About this deal
Fast charging is only compatible with Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 7, and Apple Watch Ultra. Other models will have regular charge times. Testing conducted by Belkin in October 2022 using Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) 41mm Aluminum with Sport band and Apple Watch Series 8 45mm Aluminum with Sport band (GPS), and Apple Watch Ultra with Alpine Loop, devices tested with latest watchOS 9.0.1 software, Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with MagSafe. Testing conducted by Belkin in October 2021 using Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) 45mm Aluminum with Sport band and Apple Watch Series 6 44mm Aluminum with Sport band (GPS), devices tested with latest watchOS 8.0.1 software, Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with MagSafe. Charge time varies with region, settings, and environmental factors; actual results will vary. Along with fast charging the Apple Watch Series 7, the Boost Charge Pro can charge a MagSafeiPhone at up to 15W, and it provides 5W of power for another device like AirPods. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless MagSafe Charger (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore) You should buy this if ...
Since this is a 3-in-1 charger, the base of the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe is a wireless charging platform that can accommodate the AirPods or AirPods Pro, so the Apple Watch, iPhone 12, and AirPods can all be charged at the same time. The little circular indentation on the charger directs you where to place the AirPods for charging purposes. Belkin provides a 40W power adapter and 1.5m cord with the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe, and that takes all the guesswork out of which power adapter you need to get the fastest speeds. Apple does not include a power adapter with either the MagSafe Charger or the MagSafe Duo. For the MagSafe Charger you need to use Apple's official 20W charger or another charger that may or may not be compatible, and for the MagSafe Duo, maximum speed requires a compatible 27W+ charger. If you don't own an iPhone 12 series smartphone now and don't plan on buying one, there's no immediate benefit to purchasing this accessory. Instead, consider one of the less expensive solutions that cater to non-MagSafe iPhones. The same goes for anyone who doesn't also own an Apple Watch or AirPods. Most people can get by with older, slower charging options, but the Boost Charge Pro may be of particular interest to Apple Watch Series 7 users who wear their Apple Watches to bed. Faster charging can be a real quality of life improvement if you want to get to sleep but need to charge up your Apple Watch to have enough juice to get through the night.The MagSafe Duo is the better choice for travel, but for a charger that you plan to use at home, the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe is a functional, attractive multi-device charger that works as expected. I have no real complaints about the Belkin MagSafe charger, and given that it works with three devices, allows for upright operation, and comes with a power adapter, I much prefer it to the MagSafe Duo. Belkin ships the Boost Charge Pro with a power adapter that has a barrel plug rather than something more universal like USB-C, but that's typical of these 3-in-1 Belkin chargers. I do wish Belkin would adopt USB-C, and I also wish we could get more variance in naming to keep the different charging options straight.
Belkin deserves kudos for including two additional features on the charger. First, it's possible to charge an iPhone and Apple Watch in portrait or landscape mode, which is ideal for use on a nightstand. I was also impressed with the accessory's LED light, which shows whether your AirPods are properly aligned during charging or another object is in the way. Subtle additions, yes, but still useful. In my tests, from 0% battery, the Series 7 was able to charge to 49% in 30 minutes on the Belkin charger, and it got close to a full charge at the 60 minute mark. Comparatively, an Apple Watch Series 6 tested at the same time was limited to standard charging speeds and reached 33% in 30 minutes and 62% in an hour. The difference between standard charging and fast charging on the Series 7 is noticeable, and it can be an important factor for those who wear the Apple Watch all day. Fast charging is only compatible with Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 7, and Apple Watch Ultra. Other models will have regular charge times. Testing conducted by Belkin in October 2022 using Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) 41mm Aluminum with Sport band and Apple Watch Series 8 45mm Aluminum with Sport band (GPS), and Apple Watch Ultra with Alpine Loop, devices tested with latest watchOS 9.0.1 software, Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe. Testing conducted by Belkin in October 2021 using Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) 45mm Aluminum with Sport band and Apple Watch Series 6 44mm Aluminum with Sport band (GPS), devices tested with latest watchOS 8.0.1 software, Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe. Charge time varies with region, settings, and environmental factors; actual results will vary. With the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple introduced a new fast charging feature that allows the latest Apple Watch models to charge up to 33 percent faster than prior-generation models, but it requires new hardware. I've been using the charger for a couple of weeks now, and I have been able to keep my watch functional with two charging sessions that top out at about 30 minutes each, usually shorter. I wear my Apple Watch to bed and do a 30 minute+ workout every day, so if you have similar usage conditions, the fast charging can be a real benefit.
Charge in Portrait or Landscape
Though designed for MagSafe iPhones and the latest Apple Watch, the Boost Charge Pro is compatible older iPhones and Apple Watch models. You won't get faster charging speeds with an older Apple Watch and with the MagSafe charger, non-MagSafe iPhones will max out at 7.5W, but it works. You can also squeeze another iPhone into that middle charging spot too. The downside to the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe is that the MagSafe charger doesn't work with older iPhones. Technically MagSafe chargers are compatible with earlier iPhones and are able to charge them at 7.5W, but Belkin's upright design relies on magnets to hold the iPhone in place, and since there are no MagSafe magnets in older iPhones, there's no viable charging option. Because there are no notable body changes I won't go into detail about the look of the charger ( see here for prior review), but this is a design that I've been using for more than a year now. The base is sturdy, it doesn't take up too much room on a desk, and the angle of the charging bases is ideal for glancing over at an iPhone or Apple Watch in the middle of the night. I have no complaints with the 3-in-1 Boost Charge Pro, and it is actually my favorite multi-device charger of those I've tested. You can charge an older iPhone where the AirPods are meant to go, even though this charging spot has been specifically designed for AirPods because it's just a Qi-based wireless charger. This charging spot worked with an iPhone X, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, so I assume it fits most devices. Since this charging spot is aimed at AirPods, it's limited to 5W, but I found it to work perfectly for my non-iPhone 12 devices and I appreciated having the option.
While on the subject of compatibility, you can use the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe with MagSafe cases. I tested with Apple's MagSafe cases and it worked fine. I don't have non-MagSafe cases to test, but Belkin says that it is specifically designed to work with MagSafe-certified cases. It's worth noting that Belkin includes a 40W power adapter with the Boost Charge Pro, which is enough power to charge all of your devices at the top speeds. I appreciate the power adapter, because if you're using Apple's charging solutions, you need to provide your own 20W+ charger. Apple devices are expensive, and no doubt, Belkin took this into account when designing the MagSafe Charger. Weighing 646 grams (1.42 pounds) out of the box, the accessory is much more solid than similar, less expensive products on the market. The sturdy design extends both to its metal arms (made from diecast zinc with polished chrome plating), where the magnets for charging an iPhone and Apple Watch are located, and to its base where you can charge earbuds.I can't find anything structurally wrong with Belkin's newest charger from a device standpoint. The two negatives are significant, however, depending on your circumstances. The updated Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is worth buying if you have an Apple Watch Series 7, need faster charging speeds, and want the convenience of a 3-in-1 charging station. Belkin in June debuted an upgraded version of the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, introducing fast-charging support for the Apple Watch Series 7. The Boost Charge Pro is one of the only multi-device charging solutions on the market that supports both MagSafe and Apple Watch fast charging. Apple's standard MagSafe charger charged iPhone 12 (from totally dead) to 61 percent in one hour with a 20W power adapter, and the Boost Charge Pro charged it to 66 percent, so it was somehow even faster than the standard charger. I'm not sure if I wasn't getting 15W charging with the Apple MagSafe charger or what, but I was happy with the Belkin charging speeds. I also did tests with three devices at once, and from dead, the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe was able to charge an iPhone 12 to 61 percent in an hour while also charging an Apple Watch and another iPhone. Belkin's last wireless charger was also the Boost Charge Pro, so don't get this new Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe version confused with the prior Boost Charge Pro Wireless Charger with MagSafe if you're looking to buy.
There's an LED light on the charger for the AirPods charging spot, but Belkin relies on the Apple Watch and iPhone screens to confirm charging for the other devices because they're both magnetic chargers with more simple alignment.For some time, Belkin's multi-device chargers have featured an upright charging position for the iPhone with other devices accommodated below or at the other side, but this new model is flat. Trying to figure out which power adapters I can use with Apple's charging options has been a hassle, so I appreciate that Belkin has a power adapter ready to go. You can't use a third-party power adapter with this since it doesn't work over USB.