TLDR;
The Anker Mag Go 2-in-1 dock stand is a MagSafe compatible wireless charger featuring a unique design and fast CH2 charging speeds, making it a potentially good option for desks. However, there are concerns about the materials used and the earbud charger design.
- Unique design with a wide base and slender arm.
- Fast CH2 charging for iPhones and other compatible devices.
- Potential scratching issues with the hard plastic on the main charger.
- Earbud charger lacks magnets or indentation, leading to potential misalignment.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces the Anker Mag Go 2-in-1 dock stand, a MagSafe compatible wireless charger with a distinctive design and fast CH2 charging capabilities. Anker provided the device for review, but had no influence on the content. The review aims to provide a detailed look at the charger's features and potential drawbacks.
Build and Design [0:19]
The Anker dock stand features a unique design with a wide base and a tall, slender arm leading to the MagSafe style charging pad. It includes a secondary charger for earbuds. While there isn't an integrated Apple Watch charger in this 2-in-1 model, a 3-in-1 version is available. The base weighs 270g and is primarily made of plastic. A textured rubber pad on the bottom is intended to cushion the charger and prevent sliding, but it isn't very effective. The body is mostly made of smooth plastic, with a different type of plastic used for the main charger. The Mag Go charger is available in white and black.
Usability [1:14]
The charger is designed for desk or bedside table use, not for travel, as it doesn't fold and is bulky. The main charger has vertical tilt from 7° to 45°, suitable for portrait or landscape orientation, including Apple standby mode. The hinge is easy to move, which affects usability. Removing a phone without a case is easy, but with a magnetic case, the charger tilts back, requiring constant angle adjustments.
Charger Issues [2:15]
The main charger uses hard plastic with raised textured bits, raising concerns about potential scratches on devices. Unlike other chargers with soft-touch materials, this one feels less protective. The earbud charger lacks magnets or indentations, making it easy to misalign the charging position. Misalignment can lead to slower charging and increased heat. The base is large enough for Power Beats Pro 2, but smaller headphones can easily misalign. Anker could improve this by adding MagSafe magnets, a small indent, or a permanent indicator light.
Charging Speeds [5:06]
The Mag Go is CH2 certified, providing 15W fast charging for iPhones and other CH2 devices on the main charger, and up to 5W on the earbud charger. It uses the same magnetic pattern as MagSafe, ensuring compatibility with MagSafe phones and cases. Charging tests show it performs as quickly as other top CH2 chargers, charging an iPhone 16 Pro from 30% to 40% in 7 minutes. The only way to wirelessly charge faster on iPhones is with the official MagSafe Puck. Extended tests showed no heat management concerns, and the charger seemed to run cooler than others tested.
Accessories [6:05]
The charger includes a colour-matched 1.5m USB-C to C cable made of generic plastic. The regular model doesn't include a power adapter, but a version with a 40W adapter is available on Amazon. A 30W power adapter is recommended. Anker makes power adapters like the Nano 30W model, which is suitable for this charger.
Value and Pricing [6:42]
The Mag Go charger retails for $50, but is often available on Amazon for around $42. The version with a 40W power adapter costs $60, but is sometimes discounted to $45. The 3-in-1 version with an Apple Watch charger and the same 40W power adapter retails for $90, but was selling for $64 at the time of writing. The unique design, fast CH2 charging, and 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 options are differentiators. At $50 or less, it's a good value. Deal breakers include potential scratches from the main charger, earbud misalignment, difficulty using it one-handed with strong magnetic cases, and lack of portability.