(BPT) - The holidays are here. That means it's time to worry about whether you'll nail your gift-giving this year. If you have teens or young adults you're shopping for, don't leave Qi2 (pronounced chee two) wireless charging off your list (though you may be tempted to buy a Qi2 charger for yourself, too!). It will quickly become your favorite gift to give — and a useful and stylish accessory your loved ones won't be able to live without.
As you're shopping for the perfect wireless charger, there are two important points to keep in mind. First, make sure that it is Qi2 Certified. Qi2 is the latest version of the Qi wireless charging standard. Qi2 uses a magnetic attachment between the phone and charger so the two devices snap perfectly in place, providing a more reliable, more efficient connection. And Qi2 is much faster than older wireless chargers. In fact, the Qi2 25W version can charge some smartphone batteries as fast as 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes. Qi2 Certified means it has undergone rigorous testing in independent test labs to ensure that it's fully compliant with the Qi2 specifications for safety, reliability, and interoperability.
Second, for the best user experience, make sure the version of Qi2 is the same for the phone and charger. Pair a Qi2 25W Certified phone with a Qi2 25W Certified charger. Pair a Qi2 phone with a Qi2 charger. Mixing a Qi2 device with a Qi25W device will work, but charging will not be at the optimal speed.
Most flagship smartphone brands are Qi2 or Qi2 25W Certified, including those from Apple, Samsung, and Google.
Don't know where to start? There are many great Qi2 wireless chargers to choose from. We've selected some of the best to get you started with your gifting needs.
The Nomad Stand One is perfect for those who love an aesthetic moment. It's an elegant, upright stand that can charge both your smartphone and earbuds — and look good, too. Compatible with iPhone StandBy mode, it looks great as a display on a nightstand or desk.
If your student (works for a spouse, too) is constantly on the move (and running out of charge), a Qi2 power bank is a great gift. It magnetically snaps to the back of their phone, making it easy to keep doing the things they love to do, like attending festivals, camping or ignoring your phone calls. And you can feel confident that you can reach them when you need to. The Baseus PicoGo is equipped with a triple cooling system, which helps the device stay cool and the charging work more efficiently. Qi v2.2 is the technical name for Qi2 25W, so you'll get fast, smooth wireless charging on the go at up to 25W with this power bank, plus wired charging at 45W if plugging into an electric outlet is desired and available.
The UltraCharge Magnetic charger from Belkin makes for a surprisingly fun stocking stuffer. It's small but mighty, giving your gift recipient fast, cool charging at home, at work, or on the go. The ChillBoostTM feature helps prevent overheating while the device charges, too, for quiet efficiency you can trust.
Charge your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds at the same time with the CryoBoost 3-in-1 charging station from ESR. With 25W output and air-cooling technology, it's the ultimate status symbol. Gift it for home or as a college dorm essential. Your kid will thank you!
There are thousands of Qi2 and Qi2 25W Certified devices available. So, if the products mentioned in this article don't meet your needs, you can easily find one that does. Make sure to look for the Qi2 logo either on the product or packaging, or check for it in the tech descriptions or on the Wireless Power Consortium's Certified Product Database. That way, you can know you've picked up a certified device that's been tested and is fully compliant with the Qi2 standard.
With the holidays coming up quickly, there's no time to second-guess your gift list. Give the gift of Qi2 wireless charging, and your holidays are sure to be merry and bright.
