wireless charger recommendations

[wx27]

Is wireless charging faster than AC adapter or USB? Otherwise I dont understand what are the advantages. The device cant be used (mobility) while its charging wirelessly, as compared to when its wired.

Ease of use. No fumbling with the cord to determine which side is up. No wearing down of the microUSB jack. People are more likely to charge their phone at any moment that they can if they can just drop it on a wireless charger and it's good to go.

Your mobility case is definitely one downside.

 

[beeare]

I use the Panasonic qi wireless charger.

The coils move automatically to wherever your phone is placed.

It's pretty awesome.

Only drawback, it gets a little hot, and the charger itself is rather large.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ-3ooK35B0&feature=youtube_gdata_player



Sent from my XT1080 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[pranxx]

Your mobility case is definitely one downside.

That is a big downside for me. But is it faster than AC or even USB? Might consider it then.

 

[Infinity]

That is a big downside for me. But is it faster than AC or even USB? Might consider it then.

Slower than AC but faster than computer USB. Of course the Google version gets released a few days after I cave and get the $20 Nokia ones from AT&T.

 

[Lisa Driscoll]

Just ordered the Google Charger - Think the hubby is going to hold it as a Christmas present but that's okay. Least I know I have it here waiting for me

 

[Robbie317]

That is a big downside for me. But is it faster than AC or even USB? Might consider it then.

I think it's possible I have a bad USB/Charging port but with Qi charging my phone charges faster than with the accompanied USB cable and power adapter.. I've even tried a couple of different USB cables and power adapters and it just charges so freaking slow via USB... Wireless it charges a little faster.... Which doesn't seem right.. It should be slightly slower.. On my Nexus 7 it's slightly slower....

 

[kpiontek]

I went with this: TYLT TYLT VU Qi Wireless Charger - Free Shipping at REI.com

View attachment 92423


It's a bit pricy but it's worth every penny. The Nexus 5 charges seconds after putting it on and it charges in nearly any position (don't need to hunt for the "right spot" for the charge to begin). It also makes a great addition to the desk since it's pretty sleek looking. The design lets you use the device, too, if you so want.

This is my first time using wireless charging and the convenience can't be overstated. It's not so much that you don't need to plug a cable in, it's more about the fact that it's charging nearly all the time, which means you're never really worrying about the battery life anymore. Before, you'd set your device down on the table, only bothering with the cable if you knew you needed to charge your batts. Now, you put it on the charger instead so it's always charging regardless. The battery, therefore, is always being "topped off." When you return to it or whenever it is you pick it up next, you're 10, 15, maybe even 20% more charged than before (the amazing thing is it charges pretty fast). You're never really worried about battery life anymore.

It also eliminates messy USB cables. Even though the wireless charger itself has a cable, it's always tucked away behind the charger. It's never "loose" so to speak. You're never tugging for it or looking for the end of the cable. Now, there's just this one designated place to charge your device. Plunk it down and you're good.

It's really nice.

The Tylt can be found at T-Mobile.com (TYLT Wireless Charger - Black | T-Mobile) and with the offer ACCOFFER18 it brings it down to $48.99 plus tax (if applicable) and free shipping. About the same as the Google OEM charger. At least worth a look.

 

[onthecouchagain]

The Tylt can be found at T-Mobile.com (TYLT Wireless Charger - Black | T-Mobile) and with the offer ACCOFFER18 it brings it down to $48.99 plus tax (if applicable) and free shipping. About the same as the Google OEM charger. At least worth a look.

Very nice find. Too late for me, but very cool.

 

[whitenack]

Are there any Qi chargers that trickle charge once the battery is full? I like the TYLT VU, but some reviews I read say it doesn't trickle charge (although there are others that say it does).

 

[wx27]

Are there any Qi chargers that trickle charge once the battery is full? I like the TYLT VU, but some reviews I read say it doesn't trickle charge (although there are others that say it does).

Maybe those reviewers have a different definition of trickle charge.
My TYLT will stop charging once the phone hits 100%, and then occasionally start charging again if I leave the phone on the charger. My battery graph when sampled every 10 minutes just looks like it stays at 100% from the time the phone hit 100% initially until I take it off the charger.
Someone might think of trickle charging as never cutting power to the phone vs cycling on and off when it is at/near max.

 

[whitenack]

Maybe those reviewers have a different definition of trickle charge.
My TYLT will stop charging once the phone hits 100%, and then occasionally start charging again if I leave the phone on the charger. My battery graph when sampled every 10 minutes just looks like it stays at 100% from the time the phone hit 100% initially until I take it off the charger.
Someone might think of trickle charging as never cutting power to the phone vs cycling on and off when it is at/near max.

Good point. I see the opportunity for confusion. I have some Tasker profiles that are triggered when the phone is charging. I need something that never cuts the power so those profiles can continue to stay active while on the charger.

 

[clevin]

I need something that never cuts the power so those profiles can continue to stay active while on the charger.

This may be the biggest downside of the wireless charging thing, people tend to keep it 100% 24/7. It is not healthy for the battery to be at 4.2v all the time, especially you can't swap the battery on this device.

 

[whitenack]

Thanks. I just charge overnight. Was hoping there were chargers out there that switched to a low power mode or something like whatever the usb chargers do. Looks like I'll need to go with some NFC tags or just pass on the wireless charging altogether.

 

[ncguy]

+1 for the Nokia DT-910. It is a stand like the TYTL one, but got it from the AT&T store for ~$50. I have had no issues with my Nexus 5 with and it would be difficult to place it so that it doesn't charge. You do need to keep it in an upright orientation for the charging. I like the angle it uses and it makes a perfect bedside stand for me.
Nokia Wireless Charging Stand - Overview - Nokia - USA

Does it charge with case on?

 

[ncguy]

I have 2 tylt chargers I got from kickstarter. I absolutely love the design but unfortunately I am a bit apprehensive about using it. I have seen at least three reports where the charger, on a Nexus 5, does a one-time malfunction, badly overheats the phone, and fails to charge. I mean overheats the phone to the point it shuts down the phone.

All 3 cases have been one-time incidents although at least one victim is afraid to continue using it. I have personally been one who has had it happen. Tylt went to work trying to reproduce the problem on the N5 but unfortunately could not reproduce it. They nevertheless wanted to send me a replacement which I just received.

As I said, this has just happened once for each person reporting the problem but the battery got so hot it was likely damaged to some extent. Only time will tell how badly.

Besides that one time it normally heats the battery 10-15 degrees F on a normal charge. The usb stock charger doesn't seem to heat it at all. I suspect that any heat on the battery is excess wear but given the convenience I suppose it's worth it.

Can any of you with other Qi chargers tell us how much your battery heats (in degrees) during a charge? Systempanel is a great play store app that will give you battery temp. Since battery heat is critically important (even a few degrees) it would be great to share info.

 

[Shilohcane]

Thanks. I just charge overnight. Was hoping there were chargers out there that switched to a low power mode or something like whatever the usb chargers do. Looks like I'll need to go with some NFC tags or just pass on the wireless charging altogether.

I have to think it is the Nexus 5 that shuts charging down when it is full since the USB cord has no intelligent of what it is plugged into. ( stock AC charger, Laptop or battery pack... etc.)

 

[swebb]

I just got two chargers so this is based on only two days experience. One is the TYLT and another is a $19 generic sold under the Lerway brand. FWIW, there are at least 6 other identical looking chargers on Amazon with different branding. I'm assuming they are from the same manufacturer.

Both chargers are working well on my N5 with a slim TPU case. They seem to charge pretty quick. Not quite as fast as USB but close enough. The phone does get hot compared to USB. I'm guessing 20 to 25 degrees. Not a lot considering my N4 seemed to get that hot under normal use.

All in all, both work well. I'm using the generic at work and the TYLT at home. You do have to place the phone correctly on the generic, although it isn't terribly hard to get it lined up correctly. The TYLT, of course, only needs the phone to be set in the cradle.

I'll post an update if anything changes.

 

[ptonantryloc]

I have 2 tylt chargers I got from kickstarter. I absolutely love the design but unfortunately I am a bit apprehensive about using it. I have seen at least three reports where the charger, on a Nexus 5, does a one-time malfunction, badly overheats the phone, and fails to charge. I mean overheats the phone to the point it shuts down the phone....

We're coming from the WP8 world. We were using our Nokia wireless chargers (Qi compliant) with our Lumia 920s. We, personally, had several similar happenings with overheating and failing to charge. When my wife got her Nexus 5, we put it on one of those chargers. The phone overheated. I'm guessing there's something wrong with this Qi standard. We've now packed away the wireless chargers (as much as we love their convenience) and are now charging via USB. I guess I'll pull that TYLT charger out of my Amazon Wishlist.

 

[Shilohcane]

The LuguLake 6000mAh Qi - Enabled Inductive Wireless Charger Charging Pad does stop charging when it is plugged into AC power but not when you are charging from it's internal battery.

A beep sound is a nice confirmation when it has connected and being charged. Intelligently automatic turn it off when you leave the charging pad alone for around 50 seconds.. Attention: if you use the charging pad on battery power, it will keep charging your phone and eventually drain the 6000mah QI wireless charging pad, so make sure you take your phone off and the pad aren't plugged in when it's fully charged

 

[ncguy]

We're coming from the WP8 world. We were using our Nokia wireless chargers (Qi compliant) with our Lumia 920s. We, personally, had several similar happenings with overheating and failing to charge. When my wife got her Nexus 5, we put it on one of those chargers. The phone overheated. I'm guessing there's something wrong with this Qi standard. We've now packed away the wireless chargers (as much as we love their convenience) and are now charging via USB. I guess I'll pull that TYLT charger out of my Amazon Wishlist.

I hate to hear that. I really love wireless charging so I hope this gets ironed out. Honestly someone reported that his phone got so hot when it happened that the battery had to be close to ignition. Lithium fires are not pretty.