ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) review: it's fast charging and compact, but that neck doesn't bend

It's fast, but not very flexible

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The ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set sits facing to the left on a light grey stone surface against a pink background.
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) proved itself to be a convenient and efficient charger, packing three charging areas into a relatively compact footprint. It's a shame that the charging pad is in a fixed position, meaning there's only one viewing angle, and it can be a bit of a dust and fingerprint magnet, but it redeemed itself by fully charging an iPhone 13 Pro in under two hours, and a Series 9 Apple Watch in just an hour and thirteen minutes.

Pros

  • +

    Fast charging

  • +

    Small footprint

  • +

    Sturdy yet easy to move

Cons

  • -

    Devices get warm when charging

  • -

    Dust and fingerprint magnet

  • -

    Fixed viewing angle

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ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) review

The ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) has a list price of $74.99 / £71.99 / AU$134.99, which may seem expensive to some. However, when compared to the cost of other 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers by the likes of Anker, and indeed some other models from ESR themselves, it's a reasonable price to pay for a speedy and sturdy charger.

In use, the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) was easy to lift and reposition on my desk. The weight of the stand, helped along by the sturdy metal post, meant that I didn't experience any issues with it toppling over. It did feel like it'd be easier to tip than the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand, however.

I found it a bit frustrating that the charging area is static and cannot be angled for better visibility of my phone screen. The vast majority of the best wireless chargers I've tested so far have had adjustable angles, so I wasn't a fan of this limitation.

The matte finish of the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) shows fingerprints easily, and they're not easy to remove once they're there. The shiny surface of the circular Qi2 charging area proved to be quite the dust magnet when the phone wasn't in situ, with dust particles being very noticeable on top of the deep black.

As with the ESR's Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, the Apple Watch charger is a separate packaged component that comes within the main charger box. It has a magnetic cover to protect the USB-C connector, which connects to the area at the back of the iPhone charging pad with ease. I wasn't a fan of this in the travel set, as it seemed risky to have such a small and losable component as part of a portable charger; I don't mind it as much in the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock), though.

When it came to charging speed, I was impressed with how quickly the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) charged an iPhone 13 Pro and Series 9 Apple Watch. It was able to juice up my Apple Watch from 0%-100% in an hour and 13 minutes, making it much faster than ESR's Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, which took just under an hour longer.

It took an hour and 52 minutes to fully charge an iPhone 13 Pro, which is impressive. But it is lagging a little behind the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand, which took an hour and 38 minutes to charge the same iPhone 13 Pro, and a commendable one hour and 14 minutes to charge up my Apple Watch.

As was the case with the ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger (HaloLock), the iPhones I tested got warm while charging, but in this case, the watch got rather toasty too. It was also distractingly noisy, making various ticking and whirring noises as it charged, even after repositioning, something I'd never encountered before. My Apple Watch didn't appear to suffer any effects from this, but still, those noises made me nervous.

Overall, though, this charger proved its worth. With its speedy charging times, reassuring stability, and small footprint, it efficiently charges three types of Apple devices and other compatible earbud cases.

If you're interested in looking at alternative chargers, we have curated a selection of the best iPhone chargers and best wireless chargers. Within these guides, we suggest the most suitable option based on different needs, and you'll find plenty of options for charging the best iPhones in both.

The ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set sits facing to the right on a light grey stone surface against a pink background. On the surface to its right sit the plug adapter, USB-C charging cable and the watch charging component with its cap removed.

(Image credit: Future)

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) review: Price & specs

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Price$74.99 / £71.99 / AU$134.99
Total power output15W
Devices charged3
USB-CYes – power in
Wireless chargingYes – MagSafe
Weight25.7 oz / 729g
Dimensions3.7 x 3.7 x 7 inches / 95 x 95 x 179 mm

A close-up of the charging pad and watch charger of the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock)?

Buy it if…

You want to charge three devices without sacrificing space
With the earbuds charging area inlaid in the base, and the iPhone and Apple Watch charging pads located at the top of the stand, this 3-in-1 charger is pleasantly compact, so won't take up too much valuable desk or nightstand space.

You want a quick charge
While this isn't the fastest MagSafe charger I've tested, it still charged devices satisyingly quickly, with the Apple Watch charger fully replenishing the battery faster than the ESR's Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, and the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger by just under an hour.

Don't buy it if…

You want to look at things from a different angle
It's a shame that the position of the charging pad is fixed, as it limits you to one viewing angle. The phone can still rotate into landscape mode without issue, but I would have liked to be able to position my phone to make it easier to use as it charged.

You want to keep things clean
Unfortunately, due to the matte finish on the majority of the charger and the shiny surface of the MagSafe charging pad, this charger collects dust and fingerprints for a pastime. This is only a minor issue that may not prove an issue for some, but if this kind of thing gets your goat, this may be a charger to avoid.

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) review: Also consider

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand
It takes up more space, but its design is aesthetically pleasing, and it offers speedier charging – taking just over an hour to fully charge a Series 9 Apple Watch and an hour and 38 minutes to charge an iPhone 13 Pro. Check out our full Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand review to see just why we awarded it four and a half stars.

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. 

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