A comparison of the best MagSafe accessories for the iPhone

Of TECHBOOK | Nov 24, 2022 at 6:36 p.m

Apple’s MagSafe accessories are no longer just wireless chargers. TECHBOOK shows the best gadgets for iPhone 12, 13 and 14.

What is MagSafe for iPhone anyway?

With the iPhone 12, Apple started building a ring of several small magnets into the back of the smartphone. The magnets form a circle around the wireless charging coil, which is installed behind the glass layer. This so-called MagSafe technology not only enables wireless charging with a magnetic lock, but can also be used for practical accessories. When the iPhone 12 went on sale, Apple only launched a handful of accessories, and a little later MagSafe accessories from third-party providers made the big rounds. The gadgets take advantage of the strong magnetic hold or rely on 2-in-1 chargers. The only requirement: For the iPhone MagSafe accessory you need an iPhone 12 or later models.

Watch out! If you use a case for your iPhone 12, 13 or 14, it must also be MagSafe compatible. Otherwise the magnetic lock will not work.

Apple’s classic MagSafe charger: The Puck

Simple, sleek and effective: the MagSafe charger from Apple is the ultimate design accessory for the desk. The minimalist round shape offers a shelf on which the smartphone can be placed and thanks to MagSafe technology it is perfectly aligned and charged. By the way: The charger can not only charge iPhone 12, 13, 14 and AirPods. It is also compatible with older iPhones and Android smartphones that support wireless charging. However, these smartphones are not magnetically held.

Whether for the bedside table or desk: With the wireless charger, you can simply place the iPhone quickly on the charging pad and it will be charged. MagSafe combines the advantages of different charging technologies: high charging speed with wireless convenience. Since this is an official iPhone 12 Magsafe accessory, the price is correspondingly high. However, you have to keep in mind that while third-party MagSafe accessories offer the same precision and magnetic ring, they are limited to a maximum of 7.5 watts – they don’t have official technology, they just follow industry standards. If you want a particularly powerful charger, you should stick to the MagSafe accessories from Apple.

advantages:

• Simple design
• Wireless charging
• Faster loading

Disadvantages:

• Supplied without power supply
• Very high price

Practical for on the go: MagSafe Duo Charger

Listen up, Apple fans: With the MagSafe Duo Charger, you can charge two Apple devices at the same time. This Apple accessory with MagSafe, for example, can find a place next to the bed and give both iPhone and Apple Watch new juice overnight. It is also compatible with AirPods and all Apple Watches.

Particularly practical: the double charger can be folded up. This accessory is the ideal companion when travelling. The only disadvantage: The charger is delivered without a power supply unit and continues to rely on Lightning and not on USB-C as expected.

advantages:

• Two devices charge at the same time
• Collapsible

Disadvantages:

• Supplied without power supply
• Very high price

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery: The wireless power bank

Thanks to MagSafe technology, the iPhone is always powered when you’re on the go. A wireless power bank can be attached to the back of the iPhone using the magnet and charged without tangled cables. Like Apple’s own external MagSafe battery The Anker battery pack also supports wireless charging for iPhone 12, 13 and 14. However, the upside is that the Anker battery holds more charge for less money.

With 5000 milliampere hours (mAh), the power bank has enough juice to fully charge your iPhone. Top: Thanks to the USB-C port, the power bank can also charge other devices that do not have MagSafe technology. You can also charge the power bank yourself in order to have enough power with you on the go.

advantages:

• Strong power bank with 5000 mAh
• Wireless charging on the go
• Can also charge other devices via USB-C

Disadvantages:

• Does not turn on automatically
• Does not appear in charge summary on iPhone

CloudValley Magnetic Case for iPhone

If you don’t want to do without a protective cover but still want to use Apple MagSafe accessories, you should buy a magnetic mobile phone case. The CloudValley model not only supports MagSafe, but also scores with a camera protection slider.

The case is made of polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), making it scratch-resistant, non-slip, and with impact-resistant corners to protect against drops and bumps. In addition, anti-slip strips on both sides provide a good grip. The CloudValley case is therefore a solid alternative to the Apple original. In terms of price, it always undercuts them.

advantage:

• Compatible with MagSafe
• With slip camera cover
• Relatively slim case

Disadvantages:

• Camera cover wears out quickly

Belkin MagSafe smartphone car mount

Nowadays, the mobile phone holder in the car is almost standard, because many drivers use their smartphones for navigation. However, some models have problems, for example weak magnets can come loose with jerky movements. Other holders are cumbersome when you want to put the smartphone in the secured position. The MagSafe accessory for the iPhone, on the other hand, offers a strong magnetic hold – without beating around the bush.

The bracket is attached to free ventilation slots and can be rotated in both landscape and portrait format. It doesn’t charge the phone itself. But it has a practical cable guide with which you always have the charging cable at hand.

advantages:

• Rotatable bracket
• Practical cable management

Disadvantages:

• Doesn’t charge iPhone

How does MagSafe work?

MagSafe was first used in Apple’s MacBooks in 2006. Back then, however, it was just a charging port surrounded by magnets. The cable was thus attached to the connection purely magnetically – practical, since you don’t pull the whole MacBook with you when you stumble over the cable.

While MagSafe for iPhone shares the same name, it’s a fundamentally different technology. Even before MagSafe, iPhones had circular charging coils behind the glass back, with which the devices could be charged wirelessly. In the iPhone 12, Apple installed a ring of strong magnets around the charging coil. One of the biggest problems with wireless charging so far has been that imprecise positioning makes it very inefficient. MagSafe solves this problem by allowing the iPhone to position itself through the magnetic contact. Instead of the previous 7.5 watts, a charging power of up to 15 watts is now possible.

A practical side effect of MagSafe is that the magnets on the back can also be used for accessories such as mounts, tripods and more.

Conclusion: Which MagSafe accessories are really worth buying?

The introduction of Apple’s MagSafe technology has opened many creative doors for third parties: the choice of accessories is huge. Some gadgets are affordable and must-haves for every iPhone, while others are more for iPhone enthusiasts. The MagSafe charging pad is one of the most popular chargers without a charging cable – the iPhone is perfectly aligned and charged quickly. Larger charging stations, on the other hand, are not for everyone and are only suitable for enthusiasts who own several devices.

In this comparison, the TECHBOOK editors show the best MagSafe accessories that are really worthwhile in everyday life. If you want more, you will find other exciting gadgets, such as MagSafe wallets that stick to the iPhone and offer space for credit cards, ID and more.