PowerWave 15 Wireless Charger

WIRELESS CHARGERS aren’t new, but that’s a good thing; they’ve been around long enough for manufacturers to start perfecting them. Anker is one such manufacturer, and its newest version is as slick as they come. A solid metal base gives this charging pad some serious heft, and the top is banded with four raised rubber corners to protect your phone from scratches and stop it moving around while it charges. A cool blue light sits on the front of the unit, illuminating while a device is charging.

Thanks to its 15W capacity and power delivery via USB-C, Anker’s charger is a great addition to any setup. Its proprietary PowerWave tech ensures faster charge times than most, and it can charge any Qi-compatible product up to the maximum wattage it can receive. Anker also sells an adapter for wall plugs that enables fast charge modes on compatible phones, be they Android or iPhone.

The stock cable is a USB 3.0 Type-A connector providing charge to a USB-C output, which can be unplugged from the pad to provide direct charging or data transfer. If you’d prefer a longer cable, it’s easy to upgrade. The cable that comes in the box has a highquality fabric sheath, ensuring better resistance to wear and tear.

Another nifty feature is the ability to charge through soft materials up to 5mm thick. This means that cases (even thicker ones such as Otterbox cases) don’t need to be removed for charging, a common stumbling block for many wireless chargers. Just don’t use a metal case—this will trigger the built-in foreign object detection, and interrupt charging. – CG $36, www.anker.com