WWW.ZDNET.COM
The best MagSafe accessories of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
If you're reading this, you probably already know thatMagSafetechnology is a pretty handy feature. You can use it to wirelessly charge your phone, attach a wallet to the back of your phone, use it as a combination phone stand and power bank, and more.To put it simply: MagSafe makes phone charging fun and far more convenient. But with plenty of accessories on the market, it can be hard to know what is and isn't worth your cash. That's why we've tested plenty options on the market, so you can find the most useful MagSafe accessories for your lifestyle.What are the best MagSafe accessories right now?Our picks for the best MagSafe accessories overall are Anker's 3-1 MagGo Wireless Qi2 Charger and Casely's Grippy Mount. Keep reading for more top MagSafe accessories, including battery packs, phone stands, car mounts, wallets, and more.The best MagSafe accessories of 2024 Show less View now at Casely Pros Strong magnetic hold Easy to use Cons A bit pricey Sometimes hard to remove off of surfaces Casely MagSafe Grippy Mount Best MagSafe accessory for taking photos and videos If you're a content creator or you just like to take photos and videos during solo outings, this MagSafe mount is a handy gadget to have in your MagSafe accessory repertoire. You can easily stick your phone to any clean, flat, and glossy surface and instantly create a mount for your iPhone. When I tested the Casely Grippy Mount, I was surprised by how strong the magnetic hold was, even when I stuck it to a cheap, over-the-door mirror. It's a nifty option for mounting your phone for streaming or for taking it out on solo endeavors to help shoot content hands-free.Customers on Casely's website said that they liked the Grippy Mount's strong magnetic grip and hold, plus the ability to use their phone hands-free for photo, video, or entertainment purposes.Casely Grippy Mount features: Available in several colors | Compatible with iPhone 12 & newer (requires MagSafe case) | Fastens phone to any clean, flat, glossy surface (like mirrors and windows) | Allows for easy hands-free photo and video shooting, plus browsing Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Pros Travel-friendly 3-in-1 charging Foldable design Stand feature Wall adapter included Cons A bit bulky Limited color options Pricey For iPhone only Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station Best 3-in-1 MagSafe wireless charger Anker's MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station for iPhone is still a wireless charging dream almost 7 months after my initial purchase, and it's also ZDNET's pick for best wireless charger. This MagSafe charger features 15W charging, offers a stand component for my iPhone, charges all of my Apple devices at once, and folds up easily for quick transport and storage. It also comes with a wall adapter, which isn't always a guarantee.I first purchased this Anker charger after ZDNET's Sabrina Ortiz tested it last year. I was looking for a safe and functional 3-1 charger that would cut down the amount of cords I needed to pack while traveling. This is it. Unveiled at CES 2023, this 3-1 is truly worth your money if you own an Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods too and want a great charger for at home and on the go. Ortiz said that the charging speed on this charger is comparable to individual cords with respective wall adapters, even when charging simultaneously. "Whether I was charging one device or three, I noticed that the devices were charging at a comparable speed to when I normally had them plugged into their respective wall chargers," she wrote in her review.I can concur based on my personal use, too. This stand charges up all of my devices quickly, and I love how easy it is to pack up to take on a trip. Even though this Anker charger is on the pricier side, costing $110, it's worth it thanks to its function and duality. It also frequently goes on sale. Compared to other options on the market, I think this 3-in-1 pick offers immense value because it can be used at home or on the go with ease, especially if you can grab it on sale.Verified Amazon customers give this Anker charger a 4.6/5 stars and said they liked the compactness and convenience of this design as well as the easy to use setup, foldability, and magnetic strength. However, some customers said the simultaneous charging wasn't consistent.Author's Note: The Anker MagGo 3-1 charger in white is on sale for $82 (save $28) at Amazon upon the latest publication.Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station features: Compatability: iPhone (any with MagSafe), Wireless Earbuds, Apple Watch |Color:White or Black | Foldable | Easy for travel | Comes with wall adapter Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Belkin Pros Qi2 charging Minimal warming Kickstand to prop phone Fits snug on iPhone Several color options Strong magnetic grip Recently upgraded design Clear battery indicator lights Cons Fun colors only sold by Apple Not the sleekest option Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5k Best MagSafe battery pack This Belkin battery pack is not only an upgraded version of a good original, but it's also ZDNET's pick for the best MagSafe battery pack right now.I really liked the first iteration of this battery pack, and I like the newly upgraded Qi2 version even more. This new model has the USB-C connector on the side instead of the bottom of the pack, making it easier to use your phone standing upright while the pack is charging. Instead of the charging indicator lights being on the side, they're now more visible, located on the back of the pack. This model is also a tad slimmer and lengthier than its predecessor, making it easier to transport.And while this Belkin pack is a true embodiment of a classic brick-style battery booster, there is still a place in my heart for it because it just works so well. Similarly to many options on our Best MagSafe battery pack list, it provides 5,000mAh of extra juice to your phone, which is a standard capacity for many MagSafe packs. Its design, though simple, fits snugly against my phone (no bumping onto the lip of my camera lens) and remains secure.Its secure grip and competitive battery speak for themselves. I took this pack to a Yankees game, to several late-night outings, to work, and even on errands, and I am impressed with the charging. You can expect between a 25-30% battery boost in about an hour to your phone.What's more is that it comes with a built-in stand that easily swings in and out -- no folding required -- and while I originally thought this would be useless, I rather enjoyed being able to prop my phone up whenever. Perhaps the best thing about this Belkin pack is that it comes in a few fun colors, a nice feature many competitors still haven't matched.Like the previous iteration, this pack is still not the slimmest design I've ever seen. But the newly upgraded design offers a more comfortable and sleek user experience that feels great in the hand and doesn't feel as boxy as the pack really is. Overall, I'm impressed with the new shape and think it was a much-needed facelift.Apple is the only retailer that sells the blue, green, pink, and sand color options right now (as well as black), which is a bit of a downside. On the flip side, Belkin only carries the black and white iterations as well as the 8k and 10k models. Regardless, Redditors who own this battery pack really like the intentional upgrades.Some Redditors saidthat this is a great pack to replace Apple's discontinued battery pack, too.Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5K features: Capacity: 5,000mAh|Charging Port: USB-C |Power button: Yes | Available in a few colors (some Apple exclusive) Show Expert Take Show less Show less Telesin MagSafe Neck Mount Best MagSafe accessory for shooting video hands-free If you shoot video from your POV frequently, consider a MagSafe accessory that will amp up your functionality. This MagSafe neck mount from Telesin does just that. ZDNET's senior reviews editor Kerry Wan was able to try one out while covering the iPhone 16 launch in California a few weeks ago, and immediately purchased one."I recently got this POV MagSafe mount, and it's perfect for hands-free video shooting. Saw dozens of content creators at Apple Park using it a few weeks ago," he said.Verified Amazon customers said that they liked the easy and simple setup of the Telesin neck mount, and said that they enjoyed using it to shoot video from their POV, or to just keep using their phone hands-free. One customer said she even enjoys using this neck mount to use her phone while walking her dogs.Telesin MagSafe Neck Mount features: Portrait and Landscape compatible | Multi-functional shooting modes (landscape, portrait, overhead, and low angle, which allows you to play with a wide range of POV scenarios) | Extended pole for viewing while shooting | Enhanced Dual-Ear + Strap for added stability | Dual-sided phone grip Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Best Buy Pros RFID protection Large card capacity Doubles as stand Premium feel Strong magnetic hold Slim design Cons Expensive Limited color options Adds some weight to phone May be too bulky for some Journey Ezmo MagSafe Wallet and Stand Best MagSafe wallet Journey's Ezmo MagSafe wallet is the perfect balance of style and function, and it's ZDNET's current pick for best MagSafe wallet. With enough space to hold five cards, it indeed resembles a classic wallet and not just a cardholder. The Ezmo wallet also doubles as a phone stand, so you can watch your favorite entertainment on the go or keep your phone screen visible at your desk. The stand has adjustable viewing angles in both portrait and landscape modes.It's made of vegan leather and comes in four traditional color options (black, dark brown, navy blue, and dove gray). The Ezmo MagSafe wallet also features a protective lining with RFID technology to safeguard your cards' information while preventing them from becoming demagnetized.I tested the Ezmo wallet for several weeks in my everyday activities, including my commute from New Jersey to New York City. When evaluating MagSafe wallets, I always look for easy and seamless access to my NJ Transit card, which I need to grab and put away quickly. Thanks to the notch on the front of the Ezmo wallet, I can store my transit card in the front. It's easy to slide out, so I highly recommend choosing one with a front-notch option if you're looking for a commuter-friendly wallet.I also like how the Ezmo MagSafe wallet provides enough space for five cards and even folded cash. It's perfect for holding my debit card, work badge, and other incidentals like paper train tickets.The phone stand was nice, too. I enjoyed being able to prop my phone up while at the office. I even found myself using the back half of the wallet as a makeshift grip on the train, which added some extra stability. Although it's a pricier option, I think it's well worth the investment due to its multi-functionality and excellent quality, especially if you use your MagSafe wallet daily. The Ezmo wallet is also available in a tracking version -- the LOC8 MagSafe Finder Wallet and Stand -- if you're prone to losing things frequently.Current users on the Journey website said they liked the slim profile, smart design, larger card capacity, and sleek material -- so much so that the wallet has a 5/5-star rating online, with one customer noting that it "does it all really well."Journey Ezmo wallet and phone stand features:Multi-functional| RFID protection | Built-in lock to prevent card slippage |Dimensions: 66 mm x 102.5 mm x 12.5 mm |Card capacity: Up to 5 cards Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Moft Pros Slim Great for those needing small capacity options Great color options Fairly priced Cons Small capacity Hard to dislodge certain cards Moft Snap on Phone Stand and Wallet Best minimalist MagSafe card holder If you don't need a larger capacity to store your favorite cards, cash, or other incidentals, a card holder is probably a better bet. While Moft markets their Snap on Phone Stand and Wallet as a wallet, it's definitely more of a card holder. Based upon my own testing, I've only ever been able to squeeze two cards into this holder, and most of the time prefer to just use it for one important card (often my NJ Transit SmartLink card).The design of this holder is very sleek and minimalist, but it's available in a wide-range of color options and costs only $30. While there's for sure cheaper wallet options out there, this is really fairly priced considering the dual function you get with the stand and card holder combo, plus the quality material and construction. Most other wallet options are often upwards of $35, so Moft has competitively priced a great MagSafe accessory, in my opinion.I have used this card holder countless times, and it is my favorite option when I am traveling with only one card that I need accessible. I find it easy to remove and insert cards from this wallet, though occasionally, it can be tricky to quickly pull out two cards without a hassle, which isn't the biggest deal unless you're rushing to make the train in the morning like me. Regardless, I have gifted this three times since being able to test one for ZDNET, and think it's a great option to add to your MagSafe collection.Moft Snap on Phone Stand and Wallet features: Thin profile and design | Works in Floating, Portait, and Landscape modes | Compatible with other Moft accessories, like the MagSafe battery pack | Compatible with iPhone 12+ and MagSafe compatible phone cases Show Expert Take Show less Show less Pros Adjustable height Sturdy base Good use of the platform with the addition of MagSafe Cons MagSafe connector costs extra Twelve South HiRise Pro for MacBook Best MagSafe accessory for a tidy desk Jason Cipriani, a former ZDNET contributor, has been using the non-pro version of Twelve South's HiRise for MacBook for about a year with no complaints. It did exactly what it's designed to do: get his laptop off of my desk and at eye level while freeing up some desk space. Underneath his laptop, Cipriani placed a wireless charging station, making use of the free space.However, with the HiRise Pro, Twelve South built a MagSafe charging pad directly into the leather-covered base. That means you no longer need a separate charging station under your laptop. Instead, attach a MagSafe charger -- which isn't included with the HiRise Pro -- to the bottom of the base and route the power cable to a nearby outlet.Twelve South HiRise Pro for MacBook features:Leather-covered base with MagSafe | Puts your MacBook at eye level, or up to 6 inches off your desk | Holds your laptop in place Show Expert Take Show less What is the best MagSafe accessory? Our favorite MagSafe accessories off style, function, and added features like kickstands and more. Maybe you're looking for a battery pack to boost your phone or a handy place to store your metro card. We've got you covered with top-tested accessory picks from Casely, Belkin, Moft, and more.MagSafe accessoryPrice*TypeCasely MagSafe Grippy Mount $25Grippy mount for photo and video opportunities.Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging Station$1103-1 MagSafe Wireless charging dock. Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5k$60Portable MagSafe battery pack with kickstand. Telesin MagSafe Neck Mount$28MagSafe neck mount designed for video shooting.Journey Ezmo MagSafe Wallet and Stand$70MagSafe wallet for card and cash storage.Moft Snap on Phone Stand and Wallet$30MagSafe card holder and stand combo.Twelve South HiRise Pro$100Laptop stand with MagSafe wireless charging.*MSRP at the time of publication Which MagSafe accessory is right for you? Any of the MagSafe accessories on this list are great picks -- it just depends on what you are looking for, the price you are willing to spend, and what devices you currently have.Choose this MagSafe accessory...If you want...Casely MagSafe Grippy Mount A MagSafe content creation tool. Anker MagGo 3-1 Wireless Charging StationA seamless way to charge your devices, without all the wires. Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5kAn easy way to boost your phone on-the-go. Telesin MagSafe Neck MountA hands-free option to easily record video. Journey Ezmo MagSafe Wallet and StandMagSafe storage for cards and cash.Moft Snap on Phone Stand and WalletA minimalistic, MagSafe card holder option. Twelve South HiRise ProA desk optimizer that strategically places your laptop and phone in the right place for easy charging and an organized space. Factors to consider when choosing a MagSafe accessory: As someone who regularly tests MagSafe accessories and gear, these are the three most critical things to keep in mind while you shop, both to ensure you nab the best products and avoid spending your cash on useless junk.Compatibility: This is the most important factor to keep in mind. Make sure that your iPhone is compatible with the accessory you are looking to purchase and that you keep an eye out for other requirements (often hidden in the fine print), like needing a MagSafe phone case. If you're not an iPhone user, be sure to find options to make your device MagSafe compatible (it's easy), and again, watch for compatibility when checking out. Always read full product descriptions before you add to your cart, trust me.Price: Probably the most obvious thing to keep in mind is the cost. MagSafe accessories can be really handy and helpful, but only if they're within your budget or worth the long-term investment. Otherwise, they may be an unnecessary expense or something that winds up sitting in a drawer for several years before being tossed out. Try to keep a reasonable budget for yourself when shopping, and remember that the best products aren't always the most expensive items on the market, and it's always a good idea to check out sale events.Use case: This ties into the bullet above, but keeping your use case in mind while shopping for MagSafe gear is critical to avoid buying junk that you throw out or give away down the line. For something to be worth the money you spend on it, it has to bring added value and fix a current problem you're experiencing with your phone. If you only need a card holder to store your transit card, you don't necessarily need to splash out on a pricier wallet option that holds more cards and cash. Try to stay reasonable with yourself to avoid spending unnecessary cash and contributing to more tech waste. How did we choose these MagSafe accessories? ZDNET only recommends products we ourselves have used or researched extensively so we can speak to each product's value, function, and overall user experience. While rounding up this list of MagSafe accessories (of which, we've tested every product included), here's a few things we kept in mind to guide our selections accordingly.Functionality: From laptop stands to car mounts, there's a diversity of MagSafe use cases on this list. We considered user experience and overall functionality in each product we spotlighted. Keep in mind that we've gone hands-on with many other MagSafe accessories like wallets, chargers, and battery packs, and you can check out our full, in-depth best of lists if you're looking for a few more options.Price: Accessorizing your mobile device is a lot like customizing a purse or a bedroom. You have essential items like cases and chargers, as well as nonessential add-ons like grips, stands, mounts, and more. The beauty of accessorizing is you can take it as little or as far as you'd like and spend as little or as much as you're comfortable with. While most accessories remain under the $100 mark, there are several items like MagSafe charging stations that can easily push over that limit. We made sure to consider numerous types of accessories across varying price points and their overall value compared to what you'll pay. We think every item on this list is worth the money if it's the type of product you're looking for, but ultimately, the total cost spent on accessorizing with MagSafe is up to you.Best List picks:The accessory options included in this list are certainly not the only options available on the market and are definitely not the only MagSafe accessories that we've tried. Since ZDNET has already extensively tested many MagSafe accessories across several categories, including MagSafe wallets, battery packs, wireless chargers, and more, we considered the top-ranking picks selected for those lists to ensure congruency on our site and to maintain the authority in our picks. What is MagSafe? MagSafe was originally developed as a safety feature for MacBook charging cords, but it's now built into iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 models for use with a range of accessories.The system uses a series of magnets around the iPhone's internal charging coil that sense other compatible devices and hold them securely. The magnets are specifically designed for the MagSafe system to protect your iPhone from damage. Which iPhone models have MagSafe? All current iPhone models, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and newly released iPhone 16, feature MagSafe charging. Older iPhones, such as the iPhone 12 and 13 also feature MagSafe technology. Some charging cases for Apple's AirPods, such as the latest AirPods Pro, also have MagSafe built in. Is MagSafe the same as Qi? The two systems work on the same wireless charging principles, but the key difference is that Qi chargers don't use magnets for alignment. Qi chargers need a near-perfect alignment for optimal speeds. The MagSafe system eliminates the hassle of positioning and repositioning your devices on the charger by using magnets to properly align the charging puck and iPhone's internal charging coils, giving you consistent, fast charging every time. Is MagSafe charging better than cable charging? It's a personal preference. Both cable charging and wireless charging boost your phone effectively. But with a cable, you must ensure you're near an outlet or alternative power source when recharging your phone.With MagSafe, you can experience wire-free charging at home and even purchase abattery packfor power on the go. So, if you're a mobile a lot, we recommend a MagSafe battery pack to keep your iPhone charged while you travel. For certain situations or environments, a cable may be preferred. Why should I bother with MagSafe accessories? MagSafe capabilities can enhance your user experience and your iPhone's functionality. Besides creating simpler, more efficient wireless charging, MagSafe technology opens the door for various accessories such as wallets, car vent clips and mounts, fitness mounts, power banks, grips and key ring accessories, and more to widen the iPhone experience and make your life as efficient as possible. Are there alternative MagSafe accessories to consider?Yes, the market is flooded with MagSafe accessory options; by all means, the ones we've included aren't your only options. Check out a few other picks we'd recommend below.ZDNET Recommends
0 Σχόλια
0 Μοιράστηκε
23 Views