Zens 4-in-1 iPad + MagSafe wireless charger review: Great design, slow Apple Watch charging

Charging with the new Zens multi-charger

This multi-device charger can power up your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously. iPad power users could easily use this as a desk-based workstation, but anyone who has bought into Apple's ecosystem will find it beneficial.

Always thoughtful designs

Zens has designed some of the best-looking accessories on the market.

Its free-placement wireless charger had a version with a clear top that revealed the litany of individual coils underneath. Its modular system has striking lines and easy magnetic connections.

Most of its gear has a sleek, dark look and is primarily metal. It's why we frequently recommend its accessories time and time again versus their plastic counterparts.

The new 4-in-1 follows the same well-known design language. The base, supports, and back are all aluminum with a matte black finish.

Apple tends to offer a lot of stark white accessories, so the dark look of Zens' products is a welcomed contrast.

Your iPhone magnetically connects to the Apple-certified MagSafe puck, assuming you have an iPhone 12 or newer. Just ahead of the MagSafe mount is a shallow indentation that can wirelessly charge your AirPods or other Qi-enabled earbuds.

On the left is a USB-C connector utilized for charging an iPad. Its presence does count out any Lightning-equipped iPads like the still-available 9th-generation iPad, but the rest of the lineup has moved to Type-C over the last several years.

We tested this with an iPad mini up to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. All worked without issue.

If you use a case, fret not because the USB-C connector can adjust up and down to accommodate covers of varied thicknesses.

A trough is in front of the iPad, nicely nestling your Apple Pencil while not in use. With the angle of the display, the Zens charger ends up being a nice desk station when paired with a wireless keyboard.

Finally, the Apple Watch charger is in the center. It's a standard Apple-sourced puck with a small ledge that clips on to hold the heavier models of Apple Watch like the stainless steel.

Is it enough power?

Zens supplies a commonplace charger that interfaces via a barrel connector. They're off-the-shelf parts that could easily be replaced but are just niche enough that you likely don't have a spare lying around your home.

A USB-C input would be more favorable as you could — theoretically — use any USB-C cable and charge you have around. USB-C, though, comes with its issues. For example, not all cables support 45W of power, so Zens likely wants to remove any underlying confusion.

The charger is a 45W power supply with swappable connectors to allow it to work in various countries around the world — US, EU, and UK. It's not intended as a portable power station, but it does mean Zens can include one charger in the box worldwide.

If we do some power math, 5W gets allocated to the AirPods Qi charger, 15W to the MagSafe puck, 18W is dedicated to the iPad charger, and the Apple Watch receives roughly 5W.

This power dispersal has some highs but some missed opportunities.

15W on the MagSafe module is excellent. This is the maximum speed and is better than many faux MagSafe chargers that are glorified Qi chargers with magnets.

AirPods get 5W, which is, again, the fastest they can charge wirelessly — A+ effort thus far.

It starts to underperform when we look at the iPad and Apple Watch. Apple allows iPads to use up to 45W of power, so 18W is middling at best.

Apple Watch too, doesn't support fast charging. For us, fast charging has been essential. The Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra all can charge much more expeditiously than older models if they're using the right charger.

We'll wear our watch to bed, so it is crucial to charge it quickly while in the shower or getting ready for the day.

The Apple Watch puck is removable, which could allow you to upgrade it in the future, but since it is USB-A, it will never be able to support fast charging.

Should you buy the Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe charger?

Zens has created one of the better 4-in-1 solutions on the market. Few have an elegant all-metal design, have Apple's seal of approval, and can charge as many devices.

We're fans of the little touches, such as the adjustable USB-C connector and minimal footprint. There are some compromises with the power supply and no additional USB output, but overall we're all too happy to recommend it to users.

Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe charger - Pros

• Aluminum body
• Apple-certified MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers
• Compact 4-in-1 design
• Adjustable USB-C connector supports most cases
• Apple Pencil holder

Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe charger - Cons

• No additional USB output
• No fast charge for Apple Watch

Rating: 4 out of 5

Where to buy

You can pick up your own Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe charger on the company's website for $199.