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

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
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

satya nadella
AITech
Microsoft reports are exposing AI’s real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
By Jake AngeloMay 22, 2026
38 minutes ago
Sam Altman standing in a lift.
AIOpenAI
The big questions looming over OpenAI’s trillion-dollar IPO
By Beatrice NolanMay 22, 2026
40 minutes ago
Musk may already be a trillionaire while these SpaceX employees and investors will hit multibillion-dollar jackpots after blockbuster IPO
Startups & VentureSpaceX
Musk may already be a trillionaire while these SpaceX employees and investors will hit multibillion-dollar jackpots after blockbuster IPO
By Jason MaMay 22, 2026
1 hour ago
ta
EconomySocial Media
They created AI nudes that got millions of views online. Now they’re being charged with crimes
By Jake Offenhartz and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
3 hours ago
Steve Wozniak
SuccessCareers
Steve Wozniak says he didn’t cofound Apple to ‘make money’—he only did it because he was rejected by HP 5 times, and for years his pay was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
3 hours ago
zuckerberg
CybersecuritySocial Media
A school district’s lawsuit against Meta for mental health costs was set for trial next month. Zuckerberg settled
By Barbara Ortutay and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
3 days ago
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
Workplace Culture
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
By Sydney LakeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
AI
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
By Emma BurleighMay 21, 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.