Some newer-model vehicles have wireless car chargers built-in, but most cars haven’t developed the functionality yet. Luckily, the best wireless car chargers and mounts enable your phone to hold out longer – and they can be found online for less than $50. Best of all, wireless car chargers eliminate the need for cables, which often are lost or left behind. We scoured the market to find the best wireless car chargers available for purchase right now, so you can find the right option for your budget and phone. Also: The best iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max cases of 2023
Most car chargers have arms or grips that require you to place your phone in the mount just right. They may even limit the phone size, making it hard for users with large devices to find a compatible wireless car charger. ESR’s HaloLock wireless car mount is designed for the latest iPhones and features a clean, flat surface that holds your device in place magnetically, regardless of its size. It’s built to work like a MagSafe charger, capable of charging at high speeds using up to 18 watts of power while still managing heat capably. The ring of magnets is powerful enough to keep your phone secure, even on bumpy roads. Despite the magnetic strength, you can still rotate the HaloLock to portrait or landscape mode to make the most of your screen’s display. When you prefer to hang your wireless car charger from the windshield, the APPS2Car charger may be the best solution. Its 13-inch gooseneck is flexible and can be bent into a variety of shapes to help you find the perfect display angle for your device while it charges. The suction cup is washable to keep it free of debris so you can attach and reattach it as many times as you’d like. A unique feature of APPS2Car’s windshield wireless car charger is the integrated color LED light, which keeps you up to date on your phone’s charging status. The light will let you know how far along your phone is in the charging process and notify you of an error if it detects debris on the charging plate that is interfering with the charge. iOttie’s wireless car charger is available as a CD/air vent model or a dashboard model. The suction cup on the dash model sticks to your dashboard to keep the wireless car charger exactly where you need it while charging at a fast speed of up to 10W. What makes iOttie’s charger unique is the Easy One-Touch trigger. Once you push the button, the sensor knows you’re about to attach the phone to the charger. The grips will automatically open up to grab your phone and hold it securely in place to charge. The feature is especially helpful when you’re driving and need to charge as quickly as possible while keeping your eyes on the road. Simply direct your phone towards the car charger, touch the button on the charging base and insert the phone into the device, which will lock it in place. You probably won’t often need a wireless car charger that can pivot 360 degrees. However, it’s a useful feature if you ever want to record footage straight from your dashboard, share the contents of the phone with passengers, or mount the suction-cup attachment to your windshield instead of the dashboard. The pivoting ball makes it possible to adjust the wireless car mount to nearly any angle you need for the most convenience. ZeeHoo’s model also delivers on what’s most important: Fast charging of up to 10W and Qi-compatibility. Plus, inserting your phone is easy. Drop the phone into the holder and it will lock the clamps in place without having to fuss with cables or placement. Doodbi’s wireless car charger features a low-profile design that’s compatible with nearly any phone model. Capable of high-speed charging of up to 15W, you can power your phone faster, based on the charging cable you use. It’s the only wireless car charging device in this guide that doesn’t include a charging cable. We give it a pass simply because the model is universally compatible with most smartphones – all of which have their own charging cable version that’s optimized for high-speed charging. You can charge your phone effortlessly, even while driving. To attach your phone to the wireless car mount, place it close to the device. Its integrated sensors can tell when your phone is near and will release the clips to accept the phone. Once you place it into the mount, the clamps will automatically close and hold the device securely. Best of all, the car charger can hold most phone models and protective cases, so you don’t have to remove yours before charging. In addition, you’ll need to decide where the ideal place to mount your wireless charger will be in your vehicle. Your choices are an air vent using a clip, the dashboard, or the windshield using a suction cup attachment. (The best wireless car chargers typically provide you with flexibility to choose from all three options). If you plan to use your phone to navigate while charging, a model that’s easy to mount is best. Most wireless car chargers make attaching the phone into the device a fairly simple task that can be done with just one hand. Unless you use a rugged, bulky cover, you don’t even need to remove your phone’s protective case to charge wirelessly. Once you find a wireless car mount that works with your smartphone, look for Qi-certified models. Qi-compliant wireless chargers have been tested for the utmost safety and efficiency when it comes to wireless charging. Fast charging speeds are also important. However, a device can only charge as quickly as the cable and phone model you own. We chose models featuring 10 to 15 watts for the fastest charging times possible. Lastly, placement versatility was important when we were evaluating the best wireless car chargers and mounts. We selected models that could be attached to your dashboard or windshield via powerful suction or clamped onto an air vent. All models had to pivot and adjust so you can easily set the ideal angle for your display needs. One thing to keep in mind is that some of the charging power is lost, due to your phone charging from a base and not receiving the full current directly via cable. Nevertheless, most wireless chargers have an efficiency of 85% or more, making them a good alternative to traditional charging via cable. Chargers that are Qi compliant are safe, reliable, efficient and compatible with many phone models, ensuring your smart device will charge quickly – and with a low risk of damage. To know if your charging device passed the test to earn certification, look for the Qi logo on the device. For the most secure attachment, make sure the surface you’re planning to mount your charger on is smooth. Clean it with an alcohol wipe to get rid of oils, dirt, and other debris. Moistening the suction cup before attaching it can help it grip better, but be sure not to overdo it. Some manufacturers recommend waiting 24 hours after attaching the suction cup before placing your phone in the charger. However, if the surface is clean and you were able to achieve a strong grip, you can probably start using the wireless charger right away. However, not all phone models are compatible with wireless charging. If you have an older phone, you’ll need to stick with the traditional way to charge your device while in the vehicle – by connecting your phone to a USB port using a charging cable or by adding a car charger to the vehicle’s 12V outlet. Consider the following alternatives:
