MagSafe Monday

MagSafe charging docks are great for desks or nightstands, but sometimes a simple cable or pad is all you want to travel with. The new Anker Zolo Wireless Charger takes that idea and gives it a boost with Qi2 support for 15W fast charging. It’s compact, affordable, and built for people who want MagSafe charging for low cost.

Our family decided to have a dedicated charging station for all of our devices, and that quickly turned into a mess of wires. We wanted something powerful enough for everything but compact enough that it didn’t turn our counter into cable chaos. The Baseus Nomos 8-in-1 Magnetic Charging Station hit that sweet spot for us. It has a built-in Qi2-certified 15W wireless charging pad and a 67W USB-C port, covering the range from iPhone to laptop and everything in between.

Wireless charging has come a long way since the early days, when it felt like only something you’d use at night. The introduction of MagSafe with the iPhone 12 was a huge win for the standard, and now the industry is unifying around Qi2. The newest enhancement, Qi2.2, takes things up a notch with support for 25-watt charging speeds and better heat management. LISEN recently launched its new LISEN Qi2.2 MagSafe Car Charger, and I’ve been using it as my primary car charger for the past few weeks.

When it comes to using MagSafe in the car, I want something that keeps my iPhone charged. My wife, on the other hand, does not. She just wants the dock portion. If you don’t need or want charging while you drive, a magnetic mount is one of the best accessories you can add. The Lamicall MagSafe Car Mount skips the charging options and focuses on being the best way to keep an eye on Apple Maps when you don’t have CarPlay. With 20 upgraded magnets and a reinforced vent clip, your iPhone stays locked in place even on rough roads.

I am so happy for the arrival of the AirPods Pro 3. I had been hanging on to my original Pro 2 models from 2022, and they had seen better days. In fact, I think AirPods are one of the best products Apple has ever shipped. Because I take them everywhere, I love having a case that makes them easier to carry and keeps them protected. The ESR Orbit Hybrid Case for AirPods Pro 3 is designed with MagSafe in mind while adding durability, a strong lid, and a few nice extras. If you are looking for a great AirPods Pro 3 case, keep reading to learn more about why I like this one a lot.

MagSafe batteries are one of my favorite types of accessories because they let you keep your iPhone charged without needing to find a wall adapter (verbal meme: zombies, but it’s tech people looking for a wall plug) The new CP12 MagSafe Power Bank has a 10,000mAh battery, offers 20W wired charging, 7.5W MagSafe charging, and even includes a built in cable for when you want to charge a bit faster. It is not the slimmest battery, but it gives you plenty of flexibility for travel, commuting, or just making sure your iPhone lasts all day.

MagSafe wallets usually lean toward being slim, but SUPCASE continues to go the other direction with function over form. The SUPCASE MagSafe Wallet with AirTag Holder is thicker than most MagSafe wallets, but in exchange you get more storage, AirTag support, and a built-in stand.

As the weather cools down and fall hiking season ramps up, I always think about what gear makes sense to carry. A MagSafe wallet is one of those things that feels like it should be as versatile as your iPhone itself. The Pelican MagSafe Wallet & Card Holder is a perfect option when you want something rugged that can handle the outdoors but still works as an EDC.

If you don’t carry a MagSafe wallet with your iPhone, there might be situations when you want a simple stand for travel, increased grip, stand at your desk, etc. The UAG Magnetic Ring Stand falls into that category. It gives you a better grip on your iPhone, doubles as a kickstand, and still slides in your pocket without getting in the way. Let’s take a look at what it offers.

MagSafe wallets are probably the category of MagSafe that makes the most sense to me day to day. I am always going to carry a wallet, so might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone. The UAG Metropolis Wallet is one of the better designed ones I’ve come across from a quality standpoint, so let’s dive into what all it offers.

If you want a simple car mount that works with MagSafe and doesn’t take over your air vents, your choices are pretty limited. The Statik HyperMount Vacuum Car Mount is a great choice. It sticks to your dash or windshield, holds tight, and doesn’t budge even on bumpy roads and around corners.

I spent some time traveling in late July and put the LISEN CardMag MagSafe battery pack (affiliate link) through a tough test with heavy usage, high temps, and everything in between. I was in the northeast and on the go constantly. I’m also running the iOS 26 beta, so my iPhone battery isn’t exactly thriving right now. I had Apple Maps going constantly as we navigated cities, used the subway, and more.

MagSafe wallets typically aim to be super thin. The SUPCASE MagFlip takes the opposite approach and loads itself up with features. It’s all about function first, so it ends up quite a bit thicker than the typical MagSafe wallet, but it’s extremely useful.

This wallet I’ve been testing from Supcase is one of the few I’ve found that supports six cards and still strikes a nice balance between slim and functional. It has a kickstand. It has strong magnets. It also doesn’t feel like I’ve strapped a brack to the back of my iPhone either.

At first glance, the KraftGeek JustTap Tripod might seem like it’s only useful for content creation, but in my testing, it’s a lot more than that. It’s obviously great for mobile creators who don’t want to worry about whether their mount fits their case, but I also found it super useful for getting your iPhone at the perfect angle when using it as a Mac webcam.

I went off to college with a giant desktop computer, so I’m a little envious of the gear students have today. I still remember the flex of buying a 64MB USB flash drive just so I could move papers between computers (this was all pre-Google Docs). If you’re heading to campus this fall, here’s the best MagSafe gear to make your dorm setup cleaner, smarter, and less tangled.

Over the years, I’ve tried a ton of chargers, but a lot of them fall into the category that they’re awkward to use, overpriced, or just not reliable. The one that’s managed to stay in my life is the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand. It’s cheap, easy to use, and solves a simple problem I’ve encountered more times than I can count. I don’t want to use two hands when I need to grab my iPhone quickly from my desk.

MagSafe for traveling is one of the best use cases. It keeps you from needing a ton of cables in your bag and makes it easy to keep your gear charged. The dream would be a MagSafe cable that worked on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, but life can’t be that simple. Nevertheless, a few MagSafe accessories are must-haves for your summer travel bag.

I’ve tested more MagSafe battery packs than I can count over the past few years. Some are too bulky, while others have weak magnets. Some of the designs are also somewhat dull. PITAKA’s new Aramid Fiber Magnetic Power Bank manages to avoid all those issues while checking all the boxes for a great MagSafe battery.

MagSafe accessories continue to be a mix of great ideas and daily annoyances, but I keep trying them all. I’ve tried enough wallets to fill a drawer in my desk, and most of them get something right, but miss on a few minor things. Recently, I’ve been trying some new wallets that do more than hold credit cards. That’s what caught my eye with the BENKS ArmorGo Magnetic Wallet Stand, and I’ve been using it for the past few weeks.

Over the years, I’ve tested my fair share of portable battery packs and desk docks. Most of them fall into two categories: slim and convenient or bulky and powerful. The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank manages to be both. It’s MagSafe compatible, supports Qi2, and has enough power to top off a MacBook Pro in less than an hour. If you’re looking for one device that can charge your whole Apple setup at once, this might be the one. I use it daily.