Belkin’s BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad, which was unveiled at CES and is now available for purchase, provides a convenient way to charge your iPhone and AirPods. Here’s how it performs.
Design and Functionality
The BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad has a sleek, flat design with two charging surfaces. One side features a Qi2 wireless pad that charges recent iPhone models at up to 15 watts.
The other side is a 5-watt Qi pad for AirPods or other Qi-compatible devices. The Qi2 pad uses magnets to align with iPhones, ensuring secure and efficient charging.
In my testing, the Qi2 pad charged my iPhone 15 Pro Max almost as fast as Apple’s MagSafe Charger, taking my phone from 30% to 70% in about an hour. Charging slows down after 80% to avoid overheating. The 5-watt Qi pad works well for AirPods but lacks magnetic alignment, which means you need to be more precise when placing them.
Additional Features
The BoostCharge pad also includes a USB-C port for 5-watt wired charging, handy for devices like an Apple Watch with the right cable. If you need an integrated Apple Watch charger, Belkin offers a 3-in-1 model that includes a dedicated Apple Watch charging puck.
The charger comes in black or white and includes a 30-watt power adapter and a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable.
While the power adapter is similar in size to Apple’s 20-watt adapter, it doesn’t have folding prongs, which would be more convenient for travel. However, you can use any 30-watt USB-C power source with it.
Build and Portability
The pad’s slim design makes it easy to travel with, fitting neatly into a bag. However, it is a bit heavy at 11 ounces, which could be a slight inconvenience. The pad is about the same size as an iPhone 15 Pro Max but slightly thicker.
The charger is made of matte plastic with rubber-like arcs on the bottom to prevent slipping and protect surfaces. The Qi2 pad has a rubber surface to protect your phone from scratches, while the lower-power Qi pad has a shallow depression to help with AirPods placement.
Practical Considerations
The BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad has a small LED status light for the AirPods pad but not for the Qi2 pad. This light indicates charging status or errors.
Overall, the charger is reliable and convenient. However, it has some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of magnetic alignment for the AirPods pad and the non-folding prongs on the power adapter.
While the flat design is great for travel, some might prefer an angled surface for better visibility while charging on a desk or nightstand. Belkin offers options with this feature as well.
Price and Value
The BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad is priced at $79.99. Despite the expectation that Qi2 technology might lower costs, Belkin’s similar BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 with official MagSafe charging is also $79.99, although it lacks the extra USB-C port.
Belkin also offers a 3-in-1 model with an Apple Watch fast charger for $129.99. Alternatively, you could get the 2-in-1 model and buy an official USB-C Apple Watch charging cable separately, which might save you some money.
Conclusion
Belkin’s BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad is a solid choice for efficiently charging your iPhone and AirPods. Despite some minor issues, such as the non-magnetic AirPods pad and non-folding prongs, its overall performance and design make it a valuable addition to your charging setup.