We’re talking about wireless charging, which many electronic devices support. But what is it and why should you use it? Allow us to explain why you should choose wireless charging.
Wireless charging (also known as inductive charging or cordless charging) is a type of charging technology that uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects using electromagnetic induction, the production of electricity across a magnetic field. It is usually done with a charging station. Energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device, which can then use that energy to charge batteries or run the device. It is the technology that enables wireless charging for smartphones, pads, computers, earpieces, speakers, and toys etc.
Wireless charging: what’s the point?
Charging without wires is handy, and if you’ve ever suffered the curse of the busted charging cable - where the cable end frays from overuse - you’ll appreciate the increased longevity you’ll get from having a static charger pad instead of pulling cables in and out every day.
But that’s not the only reason to embrace wireless charging. If your phone is water- or dust-resistant, the necessary charging port covers can be fiddly and annoying; with wireless, you don’t have to touch them at all.
There are other benefits. The most common wireless charging standard, Qi, is available in all kinds of public places, especially in the US - so if you’re in an airport or hotel you can often find a wireless charging pad.
There’s another benefit. Because wireless charging is a universal standard, you could potentially use one set of chargers for a whole bunch of devices - phone, smartwatch, tablet and so on.
That could reduce the amount of cables and international power adapters we make and discard, and if we put wireless charging into devices that currently use disposable batteries, we could reduce their environmental impact too. In the very long term, we might even have wireless charging pads for electric cars.
Though imperfect, wireless charging technology is becoming more and more useful in our everyday life, it stands for the future technology developing trend.
Imagine that in the future:
- Cellphones never run out of power as long as they are in a wireless charging covered area;
- Electric vehicles never run out of power as long as they drive on the wireless charging covered roads;
Patients are implanted with artificial hearts that never stop in wireless charging covered areas;
A cone-shaped tabletop device that combines Qi-based resonant induction with a special beam-forming algorithm that allows it to charge multiple devices within about a foot in any direction. 
Electric car wireless parking charge closeup, 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
Wireless charging: should you choose it?
In a word, yes. In a few more words, yes, probably. In many cases simply buying a good phone means you get wireless charging capability thrown in, so for example recent Iphones and Samsungs all support wireless charging without needing extra cases or adapters. Turbo charging is another great alternative to traditional slow charging, but it still requires a cable.
On that basis wireless charging is definitely worth having, especially when the cost of the wireless charging pad is so low: at the time of writing we’re looking on Amazon at the JACKYLED wireless charger power strip (32.99 USD), which isn’t much money when you consider the convenience of parking your phone on a wireless charger instead of scrabbling around for cables.
The big benefits of wireless charging - one pad to charge every conceivable bit of kit you might own - are still frustratingly in the future, but for phones it’s here, it works and it’s great.
Products recommend:
Buy now: JACKYLED 5W Wireless Charger Power Strip from Amazon.com for 32.99 USD
Buy now: JACKYLED 10W Wireless Charger Power Strip Tower from Amazon.com for 36.99 USD
Do you have a wireless charging phone? Did you shell out for the pad, or are you kicking it old school with cables? Let us know in the comments!