Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad REVIEW | MacSources
A great all-in-one wireless charger.
There are a lot of things I take for granted. Wireless charging happens to be one of them. For years, I complained about not having a device that utilized it, and now that I have a phone, watch, and headphones that feature wireless charging as a method for recharging, I find that I rarely use it. This has more to do with not having enough space for three different wireless chargers on my desk than not wanting to charge via wireless means. Fortunately, one of my favorite accessories companies, Satechi, has a good solution to this problem — the Trio Wireless Charging Pad.
DETAILS
The Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad provides a one-stop charging location for all your devices. The charging pad powers a Qi-enabled smartphone, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro simultaneously. The Apple Watch charges up to 2.5W, AirPods Pro or AirPods with wireless charging case charges up to 5W, and the smartphone charges using up to 7.5W of power. There are three LEDs incorporated into the design of the charging mat. Each LED indicates when a device is charging in one of the three spots. The Apple Watch charger supports nightstand mode and also allows for flat surface charging. The smartphone spot is compatible with cases (up to 5mm thick) but does not work with phone cases with metal plates or credit cardholders. The Trio Wireless Charging Pad is equipped with foreign object detection and over-temperature protection so that your devices will never be in jeopardy.
Connector Type
USB-C
Dimensions & Weight
4.53 x 8.66 x 0.51 inches, 13 oz
Speed
iPhone: 7.5W
AirPods: Max 5W
Apple Watch: Max 2.5W
Guarantee
1-year Manufacturer Warranty
Model No
ST-X3TWCPM
Compatibility
iPhone 11 Pro Max/11 Pro/11, XS Max/XS/XR/X/8 Plus/8, AirPods with wireless charging case, AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch Series 5/4/3/2/1, Samsung Galaxy S10+/S10/S9+/S9/S8+/S8 and other Qi-enabled smartphones. Supports only Qi-enabled devices. Does not work with phone cases with metal plates or credit cardholders.
What’s in the Box
Trio Wireless Charging Pad
24W PD Adapter
USB-C Cable (40″)
UK & EU Plug (AU Plug not included)
USER EXPERIENCE
As I mentioned above, I’m a big fan of Satechi products. I’ve been using different accessories from them for years. I’ve always appreciated the thought they put into their designs and the care they take in manufacturing their products. The Trio Wireless Charging Pad is no exception. First of all it lays flat on a desk. There is a very slight angle (from back to front) that creates a pleasing aesthetic. The charging pad is black with space gray aluminum as the frame. The surface of the charging pad has a rubber/silicone bumper for the iPhone to sit on, an indention for the AirPods, and the charging puck for the Apple Watch that can either lay flat or be raised to a 90º angle for nightstand mode.
It’s suggested by the user manual that users will get the best charging experience if they use a 24W USB-C power adapter, which is included. This was a refreshing discovery when I unpacked the box as it seems as though some accessory companies do not provide wall adapters anymore. One of the other features I really like is the LED charging indicators. There are 3 LEDs on the top of the charging pad. Each one indicates when a device is charging in one of the three charging pad spots. I like this as a feature because it allows the user to know when their device is properly connected to the charging pad. I’ve had problems with correctly placing my Apple Watch many times on a charging puck only to find out in the morning that they didn’t have a proper connection. I really like that you know for sure with this charger that the devices are charging. I did notice that when a device had a full charge the LED would start to flash. I wasn’t sure why the flashing was occurring and a full charge was the only reason I could think that might be happening.
To test out the charging pad, I placed an Apple Watch, iPhone 11 Pro, and a set of AirPods Pro on the charging pad. I then tracked their charging percentages over time to see what their charging rates were. I am happy to report that all three devices did charge simultaneously. The Apple Watch was actually dead so after 120 minutes, it had gained 54% battery life. The charging rate of the watch was 0.45% per minute. The iPhone charged at a rate of 0.3% per minute gaining 36% battery life within the same 120-minute timespan as the watch. The AirPods were a little different to judge. I charged them while they were in their case so both the case and the earbuds were getting power. At the beginning of their charging session, the case was at 98% and the AirPods were at 82%. After 12 minutes, the case was at 100% and the AirPods were at 94%. After an additional 10 minutes, the AirPods and case were both fully charged. So, after a total of 22 minutes, the AirPods had a charging rate of 0.81% per minute.
In terms of direct comparison with other wireless chargers, I found that the Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad is in line with other wireless chargers. In some cases, it performs better than its competitors. The chart below shows different wireless chargers including the Satechi Trio and the different charging rates for each of the three devices that the Satechi charging pad can charge.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Because I like to simplify things and keep desk clutter to a minimum, the Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad now has a permanent place on my desk. Before I tested this charger, there were several cables strewn across my desk and I would fumble daily with juggling power adapters from outlet to outlet. Now, I can just lay this sleek minimalist charging pad in between my monitors and set my devices on it when they need to be recharged. It’s a very convenient way keep your devices powered up.
For more information, visit satechi.net, Facebook, and Twitter.
Originally published at https://macsources.com on July 20, 2020.
