6 days ago
11
Anker Prime MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station
pros and cons
Pros
- 25W Qi2 wireless charging for the fastest possible cable-free charging.
- The charging pad's active cooler keeps temperatures low.
- The touchscreen and app offer a great deal of flexibility and control.
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Heat is one of the main drawbacks of wireless charging. If there's one thing that can shorten a smartphone battery's lifespan, it's charging while the device is hot. While wireless charging is undeniably convenient (I mean, what's easier than throwing a device on a charging pad?), this approach can speed up battery degradation over time.
Now, you could try cooling your charger by using the refrigerator, but that would undoubtedly raise some eyebrows. Instead, what if the charger itself had a built-in cooling system?
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That's exactly what Anker has done with its Prime MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station -- a perfect solution for those who own the trifecta of Apple devices: the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It's also one of the sleekest charging stations I've tested.
Impressive specs and built-In cooling
On paper, the specs are impressive. The station features three wireless charging pads, with the main one a Qi2 25W charging pad (also known as the Qi2.2 standard) designed for the iPhone.
Since 25W is a significant amount of power to transfer wirelessly, heat management becomes crucial. It's at this point that Anker's innovation comes through -- the charging pad incorporates a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), also known as a Peltier cooler.
This is a Peltier cooler (not from the Anker Prime charging station).
A TEC works by creating a temperature differential when an electric current passes through two semiconductor materials. The "hot" side dissipates heat, while the "cold" side absorbs it, keeping the device cool.
This system is further supported by a cooling fan, ensuring your phone never exceeds 89°F (32°C) during charging, maintaining an optimal temperature for battery health.
The TEC cooler chills the charging pad really effectively.
Note that a TEC can also generate small amounts of power by placing the hot side on a heated surface and cooling the cold side. This approach is how the air-circulating fans that people have on top of their log burners work.
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Additionally, the charging pad in the Anker system swivels 80 degrees, allowing you to adjust your iPhone to the perfect viewing angle.
Smart charging modes
This Anker charger isn't just a basic cooling system -- it's a smart one. The charging station offers three distinct modes to suit different needs:
- Boost Mode: Delivers high-power charging while keeping your phone cool, ideal for quick top-ups.
- Ice Mode: Provides maximum cooling and rapid charging, making it perfect for charging while you use your phone.
- Sleep Mode: Reduces charging speed, turns off cooling, and dims the display for a peaceful overnight charge.
Yes, the charging station has an app.
What's more, you can control these modes directly on the device or via the Anker app, which connects through NFC or Bluetooth.
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You can use the app to switch charging modes, monitor charging status, schedule day or night cycles (automatically entering or exiting Sleep Mode), and even customize the display with screensavers.
A display and more
Speaking of the display, the charging station features a 1.65-inch color touchscreen that shows charging status, safety notifications, and customizable screensavers. This display is a nice way to stay on top of what the charger is up to -- and it can do a lot more.
Neat touchscreen display on the Anker Prime MagSafe charging station.
In addition to the main charging pad, the station includes two more wireless charging pads: a 5W pad for an Apple Watch and another 5W pad for AirPods. These pads charge accessories at the fastest possible speeds without requiring active cooling, as the lower power output minimizes heat generation.
The charging station includes a 65W folding charger and a five-foot, bend-resistant USB-C cable, so everything you need is in the box.
Super stable and a premium finish
There's nothing worse than hanging your precious Apple gadgets on a charging pad for their nightly top-up, only to have the whole $1,000+ setup crash to the floor because the charging station is unstable. This is a common problem with many multi-device charging stations I've tested, but not this one from Anker. The unit is heavy enough (1.4 pounds/620 grams) to be stable even when a huge iPhone 17 Pro Max and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 are dangling from it.
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This system is one of the most premium charging stations I've ever tested. It's crafted from high-quality materials and features a hand-finished polish on the metal parts, giving it a sleek, luxurious feel. Whether it's sitting on a minimalist nightstand or a sophisticated mahogany executive desk, this charging station looks absolutely stunning in any space, which is unusual for what is ultimately a charger.
ZDNET's buying advice
Premium wireless chargers are not cheap, and the bells and whistles of the Anker Prime MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station push the list price of this unit to a stratospheric $230. However, Amazon is currently offering a 26% discount, bringing the price down to a more reasonable $170.
Yes, that's a lot of money, and there are definitely cheaper 3-in-1 charging stations out there that run slower and hotter, but this is about as premium as things get, so if you want the best of the best in terms of both tech and looks, this is the charging station for you.
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