Question About Off Brand Wireless Chargers

[JXS]

I generally consider myself tech savvy. I love building PC's, however I am largely ignorant when it comes to peripherals for cell phones.
My wife has been begging me to get her a wireless charger for her Galaxy 9+. My question, is there a difference between name brand (ie legit Samsung) or more well known like Belkin and no name wireless chargers like the $10 ones I see hanging in the check out line at Walmart by Vivitar (I have never heard of this company before)? I just have a hard time forking over $50 for a charger that performs at half the speed (the fast charge is really nice).

I've tried doing my own research and come up with a myriad of pointless articles that don't really give me any answers.

Does anyone know more about this? Inherit risks (if any); things to avoid; things I should look for in a wireless charger; is wireless charging even worth it?

Halp, please.

[krkevin]

I own a Samsung branded wireless charger. This one: https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mobile-accessories/phones/fast-charging-stand---black-ep-n5100tbegus/

 

It takes roughly 2h 30m for a full charge, and also makes a bit of noise that can be heard when sleeping in silence. It's very convenient, but I rarely use it due to it's noise at night. Also, Samsung branded wireless charges aren't cheap either.

 

As long as you're getting a branded wireless charger (Samsung or brands like Belkin and Spigen), you should be fine. People buy wireless chargers for the convenience, not the speed. Do not buy no-name wireless chargers, or any no-name charger for that matter. No-name chargers can damage the hardware very easily, since they're not designed as well as branded chargers. You don't want that expensive phone to be damaged by a $10 wireless charger and end up paying hundreds to fix it.

 

[LienusLateTips]

Just get a IKEA charger. It's not fast, but it's silent unlike some others.

[JXS]

Hrm... I was not aware that Ikea sold wireless chargers. They seem more reputable than the Vivitar I was going to pick up lol
Are there any other suggestions or advice?

[SuperCloneRanger]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

 

Wireless charging is considered safe and there is probably nothing wrong with the $10 vivitar charger. But for piece of mind i would only use a wireless chargers that has been tested and certified by the wireless power consortium(the owners of the QI standard) to make sure it is both safe an reliable. And you should never put metal between the charger and the device being charged. 

 

The wirecutter has a good article and reviews on some certified chargers. My personal recommendation for a good budget charger has to be the Anker wireless 5, i've being using one with my s8 for almost a year without issue.

 

Info on QI certified:

https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/certified/

 

database of certified products:

https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/certified/search.html

 

Wirecutter article:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-qi-wireless-charger-for-iphone-and-android-phones

 

Anker charger:

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/wireless-charger-anker-qi-certified-ultra-slim-wireless-charger/A2518012

[LienusLateTips]

4 minutes ago, JXS said:

Hrm... I was not aware that Ikea sold wireless chargers. They seem more reputable than the Vivitar I was going to pick up lol
Are there any other suggestions or advice?

The ones at IKEA are cheap, too. I picked up a 3 pad charger one for $15.

[JXS]

Thanks for the advice. I did read up the the Qi certification but didn't see it anywhere on the Vivitar packaging. It appears that the wireless chargers from Ikea do have Qi certification. There is one here in town so I think I will grab one tomorrow.

[LienusLateTips]

1 minute ago, JXS said:

Thanks for the advice. I did read up the the Qi certification but didn't see it anywhere on the Vivitar packaging. It appears that the wireless chargers from Ikea do have Qi certification. There is one here in town so I think I will grab one tomorrow.

Last I checked they're running a Canada-wide clearance on select chargers. Have no idea why, it's IKEA I guess.

[SuperCloneRanger]

8 minutes ago, JXS said:

Thanks for the advice. I did read up the the Qi certification but didn't see it anywhere on the Vivitar packaging. It appears that the wireless chargers from Ikea do have Qi certification. There is one here in town so I think I will grab one tomorrow.

I looked up the vivitar one, its not certified. but the ikea ones look good, i especially like the one that you can fit into furniture.

 

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/90318023/

[JXS]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.