Apple MagSafe Duo Charger Review

The $129 Apple MagSafe Duo Charger is a multipurpose wireless charger that can power up to two devices at the same time, including AirPods, Apple Watches, and iPhones. It’s an excellent option for desks and nightstands, and its slim design makes it an ideal travel companion. With a 14W maximum MagSafe charging output (most third-party options top out at 7.5W) and a Lightning port, it's the best MagSafe charger we've tested. Its high price makes it a bit of a splurge for Apple loyalists, but that doesn't prevent it from earning our Editors' Choice award.

Slim and Sturdy

The MagSafe Duo measures 3.0 by 3.2 by 0.5 inches (HWD) in its folded position and expands to 3.0 by 6.4 by 0.2 inches when you unfurl it. At just around 10 ounces, it’s a little heavier than an iPhone 13 Pro Max. 

The outer shell is made of a grippy, press-molded polyvinyl material. A seam that wraps around the edges and expands in the center creates a flexible hinge that offers 180 degrees of motion. The box includes a 3.3-foot USB-C-to-Lightning charging cable, but you need to buy a 30W+ power adapter (or you can use a MacBook adapter with a USB-C port).

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(Photo: Steven Winkelman)

When the charger is in its folded position, you can see a debossed Apple logo on top and a small aluminum circle on the bottom. The aluminum circle is an Apple Watch charging pad, but it's also a magnet. You can fold the MagSafe Duo in the opposite direction to use it as a standalone MagSafe charger. 

When you unfold the Duo, a MagSafe charging pad appears on the left side; it doubles as a 7.5W Qi wireless charging pad. The Apple Watch charging pad and a USB-C charging port sit on the right side. The Apple Watch pad has a metal hinge with 90 degrees of motion, so you can use it either flush with the charging pad or press it up from the bottom to charge your Apple Watch in nightstand mode.

Easy Charging With One Minor Drawback

Using the MagSafe Duo is easy. Simply unfold it and plug it into a 30W+ adapter with a USB-C cable. Your iPhone instantly snaps into position once you place it close to the MagSafe pad; the same goes for the Apple Watch. AirPods don't snap into place, but position them in the center of the MagSafe pad and a red light on the case will appear to indicate that it's charging. The charging pad itself doesn't have any indicator lights, but an animation appears on the Apple Watch and iPhone when they’re properly connected.

When your AirPods or Apple Watch are fully charged, you can simply lift them off the charger. The iPhone’s magnetic array is very powerful, so you need to hold the edge of the MagSafe Duo down when you remove it. 

(Photo: Steven Winkelman)

The MagSafe Duo charges most iPhone 12 and 13 models at a maximum of 14W if you’re using a 30W power adapter, while iPhone mini models charge at 12W. Apple's basic MagSafe Charger ($39) maxes out at 15W with a 20W wall adapter, but the difference in charging speed isn't noticeable.

For comparison, Qi wireless charging maxes out at 7.5W on the iPhone. And except for a few “Made for MagSafe” chargers, all third-party MagSafe-compatible chargers max out at 7.5W as well—they’re just Qi chargers with an array of magnets around the coil.

Charging the Apple Watch is a different story. If you own an Apple Watch Series 6 or earlier, the MagSafe Duo can charge the watch just as fast as the charger it comes with. Unfortunately, the Duo doesn't support fast charging for the Apple Watch Series 7, but this is only a minor issue as standard charging only takes about an extra 15 minutes.

We tested the MagSafe Duo using an Apple Watch Series 6, a pair of AirPods Pro, and an iPhone 13. It fully charged the Apple Watch in 86 minutes, the AirPods in 41 minutes, and the iPhone in 2 hours and 38 minutes.

A Stellar Charging Solution for Apple Enthusiasts

If you own multiple Apple products that support wireless charging, the MagSafe Duo is an ideal all-in-one charging solution. It makes it easy to provide power to your AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone, and you can charge two of them at the same time, making it our Editors' Choice for dedicated Apple fans. It's far from inexpensive, however, and the $99.99 Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand is a good alternative if you don't need something portable.