Technologies

5 Best Cheap Qi Wireless Charging Pads Under $20

Looking for a cheap wireless charging pad for your Qi-enabled phone? Here are the top picks tested by CNET experts.

Maybe you recently picked up a new iPhone or Android phone with wireless charging, but with no wireless charging pad included in the box. Fear not — there are some good deals right now on high-quality wireless charging pads, a couple of which cost less than $15 and three that cost less than $20. We’ll update this story as new deals appear.

Not that this list is limited to budget Qi wireless charging pads, most of which don’t include a power adapter. If you’re looking for more wireless chargers, we have a list of the best Qi wireless chargers that includes models that can charge multiple devices at the same time (a smartphone, Apple Watch and earbuds with a wireless charging case) along with portable magnetic wireless batteries (MagSafe-compatible) and even wireless phone chargers you can mount in your car.

Read more: Best Wireless Charger for 2023

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Anker 315 Wireless Charger

Over the years, Anker has sold a few different budget Qi wireless charging pads. There’s nothing terrible fancy about its 315 Wireless Charger, but it delivers up to 10W charging speeds for Android smartphones and 7.5W for iPhones and it does look fairly sleek with a slim design (it also has some grippy material on top so your phone doesn’t slide off).

It’s not a super fast charger but it’s fine for those who charge their phones overnight. A USB-C cable is included, but you will need to supply a power adapter (you’ll want one that’s capable of delivering 10W or more to get the higher charging speeds).

$11 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Anker Wireless Charger, 315 Wireless Charger (Pad), 10W Max Fast Charging, Compatible with iPhone 13/12 Series, Samsung S22, AirPods, Samsung Buds, Google Buds, and More (Wall Charger Not Included)

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

Best cheap wireless charging pad with power adapter

The latest version of Belkin’s wireless charging pad offers up to 15W fast charging (a power adapter and cable are included). Only certain Android phones are compatible with that 15W wireless charging speed, and the pad only charges iPhones at 7.5W speeds. It does have some rubber grips embedded into the slim puck to keep your phone from slipping of the pad.

$17 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Baseus Mini Magnetic Wireless Charger

Value wireless charge with strong magnets

The Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger or Baseus Magnetic Charger for MagSafe as it’s called on Amazon, is a slim Qi wireless charging puck that sticks securely to MagSafe-enabled iPhones (or MagSafe-enabled cases). You can also just let an Android rest on top of it for charging (or a set of earbuds with a wireless charging). It charges iPhones at up to 7.5W and Android devices at up to 15W.

No power adapter is included, but a USB-C cable is integrated into the puck. A 20W PD fast charger is recommended.

$16 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger, 15W Mini Lightweight Charger with N52 Strong Magnets & Aerogel-Made Casing for an Upgraded Temperature Control for Magsafe Compatible with iPhone 12/13/14 Series

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand

Best cheap wireless charging stand

Anker makes its newer PowerWave 2 charging stand that offers faster charging speeds and comes with a power adapter for around $35. But if you already have a power adapter, the 313 Wireless Charging Standing will work just fine for most people, particularly if you’re mainly charging overnight. It offers up to 10W wireless charging for Android devices and 5W wireless charging for iPhones.

No power adapter is including.

$17 at Amazon

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Mophie

Mophie Stream Pad Plus Qi wireless charging pad

Best value charging pad from Mophie value

This Mophie Qi wireless charging pad retailed for over $50 when it first came out in 2018 (I still use it today). It’s now down to $12 in black. This charges iPhones at 7.5W and Android phones at up to at 10W. It’s no the latest and greatest charging pad, but it’s cheap.

$12 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for mophie Charge Stream Pad+ — 10W Qi Wireless Charge Pad — Made for Apple iPhone Xr, Xs Max, Xs, X, 8, 8 Plus, Samsung, and Other Qi-Enabled Devices — Black

Originally published in 2020. Regularly updated with new deals.

Technologies

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Might Come in 5G and 4G Cellular Models

If the rumor proves true, the 5G Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 that debuted last fall.

Samsung’s next high-end Galaxy Watch could support faster 5G speeds, but if this leak is true, it will depend on where you live. The rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might come in 5G and 4G cellular models, with availability for each smartwatch depending on the country.

According to the Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that point to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi-enabled editions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, which would succeed the original model that debuted in 2024.

A representative for Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Galaxy Club website speculates that the 5G edition would be sold in the US and Korean markets, while the 4G edition would sell in the rest of the world. In the US, a 5G version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3, which debuted last fall. The 4G edition would have broader compatibility worldwide, since the earlier network is far more established.

It will likely be a few months until we hear anything official about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Samsung typically unveils its new watches in the summer alongside its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but otherwise left the prior 2024 Ultra in the lineup for those looking for a larger 47mm smartwatch.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 8, #1032

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for April 8, No. 1032.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. The purple category is a fun one, once you see the connection. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: In the group.

Green group hint: Appearance details.

Blue group hint: Often found in gyms.

Purple group hint: They help you see.