Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 review: Wireless charging pad for everything Apple

The crux of the Apple Watch is that it’s only compatible with an iPhone. On the other hand, that means an amalgamated ecosystem of compatible products. So why not consolidate your charging as well? Belkin’s multi-device BoostCharge Pro wireless charger eliminates excess plugs and cables with a single solution for your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds. Find out more in this Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Magsafe review.

• Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe: $149.99 / €144.99 / £139.99

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe offers an all-in-one charging station for your top Apple products. Drop your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all on one charging platform, minimizing cables and maximizing your devices’ time in hand.

For iPhones, the device features an official MagSafe pad compatible with the iPhone 12 or newer. It can also utilize the Qi wireless charging capabilities found in the iPhone 8 and newer. For earbuds, an LED indicator lets you know when your compatible AirPods are powering up. This includes all three generations of AirPods Pro as well as AirPods with a wireless charging case.

Finally, for Apple Watches, the charger packs a magnetic fast-charging module for utilizing the fast-charging architecture found in the Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Ultra. For older models, it offers charging at standard speeds. The pad also offers useful design details for an even better Apple Watch charging experience. This includes an adjustable charging puck for laying your watch flat or propping it up in Nightstand mode, as well as a precision dial for proper alignment.

Aesthetically the pad features a flat, minimalist design you’ll have no problem incorporating into your go-to charging spot. A rounded rectangle, the pad lands at 9.3 by 3.4 inches and stands less than one inch high. It weighs 22.8oz, about three times the weight of an iPhone 14.

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe is available in black or white. You can find the device for $149.99 at Apple stores or from third-party retailers like Amazon.

A solid charging setup can easily rank among the best Apple Watch accessories just for sheer convenience, but Belkin is looking to take things a step further for anyone locked inside Apple’s walled garden. After all, if you have an Apple Watch, you very likely have an iPhone. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charger pad capitalizes on that fact, offering a foolproof landing strip for both devices. You’re in even better luck if you have a set of compatible AirPods. Instead of a mess of rubber spaghetti noodles winding their way across your desktop, the pad converges your charging needs into one platform, one cable, and one plug — and it does so brilliantly.

With modest design cues — including clean lines and a small footprint — the pad is far from an eyesore. It’s also weighty enough to stay put to always look neat and intentionally placed. I tested the white model and parked it prominently on my kitchen counter. It seamlessly blended into the room and tidied up my otherwise cluttered charging zone. Eventually, it even stoked a running battle between my partner and I over who got to charge their devices on the convenient wireless charging pad instead of back in our bedroom.

One element that elevates the aesthetic of the charger is its chrome detailing. While the matte body is refined and neat, the small metallic rings around the watch and phone charging pucks make the pad feel slightly more upscale. These can be seen best when no device is present, which fortunately should be pretty often.

Thanks to the fast-charging module and 15W MagSafe wireless charging support, the Belkin 3-in-1 charging pad offers adequate charging speeds. They aren’t fantastic compared to those you’ll see for accessories linked to other phones and wearables, but charging on Apple devices isn’t known for its timeliness. After 15 minutes, the pad charged an iPhone 13 Pro from zero to 20%. At 30 minutes, the phone reached 33% battery. Every 15 minutes thereafter, the device received about an extra 10%, reaching 100% in just over two hours.

Charging speeds for the Apple Watch were also commendable. In 15 minutes, my Apple Watch Series 8 charged from zero to 29%, and by 45 minutes in, the device reached 79% battery. A full charge took about an hour and ten minutes. That’s very similar to the claims Apple puts on its proprietary fast-charging cable, though these speeds are only applicable to Series 7, Series 8, and Watch Ultra. The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 will charge older generations as well, it’ll just take a bit longer.

Perhaps more importantly, a dedicated charging station makes building a routine very easy. Within a couple of days, I was habitually dropping my phone on the charger whenever I found myself prepping dinner, brewing coffee, or blankly staring into the fridge, deciding what to snack on next. Likewise, it was easy to keep my Apple Watch powered up with a go-to spot centrally located in my home. I abhor loose, inactive cords coiling out from outlets. My partner, meanwhile, loathes my compulsion to unplug chargers and store them away in drawers only to be pulled back out again. The Belkin BoostCharge 3-in-1 wireless charging pad solves both of our complaints.

Finally, as someone partial to their Apple Watch, I loved the features specifically designed to boost the charging experience for Apple’s wearables. The first is a precision dial to ensure proper alignment with your watch model. Spinning the dial takes some oomph and, for me, two hands. Once you set it to the appropriate watch icon, you’ll notice the height of the charging puck is adjusted to line up with your watch.

Secondly, the pad allows for Apple Watch charging in two positions: flat or upright. Standing the puck up, and consequently charging your watch on its side, is perfect for accommodating loop bands like the Alpine Loop we covered in our Apple Watch Ultra review. If needed, charging in this position also allows you to capitalize on Nightstand mode, a setting that displays the time and date while charging, similar to a bedside alarm clock. Since I used my Apple Watch for sleep tracking, I rarely utilize this function, but it’s great to have the option.

We meet again, my unruly friend. In what I would consider a major oversight, the charging pad does not offer any form of cable management (unless you count the white rubber band it comes packaged in, which you shouldn’t!). While testing the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1, I was continually baffled by the sight of excessive cord with nowhere to hide. As neat as the charging pad looks on your desk, counter, or bedside table, the cable remains an unmitigated blight.

This is especially surprising from the same company that sells a very effectively managed single-device charger, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro for Apple Watch ($59.99). Yes, the spare cable length is great when you need to worm your cord behind furniture, but what about when your wall plug is inches away? On the company’s portable charger, built-in cord management keeps the extra cable out of sight, so your charging station is kept tidy no matter how near your outlet.

Additionally, like Belkin’s portable Apple Watch charger, the 3-in-1 pad is a dust magnet. The white material hides the dust more readily than a black model, but it was still apparent and unfortunate. Many silicone wearable bands have a similar issue.

Another minor shortcoming is a detail related to the pad’s user experience. I don’t own compatible AirPods but user reviews for charging earbuds with this charger are largely positive. Without testing it, I was glad to see the LED indicator light that lets you know when your earbuds are properly set. On the other hand, this positive detail brings attention to an overlooked one.

If your iPhone has any power left, it will let you know it’s charging immediately with an onscreen graphic. However, if you throw your phone on the charger when it’s completely dead, it will take a few moments to power up and confirm it is charging. If you drop your phone and walk away, you may return later and realize the charger wasn’t properly aligned. I regularly use a competitor’s three-in-one charger that features light indicators for every spot, and it’s odd to see that Belkin didn’t do the same.

Again compared to competitors, it’s difficult to utilize your phone while charging. Others offer foldable charging pads, allowing you to prop up your iPhone for easy viewing. The Belkin 3-in-1 wireless charger looks better and more refined, so it’s simply a trade-off with versatility.

For anyone with an Apple Watch, wireless AirPods, and a compatible iPhone, this wireless charger from Belkin is a no-brainer. It’s a well-made and attractively designed product that will clean up your cable nest and streamline your charging habits. It’s pricey, but it also delivers consistent power and a polished look. In other words, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Magsafe is worth the cash.

That said, Belkin isn’t the only name in the game. One of the company’s biggest competitors, Anker, also sells similar products, such as a similarly priced 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe ($149.99) that is much more portable and a little more unique in its design. Some cheaper options are also available, such as Anker’s foldable 3-in-1 charger ($32.99).

Regardless, Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 is certainly as good as the Anker’s most popular alternatives, and is a great buy if you want a classy yet functional charging pad for all your mobile Apple devices.