The new Tesla Wireless Charging Platform is a rugged and brutal multi-device charger. The world of wireless charging is littered with options, from established ones like Belkin and Anker to endless obscure brands sold on Amazon. Many of them tried to get on board in the wake of Apple’s canceled AirPower mats. However, this Tesla charger could be one of the most successful alternatives to Apple’s wireless charging failings, if you can live with the $300 it sells in Tesla stores right now.
The Tesla Wireless Charging Platform is a sturdy aluminum slab that can charge up to 3 devices at once. It weighs 1.6 pounds (747g) or 2.3 pounds (1,026g) and comes with a wedge-shaped magnetic stand. The 8.6 x 5.1 inch (220mm x 130mm) footprint is like a letter-sized piece of paper folded in half. It’s a pointy piece of metallic paper that’s supposed to get you rich in no time with ChatGPT-powered side hustle. Beneath its Alcantara microsuede-lined surface are 30 overlapping coils arranged in four layers. This means that the charger can tap up to three coils simultaneously to generate the magnetic fields needed for charging, allowing you to place your Qi-enabled phone almost anywhere within the three side rails, without worrying about alignment or placement. you don’t have to. Whereas Apple’s MagSafe uses magnets to ensure perfect alignment, his FreePower technology in Tesla chargers enables brute-force charging convenience.
Tesla contributed to the edgy design, but the tech side of this charger collaboration was backed by FreePower (previously known as Aira, creator of Nomad’s old Base Station Pro charger). increase. The angular, straight lines of the wireless charging platform are distinctly reminiscent of Tesla’s big, often lagging Cybertruck. The all-black livery and his black-on-black Tesla branding make it look more understated than flashy four-wheeled inspiration. His 65W USB-C GaN charger that comes with it is itself angled like his Cyber truck, a lovely little obelisk that plugs into an outlet. Sadly, the Cybertruck’s funniest design element, the windshield wiper, doesn’t get the nod, but I think you can pretend you can put a little squeegee next to it.
In practice, the silly coil arrangement means you can drop the device anywhere and start charging. The only dead spots I’ve found are in the top corners, but you have to go looking for them on small-footprint devices like the AirPods case. It sits toward the center or bottom where it sits, so small gaps in the far corners are of little concern.
Of course, charging speed is what you’d expect from many Qi chargers these days. Android phones that support it can receive up to 15W, while Qi-compatible iPhones are limited to his 7.5W speeds. If you want faster charging, it’s best to plug your phone in by wire, and I wish the Tesla charger had a USB-C port on the back for easy access to faster output. I don’t think it was done because it spoils the sleek lines and aesthetics a bit, which is why the internal 5ft/1.5m USB-C cable is non-detachable.Detachable cables are always preferred, but Tesla The ‘s flat cable is very discreet and easily threaded through the wedge-shaped magnetic stand for a clean look when lifted at an angle.
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As handy as a Tesla charger is, my testing quickly showed that even this large surface starts to feel cramped after a few large smartphones. My iPhone 12 Pro Max and his wife’s Pixel 7 Pro left barely enough space for a pair of his AirPods Pro in each case. The sidewalls are narrow at the bottom, so the AirPods case is pushed up slightly to ensure proper contact with the charging surface. It all works fine, but expect the occasional Tetrising if you have a crowd of three. I like the angle when the charger is on the stand, but the side walls could be a little higher for added safety. I accidentally slipped through the bottom edge and nearly rolled to the ground (Tesla design strikes again!).
A wireless charging platform is a very smart and rugged device that can be used at your desk, bedside table, or in the center of your home, anywhere you or a roommate might drop your smartphone to charge it. Perfect for charging your device. But you really, really love the design and the geeky cool factor of placing the device casually anywhere on its surface and should spend $300 here. Same or less.
Despite its great design and high price tag, Tesla’s charger doesn’t do much to charge the Apple Watch or other smartwatches. It’s also why it’s grown so unsightly to handle. The Tesla wireless charging platform is cool tech for Tesla aficionados, but we ordinary folks can get the same or more for less elsewhere.
Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto/The Verge
