With the last few generations of Apple iPhone and Apple’s accessories also becoming compatible with the Qi wireless charging standard, the demand for wireless desktop and in-car charging multiple devices has increased – because charging with a cable was soo last decade!
There are two types of desktop Qi wireless chargers. There’s the flat base charger that allows you to place your iPhone on charge in a horizontal flat position, and there are vertical stand wireless chargers, which stand your iPhone upright, at an angle that makes them more suitable for a working desk or on a bedside nightstand.
Although many wireless chargers only allow for a single device to charge, there are a growing number of newly released wireless chargers that can charge multiple devices. Apple even tried to make their own, yet the Apple AirPower mat failed to leave the factory doors, never to be seen again.
This hasn’t stopped other makers to try their luck at releasing their own wireless multi-charging station. The Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad wireless charger is one such charger that allows you to charge two devices wirelessly at once.
Inside the box, you’ll find the Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad wireless charger unit itself, a wall plug adapter/charger to power it, and a couple of manuals and leaflets. It was to my surprise that the charging unit wasn’t powered over USB, instead, the Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad requires more power to be able to deliver the 10W, 7.5W or 5W charge to both devices simultaneously.
I’ll be honest in saying that I think the Dual Pad isn’t the prettiest wireless charging pad I’ve seen. At the thickness of an iPhone and roughly the length of an iPhone 11 Pro Max, it is a fair big slab of black plastic to be had sitting on kitchen table-top or bedside nightstand. Personally, I would have preferred a more subtle and cleaner look or something that had textured fabric wrapped around it. Something that could blend in more subtly with my home.
Both charging pads are marked out with two white crosshairs and a thin black rubber ring that circles around them. The raised rubber ring helps protect the phone when it is placed onto it, as well as help prevent any movement or slippage whilst the phone is placed on top of the rubber rings. Sandwiched between both charging pads are two small blue circle LED lights that light up to indicate when each charging pad is in use, or flash if an object or device isn’t positioned correctly or cannot be charged.
As stated previously, the charger will support both 10W for Samsung, 7.5W for iPhone and 5W for some older smartphones. This charge will be delivered as soon as the Qi-compatible device has been placed onto a pad. The Dual Pad is also case friendly, with each pad having the ability to charge through up to 5mm of any smartphone casing.
Unlike a USB powered connection, the bundled Quick Charge wall adapter that powers the Dual Pad has been built specifically for the charger and cannot be utilised for anything else. Its 5ft-long power cable allows you to place the Dual Pad it at a decent distance away from a nearby wall plug socket, but if you desire it to stretch it any longer you’ll have to look for a power extension.
If you prefer the convenience of wireless charging and find yourself having to queue up the number of wireless devices that you place on your single charging mat, then perhaps a dual charger might be something you may want to consider. Priced at £33.99 on Amazon ($69.99 US RRP), the Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad is priced fairly well for a charger that can handle two devices at once.
Anker’s build quality rains true with this charger. Its build quality and thick, almost rugged, casing feels solid and gives the impression that it will serve well for a long time. For me though, it’s the lacklustre looks and the mains charging that lets the Dual Pad down. If you are not to bothered by either of this minor niggles, then the Anker PowerWave 10 Dual Pad is a decent wireless multi-charging solution fit for any hallway, kitchen counter, bedside nightstand or on your office desk.
