Wireless and compact, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger is of great interest to users of Apple products who travel. For everyone else, however, its benefits are more limited.
When it comes time to pack for a trip, we always spend a lot of time counting the cables and other chargers that we need to carry with us. A first kit to recharge the smartphone, another for the smart watch, a third for the Bluetooth headphones, to which are added other cables and plugs if we take a laptop, an e-reader, a tablet… In short, it takes time and space in the suitcase.
With its MagGo 3-in-1, the manufacturer specializing in external batteries and chargers Anker, offers a very practical solution. This small, very compact box, smaller but barely bigger than a pack of cigarettes, allows you to wirelessly charge three devices simultaneously: an iPhone equipped with the MagSafe magnetic device (from iPhone 12), AirPods headphones and an Apple Watch. That’s already two less cables and two electrical outlets to lug around. If the Apple universe is targeted as a priority, this charger is obviously not only aimed at devices flanked by an apple. As long as your smartphone and headphones support wireless charging, this will also work. We took Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 with us on two long trips. Here is our verdict.
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Anker MagGo: a compact and very clever design
The MagGo 3-in-1 comes in the form of a small rectangular case. It fits very easily into a backpack with its compact size of 8.9 × 6 × 2.5 cm and weighs the same as a modern smartphone, i.e. 195 g. The plastic seems well made and rather resistant. Despite two long trips, it has not suffered any scratches.
Anker’s trick to charge three devices with a single charger is based on the foldable aspect of the case. The upper side accommodates a MagSafe compatible wireless charging device (magnetic). It unfolds at an angle of 110°. It is this which receives the smartphone (iPhone or other compatible device or equipped with a suitable case). It is possible to install the smartphone vertically or horizontally if the magnetic power is high enough.
Under this first surface, the MagGo offers a second wireless charging plate. You can place a second smartphone or wireless headphones on it.
Finally, Apple Watch users are not forgotten. Under the case, the MagGo hides a small circular charger for Apple Watches. It deploys and pivots towards the rear of the case and allows you to place an Apple Watch there just like the charger delivered with Apple watches, ensuring that it does not move thanks, again, to the device MagSafe.
On the right side is a single USB-C port. This is where the cable for the power supply provided by the 40 W charger supplied with the device is plugged in. Too bad Anker didn’t include a second USB-A or USB-C port to take advantage of the charger’s power to refill, through the MagGo, another device that is not compatible with wireless charging.
Anker MagGo: sufficient charging power
With its three charging stations combined in a single case, the MagGo allows you to recharge three wireless devices. The main surface (Qi 2 compatible) allows up to 15 W of power, which is double the classic Qi standard. Thanks to the MagSafe magnetic system, the wireless charging coils of the smartphone and those of the case are perfectly aligned. This optimizes charging and the devices heat up less. Obviously, we are far from the wireless charging speeds that can climb to 66, or even 80 W offered by some smartphone manufacturers but which are proprietary techniques requiring a charger from the brand. However, if you are a fan of wireless charging to recharge your smartphone’s battery overnight, this will be more than enough to go from 0 to 100% in about two hours. During our test, we were able to attach an iPhone 15 Pro Max horizontally and take advantage of the alarm mode during the night. Practical. Note that there are many smartphone cases (including Android models) that are compatible with MagSafe (magnetic). You just have to make sure that the magnetic device is strong enough to hold the device. We had some problems with Samsung’s large and heavy Galaxy S24 Ultra, which ended up slipping off the base during the night.
The second charging surface offers a power of 5 W. Again, it is perfectly suitable for charging headphones (AirPods or others). But you can also place a second smartphone there. Recharging will obviously take longer and you will have to be careful not to obstruct the grille provided to let the heat escape from the case during charging.
Finally, the third and final charging element also delivers a power of 5 W. It is intended to accommodate an Apple Watch (from Series 7 models for fast charging) or, why not, AirPods again or other headphones compatible with wireless charging. The difference lies in the fact that the AirPods also have a MagSafe device to adhere to the support, which is not the case for the vast majority of other headphones.
All these little people are therefore recharged simultaneously. We did not notice any particular heating. The case has small pads on the bottom to prevent slipping and to dissipate heat.
Our main regret is the obligation to use the Anker charger supplied with the case or, at the very least, to use a 40 W charger. We have indeed connected the MagGo to a charger indicated PD (for Power Delivery) without success. Too bad since it would have allowed to eliminate a socket to carry around by only carrying a multiple charger. Especially since the model supplied by Anker is as big and thick as the MagGo case.
Anker MagGo: should you go for Anker’s clever 3-in-one charger?
For anyone who swears by Apple hardware (iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods) and who travels a lot, the Anker MagGo is a complete and very practical solution. Its compact size makes it very easy to take it anywhere. Its three wireless charging devices allow you to only carry one cable and one charger for three devices. Practical. For anyone who is not a fan of Apple hardware, the interest in this charging block is a little less but not non-existent. You must in fact make sure you have a MagSafe charging system (a case for a smartphone for example) to get the most out of it. And if we regret the absence of a second USB port to recharge a wired device as well as the size of the electric charger, the real downside is the price. At 100 euros per box, it only becomes profitable if you travel often or if you want to limit the number of electrical outlets connected at the same time at home to refuel your devices.