Belkin’s Boost Charge Pro with MagSafe and Apple’s MagSafe Duo Chargers take many different approaches to solve a similar problem. In a world where everything has to be recharged, combination chargers that can reduce cables and plugs in our lives are very practical. While Apple’s first party combo charger is best described as a minimalist travel charger, Belkin is a utility in the best MagSafe combo charger.
Boost Charge Pro best MagSafe charger?
Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charger with MagSafe (this is the full product name) makes one wireless charging three wireless charging stations. Although previously done with combination charging stations, the innovation with this product is the use of Apple’s new MagSafe technology.
Apple has built magnets into the iPhone 12 family of phones, and this system, MagSafe, is charged wirelessly with up to 15 W of power. Standard Qi chargers are 7.5 W charger when used with iPhones. The secret of MagSafe is the magnetic guarantee of accurate alignment between wireless charging coils. MagSafe is also a practical solution for creating a ‘floating’ stand like Belkin Boost Charge Pro does.
So what can Boost Charge Pro get going?
- MagSafe (top left): iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max (or later)
- Magnetic Charger (Top Right): Any Apple Watch
- Base (bottom): Any Qi-based wireless charging compatible accessory, including AirPods, iPhone 8 and iPhone X and later
I found the charging base to be excellent for turning on AirPods Pro or AirPods with the wireless charging bay as intended. The charging station base is fantastic for charging other devices like iPhones or even Android phones with wireless charging. The base has a slight split to mark the wireless charging spot, but small devices of all shapes and sizes are compatible.
Practical solution
Although I imagine that many will use Boost Charge Pro as a night charger, the “floating” design of the MagSafe side also makes the charging station a great kitchen accessory. The iPhone 12 is magnetically attached to the MagSafe charger and works in either portrait or landscape orientation. The slightly sloping rear corner is ideal for charging your iPhone while using FaceTime and making dinner.
Belkin Boost Charge Pro sells for $ 149.99 and includes a powerhouse in the box.
MagSafe Duo
I’m just as enthusiastic about any new Apple product as the next person, but it’s no secret that Apple’s MagSafe Duo accessories are too expensive and under ambitious. Although I’m a MagSafe Duo customer, I can best describe the accessories as a luxury travel charger.
Apple’s combination wireless charger is a half iPhone 12 charger and a half Apple Watch charger. While the iPhone needs to charge flat on a surface, the Apple Watch charging pack can lie flat or upright to easily charge open or closed strap watches.
MagSafe Duo includes a Lightning port and a UBS-C after-lightning cable to power the combo charger, but a 20-watt USB-C power adapter (sold separately) is required to use MagSafe Duo. Apple bundled a similar charger with the iPhone 11 Pro, but stopped using power adapters with iPhones this year.
Form over function
There is no third charging pad, but you can use the MagSafe half to charge any wireless charging accessories, including AirPods and older iPhones – just not while charging your iPhone. The Apple Watch half can only charge Apple Watches. If you really want to connect a Lightning port-based device, you can disconnect the USB-C and Lightning cable and charge directly to the wall.
Although I very much prefer the minimalist design of MagSafe Duo, the app is not my primary charging station for my iPhone and Apple Watch. It offers a much smaller footprint and folds like a book for portability, but it’s not good for charging your iPhone wirelessly while using it – something that even Apple’s standard MagSafe charger achieves.
MagSafe Duo sells for $ 129 and does not come with the required $ 20W USB-C power adapter.
Car Vent Mount Pro
Belkin not only designed a combination charging station when he used MagSafe this year. Belkin’s Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe also takes advantage of the new magnetic system that exists in the iPhone 12 family.
9to5Mac will take a closer look at this accessory soon, but here are some quick thoughts from me after the test:
- MagSafe makes attaching any size of iPhone 12 super easy without adjusting a push mechanism to hold the device
- The lack of ‘arms’ to hold the iPhone allows touch targets on either side of the screen; this can be difficult with non-MagSafe containers
- Car Vent Mount Pro uses MagSafe to hold your phone, but the lack of throughput is disappointing; You need to connect a lightning cable to charge the phone while it is mounted
Lastly, the most flimsy part of a generally cool product to me is how the product mounts. As its name suggests, Car Vent Mount Pro relies on fixing the car’s exhaust system to hold the container in place.
In the manual it is suggested that you should use the upper part of the vent and not a blade for ventilation due to the grip needed to hold the mount in place, but my 2017 Honda Civic (a lot general motor) exhaust was too thick to hold the clamp. At the risk of damaging a blade, I attached the clamp to the part that the manual says to avoid.
It works, and the iPhone gets really cool when you drive your A / C, but I think the opposite is true if you have to run the heat. This of course applies to all ventilation fitters, and my car has a built-in screen with CarPlay, so it’s not really a product I need. Before I had CarPlay, however, I could see how much I appreciated the convenience of MagSafe and, despite the disadvantages of this product, really enjoyed it.
Improving the experience
My recommendation would be heartfelt if a future version succeeds in recording throughput of a lightning cable. The feature alone is more worthy of the ‘Pro’ moniker in the product name, and perhaps it can connect to the best MagSafe chargers.
As it stands now, I have a surprising utility case for Car Vent Mount Pro. After testing Belkin’s mount in my car for a few days (the iPhone only fell to the floor once when I accidentally hit a curb), I moved the Car Vent Mount Pro to my desk, where it now also an iPhone prop. The side of the clip adjusts to support any orientation, making it ideal for holding your iPhone 12 while watching a video or making a video call. Just remember that it does not charge the phone.
Belkin Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe sells for $ 39.95.
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