trip, Twelve South has a great option called the Butterfly. It’s appropriately named since you get two charging pads connected by a rubber strap in the middle, and it opens like the wings of a butterfly. One charging pad is MagSafe for your phone, and the other is for your Apple Watch.
When the butterfly closes its two halves, they connect with magnets on either side to keep it closed when not in use. The Apple Watch charger flips outward when you need it, or you can leave it flat, depending on your preference.
The one strike against this charger is you can’t have the charger open back-to-back to charge the phone and watch at the same time because when it’s like that, the USB-C port is on the bottom. That’s the one design flaw for this minimalist charging station.
Pros:
- Great design
- Very compact
- Also works as a stand
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only charges two devices at a time
How We Chose The Best iPhone Charging Stations
We combined research with hands-on testing and experience, and we spoke with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the products that made the cut. We carefully evaluated the features, charge speed and connectivity of these charging stations. We also paid attention to what sets each product apart from its competition.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Adam is a Chicago-based freelance reviewer and has been writing about consumer electronics for over a decade with a particular focus on mobile phones and cellular technology, including the birth of 5G. He has also tested countless gadgets on the market over the last several years, including many of the devices on this list. In addition to Forbes and SlashGear, he has bylines at Android Central, Reviewed.com, Android Authority, Lifewire and more.
We also regularly update our articles to ensure our picks are accurate and current. This article was most recently updated in February 2024.
Other Articles You Might Like
Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories. Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:
