By Todd Bernhard on Tue, 12/17/2019
As I acquire more Apple gear, such as my Apple Watch, iPhone, AirPods, and iPad, I'm always on the lookout for ways to charge my numerous gadgets while taking up as little space as possible on my nightstand. Kanex sent a review unit of its new GoPower Stand ($69.99) and it is tailor-made to do triple duty! First, and most noteworthy, it charges an Apple Watch without requiring Apple's $30+ cable. So while it's not cheap, that is a plus.
Related: Buyer's Guide 2019: The Best iPhone Chargers of the Year
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Next, just below the Apple Watch charging pedestal is a base that doubles as a Qi wireless charger for your iPhone. It only puts out 5 watts so it doesn't offer fast charging, but for overnight use, it's probably fine. Additionally, there is a USB port so you can plug in your own cable and charge another device, such as an iPad. The design is a pleasing matte gray aluminum design that should complement any nightstand.
The best part is how little space it uses. Many competing devices place the Apple Watch and iPhone charging pads side-by-side, so this is clever and functional. The Kanex and Qi logos are a bit too prominent for my liking, but perhaps Kanex wanted to make sure you know that it works as a phone charger.
Pros
- Minimalistic design and compact footprint
- Integrated Apple Watch charger
- Qi charging pad
- Extra USB port
- Matte gray finish
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 5 watt Qi charging
- Not designed for Nightstand Mode
Final Verdict
If you need to charge an Apple Watch, an iPhone and even another device, the GoPower Stand from Kanex can do so without taking up much more space than a coffee mug.
