Google’s latest flagship, the Nexus 5, has been out for a little while, but it includes a feature that’s been out for a while longer: support for Qi wireless chargers.
Qi is one of two main wireless charging standards. Ironically, Google has put their money behind the “other one”, but LG supports Qi — bringing Qi support to the LG-made Nexus 4 and LG-made Nexus 5. The 2013 Nexus 7 also includes Qi support.
The concept is simple, plug in a pad of some sort, and simply lay your device on top of it, and it will wirelessly charge. It’s amazingly convenient and something that I won’t do without in any devices that I purchase in the future.
What Qi chargers work best with the Nexus 5? Let’s go hands-on with four Qi wireless chargers that will work just fine with your Nexus 5!
Nexus 4 Orb
This is my all-time favorite wireless charger. It works with the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, 2013 Nexus 7, and every other Qi-compatible phone I’ve tried. It holds the device at just the right angle to make it useful while sitting on your desk.
Unfortunately, this product is getting harder to come by, and will shortly be replaced by a new version that is flat and square.
Nexus Wireless Charger
The new Nexus Wireless Charger hasn’t yet been released, so we can’t tell you if it’s good or bad. Make sure you stay tuned to Pocketnow for coverage once it’s finally available.
Energizer Pad
This was my first Qi-compatible wireless charger. It’s at a slight angle that makes it just steep enough that the Nexus 4 slides right off. The Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 work just fine on it.
Energizer’s solution is available in units that have a single charging spot, or two spots side-by-side to charge his-and-her phones, or your phone and your tablet simultaneously.
Panasonic QE -TM101
This is my second-favorite charger, and by far the coolest of the bunch. Instead of relying on you, the user, to position your device perfectly, it has a motorized carriage that brings the charging coil to your device — and moves it away once it’s gotten a full charge.
The downside? It’s fairly noisy.
Nokia DT-900
This is Nokia’s official charger for (some of) their Windows Phones, and it works great for them. It doesn’t get along very well with the Nexus 4, but seems to be okay with the Nexus 5 — if you place it exactly right.
This is the same charger that’s inside the FatBoy pillow, which only makes charging worse.
Your turn
These are four of the more popular Qi wireless chargers on the market today, but it’s by no means an exhaustive list. Now it’s your turn! If you’ve got some insight about Qi-compatible chargers, head down to the comments and let us know which ones work great, as well as which you’d recommend we avoid.