TwelveSouth Butterfly Charger review: Compact and convenient charging
Thomas Sibilly
TwelveSouth Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger
4.0 / 5The ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger is a compact and stylish take on the idea of Apple's MagSafe Duo.
The Duo was discontinued in late 2023 and has resulted in several alternatives in the past few months. The ButterFly is an example of this exploration of a foldable 2-in-1 charger by third parties.
TwelveSouth wraps this idea in aluminum and leather to make an iPhone and Apple Watch charging gadget for all occasions.
Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger - Charging & features
Unlike the Duo, the Butterfly comes with its own bag, 1-meter charging cable, and 30W power adapter with international plugs. This conveniently elevates the Butterfly's potential as a travel charger.
The MagSafe portion is 15W and charges compatible iPhones, AirPods, and Qi-compatible devices. The Apple Watch's fast charger is 5W and can be oriented to charge your watch on its side or back.
The charging pace is decent and reliable for iPhone and watch, especially for the size of the Butterfly. The magnets on the back allow for various charging combinations, such as using it for StandBy mode.
It can fit in the palm of your hand and is very easy to plug in and use with the provided cable. Also, unlike the Duo, the Butterfly takes USB-C, so it works well with the longer cables you use for your Mac or other devices.
Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger - Durability and use
As our everyday carry charger for a month, we vouch that the Butterfly can hold up to a lot of use. The vegan leather connector can take stress, and the aluminum back helps shield damage and gives it a good weight.
A small drop doesn't unfold the charger, but accumulated damage and use shows its mark on the outside. TwelveSouth has a good track record for quality material, and we think the rugged look over time can be part of the charm.
Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger - Maximum portability
The pace of charging is not the selling point of the Butterfly, but the compactness and convenience are.
It's a charger for your Apple Watch in the middle of the day, a daily nightstand charger, and more. It's hard to think of an iPhone/AirPod/Apple Watch use case that the Butterfly doesn't cover besides the iPhone's fast charging.
It has the same price as the Duo but has more in-the-box, creative features, and charm and durability. It's pricey, but it is appealing and good at what it claims to do.
Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger Pros
- Compact and portable design
- Versatile charging for iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch
- Holds up to everyday use
Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger Cons
- Pricey as a travel/portable charger
- Accumulated damage may impact appearance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where to buy the TwelveSouth Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger
The Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger is available at the TwelveSouth store, as well as the Apple Store for $129.99.
Andrew Orr
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
2 Comments
I'd say it even covers the iPhone fast charging use case. Because in a pinch you can simply unplug the usb-c cable and stick it in your phone.
I much preferred the design of the Duo however. Hope Apple updates and brings it back! Perhaps they plan to increase charging speed again with Watch X this year and are holding off for that. You heard it here first 😀