Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review: sturdy and secure, but the charging speeds may leave some wanting more

It's stocky, and blocky, so claiming it's perfect for travel was a little cocky

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The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe sits on a light-colored wooden surface with a light pink background. The charging pad has been raised, revealing some of the AirPods charging area at the back. The Apple Watch charging pop-out it sticking out to the right.
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe is a reliable charger. Its robust outer and weight made it a reassuringly stable place to leave my phone, whether on my desk or nightstand. The only part of the design that felt a little flimsy was the pop-out Apple Watch charger, but the rest of the construction is anything but. It's not the fastest charger out there, but it's not slow either. I couldn't help but question Anker's claim that this is a travel charger, but it's perfectly adequate for tabletop charging and allows for easy viewing thanks to the hinged MagSafe charging pad.

Pros

  • +

    Sturdy design

  • +

    Phone feels secure

  • +

    Adjustable viewing angle

Cons

  • -

    Heavy and bulky, not travel-friendly

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Apple Watch press-and-pull charger feels flimsy

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Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe may leave some reeling at its expensive $129.99 / £129.95 / AU$299.95 price tag. However, this brand is a reliable name that’s known for its quality products, so even a penny pincher like myself has come around to this chonky charging companion.

First of all, I loved how secure my phone felt when attached to this stand. The adjustable viewing angle came in very handy, the hinge felt strong and just stiff enough to hold my phone at the angle I wanted. It was really easy to change my phone from portrait to landscape too, making it a delightful desk companion whether I was scrolling through emails or watching YouTube.

This MagSafe charger offers 15W charging power. When tested with an iPhone 13 Pro, the Anker 3-in-1 Cube took two hours and fifteen minutes to charge it from 0%-100%, which is a fairly average charging time compared to the multitude of wireless charging stands I’ve tested.

There’s a satisfying little press-and-pull pop-out platform on the right-hand side of the cube that holds the Apple Watch charger. When in the popped-out position, the platform felt easily movable so I was concerned that the internal attachment may be a little flimsy, although it didn’t pose any problems during testing.

It took the Anker 3-in-1 Cube just an hour and fifteen minutes to charge my Apple Watch Series 9, which was only eleven minutes slower than the fastest Apple Watch charger I’ve tested to date, achieved by the impressive – albeit much larger-sized – Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand. I was really pleased to discover that the rear wireless AirPod charging pad also worked great for juicing up a pair of wireless earbuds that supported the tech.

As fond as I am of this charger, I must disagree with Anker that it’s in any way “travel-ready”. Far from pocket-sized at about 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.5 inches / 60 x 60 x 63mm and weighing in at 14oz / 405g, its weight and sturdy design teamed with the non-slip base make it perfect for leaving on your desk or nightstand. But I wouldn’t say that it’s convenient for travel at all.

Overall, if you’re looking for a sturdy 3-in-1 MagSafe charger and you're happy to part with the cash, the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe wouldn't be a bad choice. However, there are plenty of options out there if you'd rather have a more travel-friendly alternative that will charge your devices a little faster, then the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set is worth a look. Or, if these Anker or ESR chargers cost more than you'd like to spend, then the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger would make a truly transportable alternative.

If you haven't yet made a decision on which charger would suit you best I recommend taking a look at our helpful guides of the best iPhone chargers and best wireless chargers for more ideas.

The image shows the back of the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe, the charging pad holds an iPhone 13 Pro and is raised at an angle, revealing the reflective surface on its reverse. The AirPods charging area had been revealed on the top of the cube.

(Image credit: Future)

Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review: price & specs

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Price$129.99 / £129.95 / AU$299.95
Total power output30W
Devices charged3
USB-CYes – power in
Wireless chargingYes – MagSafe
Weight14oz / 405g
Dimensions2.4 x 2.4 x 2.5 inches / 60 x 60 x 63mm

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe sits closed on a light-colored wooden surface with a light pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe?

Buy it if…

You want something secure
I had no concerns when leaving my phone attached to the Anker 3-in-1 Cube. While other wireless chargers may have just as strong magnets, their general design often leaves them open to catastrophe should they get knocked. Thanks to the 3-in-1 Cube's heft and low center of gravity, I didn’t experience any problems.

You don’t want to be limited to one viewing angle
Many MagSafe wireless chargers enable you to switch between portrait and landscape configurations, but the Anker 3-in-1 Cube gives additional flexibility thanks to its hinged charging plate. It has just the right amount of resistance to hold a phone at basically any angle between the base up to 60 degrees, making it ideal for scrolling or viewing.

Don't buy it if…

You want something travel-ready
Anker may claim that the 3-in-1 Cube is travel-ready, but I simply don’t agree. While the AirPods charger hides beneath the phone charging plate, and the Apple Watch charger can be hidden away inside the cube, its chonky build and heavy weight were very noticeable whenever I tried to transport it between my home and the office.

You’re on a budget
There’s no denying it: this is one pricey phone charger and it’s perfectly understandable if the cost puts you off. But other than my niggles over the stability of the Apple Watch charging platform, it feels very robust and well-made as a whole. I’ve never used a phone charger this sturdy, and I’ve found the variable viewing angle to be a gift that keeps on giving, so it’s worth it if you’ve got the pennies for it. Otherwise, we’ve got other options that are more cost-friendly.

Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review: also consider

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set
I'm a big fan of this ESR charging set. It delivers satisfying charging speeds and is sturdy enough to be used as an everyday charger. Granted, it isn't the most compact portable charger out there and has separate components, but it can be purchased with a travel case to make life easier.

Cesci Angell
Cesci Angell
Staff Writer

Cesci is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. She writes in-depth reviews based on her real-world testing across a variety of categories, but has a particularly keen interest in home tech, and has written features and reviews about gadgets ranging from headphones to smart lights to graphics tablets. She also has a broad range of experience from working in different industries, from sustainable materials and packaging to skin care.