Technologies
Best MagSafe Accessories for iPhone in 2023
From stands to wallets to car mounts and wireless battery chargers, here are the best MagSafe accessories for iPhone.
The MagSafe technology built into Apple’s latest iPhones is not only designed for wireless charging but a wide range of new magnetic accessories, the best of which we’ve rounded up here. They include wallets, power banks, stands, kickstands, car mounts and other devices that adhere to the back of your iPhone or MagSafe-compatible iPhone case.
Some «MagSafe» accessories are official, Apple-licensed products while others aren’t. The main difference is that accessories that aren’t Apple-certified won’t be able to charge at the highest speeds (up to 15 watts). But in a lot of cases, the lack of certification won’t change how well the product performs, though some non-Apple-certified MagSafe-compatible accessories sometimes lack strong enough magnets.
Here’s a look at my current favorite MagSafe accessories. Note that I’ve personally used all of the products listed below. We’ll update this list as we discover new top accessories.
Read more: Best iPhone 14 Cases So Far
Magnetic wireless battery chargers
David Carnoy/CNET
What’s cool about Anker’s 622 magnetic battery is that it’s a wireless battery that has an integrated magnetic flap that converts into a stand. You won’t get fast wireless charging from this 5,000-mAh battery (it charges at up to 7.5 watts) but it’s slim and easy to carry around.
It charges via USB-C and if you use a USB-C to Lighting to charge your iPhone, it will charge at a faster rate of 12 watts. That’s not as fast as what a 20-watt USB-C power adapter can deliver, but it’s faster than 7.5 watts.
David Carnoy/CNET
The Baseus Magnetic Mini Wireless Portable Charger is a compact 6000-mAh wireless power bank that sticks to the back of MagSafe-enabled iPhones (or MagSafe-enabled iPhone cases) and charges your iPhone at 7.5W. If you’re looking for faster charging, you can plug a USB-C to Lightning cable into the battery and get 20W charging speeds. It also offers pass-through charging (you can charge the battery while charging your phone).
The battery is similar in size to many 5000-mAh batteries and also costs less. That 6000-mAh capacity will get you close to a full charge with most iPhones, though it may fall a bit short for iPhone Max models.
David Carnoy/CNET
You don’t want your phone to go dead on the mountain so it’s always good to pack a battery pack.
MyCharge calls its new line of magnetic power banks Superhero MagLock, implying that they’re real saviors. I was impressed by their design. Not only do the batteries, which come in various capacities, have strong magnets and stick really well to the back of your iPhone 12, 13 or 14, but they have raised coils, which are supposed to help with reducing heat levels while charging. It does seem to work.
The 3,000-mAh battery is lightweight and slim and is nice to have around for some emergency charging. However, it won’t get you a full charge, so you’ll probably want to step up to one of the higher-capacity options like the 6,000-mAh model, which retails for $60, but you can currently grab for 30% off with the on-page instant coupon. The 9,000-mAh version is beefy and feels like your phone is attached to a small brick — the battery and phone do fit in your hand nicely, but the combo certainly isn’t pocket-friendly.
All the MagLock batteries charge Qi-enabled iPhones at 5 watts, although you can get faster charging if you go wired and use a USB-C to Lightning cable. I also liked how there’s a chime when the charging starts and your phone tells you how much juice is left in the battery pack (it’s tied into iOS 15). You can wirelessly charge Android devices as well but the MagLock won’t stick unless you have a metal ring on the back of your phone’s case (stick-on rings are available).
The SuperHero MagLock is available in a few colors and has a glossy finish. It’s currently the best designed magnetic power bank — better even than Apple’s.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Mophie’s Powerstation Wireless Stand with MagSafe is currently only sold through Apple and Zagg, Mophie’s parent company. It’s not cheap, but it is a versatile 10,000-mAh battery battery with both a stand and MagSafe charger built in, and also has a threaded tripod mount at the bottom.
Since this is an official MagSafe charger, the battery does charge at 15 watts, making this among the fastest wireless external battery chargers out there and will also charge the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro models with MagSafe. If you use a USB-C-to-Lighting cable (not included) with it, you can charge at 20-watt speeds. You can also charge two devices at the same time.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
If you’re looking for a bigger portable battery that charges your phone wirelessly, the Baseus Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is an excellent option. It houses a 10,000-mAh battery that can charge an iPhone 14 around two times — but it’s still somewhat compact.
The magnet is strong, and I also liked that it has an integrated flip-out kickstand, so it converts into a stand. There’s also an LED battery life indicator on back of the battery that tells you exactly how much juice the battery has left (you see the actual percentage). The Baseus Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is available in three color options with the black version currently costing a few bucks less.
The RapidX Boosta magnetic wireless portable charger comes in a variety of colors and is about $10 less than some magnetic 5,000-mAh battery power banks. This isn’t an official Apple MagSafe accessory, but it magnetically adheres to the back of your MagSafe-enabled iPhone or MagSafe case — yes, its magnet is strong — and can also be used with other phones that support wireless charging.
Wireless charging speeds are limited to 7.5 watts for iPhones, but if you need a faster charge, you can connect a USB-C to Lightning cable to bump the speed up to 10 watts. Just note that it will fall a little short of a full charge for a Pro Max, so you may want to upgrade to a larger power bank if you’re using that model.
Magnetic folding stands/wallets
David Carnoy/CNET
Clckr’s new, trimmer Stand and Grip is one of my favorite MagSafe accessories. The accessory really sticks to the back of your MagSafe-enabled phone or MagSafe-enabled case and not only makes it easier to hold up your phone but when converted into a kickstand, it props up your device nicely in portrait or landscape mode for video calls or video watching.
This new version is lighter than the original and available in several colors. It’s one of the best MagSafe stands out there.
David Carnoy/CNET
This accessory from Moft not only acts as a magnetic wallet that adheres to the back of your MagSafe-enabled iPhone (or case), but it converts into a stand that can be used to prop up your phone horizontally or vertically. The wallet fits a couple of credit cards (you can stretch it a bit to get three in there) and the accessory has a fairly strong magnet, so it stays on your phone pretty well.
I’m showing it in light blue but it’s available in several colors. You can also buy this as a bundle for $60 with Moft’s MagSafe case, which is a nice case.
David Carnoy/CNET
Zagg’s Gear4 Ring Snap 360 is is a ring accessory that converts into a stand. It not only feels solid but looks sleek and has a strong magnet that allows the accessory to stick securely to the back of your iPhone or MagSafe-enabled case. The stand works better for propping up your phone horizontally (in landscape mode) but can also prop it up vertically at about a 45-degree angle. It’s available in two colors, but the rose gold model is currently available only on Zagg’s website.
David Carnoy/CNET
The Anker 610 magnetic phone grip is one of the more affordable MagSafe accessories. It has a strong magnet and you can use the retractable ring to hold your phone securely in your hand or as a kickstand. It allows you to prop up your phone horizontally but not vertically. Some other MagSafe stands do both.
Amazon
If you’re a PopSockets fan, you have a couple of MagSafe options. There’s the more standard PopGrip ($30) and the PopWallet Plus for MagSafe ($40), which combines a magnetic wallet that stores a few credit cards and a PopGrip that gives you a grip and kickstand option.
Available in multiple color options, this simple, lightweight flip-out kickstand has a strong magnet and takes up minimal space on the back of your phone (it works better for propping your phone up horizontally).
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
Apple’s official MagSafe wallet is more expensive than a lot of third-party magnetic wallets, but the one thing it has that the other ones don’t is compatibility with Apple’s Find My network. But don’t expect to track it down like an AirTag: It really just signals if and when it becomes detached. It’s available in five colors.
Magnetic charging stands
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Belkin’s MagSafe Wireless Charger with Kickstand is essentially a better version of Apple’s own wireless MagSafe charger because it integrates a flip-out kickstand, allowing you to watch videos on your iPhone as you charge (or play games if you have a wireless game controller).
It does charge at up to 15 watts and comes in three color options: black, white and blue. Alas, no power adapter is included (the cable is integrated into the charging puck).
David Carnoy/CNET
The Anker 637 has a magnetic charging pad on one side and seven charging ports on the back: two USB-C, two USB-A and three standard AC outlets. The USB-C ports deliver up to a 65-watt charge when charging one device — or 45- and 20-watt if charging two devices simultaneously. So yes, you can use it to charge most laptops that charge via USB-C.
For MagSafe-enabled iPhones, the wireless charging pad charges at 7.5 watts. You can only charge Android phones if you stick a metal ring accessory (sold separately) on the back of your device and place it in the right spot. You can also save $30 right now by activating the instant coupon on the product page.
Jared DiPane/CNET
Anker’s 633 2-in-1 MagGo charging stand has more components than you might think at first glance. Not only is it a charging stand that also has a spot to charge your AirPods (or any earbuds with a wireless charging case and even a second phone), but the wireless charging pad is actually a 5,000-mAh portable battery, which is why I put it in the wireless battery section.
Since this isn’t an Apple blessed MagSafe charger, it only charges at up to 7.5 watts (not 15). It comes in black, white or light blue.
Read our first take of Anker 633 2-in-1 MagGo Charging Stand.
David Carnoy/CNET
The Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 is an Apple-certified MagSafe accessory so it offers fast (15-watt) wireless charging for your MagSafe-enabled iPhone as well the Apple Watch.
It includes a 40-watt adapter and I charged an iPhone 13 Pro, the third-generation AirPods and Watch Series 7 at the same time. Like the Boost Charge Watch fast-charger, the adjustable Watch module accommodates any Apple Watch case size in either flat or in nightstand mode. You can also charge a second phone on the AirPods slot, but you don’t get fast-charging there — it only offers 5-watt charging.
This is certainly a nice charging station for Apple devices. It has a sleek, elegant design, with a soft-to-the-touch silicone finish. My only gripe? That finish is a dust magnet and I had to wipe it down with an alcohol towelette to remove any dust particles before I photographed it. The black shows more dust so I’d recommend getting the white version (of both chargers) rather than the black.
Read our first take of Belkin Boost Pro 3-in-1 Charging Pad with MagSafe.
Magnetic car mounts and chargers
iOttie
iOttie offers this MagSafe-compatible wireless car charger with a car vent mount. It has a strong magnet, so your iPhone stays on the mount, and it also has an integrated USB-C cable and cigarette-lighter power adapter so you’re ready to start charging out of the box. Note that the iPhone’s «fast» charging caps out at 7.5 watts.
Amazon
Spigen’s OneTap magnetic car mount comes in a few different versions, including an air vent and dashboard versions. This version is just a magnetic mount, not a wireless charger. You have to step up to the Spigen OneTap Pro ($40) to get wireless charging.
This model features a telescopic arm and fairly strong magnet. However, it’s not quite as strong as the one in Belkin’s car mount (see below). While it’s quite affordable at around $30, there’s no cigarette lighter power adapter included (a USB-C cable is, however).
Belkin
Belkin’s Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe technically isn’t a charger. It’s just a certified MagSafe vent mount. Belkin also has a wireless charging version of this (it costs $40 without the car charger, $60 with it), but you’d have to connect a cable to it anyway for charging. The advantage of a wireless version would be that unlike with this vent mount, you wouldn’t have to plug a cable into your phone every time you want to charge it. I have a USB-C-to-LIghtning cable set up in the car for fast charging, but I don’t love the extra step of having to plug in the cable each time I want to charge the phone.
All that said, what sets this Belkin apart from other generic, non-MagSafe-certified mounts that look similar (and some even offer wireless charging), is that the Belkin has a very strong magnet while many of these other vent mounts don’t. If you have a MagSafe case on your phone, or just a naked newer iPhone model, the phone really sticks to the mount. The clip also keeps the mount securely in your vent and you can rotate the mount from portrait to landscape mode as needed.
Magnetic mounts for laptops and monitors
David Carnoy/CNET
You can now turn your iPhone into a webcam using the Continuity Camera features in the latest version of MacOS. What’s cool about the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Notebooks is that you can use it as a kickstand to prop your iPhone up in landscape mode. And you can use the flip side of the mount to attach your phone to the top of your MacBook in landscape or portrait mode for webcam use.
Check out our hands-on review and video of the Belkin iPhone Mount for MagSafe for Mac Notebooks.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
STM’s MagArm is designed to stick to the back of your laptop or computer monitor with the help of an integrated suction cup. Some people have complained that the suction cup doesn’t adhere securely enough, but I attached the MagArm to both a monitor and laptop and it adhered just fine if you follow the instructions correctly. I used it with an iPhone 14 Pro, which is a pretty heavy phone, but I didn’t use it with an iPhone 14 Max Pro or Max Plus.
You can adjust the mount so it sits horizontally (on the side) or vertically (on top) of your laptop or monitor. And what’s nice about it, if you own Apple’s wireless MagSafe charging puck, there’s a dock for it built into the mount so you can keep your phone charged (you could also just plug your phone into a a wired charger).
While the the MagArm is bigger and bulkier than some laptop MagSafe mounts, it’s sturdily constructed. You can peel the suction cup off your laptop (it doesn’t leave a mark) and you can remount it when you need to use it again.
Magnetic photo and video accessories
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
The Joby Beamo LED Ring Light for MagSafe is a nifty MagSafe ring light that adheres magnetically to the back of your iPhone but can be used with the front selfie camera as well as shots using the rear camera. Equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery that charges via USB-C, it’s well designed and uses a «flattering soft» 5600K Daylight color temperature with 4 levels of brightness you can toggle through.
It’s also worth noting that it has a built-in mirror for checking yourself out before you shoot.
David Carnoy/CNET
Joby makes bendable tripods for cameras and smartphones and its products are a staple of vloggers and other content creators. Sometimes it’s a little cumbersome to get your phone out of their clamping mounts, which is what’s appealing about the company’s new MagSafe options. You can simply stick your phone to the mount; it adheres magnetically.
My iPhone 13 Pro stuck pretty securely to the GripTight mount. I was testing it with an Otterbox MagSafe-enabled case, so I wasn’t really worried about the phone getting jostled and falling off the mount. But if you want a more secure fit, you have the option of using the «hybrid» clamp to really lock your phone onto the mount. The clamp works in both vertical and horizontal modes and when you’re going the magnetic route only, you can easily swivel your phone into a horizontal or vertical position.
Joby is currently selling three GripTight for MagSafe accessories. There’s a simple wall-mount option, a GripTight Mount for MagSafe that can be added to any GorillaPod (or tripod for that matter), as well as a bundle that includes a GorillaPod and GripTight Mount (arms for the GorillaPod are sold separately). All three new MagSafe options are also compatible with Joby’s Wavo Mobile, Beamo Mini and RangePod accessories.
Amazon
Belkin’s magnetic phone mount with face tracking is designed for folks who shoot their own selfie videos for TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms with a MagSafe-enabled iPhone. (The device has a companion iOS app but not an Android app.) There are competing products out there like the Pivo Pod Lite ($70), but this is MagSafe-enabled so all you have to do is stick your phone on the mount — you can simply turn your phone to place it in landscape or portrait mode. The pedestal automatically turns as your phone follows your face while you’re shooting yourself.
To be clear, this is not for FaceTime or WhatsApp or WeChat video calls. It doesn’t have to be plugged so it’s easy to move around the room and place wherever you want. However, it’s not equipped with rechargeable batteries. It’s powered by three AA batteries that do give the pedestal some added weight for stability.
Amazon
Moment makes a few different photography-oriented MagSafe accessories, including a couple of tripod mounts. With the Pro tripod mount you can choose to just use the magnets or lock your phone in for added security. This may not work as well with the larger Pro Max model, but the standard iPhone 14 and 14 Pro are lighter and are less likely to become detached (magnets are only so strong).
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying MagSafe-related accessories, particularly so-called MagSafe charging products:
- A true MagSafe wireless charger will get you the potential for the fastest wireless charging rate (up to 15 watts instead 7.5 watts or 10 watts that some chargers deliver) on iPhones.
- Official MagSafe products — those blessed by Apple — include a Made for MagSafe badge on the box. However, plenty of other manufacturers have created magnetic wireless chargers that look and feel like MagSafe accessories. These MagSafe technology copycat devices are also far more affordable than the official MagSafe offerings, but here’s the catch: they offer less powerful charging (limited to 7.5 watts). We’ve included these non-official products in this list, but know that they’ll charge only half as fast (for iPhones), even if they are capable of wirelessly charging certain Android smartphones at up to 15 watts (those that support 15-watt fast wireless charging).
- Do not expect a MagSafe or magnetic accessory to stick to a non-MagSafe case. MagSafe accessories should be used directly with a naked MagSafe-enabled iPhone or MagSafe-enabled case. Alternatively, you can add a stick-on metal ring accessory to the back of a non MagSafe phone or case. However, it’s best to use a MagSafe-enabled case with MagSafe and other magnetic accessories.
- To get that maximum power, you’ll need a 20-watt USB-C PD charger — ideally one that is Power Delivery 3.0-certified. (The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Mini include a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box, but not the charger.) Some companies offer bundles that include a MagSafe wireless charging puck with a USB-C power adapter while others, like Apple, sell the puck and power adapter separately.
- Most of the MagSafe chargers (aftermarket and MagSafe-certified) will charge other Qi-compatible devices, like select older iPhones and Android phones. You just won’t get the magnetic adhesion.
- If you need to also get a charger, our list of best USB-C chargers has plenty of options. That will, of course, work for wired charging, too — which will always be faster than MagSafe or other wireless charging options.
Technologies
iOS 17 Cheat Sheet: Your Questions on the iPhone Update Answered
Here’s what you need to know about new features and upcoming updates for your iPhone.
Apple’s iOS 17 was released in September, shortly after the company held its Wonderlust event, where the tech giant announced the new iPhone 15 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. We put together this cheat sheet to help you learn about and use the new features in iOS 17. It’ll also help you keep track of the subsequent iOS 17 updates.
iOS 17 updates
- iOS 17.4.1 Fixes These Issues on Your iPhone
- iOS 17.4 Brings These New Features to Your iPhone
- Why You Should Download iOS 17.4 Right Now
- iOS 17.3.1 Fixes This Issue on Your iPhone
- iOS 17.3: All the New Features on Your iPhone
- Why You Should Download iOS 17.3 Right Now
- iOS 17.2.1: What You Should Know About the iPhone Update
- iOS 17.2 Brings These New Features to Your iPhone
- What iOS 17.1.2 Fixes on Your iPhone
- iOS 17.1.1 Patches These iPhone Issues
- What New Features iOS 17.1 Brings to Your iPhone
- What to Know About iOS 17.0.1
- Apple Made an iPhone 15 Mistake, but iOS 17.0.2 Is Here to Fix It
- iOS 17.0.3 Fixes This iPhone 15 Pro Problem
Using iOS 17
- Three iPhone Settings to Change After Downloading iOS 17
- iOS 17’s Best New Features
- The iOS 17 Features We’re Excited About
- iOS 17 Is Filled With Delightful Features, Intuitive Improvements and More
- 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Shouldn’t Miss
- iOS 17 Upgrades Your iPhone’s Keyboard
- You Can Tag Your Pets In Your ‘People’ Album With iOS 17
- How to Create Live Stickers in iOS 17
- How to Set Up Contact Posters in iOS 17
- How to Automatically Delete Two-Factor Verification Codes in iOS 17
- What to Know About iOS 17’s Unreleased Journal App
- How Good Are Offline Maps in iOS 17?
- How to Use iOS 17’s Live Voicemail Feature
- You Can Change Your Private Browsing Browser in iOS 17
- Hidden iOS 17 Feature Makes It Easier to Send Photos and Videos
- You Can Clone Your Voice with iOS 17. Here’s How
- Are Audio Message Transcripts in iOS 17 Any Good?
- Sharing AirTags in iOS 17 is Easy. Here’s How
- How to Create Camera Shortcuts in iOS 17
- What You Need to Know About the Improved Autocorrect in iOS 17
- Use This Hidden iOS 17 Feature to Reduce Eye Strain
- How to Enable Sensitive Content Warnings on Your iPhone
- Let Your Loved Ones Know You’re Safe With This iOS 17 Feature
- Simplify Your Grocery List With iOS 17
- How to Turn Off FaceTime Reactions in iOS 17
- What Is iOS 17’s Journal App and How Does It Work?
- You Can Use Albums for Photo Shuffle on Your Lock Screen
- Play Daily Crosswords in Apple News With iOS 17
- How to Turn Off the Most Annoying iOS 17 Features
- iOS 17.2 Brings Better Wireless Charging to These iPhones
- How to Turn Inline Predictive Text Off With iOS 17.2
- How to Enable Contact Key Verification With iOS 17.2
- Don’t Like Your iPhone’s Default Alert Tone? Here’s How to Change It
- The Latest Security Features in iOS 17.3
- How to Secure Your Data With Stolen Device Protection
- Apple Music’s Collaborative Playlists Are Here. This Is How You Use Them
- People in the EU Can Download Other App Stores Soon
- All the New Emoji Your iPhone Just Got
- How to Give Your iPhone’s Stolen Device Protection a Boost
- What to Know About Podcast Transcripts on Your iPhone
- How to Enable Siri to Read Texts in Multiple Languages
- Where to Find your Apple Cash Virtual Card Numbers
Getting started with iOS 17
- iOS 17 Review: StandBy Mode Changed My Relationship With My iPhone
- Whether or Not Your iPhone Supports iOS 17
- Do This Before Downloading iOS 17
- How to Download iOS 17 to Your iPhone
Make sure to check back periodically for more iOS 17 tips and how to use new features as Apple releases more updates.
Technologies
Get Ready for a Striking Aurora That Could Also Disrupt Radio Communications
Don’t expect the storm to cause a lingering problem, though.
A geomagnetic storm is threatening radio communications Monday night, but that doesn’t mean you should be concerned. In fact, it may be an opportunity to see a colorful aurora in the night sky.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm watch after witnessing a coronal mass ejection from the sun on Saturday. The watch, which was issued over the weekend and will expire after Monday, said the onset of the storm passing over Earth on Sunday night represented a «moderate» threat to communications. As the storm continues to pass through, it could deliver a «strong» threat on Monday night that could cause radio communications to be temporarily disrupted during the worst of it.
Even so, NOAA said, «the general public should not be concerned.»
A coronal mass ejection occurs when magnetic field and plasma mass are violently expelled from the sun’s corona, or the outermost portion of the sun’s atmosphere. In the vast majority of cases, the ejection occurs with no real threat to Earth. However, in the event the ejection happens in the planet’s direction, a geomagnetic storm occurs, and the Earth’s magnetic field is temporarily affected.
In most cases, geomagnetic storms cause little to no disruption on Earth, with radio communications and satellites affected most often. In extreme cases, a geomagnetic storm can cause significant and potentially life-threatening power outages — a prospect that, luckily, the planet hasn’t faced.
Switching poles
Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic poles switch, with the north pole and south pole swapping positions. During those cycles, the sun’s activity ramps up as it gets closer to pole-switching time. The height of its activity is called solar maximum, and scientists believe we either may be entering the solar maximum or may be already in it.
During periods of heightened solar activity, sunspots increase on the sun and there’s an increase in coronal mass ejections, among other phenomena. According to NOAA, solar maximum could extend into October of this year before the sun’s activity calms and it works towards its less-active phase, solar minimum.
Even when geomagnetic storms hit Earth and disrupt communications, the effects are usually short-lived. Those most affected, including power grid operators and pilots and air traffic controllers communicating over long distances, have fail-safe technologies and backup communications to ensure operational continuity.
But geomagnetic storms aren’t only about radios. In most cases, they also present unique opportunities to see auroras in the night sky. When the storms hit, the plasma they carry creates a jaw-dropping aurora, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors. Those auroras can be especially pronounced during the most intense phases of the storm, making for nice stargazing.
If you’re interested in seeing the aurora, you’ll need to be ready. The NOAA said the «brunt of the storm has passed» and even if it lingers into Tuesday, there won’t be much to see after Monday night.
Technologies
Last Total Solar Eclipse for 20 Years Is Coming: How to See and Photograph It
It’s your last chance until 2044.
Get your eclipse glasses ready, Skygazers: the Great American Eclipse is on its way. On April 8, there’ll be a total eclipse over North America, the last one until 2044.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun and turning an otherwise sunny day to darkness for a short period of time. Depending on the angle at which you’re viewing the eclipse, you may see the sun completely shrouded by the moon (called totality) or some variation of it. The more off-angle you are and the further you are from the path of the eclipse, the less likely you’ll be to see the totality.
The 2024 total solar eclipse will happen on Monday, April 8. The Great American Eclipse will reach the Mexican Pacific coast at 11:07 a.m. PT (2:07 p.m. ET), and then traverse the US in a northeasterly direction from Texas to Maine, and on into easternmost Canada. If you want a good look at it, but don’t live in the path of totality, you shouldn’t wait much longer to book accommodation and travel to a spot on the path.
Or how about booking a seat in the sky? Delta Airlines made headlines for offering a flight that allows you to see the entire path of totality. Its first eclipse flight, from Austin, Texas, to Detroit sold out quickly. But as of Monday, Delta has added a second flight from Dallas to Detroit, which also covers the path of totality. The airline also has five flights that will offer prime eclipse viewing.
Not everyone can get on one of those elusive eclipse-viewing flights. Here’s a look at other options to nab a chance to see this rare sight and what to know about it.
Total solar eclipse path
The eclipse will cross over the Pacific coast of Mexico and head northeast over mainland Mexico. The eclipse will then make its way over San Antonio at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET on April 8 and move through Texas, over the southeastern part of Oklahoma and northern Arkansas by 2:50 p.m. ET.
By 3 p.m. ET, the eclipse will be over southern Illinois, and just 5 minutes later, will be traveling over Indianapolis. Folks in northwestern Ohio will be treated to the eclipse by 3:15 p.m. ET, and it will then travel over Lake Erie and Buffalo, New York, by 3:20 p.m. ET. Over the next 10 minutes, the eclipse will be seen over northern New York state, then over Vermont. By 3:35 p.m. ET, the eclipse will work its way into Canada and off the Eastern coast of North America.
Best places to watch the Great American Eclipse
When evaluating the best places to watch this year’s total eclipse, you’ll first want to determine where you’ll have the best angle to see the totality. The farther off-angle you are — in other words, the farther north or south of the eclipse’s path — the less of an impact you can expect.
Therefore, if you want to have the best chance of experiencing the eclipse, you’ll want to be in its path. As of this writing, most of the cities in the eclipse’s path have some hotel availability, but recent reports have suggested that rooms are booking up. And as more rooms are booked, prices are going up.
So if you want to be in the eclipse’s path, and need a hotel to do it, move fast. And Delta’s eclipse-viewing flight from Dallas to Detroit has just four seats left at the time of publication.
Eclipse eye safety and photography
As with any solar eclipse, it’s critical you keep eye safety in mind.
During the eclipse, and especially during the periods before and after totality, don’t look directly at the sun without special eye protection. Also, be sure not to look at the sun through a camera (including the camera on your phone), binoculars, a telescope or any other viewing device. This could cause serious eye injury. Sunglasses aren’t enough to protect your eyes from damage.
If you want to view the eclipse, you’ll instead need solar viewing glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Anything that doesn’t meet that standard or greater won’t be dark enough to protect your eyes. Want to get them for free? If you’ve got a Warby Parker eyeglasses store nearby, the company is giving away free, ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses at all of its stores from April 1 until the eclipse, while supplies last.
If you don’t have eclipse viewing glasses handy, you can instead use indirect methods for viewing the eclipse, like a pinhole projector.
Read more: A Photographer’s Adventure With the Eclipse
In the event you want to take pictures of the eclipse, attach a certified solar filter to your camera. Doing so will protect your eyes and allow you to take photos while you view the eclipse through your lens.
There’s also a new app to help you both protect your eyes and take better photos of the eclipse on your phone. Solar Snap, designed by a former Hubble Space Telescope astronomer, comes with a Solar Snap camera filter that attaches to the back of an iPhone or Android phone, along with solar eclipse glasses for protecting your eyesight during the event. After you attach the filter to your phone, you can use the free Solar Snap Eclipse app to zoom in on the eclipse, adjust exposure and other camera settings, and ultimately take better shots of the eclipse.
2024 eclipse compared to 2017
The last total solar eclipse occurred in 2017, and many Americans had a great view. Although there are plenty of similarities between the 2017 total solar eclipse and the one coming April 8, there are a handful of differences. Mainly, the 2024 eclipse is going to cover more land and last longer.
The 2017 eclipse started over the northwest US and moved southeast. Additionally, that eclipse’s path was up to 71 miles wide, compared with a maximum width of 122 miles for this year’s eclipse. Perhaps most importantly, the moon completely covered the sun for just 2 minutes, 40 seconds in 2017. This year, maximum totality will last for nearly four-and-a-half minutes.
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