Budget Wireless Charger Showdown: 5 Qi Chargers all $11 - $15

[goofball2k]

Just bought one of the qi chargers you tested, the first one. Hope it works well. Didn't really know if I wanted one but what the heck

 

[MordyT]

I'd be willing to do that sure, but the Nokia dt900 isn't that cheap here in Canada. It's a minimum 2x - 3x the price, without shipping or taxes added. Way out of my bang for the buck range haha.

Also, the dt900 has a rated output of 750mA. That's 250mA less than all of the 1A output Qi chargers I reviewed above. Of course, I can't do a direct comparison without having a dt900 on hand; but from the rated output and the known efficiency of Qi chargers, the dt900 would most likely charge quite a bit slower.

1A output was pretty much the main point I was mentioning when choosing a Qi charger. Basically as long as you have that, the performance is relatively equal between all Qi chargers.

I would be willing to mail one (free ship both ways) if you could do a comparison.

I haven't seen them for that cheap since AT&T had a sale a few months back. Where are you seeing them for that price?

The ATT sale. Guess it is over now though, didn't realize...

How does that compare to non-cheap chargers? Are there any charging numbers on those?

Also how safe would be charging N5 constantly with this? I guess there are safety standards in place, but how obedient are those chinese manufacturers?

This is why I have been sticking to name brand. It is what worries me most.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[mmmmBACON]

How does that compare to non-cheap chargers? Are there any charging numbers on those?

Also how safe would be charging N5 constantly with this? I guess there are safety standards in place, but how obedient are those chinese manufacturers?

What is your definition of "non-cheap"? Name brand, price premium? If you look on amazon and other places, you will see these exact chargers with a company brand name slapped on it and a $10 - $50 markup. The only difference between those, and these ones is exactly what you would expect, the price and a few cents extra in ink for branding put on it.

If you can look past the fact that these are generic, you will notice that they are the exact ones you will find elsewhere, without the markup. Basically from the same factories before a company slaps their logo onto it.

For example (Amazon):

Lerway Qi charger (same as the first one on my list) http://www.amazon.com/Lerway-Wireless-Power-Charger-Lumia920/dp/B00E9MUNWU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394513260&sr=8-2&keywords=qi+charger $19.49

Lugalake Qi charger (same as the last one on my list) http://www.amazon.com/New-Arrival-LuguLake-Qi-Enabled-Wireless/dp/B00FXJAISW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1394513340&sr=8-5&keywords=qi+charger $21.99

Powerbot Qi charger (same as the puck) http://www.amazon.com/PowerBot®-Com...F8&qid=1394513457&sr=8-21&keywords=qi+charger $23.99

These were just the ones at the top of the list when I did a quick search on amazon. They are the exact same Qi chargers, with markups because of branding and retailers.

The charging numbers will be exactly the same as well. If they are 1A output and follow the Qi standard, they will perform the same. That's essentially why it is a standard. That was really the point of this thread. To show that the performance of a 1A output Qi charger, is basically the same no matter what charger you buy. So there is no reason to order a name brand charger, or a more expensive one, because there will be no performance benefit.

Also, I basically charge exclusively using Qi chargers now (except when I'm in the car, I use wired) and I haven't had a single problem. And as for the Chinese manufacturers, you have to realize, everything is made in China. Even the Official Google Wireless Charger is made in China. I don't think you needed to throw in the "obedient" part. There are just as many shady American companies, Korean companies, etc. You can't generalize an entire Country like that.

I would love if you could test the charging distance of those as I'm trying to integrate a cheap wireless charger into my nightstand and wonder how much wood I can get away with having between the charger and the phone.

Done and done.

It turns out (quite surprising really), by my super scientific testing, that you can fit exactly 81 sheets of lined Hilroy loose leaf paper between the charger and the phone, and it will still charge! Haha! I figured that would be something you could replicate. Since you are probably going to tear it apart anyway, I did it on the cheapest one, which was the first charger on my list.

Squishing them together and roughly measuring it, gave about a 1/4 inch.

Just bought one of the qi chargers you tested, the first one. Hope it works well. Didn't really know if I wanted one but what the heck

The price of entry isn't very high. It really is a "why not give it a shot" kinda thing.

I would be willing to mail one (free ship both ways) if you could do a comparison.

Well if you really want me to, I don't have a problem updating this post and adding in the dt900 for comparison.

But a round trip to Canada and back, I'm not sure if it's really worth it.

 

[dehsA]

And as for the Chinese manufacturers, you have to realize, everything is made in China. Even the Official Google Wireless Charger is made in China.

Yup, that also includes the majority of Apple's products!

It turns out (quite surprising really), by my super scientific testing, that you can fit exactly 81 sheets of lined Hilroy loose leaf paper between the charger and the phone, and it will still charge!

Any drop in the current as you add more sheets of paper?

Also, do you actually use all of the chargers you bought? Which ones do you end up using the most/least?

 

[dicko1975]

Thanks for the review!

Great review. Convinced me to get all extravagant and splash out on the basic Qi charger. I mean, for $11 what could possibly go wrong? Now waiting patiently for delivery....

 

[arbenowskee]

They've upped the price to $15.

one named "Hot!!! Black Qi Standard Wireless Charger for Nokia Lumia 920/ Lumia 820/LG Nexus 4//Samsung Note 2 fast delivery" is $12.50.

I'd give a link, but don't have enough posts yet

 

[MordyT]

Well if you really want me to, I don't have a problem updating this post and adding in the dt900 for comparison.

But a round trip to Canada and back, I'm not sure if it's really worth it.

At 71cents each way (supposedly), I think I can do it.

Can you pm me a general address (if you don't want to give yours yet) so I can double check before committing?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[fooznugget]

Yeah, the puck charger can be a bit picky sometimes, which is what I wasn't the biggest fan of. It might just be the way the casing is that's causing it, who knows.

You can get into the puck charger pretty easily actually. If you peel off the rubber ring on the top, you will expose the screws that hold the housing together.

Thanks, I did try pulling the rubber ring on both the top and bottom, but I don't see any screws or anything.

I will definitely consider some of the other chargers after seeing this review. I originally went with this one because of the small size.

 

[SurlyDuff]

Great comparison, but I don't suppose you have the time to do another two replicates and a quick 2-tailed unpaired student's t-test (really easy in Excel) to see whether any of these differences between the chargers are statistically significant? Considering how close everything is, it just seems a little arbitrary to rank the time to 100% if it turns out to change from trial to trial. I know it would require a time commitment, but it would definitely give your comparison more authority if the differences are significant.

 

[libertao]

Any suggestions on a replacement USB cable? I've heard the AWG is too high on Monoprice Premium cables.

 

[frag2]

I have the puck with rubber ring and while it holds the phone, its difficult to center 100%. If you don't, it'll constantly flicker between charge on/off...pretty annoying

i have the last one [fat rectangle with LEDs] and while its easiest to center [due to its surface area], it tends to overheat, just like the puck.

Best for price, IMO, is still the Nilkin magic disk but thats 23$

 

[matejdro]

What is your definition of "non-cheap"?

I meant chargers that are sold by real known companies For example official chargers from Google, Nokia etc.

I realize everything is made in China, but Google for example likely imposes some kind of quality control on this while random seller on eBay can make and sell whatever he wants.

 

[evilspoons]

I'd be willing to do that sure, but the Nokia dt900 isn't that cheap here in Canada. It's a minimum 2x - 3x the price, without shipping or taxes added. Way out of my bang for the buck range haha.

Also, the dt900 has a rated output of 750mA. That's 250mA less than all of the 1A output Qi chargers I reviewed above. Of course, I can't do a direct comparison without having a dt900 on hand; but from the rated output and the known efficiency of Qi chargers, the dt900 would most likely charge quite a bit slower.

1A output was pretty much the main point I was mentioning when choosing a Qi charger. Basically as long as you have that, the performance is relatively equal between all Qi chargers.

I am a Canadian who bought a DT-900 in the States, plus two LG WCP-300s in the States as well (woo Las Vegas vacation).

The DT-900 is rated at 750 mA input, not output. It is also 12 V input, meaning it has an input power of 9 W. A 5 V 1.5 A input charger has an input power of 7.5 W. The 12 V input part is weird compared to all the others, they're all 5 V in.

Where did you read it only outputs 750 mA? I can't find an output spec for the DT-900 anywhere.

I may just have to do some charge time testing of my DT-900 vs my WCP-300 with my Nexus 5.

 

[yokuyuki]

Done and done.

It turns out (quite surprising really), by my super scientific testing, that you can fit exactly 81 sheets of lined Hilroy loose leaf paper between the charger and the phone, and it will still charge! Haha! I figured that would be something you could replicate. Since you are probably going to tear it apart anyway, I did it on the cheapest one, which was the first charger on my list.

Squishing them together and roughly measuring it, gave about a 1/4 inch.

Awesome, dude! That's about 6 mm which is 1 mm more than the specced 5 mm charging distance. Could you also test the PowerBot puck one? I've been looking more at that one as it's smaller and requires less wood to carve out. The specs on Amazon say that it has a higher charging distance at 8 mm and I'm curious if it lives up to that.

 

[TidusWulf]

I have the Nokia dt-900, but the cable broke. Anyone know how to buy just the cable? Whatever I've searched online just doesn't give me solid results.

 

[evilspoons]

I have the Nokia dt-900, but the cable broke. Anyone know how to buy just the cable? Whatever I've searched online just doesn't give me solid results.

You can probably just buy/make a generic one. It just looks like a bog-standard barrel connector. According to my REALLY QUICK estimates, it seems to be 2 mm outer diameter... check yourself with calipers or something.

 

[TidusWulf]

You can probably just buy/make a generic one. It just looks like a bog-standard barrel connector. According to my REALLY QUICK estimates, it seems to be 2 mm outer diameter... check yourself with calipers or something.

I'm not an electrician, and I'm not about to plug something into the wall held together by electrical tape.

 

[danman7]

Did you notice or perform any measurements regarding temperature? I haven't tried any of the wireless chargers, but I had read that some cause the handset to get very hot.

 

[Cyb3rGlitch]

Do these support trickle charging?

 

[mmmmBACON]

Thanks, I did try pulling the rubber ring on both the top and bottom, but I don't see any screws or anything.

I will definitely consider some of the other chargers after seeing this review. I originally went with this one because of the small size.

That's odd. This is what mine looks like under the ring:

There are also a bunch of people here on XDA who have been modding these ones for the cars, etc.

Great comparison, but I don't suppose you have the time to do another two replicates and a quick 2-tailed unpaired student's t-test (really easy in Excel) to see whether any of these differences between the chargers are statistically significant? Considering how close everything is, it just seems a little arbitrary to rank the time to 100% if it turns out to change from trial to trial. I know it would require a time commitment, but it would definitely give your comparison more authority if the differences are significant.

Well I did mention at the beginning that it wasn't going to be an overly scientific comparison. And doing 2 additional tests for each charger, would equate to roughly 25 additional hours of testing. I don't quite have that kind of free time on hand.

Also, if you read the conclusions I stated, "I mentioned 1st place through 5th place, but really the time difference between all of these Qi chargers was around 2 minutes. The top 3 chargers all finished within 32 seconds of one another. That is extremely consistent and shows that it makes no difference what charger you have, or the price of the charger; if it’s rated at 1A output your performance will generally be the same."

Basically, I only mentioned 1st place through 5th place because I felt like turning it into a competition between them (makes things a little more interesting, however irrelevant), when really the performance between all of them was basically the same that it didn't matter. Spending 25 hours longer, to find additional seconds between them doesn't really seem necessary to me. It could be something I do to update in the future, but as of right now, I'll probably pass. The point of the thread, for me anyway, was just to show that 1A output Qi chargers essentially all perform the same; that there is no point in spending a lot of money, or falling for marketing, when the performance is equivalent at whatever price point. Since it is 1A output, and follows the Qi Standard, performance will be consistent.

Any suggestions on a replacement USB cable? I've heard the AWG is too high on Monoprice Premium cables.

Actually the Monoprice Premium cables are good cables. There are some people here on XDA who use them and can also confirm they allow fast charging. As long as you make sure they are the Premium Cables and not their standard cables.

I meant chargers that are sold by real known companies For example official chargers from Google, Nokia etc.

I realize everything is made in China, but Google for example likely imposes some kind of quality control on this while random seller on eBay can make and sell whatever he wants.

Gotcha.

I've never had a problem with it, so I'm fine with buying generic off of ebay, amazon, etc. They also have decent return/reimbursement policies so I don't really worry.

If you want to buy an official charger, or one from a bigger brand, there's nothing wrong with that, and I'm not saying people shouldn't. I'm just stating that whether or not you buy one that is expensive, name brand, or generic, your performance will be the same, as long as it provides 1A output. You might as well save some money.

I am a Canadian who bought a DT-900 in the States, plus two LG WCP-300s in the States as well (woo Las Vegas vacation).

The DT-900 is rated at 750 mA input, not output. It is also 12 V input, meaning it has an input power of 9 W. A 5 V 1.5 A input charger has an input power of 7.5 W. The 12 V input part is weird compared to all the others, they're all 5 V in.

Where did you read it only outputs 750 mA? I can't find an output spec for the DT-900 anywhere.

I may just have to do some charge time testing of my DT-900 vs my WCP-300 with my Nexus 5.

There are many websites that show 750mA output (Nokia's being the only that doesn't). These are just a few when I did a google search.

http://www.saholic.com/mobile-accessories/nokia-wireless-charger-dt-900-1005825
http://www.smartprix.com/mobile_chargers/nokia-dt-900-wireless-charging-plate-p1706wyaip8x
http://www.qiwireless.com/astore/nokia-dt-900-wireless-charging-plate-retail-packaging/
http://www.expansys.com.hk/nokia-wireless-charging-plate-dt-900-white-257188/

Also, if you look up the Model # for the AC adapter that ships with the DT-900 (AC-301 U or E depending). The specs list: Input 100/240v 50-60Hz 0.3A / output 12V 0.75A. I don't think the plate itself can perform any additional magic to increase output that the AC adapter is providing.

Also, the DT910, which is pretty much a dt900 with a stand has these specs on the Nokia website.
http://www.nokia.com/global/products/accessory/dt-910/specifications/

Charger output voltage: 12 V
Charger input current: 300 mA
Charger output current: 700 mA
Charger input voltage: 100 - 240 V AC, 50-60 Hz

Awesome, dude! That's about 6 mm which is 1 mm more than the specced 5 mm charging distance. Could you also test the PowerBot puck one? I've been looking more at that one as it's smaller and requires less wood to carve out. The specs on Amazon say that it has a higher charging distance at 8 mm and I'm curious if it lives up to that.

The puck charger increased to 90 sheets of paper. That measured out to be ever so slightly past 7mm. Take into account the rubber ring on the top wich adds an additional gap, and the 8mm claim seems about right.