Probably one of the first things you’ll notice is that this Qi charger is much larger than many of the small disc-shaped wireless chargers we typically see. In fact, it’s about the size of a smartphone itself. However, this has an added benefit of making it easier to align your phone so it hits the “sweet spot” for wireless charging and you’re not left guessing if your phone is charging or not.

The PowerWave Base Pad also has anti-slip pads on the top and the bottom, so it doesn’t slide around your desk and your phone doesn’t slide off the top of the pad. It even has some weight to it which makes it a good, sturdy base for charging your phone.

Performance

The PowerWave Base Pad performs well, but you need to be sure to pair it with the correct wall charger (which is not included with the base).

If you’re not concerned about speed, then any 5V 2A USB wall charger will do. This includes all of Anker’s USB chargers, or the charger that comes with iPads (the small, white charging block that comes with the iPhone XS and older will not work as it is only 5V 1A).

The PowerWave Base Pad is capable of higher speed wireless charging. If you want faster charging (up to 7.5W on iPhones and up to 10W on support Android phones), you’ll need to use a Quick Charge 3.0 charger. Unless you have a need for fast charging, I recommend using the regular, “slow” charging of a 5V 2A wall adapter as it will generate less heat and help with the longevity of your phone’s battery.

The PowerWave Base Pad has adequate ventilation and while reviewing this charger, it did not become alarmingly hot during the charging process. Keep in mind that Qi charging itself will generate a lot of heat, so your phone and the base will both appear warm to the touch. This is to be expected.

I have a plastic TPU case on my iPhone X and the Base Pad was able to charge my phone without issue. However, keep in mind that any cases containing metal, as well as wallet cases that hold your credit cards behind your phone, will interfere with wireless charging.

Features

The PowerWave Base Pad has a small LED on the front. Although the LED stays on the entire time your phone is charging, the LED is dim enough that it will be fine for the bedroom. The LED will flash to indicate there is an issue with the charging process (such as metal on the back of your phone).

Anker Wireless Charger, PowerWave Base Pad, Qi-Certified, 7.5W for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max,...

Anker Wireless Charger, PowerWave Base Pad, Qi-Certified, 7.5W for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max,...

$29.99

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Last updated on October 6, 2023 1:12 am

The post Anker PowerWave Base Pad Review appeared first on Technically Well.

PROs

• 5 charging ports: You can charge 5 devices at the same time with this unit. I tested my Kindle Fire, iPad, Bluetooth speaker, and some Android phones. They all charged fine at the same time with no errors.
• Smart charging: Each port can adapt to the charging requirements of most devices. Each port is capable of supplying up to 2.4 amps of power, which is enough to charge a tablet at full speed. The ports also adapt to lower charging requirements, so it can charge a phone at 1 amp with no problems. I used a USB voltmeter to test out the ports with my iPad and they did indeed provide the higher amperage requirements of the iPad. I measured 1.6 amps which is similar to what I receive from the Apple OEM charger.
• Qi charging: I used a friend’s Nexus 5 to test out this feature and it worked fine. When we sit his phone on top of the charger, it began charging properly. A blue LED on the unit indicates when the Qi pad is supplying power to your device.
• Solid design: The charging unit is very sturdy and durable. It also has rubber feet to help stabilize it and prevent it from sliding around your desk or countertop.
• Power strip friendly: The power inverter is built into the unit, so the standard 2-prong plug fits easily in a power strip or wall outlet without blocking other ports.
• Safety: The unit became warm while in use, but it did not get very hot. There are also CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications on the unit.

CONs

• Size: Since there is also the wireless Qi charging pad built-in, this unit is somewhat thicker than other 5-port desktop chargers (it’s about twice as tall as the Anker 5-port charger).

Overall, this is a very versatile charger that can handle multiple devices at once and charge them at full speed. It is great for keeping in a central location of my house so I can plug in devices no matter what their power requirements are (thanks to the smart charging ports). The Qi charging pad is also very cool and maybe Apple will incorporate it some day. I hope that my unbiased testing and review of this sample unit I received assists you in making an informed purchasing decision. If there is anything that I can do to improve this review, please let me know by leaving a note in the comments so I may respond. Thank you!

Unfortunately, this product was discontinued, but check out some other chargers by EC Technology.

The post EC Technology 5-USB Port with Qi Desktop Charger Review appeared first on Technically Well.