Airpower Alternatives?

[dotzero123]

Just curious.. anyone have a good airpower alternative that is working well? Reviews are all over the place. Would be nice to have one that was big enough for watch, phone and AirPods. If this is a redundant post please feel free to let me know .

 

[Juan007]

I would be very, very hesitant to buy any inductive charger knowing Apple's experience. They had essentially unlimited budget, the best team in the world, 18 months extra to deliver a working product and they could not do it. Why? It's likely safety related. Safety is a factor that lessor OEMs overlook. The safety of every inductive charger is questionable at this point until we get more info about what really happened with AirPower.

 

[theman510]

I was waiting on AirPower before doing anything, but I'm considering this one now. Not a ton of actual user reviews out there, but no negative ones either

https://hardciderlabs.com/collectio...-3in1-wireless-charger?variant=13571100508258

 

[dotzero123]

Thank you for the advice. I've never used wireless charging so posted here hoping for some good suggestions that won't fry my devices. Any plain wireless chargers that you think will charge and not cost a fortune?

 

[Pepe4life]

I would be very, very hesitant to buy any inductive charger knowing Apple's experience. They had essentially unlimited budget, the best team in the world, 18 months extra to deliver a working product and they could not do it. Why? It's likely safety related. Safety is a factor that lessor OEMs overlook. The safety of every inductive charger is questionable at this point until we get more info about what really happened with AirPower.

The safety of inductive charging is not in question, the safety of stacking 20+ charging coils into a single pad is the problem here, let’s not confuse the two

 

[dotzero123]

I understand that AirPower would have integration which would've been nice. Outside of that, what was the advantage of stacking the coils? Less restriction on surface area and faster charging? Sorry for the dumb question but am curious.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

This is well priced, has 5 coils so you can drop a device on it anywhere


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-C...ChoeTech&qid=1553950493&s=electronics&sr=1-10

 

[dotzero123]

This is well priced, has 5 coils so you can drop a device on it anywhere


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-C...ChoeTech&qid=1553950493&s=electronics&sr=1-10

Thank you!

 

[zerocustom1989]

I understand that AirPower would have integration which would've been nice. Outside of that, what was the advantage of stacking the coils? Less restriction on surface area and faster charging? Sorry for the dumb question but am curious.

It’s so you could place the center of your device anywhere on the mat. It would selectively enable and disable coils as needed.

I’m pretty skeptical of overlapping coil solutions on the market now and cheap Chinese brands that may be prone to overheating.

 

[dotzero123]

Thank you very much! Will continue to hunt. I’m just a bit hesitant as some models don’t appear to work with AirPods and others reportedly heat up devices when charging. Don’t want to chance my devices with a wonky wireless charger.

 

[Aftermath747]

This one sold out immediately after the AirPower news:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nomad-...and-apple-watch-black/6261416.p?skuId=6261416

 

[dotzero123]

Thanks! It looks good and would be an easy return if any problems came up, none on stock but will hunt online or wait it out.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

This one sold out immediately after the AirPower news:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nomad-...and-apple-watch-black/6261416.p?skuId=6261416

Can that one charge AirPods along with an iPhone and watch? It's not clear on the website if it can charge 2 devices in addition to the watch.

 

[ondert]

I wonder the same question but haven't used any wireless charger before. Generally, when at home, I leave my phone plugged to charger so often. Is leaving on the wireless charger damages the battery of the phone?

 

[Stefanojo]

Just curious.. anyone have a good airpower alternative that is working well? Reviews are all over the place. Would be nice to have one that was big enough for watch, phone and AirPods. If this is a redundant post please feel free to let me know .

I just got the “Unravel” From Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Unravel-Wire...eway&sprefix=Unravel+wir,aps,204&sr=8-1-fkmr1

Only used it one night, but seems to work really well. Charged my XS max, AirPods 2, and Apple Watch 4. Everything charged just fine. Clever design.

 

[Aftermath747]

Can that one charge AirPods along with an iPhone and watch? It's not clear on the website if it can charge 2 devices in addition to the watch.

Yes, it can. There are three coils along with the dock for the Watch.

 

[Itsedstech]

This one sold out immediately after the AirPower news:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nomad-...and-apple-watch-black/6261416.p?skuId=6261416

Very glad I placed my order in within an hour of apple cancelling AirPower. Mine comes in on Monday. And for a much cheaper price than nomads own site.

 

[Itsedstech]

Yes, it can. There’s two coils along with the dock for the Watch.

Actually their are 3 coils

 

[Aftermath747]

Actually their are 3 coils

Thanks. Corrected.

 

[ondert]

Did you see SliceCharge Pro? It is the most impressive one I've seen between airpower alternatives. I'm going to pre-order it probably. With the stand it looks better.

 

[dotzero123]

I saw it but decided to get a very inexpensive phone/watch stand and a separate pad. It looks good though!

 

[GreenDayPR]

Can that one charge AirPods along with an iPhone and watch? It's not clear on the website if it can charge 2 devices in addition to the watch.

Based on my understanding the one that Best Buy is selling cannot charge 3 devices at the same time. the one that can charge 3 devices at the same time is on the NOMAD website and the product name is
Base Station
Apple Watch Edition

 

[aloper]

I just ordered this...charges two devices like phones and an Apple Watch...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K5951MR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MacDevil7334]

Did you see SliceCharge Pro? It is the most impressive one I've seen between airpower alternatives. I'm going to pre-order it probably. With the stand it looks better.

I backed this on Kickstarter after reading a review at 9to5Mac. Waiting patiently for it to be delivered in May (hopefully, you never know with Kickstarter). Assuming the multiple coil charging works as advertised, I actually like this design better than the AirPower concept Apple was never able to produce. I use nightstand mode and often have a link band on my Apple Watch. Having a vertical watch charger works better for both of these uses than laying the watch flat. Being able to put my phone and AirPods case anywhere else on the pad is all I really wanted anyway.

 

[bob24]

I backed this on Kickstarter after reading a review at 9to5Mac. Waiting patiently for it to be delivered in May (hopefully, you never know with Kickstarter). Assuming the multiple coil charging works as advertised, I actually like this design better than the AirPower concept Apple was never able to produce. I use nightstand mode and often have a link band on my Apple Watch. Having a vertical watch charger works better for both of these uses than laying the watch flat. Being able to put my phone and AirPods case anywhere else on the pad is all I really wanted anyway.

I booked one as well, but what worries me a bit is that they have no Qi certification for it yet, and it doesn’t look like their previous product ever got certified.