Wireless Chargers

[1countryboy]

I just picked up a Pixel 3 XL and wanted your thoughts on Wireless chargers. I understand the Pixel Stand and The Belkin Boost Up are the only chargers that can fast charge at 10 watts but both so darn expensive. Here’s my questions:

1. Have most of you just bit the bullet… just went ahead and purchased the Pixel Stand maybe catching it on sale? I’ve read that it has or has had software issues so has this been resolved? I haven’t seen one in person but it’s very cheap looking in the videos I’ve watched.

2. Does it make sense to buy a slow 5 watt charger for bedside or does this defeat the purpose of owning a phone that can fast charge? And will one of these slow chargers charge your phone to 100% overnight?

3. Besides the Pixel Stand and Belkin’s Boost Up there are various models (in no particular order) of Anker, Yootech, Choetech, RAVPower, Ellesye. Are there any brands/models you highly recommend?

4. Do you find the stands are less finicky than pads when placing your phone on them to charge. Do you find with larger phones that a stand or pad work better for them?

5. These wireless stands look lightweight like they would be easy to knock over maybe not stable… or are the bases heavy?

6. It's been recommended to me to get a 3 coil charger but they're hard to find most seem to have 2 coils. Companies who've been making chargers for years have not gone to 3 coils any thoughts on this?

 

[B. Diddy]

I moved this from the 3a XL forum to the 3 XL forum (I assume you mistakenly posted it in the 3a XL forum).

 

[swebb]

I just picked up a Pixel 3 XL and wanted your thoughts on Wireless chargers. I understand the Pixel Stand and The Belkin Boost Up are the only chargers that can fast charge at 10 watts but both so darn expensive. Here’s my questions:

1. Have most of you just bit the bullet… just went ahead and purchased the Pixel Stand maybe catching it on sale? I’ve read that it has or has had software issues so has this been resolved? I haven’t seen one in person but it’s very cheap looking in the videos I’ve watched.

2. Does it make sense to buy a slow 5 watt charger for bedside or does this defeat the purpose of owning a phone that can fast charge? And will one of these slow chargers charge your phone to 100% overnight?

3. Besides the Pixel Stand and Belkin’s Boost Up there are various models (in no particular order) of Anker, Yootech, Choetech, RAVPower, Ellesye. Are there any brands/models you highly recommend?

4. Do you find the stands are less finicky than pads when placing your phone on them to charge. Do you find with larger phones that a stand or pad work better for them?

5. These wireless stands look lightweight like they would be easy to knock over maybe not stable… or are the bases heavy?

6. It's been recommended to me to get a 3 coil charger but they're hard to find most seem to have 2 coils. Companies who've been making chargers for years have not gone to 3 coils any thoughts on this?

1) No. Overpriced and doesn't really really bring much more to the table for me except fast charging. Which leads to..
2) 5 watt charger will 100% charge your phone in 2-5 hours, depending on the state of the phone charge. No need for fast charge if you charge overnight.
3) Unless it's some no name brand that you haven't seen around, you'll have a product that works. I would add Aukey to your list. Any brand that has a complete product line for charging (plugs, portable batteries, etc.) will likely have a quality wireless line.
4) Look for a charger that has 2 or 3 induction coils. That will cover any placement issues.
5) If it has a decent size footprint for the base it will be stable enough. Mfg might add weight to the base if the foot print is smaller.
6) I have an older Tylt charger with 2 coils and it works fine. Worked with all my phones that supported wireless charging and worked with Nexus 7 tablet that supported wireless.

Check Amazon reviews and questions on the chargers you're interested in. Likely that your concerns will be mentioned there.

 

[1countryboy]

Thanks B Diddy for moving it yes I messed up!

Thanks for the answers swebb!

Since I use the screensaver clock will this still appear while on all the other charger stands besides the Pixel Stand?

 

[patruns]

I think I have used fast charge once when I was in a hurry. I leave my phone on a Samsung wireless charger over night and that serves my needs. I have several wireless chargers at home. 2 are stands and 1 is a combo stand and pad that you can charge 2 phones (or a phone and tablet) at the same time. All Samsung as I got them on sale. My plug in fast charger is enough if I am in a hurry. I went from a Nexus 5 to a LG G6 to a Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and would never go back to corded chargers again.

 

[FF22]

The pictures I see of the Pixel Stand seem to show it is a fixed easel design - that is it does not fold flat for easy travel on vacations? I have been using an older Tylt easel but it is rigid (is not compact for traveling), uses a proprietary charger (not usb) and has been acting wonky lately.

I guess that the "flatter" chargers are more problematic appropriately placing the phone (Pixel 3 in this case) on the pad rather than futzing with its orientation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[B. Diddy]

You're correct, the Pixel Stand doesn't fold flat.

 

[mrpackerguy]

I don't need fast charge. I have an off brand wireless charger that sits on my desk at work. Use it to top off during the day. Works great

 

[SactoKingsFan]

I've been using the 5w wireless charging on my desk lamp to charge my Pixel 3. Can charge 15-16% in about 25 mins and fully charge in under 3 hrs. That's good enough that I'm not willing to spend $50 -80 on an accessory I don't really need. Already had some Anker wireless chargers which work fine. Placement has never been much of an issue with the decent pads. Just center the phone and it starts charging.

 

[1countryboy]

Can someone answer my earlier question about using the screen saver clock will this be affected when using 3rd party chargers... will it still display?

Also if you buy a wireless charger that comes with an 18 watt adapter will it automatically downgrade to charging at 5 watts if that’s what your phone needs or do you have to buy a 5 watt adapter?

Good to know SactoKingsFan!

 

[SactoKingsFan]

@1countryboy

The screen saver still works when using a third party wireless charger and the fast charging adapter should work fine. You just won't get fast wireless charging.

 

[1countryboy]

What do you guys think of wireless chargers that have fans like this Anker 7.5 charging stand
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Wirele...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6714905

Do you think they provide enough benefit to be worthwhile or just a failure waiting to happen?

 

[patruns]

What do you guys think of wireless chargers that have fans like this Anker 7.5 charging stand
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Wirele...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6715337

Do you think they provide enough benefit to be worthwhile or just a failure waiting to happen?

The Pixel 3 cannot fast charge wirelessly unless you buy the official Pixel stand for it. No point in buying this charger. I use a Samsung fast wireless stand but it still charges at regular rate and does not heat up.

 

[1countryboy]

Ok was just thinking if I upgraded again in a year I would already have a fast charger.

 

[Gus_Gutz]

I have the pixel stand and it no longer says rapid charging when on the stand. After the last update that option was gone. i spent an hour on chat support with Google and they could not tell me why.