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Do You Need to Plug In A Wireless Charger?

Even though wireless chargers now work with more than 70 smartphone models, they’re still widely misunderstood. Some people believe that they’re much slower than traditional chargers, while others think that they don’t need to be connected to a power source. So, do you need to connect your wireless charger to a power outlet? 

While some wireless chargers work on batteries, most wireless chargers need to be plugged into a wall socket to function. Even wireless chargers with batteries need to be recharged with a wired connection. Nonetheless, wireless chargers are more effective and safe due to fewer cables. 

Let’s look at how wireless charging works, why you need to plug them in, and what makes them better than wired chargers. 

How Does Wireless Charging Work? 

Mobile smart phone on wireless charging device on white background

Wireless charging works when two electromagnetic coils transfer energy using inductive currents. The charger converts electrical energy from the socket or battery and transfers it to the phone when it’s aligned with the electromagnetic coil in the phone. 

Most wireless chargers follow the Qi protocol, which is a standard that allows wireless chargers to work on different smartphone brands. Only the latest phones are Qi-compatible, and all smartphones won’t work with wireless chargers since they don’t have a receiving module that can receive the input from the wireless charger. 

Some types of wireless chargers are based on radio frequency emissions, allowing you to charge your phone from a distance of several feet. However, these are still in the test phase, and most wireless chargers require you to place the phone directly on the charger to work. 

Does a Wireless Charger Need to Be Plugged Into a Wall Outlet?

Most wireless chargers need to be plugged into a wall outlet to charge your device. The charger can’t take electrical power wirelessly, and there needs to be a wired connection providing power to the charger.

However, some wireless chargers have batteries and work like wireless power banks, only needing to be plugged into a wall socket when the battery is empty. 

The concept behind wireless chargers is to remove the wired connection between the charger and your smartphone. However, the charger still needs to be plugged in somewhere, and you’ll therefore need to connect the charging pad to a wall socket.

Nevertheless, it’s still more convenient to place your phone on a charging pad whenever it’s low on the charge rather than connecting it with a wired cable. 

Wireless chargers are becoming more sophisticated with time. Some come with better batteries that can charge your phone fully more than once on a single charge.

This is great for traveling, and you won’t need a cable to connect the charger to your smartphone. However, even these chargers need to be plugged into a socket at some point to recharge. 

Many of the latest wireless chargers can charge several devices wirelessly. For example, Apple MagSafe can charge your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously, while other wireless chargers come with a dual charging pad for charging two smartphones.  

What Are the Benefits of Wireless Charging?

While many of the latest smartphone brands are compatible with wireless chargers, the uptake has been quite slow. Wireless chargers are advanced, but they still need to be plugged into a wall socket.

So, what’s the benefit of having a wireless charger over a standard cable charger? 

The main benefit of having a wireless charger is that it’s convenient. Think of a time when you couldn’t find your charging cable, or when there was no socket available.

With a wireless charger, all you need to do is place the phone on the charging pad and pick it up when it’s charged. If your wireless charger has a battery, you can also charge your phone anywhere on the go. 

Some of the latest wireless chargers will also charge your phone faster than many standard cable chargers. Apple’s MagSafe charger delivers a power output of 15W, which is significantly higher than most regular cable chargers.

So, if you’re pressed for time and need to get some charge on your phone, wireless chargers may be the best option. 

Lastly, wireless chargers are considered safer than wired chargers since there are fewer cables to work with. The cables of wired chargers can get damaged over time, and this can cause electric shocks or worse.

Wireless chargers will heat up your phone a little, but it’s well within the safety range of compatible smartphones. 

The Best Wireless Chargers

Woman putting smartwatch onto wireless charger at white stone table

When it comes to wireless chargers, there are a lot of great brands out there. Don’t fall into the trap of using cheap, second-grade wireless chargers, as they may damage your phone. Only use Qi-certified wireless chargers from reputable brands. 

Here are some of the best wireless chargers available in the market: 

  1. Apple MagSafe Duo (on Amazon)

Apple MagSafe Duo is one of the best portable wireless chargers. Simply fold it in half and put it in your pocket along with your wallet or smartphone. You can also charge when it’s closed or open, and you’ll get a decent 11W to 14W power output. 

  1. Apple MagSafe (on Amazon)

The MagSafe charger is the go-to wireless charger for the latest iPhones, and it comes with an unmatched quality guarantee. You can also charge some Apple Watches and other Apple devices with this charger. With a power output of 15W, it’s one of the fastest wireless chargers on the market. 

  1. Belkin Wireless Charging Dock (on Amazon)

One of the best brands in wireless chargers, Belkin, has come up with a charging dock that allows you to charge both smartphones and Apple Watches simultaneously. It works with all Qi-compatible smartphone brands, and the charging speed is on par with the best wired chargers. 

  1. Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charger (on Amazon)

The Boost Up is another innovative wireless charger from Belkin. It comes with a stand that charges your smartphone vertically, which allows you to use it while charging. If you’re after convenience, this wireless charger is ideal.