The Lowdown
I’m a fan of the INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station. It’s an elegant, flexible solution to allow you to charge multiple devices at one time without tons of cords flying around. I wish the charging surface were less slippery or the magnets stronger, but I think it’s something INTELLI can work on for the next version.
Overall
Pros
- Flexible charging solution for multiple devices
- Fast charging for iPhone; Elegant solution with only one cable
Cons
- iPhone charging surface needs to be less slippery or magnets strengthened
With all of the technology we carry around in our pockets or on our wrists these days, we need a way to keep them all juiced up and ready to go when we wake up in the morning. This is why I wanted to check out the INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.
The INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station is an excellent option for those in the Apple ecosystem, as you’re able to charge an iPhone 12 or 13 as well as an Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time thanks to the pop-out charging docks. The magnetic wireless charging dock is a really lovely touch as it securely holds your iPhone in place while charging your phone with up to 15 watts.
The INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station can charge up to three devices at once, including iPhone 12 or 13 series and Apple Watches and Airpods. iPhones can be charged using either 5W, 7.5W, 10W, or 15W, depending on the model’s charging speed capabilities. It charges your Airpods at 5W and your Apple Watch at 2.5W.
What’s great about the StepUp is that if you don’t own Airpods (like me), you can just push the Airpods charging cradle back into the unit, and it’s hidden away as if it doesn’t exist. This keeps your charging station and nightside table clean-looking and organized without making your charging station look bigger than it needs to be.
I’ve been enjoying my testing with the INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station, and while I have some feedback, the overall experience has been pleasant. The StepUp does what it says it does, charging up to three devices at once. It has a nice little glowing blue ring at the bottom that lights up when you set your iPhone on it to charge.
While the surface is angled, purposely designed to give you a good view of your phone from your bed while it’s on the charger, the charger’s surface is slippery.
This means that if you have a phone case that is also slippery, the magnets may not be strong enough to keep your phone from slipping off. In my case, I have to take off my iPhone case every night before charging to ensure my phone won’t slip off. I’d prefer less of a tilted surface or a more grippy surface.
The charging pads for the Airpods and Apple Watch work well, but they feel a bit cheap compared to the unit’s main body. Also, I found the Apple Watch pad to be a little finicky; sometimes, I’d need to re-adjust my Apple Watch to be sure it was charging after the first night waking up to a dead watch the following day.
The INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station, while not small, can be packed in an overnight bag if you’re traveling. I brought it with me on a 3-night business trip just fine. It comes with a USB cable, but you’ll need to provide your own USB brick to connect to power.
Overall I’m a fan of the INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station. It’s an elegant, flexible solution to allow you to charge multiple devices at one time without tons of cords flying around. I wish the charging surface were less slippery or the magnets stronger, but I think it’s something INTELLI can work on for the next version.
The INTELLI StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station starts at 69.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and Amazon.
Source: Manufacturer Supplied review sample
What I Like: Flexible charging solution for multiple devices; Fast charging for iPhone; Elegant solution with only one cable
What Needs Improvement: iPhone charging surface needs to be less slippery, or magnets strengthened
