Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand review: difficult to justify the high price

Satechi's charging stand can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods in a single dedicated device. However, there are a few setbacks when compared to other similar bedside chargers.

The primary issue is that the charging stand doesn't come with a power adapter, so customers will have to spend another $18 on the required 20W power adapter. Apple famously stopped including a power adapter in the iPhone box for environmental concerns, but it isn't clear why Satechi would remove such a primary component needed to get the device to work.

Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand Design

The overall design of the charger looks premium and blends in with other Satechi products well. The glossy black plastic top contrasts with the rubber of the AirPods charger and the aluminum base. A stainless steel rod suspends the magnetic charger above the stand.

Like many third-party accessory makers, Satechi developed its own magnetic charger that is compatible with MagSafe after the iPhone 12 was announced. However, the magnetic charger used by Satechi only supports 7.5W charging, versus the 15W available to Apple and licensed products.

The charging puck itself is slightly different too. It is a flat piece of plastic, while Apple's MagSafe charger has a plastic ring around a rubber-like material in the center.

Apple's charger appears to grip the iPhone more firmly, but it is difficult to tell if this is due to the magnets used or the puck design.

The Apple Watch charger is a removable puck with a small rubber piece the Apple Watch rests against. This is a 2.5W charger, which is disappointing since the Apple Watch Series 7 supports a much faster 5W charger. Apple probably announced the new charging puck too late for Satechi to implement in the stand.

The wireless charger for AirPods is a standard 5W Qi charging pad. It is clear where to place the AirPods and not easy to miss, though AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro now have MagSafe in the case for alignment.

The lack of 5W charging for the Apple Watch and magnetic alignment for AirPods isn't Satechi's fault. It is just a result of bad timing for a new product release alongside Apple announcements.

We are dinging the charger for lack of 15W iPhone charging, though.

Using the Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand

The base isn't quite heavy enough to remove the iPhone from its magnetic charger without shifting it slightly on the table. We found that pulling down versus side to side is more effective and keeps the entire charger from moving.

That being said, it is somewhat disconcerting how easily the iPhone comes free from the magnetic charger when pulling down. We compared this to a Belkin 3-in-1 charger with a similar floating iPhone MagSafe charger, and the iPhone felt much more secure when attached.

We tested this stand with an iPhone 13 Pro Max without a case and with a leather skin. The magnets felt the same for both configurations.

An official MagSafe case may have better luck staying connected, but that does add more weight to the device. We believe it is a problem with the puck design or magnetic attraction, causing the iPhone to be too easily removed.

To be clear, the iPhone stays on the magnetic charging puck during everyday use. Vibrations won't knock the phone loose. Touching the device will make it come free very easily, though.

The removable Apple Watch charger is one saving grace of the 3-in-1 charging stand. Satechi sells a magnetic charging dock for the Apple Watch at $40, and this puck replicates that use case.

When leaving for the day, users can grab the Apple Watch charger free from the base and use it in a USB-C port on an iPad or MacBook to top off an Apple Watch battery throughout the day.

That means it could be argued that this charging stand is an $80 iPhone and AirPods charger with a portable $40 Apple Watch charger. This makes the price a little more bearable and offers a unique feature not available to other stands of this kind.

Should you buy the Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand?

The lack of higher wattage chargers isn't much of a detriment to Satechi's stand unless the user often needs fast charging. If used as a bedside charger, all devices placed on the charger before bed will be at 100% in the morning.

There is no doubt this charger works as advertised and looks good while doing it.

Other charging stands look similar, have 15W MagSafe, and come with a power adapter at a similar price. For example, the Belkin 3-in-1 charger we mentioned earlier is $150, which isn't a far cry from the $120 Satechi stand and $15 20W charger.

If you believe you'd use the removable Apple Watch charger, a $40 value, and the slower charging rates aren't an issue, then this 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is a great value. However, we must note that the loose-feeling magnetic connection for the iPhone charger is worth being concerned with.

Pros

• Charge three devices in one
• Needs only 20W adapter for power
• Removable Apple Watch charger

Cons

• No 15W MagSafe charging
• iPhone feels too loose, precariously mounted
• No power adapter included in the box

Rating: 3 out of 5

How to buy the Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand

• Purchase on Satechi's website for $120, plus get a discount on a 20W power adapter
• Purchase on Amazon for $120