Why Is Wireless Charging So Slow? 5 Ways to Speed It Up

Have you ever placed your phone on a wireless charger, expecting a quick power boost, only to be frustrated by its slower charging speed? You’re not alone. Many users wonder, “Why is wireless charging so slow compared to traditional wired charging?” In this article, we’ll explore the reasons and provide practical tips to speed up your wireless charging experience. Keep reading!

Why is Wireless Charging Slower than Wired Charging?

Is wireless charging slow? The answer is yes. Compared to wired charging, wireless charging typically operates at around 70% efficiency, meaning approximately 30% of the energy is lost during the transfer process.

Wireless charging uses electromagnetic induction. When current flows through the charging pad, its coil generates a magnetic field. When you place your phone on the pad, the magnetic field induces a current in the device’s internal coil, which is converted to charge the battery. This indirect energy transfer results in energy loss, making wireless charging less efficient than wired charging, where electricity flows directly from the power source to the battery.

Other Reasons That Cause Wireless Charging So Slow (with Solutions)

While the primary reason for slower wireless charging—efficiency loss during energy transfer—is inherent to the technology and cannot be fixed, several other factors like heat generation, coil misalignment, interference from phone cases, and lower charger wattage, can further slow down the process. Fortunately, these issues can often be resolved with practical solutions. Let’s explore these factors and how to address them.

1. Using a Low-Power Charger

Many wireless chargers that come with smartphone may only provide 10 to 15 watts of power output. That much power is not enough to charge the battery fast enough.

How to speed it up: Invest in a high-power wireless charger compatible with your phone. Look for models offering 30W, 40W, or even 50W output. While pricier, these chargers can dramatically cut charging times.

2. Misalignment Between Phone and Charger

Improper placement on the charging pad can prevent efficient energy transfer. Misalignment between the phone’s receiver coil and the charger’s transmitter coil leads to slow charging or no charging at all.

How to speed it up: Place your smartphone correctly on the wireless charger. If using a charging dock, ensure the phone is not tilted, as this results in slow charging. For easier and more reliable placement, consider using wireless charging stands designed for proper alignment.

3. Charging with Phone Case

Thick or metal cases can interfere with the electromagnetic field, reducing charging efficiency. Even thin cases can trap heat, causing the charger to throttle charging speed to prevent overheating.

How to speed it up: Remove phone cases while charging for better energy transfer and improved heat dissipation. Although silicon phone cases up to 3mm thick do not largely affect wireless charging, it is better to charge without a case for maximum efficiency.

4. Heat Dissipation Issue

Wireless charging generates more heat due to inefficiencies in power transfer through the electromagnetic field. Heat can reduce charging speed because devices often throttle charging to prevent overheating.

How to speed it up: Ensure the charging area is well-ventilated to allow better heat dissipation. Avoid charging your phone in hot environments or on soft surfaces that trap heat, such as beds or couches. For optimal charging performance, use wireless chargers with built-in cooling mechanisms if possible.

5. Too Many Apps Running in Background

If your phone has too many apps running in the background, it can consume battery power during charging, leading to slower wireless charging and increased unnecessary discharge cycles.

How to speed it up: To ensure faster wireless charging, you can close unnecessary apps, set the phone to flight mode, or power it off while charging.

Wireless Charging Vs Wired: Which One to Choose?

Wireless charging has revolutionized the way we power our devices, offering unique benefits that wired charging can’t match. However, wired charging still holds the edge in areas like speed and affordability. Let’s compare wireless and wired charging to help you decide which is best for your needs.

1. Reduced Wear and Tear

Wireless Charging: Since there is no need to physical contact with a power source, wireless charging avoids wear and tear on charging ports and cables. This is particularly beneficial for devices used heavily or in harsh environments.

Wired Charging: Frequently plugging and unplugging can lead to frayed cables and damaged ports, requiring repairs or replacements over time.

2. Superior Convenience

Wireless Charging: Simply place your device on a charging pad—no searching for cables or untangling wires. It’s perfect for homes, offices, and public spaces equipped with wireless charging stations.

Wired Charging: While it offers reliable charging, it requires finding a power outlet and carrying compatible cables, which can be less convenient, especially on the go.

3. Simultaneous Device Charging

Wireless Charging: Many wireless chargers, such as Anker 3-in-1 chargers, can simultaneously charge different types of devices wirelessly, including smartphone, smartwatch, and earbuds like AirPods—without clutter.

Wired Charging: Some high-end wired chargers can also charge multiple devices simultaneously by providing multiple ports or using a single cable with multiple connectors (e.g., USB-C, Lightning, and Micro-USB heads). However, even with these solutions, you may still face cable management challenges if charging several devices at once.

Note: For faster wireless charging, consider options like Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1), a cutting-edge solution for faster wireless charging. Experience the brilliance of 15W ultra-fast charging, Qi2 certified for optimal efficiency. With seamless compatibility with MagSafe, redefine your charging experience with speed and convenience.

4. Enhanced Safety

Wireless Charging: Wireless charging systems eliminate risks like short circuits, current leakage, or port corrosion. Since there’s no direct electrical connection, the risk of overheating cables or sparking is greatly reduced.

Wired Charging: While modern cables are generally safe, issues like insulation damage or loose connections can cause overheating or even fire hazards.

Other Factors to Consider

Speed

Wired Charging: High-speed wired chargers can deliver up to 240W in some cases, capable of fully charging a smartphone in under 10 minutes. This makes wired charging ideal for users who prioritize quick top-ups or need to charge their devices on short notice.

Wired Charging: While convenient, wireless charging is slower by design. Most wireless chargers cap out at 30W to 50W for flagship devices, which is sufficient for overnight or casual charging but less competitive for speed-critical situations.

Price

Wired Charging: Wired chargers are often included with devices or available at an affordable price. Even high-end fast chargers with multiple ports are generally cost-effective compared to their wireless counterparts.

Wireless Charging: Wireless chargers are typically sold separately and are more expensive than standard wired chargers. Multi-device wireless chargers, while offering added convenience, come at a premium price point, which may not suit all budgets.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve known why wireless charging is so slow, it’s clear that while speed may not be its strong suit, wireless charging excels in convenience and safety. With simple adjustments like using high-power chargers, maintaining proper alignment, minimizing heat, and reducing background activity, you can enhance its efficiency. Though wired charging is faster, wireless charging is a compelling choice for those who value ease of use and long-term device care.

FAQ about Why is Wireless Charging So Slow

How long does wireless charging take?

Generally speaking, it usually takes about 3-4 hours to charge a smartphone from 0 to 100% using a basic wireless charger with a power rating of 10 to 15 watts. However, this also depends on factors like the battery capacity, the wattage of the wireless chargers, the distance between the charging pad and your device, etc. In addition, newer appliances tend to support faster charging rates than older models.

Can slow wireless charging damage the battery?

No! It is safe to charge your device using a slow wireless charger and it will not damage the battery. In fact, using a wireless charger with a relatively higher power rating (18W or more) like Anker wireless charger can reduce the aging of the battery through faster and more efficient charging. However, never use cheap off-brand wireless chargers without following Qi or other wireless standards, which may damage phones.

Should I avoid wireless charging?

It is up to you whether you want to use or avoid it. Busier people want to spend much less time charging their phones. Wireless charging may not be for such a class of emergent users. However, wireless charging comes in handy if you don't take a wall charger or want to charge multiple devices simultaneously to save time. So you can give it a shot if your phone supports it and you can afford fast wireless chargers.

How fast is wireless charging?

Wireless charging speeds depend on the charger and device. Standard Qi chargers usually deliver 5–15W, resulting in slower charging than wired options. Newer Qi2 chargers can reach up to 30W, charging a phone from 0% to 50% in roughly 30 minutes. Advanced models support speeds of 50W or higher, offering even faster charging for compatible devices.