Accessory Reviews

Picking up a few accessories helps your tech feel more like your own and can help it last longer, too. While slapping a phone case on your new smartphone might feel like an offense, you’ll probably be happy you did it. And as more smartphones adopt wireless charging, and ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of proprietary Lightning or USB-C adapters, we’ve committed to finding the best accessories to make your life easier with these changes.

Thomas Ricker Oct 14

Voyage 2-in-1 Qi2 charger review.

It’s from Native Union and it fast charges compatible devices like my iPhone 15 Pro, and Air Pods Pro or Apple Watch Ultra — pick two or get a 3-in-1 Qi2 charger instead. The MagSafe compatible magnets keep everything attached and aligned. It folds up super small but at $99 it’s not cheap and you still have to supply a 27W (or above) USB-C PD wall charger.

Score: 7

<em>It feels good and hefty in the hand, but just short of premium which is a problem for the price.</em>

<em>It unfolds and pulls a maximum of 18W when charging only the iPhone to ensure there’s enough left over (due to heat loss) to charge the phone at Qi2’s maximum rate of 15W. The charger pulls a maximum of 21W when adding the Apple Watch Ultra.</em>

<em>Yes, it’ll also charge AirPods Pro and any Qi-compliant device.</em>

<em>USB-C as all things should be in 2024. The sides are held together magnetically. It’ll still charge one device on a table when folded like this.</em>

<em>Here you can see the charger pulling an 18W maximum when only the iPhone is charging. Qi2 is only capable of delivering 15W currently. Apple’s new proprietary magnetic wireless MagSafe can now do 25W. Apple is a Qi contributor so maybe Qi3?</em>

<em>The charger ships with a pouch, nice braided USB-C cable, and the charger. Sorry, this is BYOWC (bring your own wall charger) which is a shame for the price.</em>

1/6

It feels good and hefty in the hand, but just short of premium which is a problem for the price.

Thomas Ricker Oct 5

Qi2 3-in-1 wireless charging station review.

This one’s the $79.99 Kuxiu X40Q tri-folding magnetic wireless charger, but it’s available under many names and prices on Amazon or Temu. I love the design having owned a less-powerful no-name Qi version for about a year. It folds up super small for travel and unfurls into a “Z” to simultaneously charge my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods while I sleep, all from a single USB-C cable.

<em>The box says it charges iPhones at 15W and Apple Watches and AirPods at 5W each. In practice, I was seeing it pull a maximum of 14W when charging only my iPhone 15 Pro and no more than 23W total when charging the phone, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra simultaneously.</em>

<em>A reasonably strong MagSafe-compatible magnet holds the iPhone in place vertically or horizontally to take advantage of StandBy mode. There’s a weaker magnet on the folding Apple Watch puck, while the AirPods are held in place by gravity.</em>

<em>The aluminum alloy charging stand feels heavy in the hand, while the hinges have good resistance to maintain whatever shape you fold the stand into. </em>

<em>Here, you can read the rated specs for this Qi2 wireless charging stand branded with Kuxiu, model X40Q.</em>

<em>It ships with a 36W USB-C charger, cable, and carrying case.</em>

<em>It pulls as much as 23W when charging three devices, in my testing. Usually, it pulls less, however, which is normal.</em>

<em>The iPhone pulling 14W, just shy of the 15W maximum allowed by Qi2. Thanks, heat.</em>

<em>It can still charge in this shape if you only need to charge your iPhone. An LED indicator on the back next to the USB-C jack lights up briefly and then turns off so it doesn’t interrupt your sleep.</em>

<em>I love how small and portable this 3-in-1 stand is. A soft touch coating adds to the tactility, giving the overall build a feeling of high quality.</em>

1/9

The box says it charges iPhones at 15W and Apple Watches and AirPods at 5W each. In practice, I was seeing it pull a maximum of 14W when charging only my iPhone 15 Pro and no more than 23W total when charging the phone, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra simultaneously.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

Thomas Ricker Sep 26

ESR Geo wallet with Apple Find My review.

The $44 Geo Wallet looks like a normal-sized wallet but has Apple’s location tracking built-in so you don’t have to carry a thick AirTag or one of those bulky “credit-card sized” trackers. The wallet can’t be located with Apple’s “Find Nearby” ultra-wideband tech but it shows up on a map and emits a decently-loud tone when left in a cab or just down the hall.

<em>The Geo Wallet is average sized, and definitely not freakishly large even after stuffing it full of cards and cash. If you find the Indiegogo listing annoying (it is), ESR will start open sales on Amazon around mid-October.</em>

<em>The tracker is under the flap and produces an audible tone that’s a little louder than an AirTag which should help you locate the wallet when lost.</em>

<em>The battery will last for up to five months on a two-hour charge from a proprietary pogo pin charger... which I lost. Too bad the charger doesn’t also have Find My built-in.</em>

<em>Divider for receipts and whatnot.</em>

<em>This is my </em><a href=https://www.theverge.com/

Exentri wallet — </em><a href=https://www.theverge.com/"https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/4/21080075/valentines-day-gift-guide-tech-gadgets-games-home-ideas-2020">a Verge favorite</em></a><em> — which makes the Geo Wallet look giant by comparison.</em>" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="relative top-1/2 mx-auto max-h-full max-w-full invisible" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:contain"/>

1/7

The Geo Wallet is average sized, and definitely not freakishly large even after stuffing it full of cards and cash. If you find the Indiegogo listing annoying (it is), ESR will start open sales on Amazon around mid-October.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

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Thomas Ricker Sep 25
Torras iPhone 15 Pro case review.
Instead of buying the new iPhone 16, I decided to change the look of my trusty iPhone 15 Pro instead. The name might suck, but I’ve fallen in deep like with the $39.99 Torras 360-degree Ostand R Rotated Stand MagSafe Case anyway.
I had no idea I was a kickstand guy!

1/13
I’ve never had a kickstand for my phone before, but now I don’t want to be without it. It’s great for video calls, watching videos, or just keeping an eye on notifications.
Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

Goodbye to Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio, the best iPad Pro accessory
It’s versatile, doesn’t weigh much, and no one else makes anything quite like it for the iPad Pro. Hopefully it’s not gone for good.
Chris Welch
May 8

Reviews
Reviews
The Flextail Tiny Bike Pump is a solid pump half the time
Thomas Ricker
May 4

Verge Score

32°N’s liquid lens sunglasses transform into reading glasses with a swipe
Specs for Gen X.
Thomas Ricker
Mar 23

Reviews
Reviews
ESR Qi2 wireless car charger review: goodbye Mag$afe
Thomas Ricker
Feb 8

Reviews
Reviews
The Ember Tumbler is a cool, high-tech travel mug — but it can’t handle the heat
David Pierce
Dec 2, 2023

Keyboards
Keyboards
This is the keyboard that will convert you to the low-profile life
Dan Seifert
Nov 17, 2023

Gadgets
Gadgets
Gaming brands are learning the right lessons from enthusiast mechanical keyboards
Jon Porter
Nov 14, 2023

Keyboards
Keyboards
HHKB Studio review: the trackpoint is the whole point
Nathan Edwards
Nov 2, 2023

Reviews
Reviews
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses actually make the future look cool
Victoria Song
Oct 20, 2023|

Reviews
Reviews
The iPhone 15 Pro case market is a minefield right now
Dan Seifert
Sep 28, 2023|

LG
LG
LG’s 27-inch OLED is ushering in a new age for monitors
Sean Hollister
Aug 3, 2023|

Gadgets
Gadgets
OnePlus’ debut mechanical keyboard is a Keychron with a twist
Jon Porter
Jul 31, 2023|

T
Thomas Ricker May 30, 2023
BioLite BaseCharge 1500 solar generator review within a review.
My recent live/work experiment in the all-electric VW ID Buzz wouldn’t have been possible without BioLite’s first portable battery and solar panel. It was needed to provide continuous power to my Starlink internet, laptops, phones, and more because the Microbus can’t when parked. The BaseCharge 1500 has some minor quirks, but if it’s specced and priced right for your needs then it’s worth considering.

Logitech
Logitech
Logi Dock review: conference calls have never been so cute
Jess Weatherbed
May 29, 2023|

Gadgets
Gadgets
Tesla’s Wireless Charging Platform does what AirPower couldn’t
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Mar 23, 2023|

Reviews
Reviews
Nomad’s latest fancy MagSafe charger is aluminum, heavy, and $110
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Mar 22, 2023|

Reviews
Reviews
This Apple Pencil clone provides 80 percent of the experience for a quarter of the price
Dan Seifert
Mar 18, 2023|

Reviews
Reviews
Ugreen’s Nexode 140W charger is for 16-inch MacBook Pro trekkers
Umar Shakir
Mar 16, 2023

Tech
Tech
WiiM’s Mini and Pro are the Chromecast Audio’s true successors
Chris Person
Feb 8, 2023|

Tech
Tech
Microsoft’s Adaptive Accessories are a tradeoff
Joe Stanganelli
Feb 7, 2023|

PC Gaming
PC Gaming
My favorite new Steam Deck mod is this $30 see-through heatsink backplate
Sean Hollister
Jan 24, 2023|

Reviews
Reviews
Elgato Stream Deck Plus review: not dialed-in enough
Alice Jovanée
Dec 23, 2022|

Reviews
Reviews
Logitech’s new iPad keyboard and stylus are a better buy than Apple’s
Dan Seifert
Dec 20, 2022|

Apple
Apple
This credit card-sized Continuity Camera mount is clever and affordable
Thomas Ricker
Nov 23, 2022

Reviews
Reviews
Apple Watch Ultra strap review: choose your fighter
Victoria Song
Oct 24, 2022|

Tech
Tech
PopGrip JumpStart review: what if a battery bank were also a PopSocket?
Mitchell Clark
Oct 23, 2022|

Reviews
Reviews
Belkin’s MagSafe Continuity Camera mount is an easy webcam upgrade
Mitchell Clark
Oct 21, 2022

Reviews
Reviews
This clever bicycle bell hides an Apple AirTag
Thomas Ricker
Oct 10, 2022

Gaming
Gaming
Turtle Beach’s new React-R controller brings handy audio features down to a lower budget
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Aug 17, 2022

Tech
Tech
This monitor light is a slick way to bathe your gaming space in color
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Aug 16, 2022

Tech
Tech
This customizable smart display is a fun desk accessory in need of a purpose
David Pierce
Aug 13, 2022

Tech
Tech
CalDigit’s TS4 is the new king of Thunderbolt docks
Dan Seifert
Aug 12, 2022

Tech
Tech
DeWalt gave my power tool battery the power of USB-C
Sean Hollister
Aug 7, 2022

Tech
Tech
Insta360’s Link webcam is a hardware answer to Apple’s Center Stage
Cameron Faulkner
Aug 2, 2022

Tech
Tech
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: low profile and low ambitions
Alice Jovanée
Jul 26, 2022|

Verge Score

Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: a compact, feature-rich gaming keyboard
This diminuative gaming keyboard ticks a lot of boxes
Jon Porter
Jul 23, 2022

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