How to Charge Your iPhone Twice As Fast

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The iPhone 8 and higher all support the Qi wireless-charging standard. I have to admit—I am not yet a convert to wireless charging, despite having a phone with the capability.

But Nick Guy, senior staff writer and iPhone accessories fanatic, makes a good case for having both wired and wireless chargers handy. He says wired charging is best when you’re short on time. In our tests, the fastest wired charger was able to get a drained phone to 56 percent charged after a 30-minute plug-in. Wired is also better if you want to use your phone while it’s charging—say, for live-tweeting a storm during the next ep of RuPaul’s Drag Race, season 11.

Wireless charging, on the other hand, is dead simple—just drop the phone on the charger and go. It is considerably slower than the fastest wired chargers, though. Wireless makes perfect sense for an easy overnight charge, when you can drop the phone and have plenty of time to get to full power. Stand-style Qi chargers are also excellent for simple, hands-free viewing. In our tests, the Ravpower RP-PC069 wireless charging stand actually juiced an iPhone a little faster than the standard wired 5-watt Apple charger that’s included in the box. Wireless also makes sense on a car charger mount, when you don’t have two hands to fiddle with a cable. (We’ve just finished testing and we’ve got new picks: Kenu Airbase Wireless Qi for dash/windshield mount and the Kenu Airframe Wireless Qi for vent mount.)

Also, did you know that you can charge your iPhone twice as fast if you get a fast charger (vs. the standard that comes in the box)? It shouldn’t damage your phone battery as the phone draws only what it needs. In fact, Apple Support has a page on which adapters are fine to use for fast charging. By the way, if you’ve ever wondered who the obsessives behind all of these recommendations are, please subscribe to our YouTube channel while you’re there. We’ll make it worth your time.

P.S. When we did the call for questions about home repair, many of you sent in questions about gutter troubles. We’ve got answers.

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—Daniela Gorny, associate managing editor

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