The number of MagSafe charging accessories for the Apple iPhone 12 series is growing by the day. Sure, Apple’s standard MagSafe charger does the trick, but you’re left with an untethered cord on your desk or nightstand. Belkin’s Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe ($99.99) is a versatile and compact alternative that works like a charm and looks good doing it. It gets our Editors’ Choice award for MagSafe charging stands.
Design and Compatibility
The Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe works with all versions of the iPhone 12. With the exception of the magnetic array that connects to the iPhone 12, it’s similar to Qi Wireless chargers that work on most smartphones.
The 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand measures 6.2 by 4.7 by 4.7 inches (HWD) and weighs 17 ounces. The plastic base is available in black or white and has a small well with a Qi wireless charging pad that’s just large enough for your AirPods or AirPods Pro. In front of the well, you’ll find a status light that lets you know your AirPods are charging. If you need a spot for your Apple Watch, the Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless MagSafe Charger Stand ($149.99) is worth looking into. The AirPods charging spot isn’t compatible with watches.
A chrome arm extends up from the base about 4 inches. At the top, there’s a white, rubberized MagSafe charging puck that’s tilted at 15 degrees, making the screen easier to see.
A four-foot detachable cable powers the 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand. At its end is a large power adapter. The cable length is great for plugging the charger in behind your desk or nightstand, but the adapter is so bulky it covers additional outlets on power strips.
Although Android has an array of fast charging standards, iPhone users have fewer choices when it comes to quickly juicing up their phones. Certified MagSafe chargers like the 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand support 15W charging (the iPhone 12 Mini maxes out at 12W); on older iPhones, you’re limited to 7.5W wireless charging.
A lot of MagSafe-compatible chargers coming to the market still max out at 7.5W, so certification matters for charging speed. Needless to say, if you need a quick boost, 18W+ wired chargers are your best bet. Since there’s no charger in the iPhone 12 box, take a look at the best ways to charge your iPhone.
Use and Charging
There’s no assembly required for the 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand; simply plug the cable into the back of the stand and connect it to power. When you’re ready to charge your iPhone, hold it close to the MagSafe puck and wait until you feel it snap into place. Once it’s attached, you can easily swivel the phone to any position you’d like. You don’t have to worry about scratching your phone, since the rubberized puck is the only thing that comes in contact with the back of your phone. We found the white rubber of the puck quickly picked up dust and smudges.
Belkin recommends you use a MagSafe case to keep your new iPhone securely attached to the charger. We tested both with and without. The connection is secure with a MagSafe case, but a bare iPhone is held so strongly by the puck that you’ll need a bit of force to dislodge it.
We ran a comparison test between the 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand and Apple’s 20W USB-C charging adapter to see how much more quickly our iPhone 12 would charge when directly connected to a power outlet. With a depleted battery, it took 57 minutes to hit the 50% mark, and 3 hours, 42 minutes to completely recharge. With Apple’s 20W charger, our battery life jumped to 50% in 28 minutes, and was fully recharged in 1 hour and 50 minutes. Charging speeds did not change with a case attached.
Charging your AirPods on the 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand is not such a seamless experience. The charging tray is just large enough to fit a pair of AirPods Pro, and getting the placement right is challenging. You need to fiddle with them until the light on the front of the stand comes on and lets you know they’re charging. If you just drop them in the tray, you’re probably going to wake up to a dead battery.
Painless Charging for Your iPhone 12
The Belkin’s Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe is a pricey but convenient companion for the bedside or desk. It charges at up to 15W and has a powerful grip and a long power cable. Though we wish AirPods charging were a little less finicky and the rubberized puck didn’t show stains, neither factor is a deal-breaker for us. The 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand is elegantly handsome and will charge your iPhone 12 and AirPods in style.
