Apple might have been slightly behind the curve in adding wireless charging to the iPhone, but the Qi standard is now common across the current line-up, supported by iPhone XR, iPhone SE, iPhone 11 and all versions of iPhone 12.
What's more, in the iPhone 12 line Apple has introduced magnetic wireless charging capability, with 'Made For MagSafe' wireless chargers able to charge the iPhone at an increased rate of 15W. (Read our guide to MagSafe and find MagSafe accessories in our round-up.)
For older iPhones it is possible to add a Qi wireless charging receiver that plugs into the Lightning port and tucks away neatly inside the case, though it does render the Lightning port unusable while the phone is charging. We like this Choetech example that costs just £6.99.
Apple's own AirPower wireless charger never saw the light of day, but any third-party model will work. That said, not all wireless chargers are created equal, and those that are not specifically certified for use with iPhone may not support the phone's top wireless charging speed of 7.5W. There is also a range of designs, with wireless charging docks, stands and pads to choose between.
And prices range from under £20 for the basics to well over £100 for multiple-device chargers.
How much power do I need?
With iOS 11.2 Apple raised the top wireless charging speed of its iPhones from 5W to 7.5W. To this day no iPhone will wirelessly charge faster, so you might think there is no need to buy a wireless charger that can accommodate a higher output.
That would be to assume Apple is stopping at 7.5W, however. With some Android phones now capable of 30W wireless charging, we can't see Apple waiting too long to raise the bar. Buying a faster model now will afford you some future-proofing, but be sure to look for an Apple-certified model.
Do note that most wireless chargers are not sold with a wall plug, and that wireless power doesn't come from thin air. In order to deliver a 7.5W output there must be at least 7.5W of power going into the other end, so you'll need a matching USB adaptor. Apple's own 30W USB-C adaptor is more than ample.
Hybrid chargers
Some chargers offer to power up multiple devices at once: the classic triple threat is one that charges an iPhone, AirPods case and Apple Watch at once, as was the intention with AirPower.
This is extremely convenient in theory, but quite demanding in technical terms, and you will find they are slower at charging than a singe-use charger. The AirUnleashed and Satechi Trio are decent options, but others we've tried were too slow to recommend.
