• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

2

Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back

3

Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026

1

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

2

Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back

3

Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026
TechApple

Apple AirPower Is Vapor, but These 4 Wireless Chargers Are the Real Deal

By
Emily Price
Emily Price
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Emily Price
Emily Price
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 8, 2019, 7:24 PM ET
US-IT-LIFESTYLE-APPLE
There are many other charging options for your Apple products now that AirPower won't hit the market. AFP Contributor AFP/Getty ImagesAFP/Getty Images

In September 2017, Apple announced a product that many Apple enthusiasts had been waiting for: AirPower.

The wireless charging device was touted as being able to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously, and allow the devices to communicate with each other to manage power consumption.

Apple said the Airpower charging mat would be available in 2018. Then 2018 came and went, and despite the company announcing a number of products that supported wireless charging, there was still no AirPower. In March of 2019, a year and a half after AirPower’s initial announcement, Apple officially threw in the towel on the device, citing its inability to create a product that “would not achieve our high standards.”

Most devices that are charged wirelessly use the Qi charging standard. Part of the beauty of Qi is that it’s used by a variety of companies—from Apple’s iPhones to Samsung’s Galaxy line. And in many cases, those chargers are also able to charge those devices at different wattages. For instance, “fast charging” for an iPhone maxes out at 7.5W, while Samsung’s Galaxy S10 can handle 10W of power.

While the Apple Watch 3 and 4 do support the Qi standard, they can’t be charged with any Qi charger due to tweaks Apple made to make the watch charge a little differently. That made the prospect of Apple’s AirPower even more enticing.

Despite Apple’s inability to bring its charging mat to market, several other companies have created solutions that, while not quite as lofty as Apple’s dream with AirPower, can get the job done.

Here are a few of the best AirPower alternatives:

SliceCharge 2

The SliceCharge 2 is the closest charger to Apple’s design on the market. The device retails for $79.95 (but is on sale now for $59.95) and offers 7.5W fast charging for the iPhone Xr/Xs/Xs Max,iPhone X/8/8 Plus, and 3W charging for Apple Watch Series 1/2/3/4 as well as 3W charging for Apple’s wireless AirPods. The device is capable of charging two phones (or Qi-compatible devices in general) at the same time, so both you and a pal can get a boost simultaneously.

Charging Samsung Galaxy S9s, S8s, and S7s wirelessly at 10W, the SliceCharge is also good for divided households. But its all-white design makes it look like an Apple product, even if it isn’t.

Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition

Nomad’s Base Station has an upright puck for the Apple Watch to charge on as well as a large flat charging space for your iPhone and AirPods. Priced at $139, the device is a bit more expensive than some other options on the market, but that Apple Watch base station might be worth it if you’re using the charger bedside and want to take advantage of Nightstand mode. The all-black design of this one also has a bit of an Apple flair to it, and the darker color might make it a better solution than the Slice charger for something like a bedroom nightstand.

If you don’t have an Apple Watch, Nomad’s base station without the Apple Watch puck costs slightly less at $99.95.

Boost Up Charging Dock by Belkin

At $140, Belkin’s Boost Up Charging Dock has raised spots for both your Apple Watch and phone, so you can easily see the display on both while they charge. The dock isn’t capable of charging AirPods wirelessly, but it does have an additional USB-A port for topping up a third device the old fashioned way.

The device charges iPhones at 7.5W and Apple Watch at 5W. The additional USB port charges at 5W and could be used to charge literally anything you own that uses a USB charger, like as a Bluetooth headphones.

Maluokasa 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad

If you’re on a budget, then Maluokasa’s wireless charger might be just what you’re looking for. The $36 device has Apple’s all-white aesthetic and can charge one Qi-compatible device like your AirPods or iPhone on the pad. The device has a cutout where you can feed your Apple Watch charger to make it feel like you’re doing both simultaneously, although the Apple Watch will be charged through your traditional cable, not the pad.

iPhone charging through Maluokasa’s mat is done at the maximum 7.5W, while Samsung mobile phones will get 10W fast charging. Other Qi phones will charge at 5W. There aren’t any additional ports to charge other devices, so if you need to charge other devices as well, you’ll be out of luck.

About the Author
By Emily Price
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Your AI is already setting prices. The real question is who sets the rules
AIAutomation
Your AI is already setting prices. The real question is who sets the rules
By François Candelon, Paul-Louis Andres and Augustin ManchonJune 12, 2026
18 minutes ago
A person holds an iPhone as someone next to them points at the screen.
EconomyApple iPhone
You can blame America’s plummeting fertility rate on the iPhone, study finds: ‘People are all depressed and alone and doomscrolling’
By Sasha RogelbergJune 12, 2026
2 hours ago
SpaceX’s IPO could be largest in history. Here’s how it compares to previous record-holders
Startups & VentureSpaceX
SpaceX’s IPO could be largest in history. Here’s how it compares to previous record-holders
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 12, 2026
3 hours ago
Why is it so hard to get ROI from AI? Because building from first principles isn’t easy
NewslettersEye on AI
Why is it so hard to get ROI from AI? Because building from first principles isn’t easy
By Jeremy KahnJune 11, 2026
10 hours ago
SpaceX lowballed its bankers on fees. Goldman Sachs has another way to win big
Startups & VentureFinance
SpaceX lowballed its bankers on fees. Goldman Sachs has another way to win big
By Shawn TullyJune 11, 2026
11 hours ago
Three ways that Asia’s enterprises are adopting AI—and where they are falling behind
CommentaryOracle
Three ways that Asia’s enterprises are adopting AI—and where they are falling behind
By Garrett IlgJune 11, 2026
13 hours ago

Most Popular

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
Energy
Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
By Sasha RogelbergJune 10, 2026
2 days ago
Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
Environment
Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
By Catherina GioinoJune 9, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 11, 2026
21 hours ago
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
Innovation
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
By Amanda GerutJune 9, 2026
2 days ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
4 days ago
SpaceX's record IPO has Wall Street torn between a Musk 'holy grail' and a $135-per-share leap of faith
Startups & Venture
SpaceX's record IPO has Wall Street torn between a Musk 'holy grail' and a $135-per-share leap of faith
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 11, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.