Phone ring holders are among the most useful smartphone accessories out there, at least after a phone cover. You can hold the phone comfortably with a phone ring, and many phone rings can also be used as a stand to watch videos. However, metal rings have some disadvantages; one is that they interfere with wireless chargers.
Metal ring attachments/cases can’t be used with wireless chargers because they interfere with the chargers’ electromagnetic field. You can use detachable metal rings that are compatible with wireless chargers, but you’ll have to remove them before charging. Some ceramic rings will work.
Let’s look at why metal ring holders interfere with wireless charging and what alternatives are available. We’ll also take a look at some other phone accessories that may interfere with wireless charging, so you can be more mindful when buying new smartphone accessories.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
Wireless charging is based on electromagnetic induction, which allows electricity to be transferred from the charging plate to the phone through magnetic waves. This is similar to how induction cooking uses magnetic coils to transfer heat energy from stove plates to the pots. With wireless charging, however, electrical energy is transferred.
The battery of a smartphone that works with wireless charging isn’t much different from that of other smartphones. However, the phone contains a coil that converts the AC current produced by the wires to DC current, which charges the batteries. This coil is similar to how a charger adapter works.
Wireless charging has become quite popular due to its convenience and safety. You don’t have to worry about cables, and fewer wires mean less chance of damaging your phone with faulty chargers. In this sense, wireless chargers are much safer than cable chargers.
However, many people still prefer to charge their smartphones with cable chargers. Wireless charging is still relatively slow, and most wireless chargers don’t allow you to remove your phone from the plate when it’s charging.
Nonetheless, as these chargers develop, it’s likely that wireless chargers will get more advanced and user-friendly.
Does a Phone Ring Affect Wireless Charging?
While wireless charging works with most phone covers, a phone ring on the back of the phone (like this on, on Amazon) or cover may interfere with the wireless charging. Phone rings are usually made from metal, and this may interfere with the electromagnetic induction process of wireless chargers.
Some phone rings will prevent you from using wireless chargers at all, while others may cause the phone to charge slower than usual.
The main problem with phone rings is that they’re usually metallic. Since wireless chargers work with electromagnetic waves, any metallic interference between the phone and wireless charger will block the flow of electric current. Metal phone rings may also interfere with wireless chargers that charge from a distance.
But what if you have a plastic phone ring attached to the back of your smartphone? Unfortunately, plastic phone rings will also interfere with wireless chargers. Most popular wireless chargers require the phone to be flat on the charging plate for optimal charging.
Generally, a phone ring thicker than 4mm will interfere with a wireless charger, regardless of whether it’s made from plastic or metal.
Some plastic phone rings do work with the WiTricity wireless charger, which allows you to charge your smartphone from a distance. Also, plastic phone rings can be used with wireless chargers in some cases, but the charger will probably work much slower. It’s much better to either remove the phone ring or use a cable charger.
Are There Any Ring Holders Compatible With Wireless Charging?
Although most older ring holders weren’t designed to be compatible with wireless chargers, many of the latest phone holders can be detached from the phone, making them more compatible with wireless charging.
If you’re looking for the best phone rings that work with wireless chargers, here are some of our favorites to choose from:
iRing Phone Holder
When it comes to phone accessories, iRing has released some of the best products, and their phone ring holders are no different. This iRing phone ring holder (on Amazon) is magnetic and comes with a detachable plate for easy wireless charging. The base plate will remain attached to the phone, and you can easily slide the ring plate on after charging your phone.
The iRing phone holder has a sleek design and can rotate 360 degrees, making it ideal for a range of functions. It’s also one of the most comfortable phone holder rings.
Fit Fort Ring Holder
Many of the phone holder rings that support wireless charging need to be removed when you place them on a wireless charger. However, the Fit Fort ring holder doesn’t need to be removed when you charge the smartphone with a wireless charger. It’s made from a ceramic material that’s 1.6 mm thick, making it compatible with all wireless chargers.
If you don’t want to remove and attach the ring every time you need to charge your smartphone, this phone ring holder is ideal.
eSamcore Phone Ring Holder
The eSamcore phone ring holder (on Amazon) is another option that doesn’t need to be removed when you’re charging your phone. Like the Fit Fort ring holder, it’s made from ceramic and won’t interfere with wireless chargers thanks to the thin design.
Best of all, this phone ring holder is affordable and can easily be attached to most smartphones. However, it’s not as sleek as the Fit Fort ring holder and won’t work with wireless chargers if you have a thicker phone cover.
Pop Socket Phone Holder
The Pop Socket phone holder (on Amazon) doesn’t have the same design as most phone rings but works the same way. Instead of placing your finger through the ring, you can hold the phone between two fingers with the Pop Socket holder. Best of all, it’s compatible with wireless charging.
You can easily remove the top of the Pop Socket holder when you need to charge it and place it back on afterward. This is one of the more affordable phone holders compatible with most smartphones, and it’s definitely worth trying out if you have a wireless charger.
Wuoji Finger Strap Phone Holder
Most phone holders are made from plastic, metal, or ceramic and aren’t very flexible. However, the Wuoji finger strap phone holder (on Amazon) is a unique alternative to most phone ring holders and can be used with wireless chargers.
This strap is easy to hold, fits on all smartphones, and doesn’t need to be removed when you’re charging your phone with a wireless charger since the strap is less than 3mm thick. However, the only downside to this phone strap is that you can’t use it to place your phone in a suitable position to watch videos.
What Else Interferes With Wireless Charging?
Phone ring holders aren’t the only accessories that will interfere with wireless chargers. Many types of phone casings, credit card holders, attachable phone stands, and other phone accessories can interfere with wireless charging on your phone.
Avoid using these accessories with your phone if you want it to be compatible with wireless chargers:
Thick Phone Covers
Some phone covers are thicker than 4mm and may interfere with wireless chargers. While these phone covers are more robust than sleeker phone casings, you’ll have to remove them when charging your phone with wireless chargers.
Metal Kickstands
Kickstands are quite useful for watching videos on your smartphone. However, many kickstands are made from metal, which is likely to interfere with wireless charging. Some metal kickstands have a detachable casing, but you’ll have to remove it when charging your phone.
Credit Card Cases
Some phone cases have a special pocket to hold credit cards. While you can still charge your phone with these cases, you’ll have to remove your credit cards before placing the phone on a wireless charging pad since credit cards have a magnetic strip that interferes with wireless chargers.