Should you buy a Wireless Charger?

When it comes to charging your phone, you now have two main choices: a regular charger (with a cord) or a wireless charger (a flat pad you set your phone on). Both will power your phone, but they work a little differently.

Regular (Cord) Chargers

These are by far the simplest. They come with your phone when you buy it and you can find extra ones everywhere. You can even pick them up at the gas station now, but I probably wouldn’t recommend those. The highest quality chargers are the ones you can buy from the original manufacturer of your phone, like Apple or Samsung.

Some features:

• You plug one end into the wall and the other end into your phone.

• Usually the fastest way to charge.

• Less expensive and comes with most phones.

• You can still use your phone while charging, because it’s in your hand with the cord attached.

Wireless Chargers

What are these? They’re small flat pads, usually circles or squares, that charge your phone when you place the phone on the pad. Although, the pad itself has to be plugged in. They are more expensive, but it removes a small step in charging your phone, unplugging it, that’s all. Most wireless chargers are made by third party companies as well, not the original manufacturer.

Some features:

• A round or square pad that sits on a table.

• You place your phone directly on the pad — no plugging in each time.

• Slower than a regular charger.

• Your phone needs to stay in place on the pad while charging.

• Often more expensive than regular chargers.

Which One Should You Use?

I’m really not a fan of wireless chargers at the moment. They’re slow, difficult to travel with, expensive, and not practical. You can’t really use your phone while it’s on the charger. You have to let it sit. I learned this the hard way when I had my old iPhone, I would still use it while it was on the wireless charger. My phone would get so hot that eventually the battery expanded inside of the phone and pushed out my screen, cracking it. I eventually had to have both the screen and the battery replaced.

Recommendation: For most people, especially seniors, a regular cord charger is the best choice. It’s faster, cheaper, and simpler to use. A wireless charger can be a good “extra,” but it shouldn’t replace your main charger.