The 5 Best Cheap Qi Wireless Charging Pads Under $20
Here are the top picks for affordable wireless charging pads tested by CNET experts.
- Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
Why You Can Trust CNET
The introduction of Qi wireless charging was game-changing. Wireless charging is a super convenient way to juice up your phone without having to plug it in. Wireless chargers also come with a variety of options including stands, which allow you to use your phone at your desk while it's charging. But while many new smartphones come with wireless charging capabilities, they usually don't come with wireless charging pads.
It can be a frustrating experience, especially when spending a good chunk of change on a new phone. Luckily, you don't have to break the bank to get your hands on a high-quality wireless charging pad. There are some great deals on chargers for Android and Apple phones right now, and they all cost under $20. We'll update this story as new deals appear.
Not that this list is limited to budget Qi wireless charging pads, most of which don't include a power adapter. If you're looking for more wireless chargers, we have a list of the best Qi wireless chargers that includes models that can charge multiple devices at the same time (a smartphone, Apple Watch and earbuds with a wireless charging case) along with portable magnetic wireless batteries (MagSafe-compatible) and even wireless phone chargers you can mount in your car.
Read more: Best Wireless Charger for 2023
A cheap but good charger
Anker 315 Wireless Charger
Over the years, Anker has sold a few different budget Qi wireless charging pads. There's nothing terrible fancy about its 315 Wireless Charger, but it delivers up to 10-watt charging speeds for Android smartphones and 7.5 watts for iPhones, and it does look fairly sleek with a slim design (it also has some grippy material on top so your phone doesn't slide off).
It's not a super fast charger but it's fine for those who charge their phones overnight. A USB-C cable is included, but you will need to supply a power adapter (you'll want one that's capable of delivering 10 watts or more to get the higher charging speeds).
Solid cheap wireless charging pad
Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 10W
The latest version of Belkin's wireless charging pad offers up to 15-watt fast charging (a power adapter and cable are included), but it costs almost $40. By comparison, the 10-watt model goes for half as much, though you'll need to supply your own adapter. Note that the pad only charges iPhones at 7.5 watts. It does have some rubber grips embedded into the slim puck to keep your phone from slipping of the pad.
Value wireless charge with strong magnets
Baseus Mini Magnetic Wireless Charger
The Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger or Baseus Magnetic Charger for MagSafe as it's called on Amazon, is a slim Qi wireless charging puck that sticks securely to MagSafe-enabled iPhones (or MagSafe-enabled cases). You can also just let an Android rest on top of it for charging (or a set of earbuds with a wireless charging). It charges iPhones at up to 7.5 watts and Android devices at up to 15 watts.
No power adapter is included, but a USB-C cable is integrated into the puck. A 20-watt PD fast charger is recommended.
Best cheap wireless charging stand
Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand
Anker makes its newer PowerWave 2 charging stand that offers faster charging speeds and comes with a power adapter for around $35. But if you already have a power adapter, the 313 Wireless Charging Standing will work just fine for most people, particularly if you're mainly charging overnight. It offers up to 10-watt wireless charging for Android devices and 5-watt wireless charging for iPhones. No power adapter is included.
Best value charging pad from Mophie
Mophie Stream Pad Plus Qi wireless charging pad
This Mophie Qi wireless charging pad retailed for over $50 when it first came out in 2018 (I still use it today). This charges iPhones at 7.5 watts and Android phones at up to at 10 watts. It's not the latest and greatest charging pad, but it's cheap -- though it has been as low as $11.
Mobile Guides
- Best Wireless Earbuds
- Best Noise Canceling Headphones
- Best Headphones
- Best Over Ear Headphones
- Best Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Making Calls
- Best Headphones for Work at Home
- Best Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
- Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds
- Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
- Best Wireless Headphones