When I look into the future, I think the physical charging port might be removed sooner than we think. Apple already made the first steps for that to not get you a charging block with your new iPhone and they introduced the magnetic charger on the iPhones. More and more brands are introducing wireless charging, so is my Google Pixel 5. I love it! No struggles anymore with putting in the USB-C charger in the dark. Just place it on the pad or stand and you are good to go.

Introduction & Specifications

The specifications of the Anker PowerWave pad charger are not spectacular. You can charge your device slowly, but it does not support fast charging for example. Personally, that is not an issue for me. As I charge my Google Pixel 5 at night, I don’t need it to be full in an hour or 2. As long as it is full when I wake up, I’m happy.

Specifications
Brand:	Anker
Model:	PowerWave Pad 7.5W
Maximum Power:	10W
Security:	Foreign object detection, short circuit protection, temperature control, and more
Input:	5V-2A / 9V-2A
Output:	5W / 7W / 10W
Product Size:	10 x 10 x 1 cm
Weight:	68.04 gram
Package Content:	1x Anker PowerWave Pad, 1x Micro USB cable (120cm)

Unboxing

As I bought the double pack, including the Anker PowerWave Pad and Stand, this package is a little different than if you just buy the pad itself. The Anker PowerWave chargers come in a clear and clean box. On the front, we find some engraving. On the back, we find the specifications and some information about the products inside. Inside, we find the two chargers, the Anker PowerWave pad and Anker PowerWave stand, some manuals, and the connecting cables (both Micro-USB).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Interested in removing the wires from your desk? Get the Anker PowerWave wireless charger now!
Click Here to get the single pad.
Click Here to get the bundle: the pad and the stand!

Hardware & Design

The Anker PowerWave pad is simple but elegant. The top is made of TPU, which prevents your phone from sliding off. Besides that, there is a small LED light on the Anker PowerWave pad, more about the light below. You need to connect a Micro-USB charger to it. I hoped they were USB-C, but for a wireless charger that doesn’t really matter, does it? If it works (which it does, it works.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

LED Light

There is a handy LED light on the Anker PowerWave pad. This tells you if the device is charging, if it is connected to power, or when an incompatible device is placed on the pad. Simple and easy to understand. Below are the meanings of the LED light:

Flashing blue – Metal obstruction detected

Flashing green – Incompatible AC adapter or cable connected

Solid blue for 3 seconds, then off – Connected to power

Solid blue – Actively charging a device

Features

Well, what kind of features do we expect from a wireless charger? In this case, since it is a simple pad, I just want it to work and that’s it. I consider the security of the wireless charging pad a feature, as some cheap ones do not offer the same protection. The performance is also something that varies with the kind of charger you use and the device you have. Let’s find out more about the security and the performance of the Anker PowerWave.

Interested in removing the wires from your desk? Get the Anker PowerWave wireless charger now!
Click Here to get the single pad.
Click Here to get the bundle: the pad and the stand!

Charge with a case

Don’t worry if you have your phone in a case. The Anker PowerWave Stand is able to charge your phone even when it is in a case. Anker says this about it: The Anker PowerWave delivers charging power directly through cases up to 5 mm thick—including Otterboxes. What else do we want? Just keep it protected and place on the wireless charge to fill the battery. Lovely.

Security

It is not really clear what kind of security the Anker PowerWave pads have. In other reviews, for example the Baseus iX Qi or the FLOVME Qi, it is more clear on what kind of protection they offer.

This is what is stated on the Anker website about the security for the Anker PowerWave pad:
Our exclusive MultiProtect safety system is equipped with foreign object detection, short circuit protection, temperature control, and more, so you can experience Qi-certified wireless charging with total peace of mind.

Interested in removing the wires from your desk? Get the Anker PowerWave wireless charger now!
Click Here to get the single pad.
Click Here to get the bundle: the pad and the stand!

Performance

Using the Anker PowerWave pad is simple, but the output depends on the charger block you use and the device you have. Below is some information on which devices it can charge with 10W, or when it falls back to 7.5W or even 5W.

10W Fast Charge Mode: (Using Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 Adapter)
Samsung Galaxy S20 / S10 / S9+ / S9 / S8 / S8+ / S7 edge / S7 / S6 edge+
Samsung Note 10 / Note 9 / Note 8 / Note 7

7.5W Fast Charge Mode: (Using Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 Adapter)
iPhone 11/ 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max / XS Max / iPhone XR / iPhone XS / iPhone X / iPhone 8 / 8 Plus

5W Standard Charge Mode: (Using 5V/2A Adapter)
All Qi-enabled phones and devices
Pixel 3 / Pixel 3XL (The phone’s screen will display the message: Charging slowly)

Conclusion

The Anker PowerWave pad is a simple product, but it gets the job done. I like the design and the materials that Anker used. Sometimes, you have to find the right way to place my Google Pixel 5 on the pad, but with the stand that is no problem at all. With the Anker PowerWave pad, you are getting used to it and you know how to place it in the end.

For my Google Pixel 5, it does not support fast charging with the charger I use. Personally, that is not a problem at all for me. The benefit of not struggling with the cables every evening and morning is totally worth that. If you want a decent looking wireless charging pad for your office desk, the Anker PowerWave is an option to consider. I’m happy with this model and how it functions. They could have been more clear about the security features of this pad…