MagSafe Monday

I went off to college with a giant desktop computer, so I’m a little envious of the gear students have today. I still remember the flex of buying a 64MB USB flash drive just so I could move papers between computers (this was all pre-Google Docs). If you’re heading to campus this fall, here’s the best MagSafe gear to make your dorm setup cleaner, smarter, and less tangled.

Over the years, I’ve tried a ton of chargers, but a lot of them fall into the category that they’re awkward to use, overpriced, or just not reliable. The one that’s managed to stay in my life is the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand. It’s cheap, easy to use, and solves a simple problem I’ve encountered more times than I can count. I don’t want to use two hands when I need to grab my iPhone quickly from my desk.

MagSafe for traveling is one of the best use cases. It keeps you from needing a ton of cables in your bag and makes it easy to keep your gear charged. The dream would be a MagSafe cable that worked on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, but life can’t be that simple. Nevertheless, a few MagSafe accessories are must-haves for your summer travel bag.

I’ve tested more MagSafe battery packs than I can count over the past few years. Some are too bulky, while others have weak magnets. Some of the designs are also somewhat dull. PITAKA’s new Aramid Fiber Magnetic Power Bank manages to avoid all those issues while checking all the boxes for a great MagSafe battery.

MagSafe accessories continue to be a mix of great ideas and daily annoyances, but I keep trying them all. I’ve tried enough wallets to fill a drawer in my desk, and most of them get something right, but miss on a few minor things. Recently, I’ve been trying some new wallets that do more than hold credit cards. That’s what caught my eye with the BENKS ArmorGo Magnetic Wallet Stand, and I’ve been using it for the past few weeks.

Over the years, I’ve tested my fair share of portable battery packs and desk docks. Most of them fall into two categories: slim and convenient or bulky and powerful. The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank manages to be both. It’s MagSafe compatible, supports Qi2, and has enough power to top off a MacBook Pro in less than an hour. If you’re looking for one device that can charge your whole Apple setup at once, this might be the one. I use it daily.

MagSafe continues to be one of my favorite aspect of the iPhone. Like HomeKit gear, it’s easy to get carried away testing new accessories. But some products just do the job. Today, I’m revisiting two items I’ve kept in travel setup: the CLCKR Phone Holder & Grip and the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery, 5,000mAh Foldable Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger with Stand and USB-C. Neither is flashy, but both are incredibly useful day to day.

I’m always on the hunt for new MagSafe gear that solves a problem for me. Cases are especially something I am never satisfied with. Some cases are slim but have weak magnets. Others are rugged, but feel like bricks. The BENKS ArmorPro somehow pulls off both. It’s lightweight, works perfectly with MagSafe, and adds real protection without killing the feel of the iPhone. I also tried BENKS MagSafe ring holder that does more than just add grip. It can function as a kickstand, rotates easily, and pops off cleanly when it’s time to charge.

There are two types of portable MagSafe batteries: ones designed for a weekend camping trip and ones designed to get you through a heavy single day. I recently picked up the BENKS ArmorGo, and it’s a great option for your everyday carry (EDC) kit. It’s slim enough to fit in your pocket but big enough to get the job done.

One of the downsides of leaving the Max lineup with my last iPhone upgrade was the battery life. The Max iPhones, thanks to their bigger batteries, keep running and running. While the battery life of the non Max iPhone is fantastic, I have noticed I can get low by the end of the day if I am traveling or out and about without a charger while listening to music, audiobooks, etc. To fix that, my go-to charger for when I am going to be gone all day and needing multiple charges, I carry the Anker Magnetic Battery 10,000mAh. I have used this battery pack for over a year now, and it has been a fantastic companion across multiple iPhones that support MagSafe. If you are looking for a bigger battery that can handle multiple charges, it is an incredible value.

As I was setting up and charging ESR’s Geo Wallet Boost, I had a thought: I am either living in the future or an absolute moron. I was charging my wallet. Obviously, no one wants to charge a wallet, but the functionality you get will decide if you want to go through that hassle. I’ve been using it for the last month, so here are my thoughts on it

I’ve tried many MagSafe wallets over the years, and I’ve yet to find the perfect one. I recently picked up ESR’s new five-card MagSafe wallet, and it’s become my daily carry thanks to its separate ID slots and ability to hold multiple cards.

I’ve spent more nights in a hotel in 2025 than I care to mention. I recently went on a trip and was completely spaced on bringing a USB-C cable. After a run to the Apple Store, I had one, but it was still super frustrating. I need to build a permanent travel kit for cables. Between cables, chargers, and adapters, things get messy fast. A 3-in-1 charger helps cut down on clutter, but most of them are bulky. Some look great beside your bed but are a hassle to travel with. Lamicall’s 3 in 1 MagSafe charger is different. It folds down small. It travels well, and it does the job.

Off-topic to begin the article, but Apple’s iSight camera was peak design. I wish it still existed. I think Apple could sell a lot of them today if it were extremely high quality. With that being said, when I unboxed AMEGAT’s new Qi2 desk charger, I immediately thought of the iSight.

MagSafe is one of those Apple features that should feel perfect, but the reality often falls short. Accessories can shift, slip off, or add more bulk than you want. OpenCase looked at that experience and decided there was a better way. Their design improves how MagSafe accessories attach while keeping the case lightweight and simple. It’s the kind of solution that makes you wonder why Apple didn’t do it this way from the start.

I have tried dozens of MagSafe chargers in the past few years. I swap the ones on my desk, nightstand, and travel bag almost monthly as I try out new ones. This 3-in-1 foldable MagSafe charger fits squarely in the “could be awesome, could be a gimmick” category. It folds down small, charges an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, and promises fast charging in a slim package.

If you’ve ever looked, you’ll notice that most MagSafe batteries look the same. The same rounded rectangle, the same colors, and the similar general design. The SHARGE ICEMAG 2 breaks that mold with a transparent design (reminds me of a desktop gaming PC) and a few nice features that set it apart from the usual suspects. It’s a Qi2-certified power bank with active cooling, 10,000mAh size, a built-in stand, and 30W wired charging (in and out).

MagSafe docks might seem like they’re all the same, and many of them are. It’s all about charging, so you look for the ones with the look, finish, or price that you want. Every once in a while, a company will innovate with a feature I’d never thought about. The iWALK 3-in-1 MagSafe dock brings just that: an IR sensor so you can change between portrait or landscape without removing your iPhone.

The introduction of Qi2 has made MagSafe charging more on par with wired USB-C charging, and LISEN’s latest MagSafe power bank takes full advantage of it. It includes a 10,000mAh battery, 15W wireless charging (Qi2), and a built-in kickstand; this MagSafe charger from LISEN is a great option for your go-to battery.

So many accessories for MagSafe revolve around charging, docking, etc. Some of them are not technology-related but work with an analog approach. The MOFT Action Inspiration is an awesome product for those who love sticky notes but need something on the go.

As iPhones have become more powerful, they’ve also become hotter—especially during heavy usage periods with games on Apple Arcade, video conferencing, etc. Combine that with MagSafe, and you see the opportunity for an iPhone to get warmer very quickly. AUKEY aims to solve both problems with the new AUKEY MagFusion GameFrost Active Cooling Wireless Charger. Let’s take a look at how it works.