Overview

The Anker Zolo is wireless charging reduced to its absolute essentials: a 60mm magnetic disc that delivers 15W Qi2 charging for $15.99 (for a 2-pack, making it effectively $8 per charger). At that price, it's less of a considered purchase and more of an impulse buy — and a smart one.

The Zolo won't win any awards for speed, features, or design. It's a basic magnetic puck with a USB-C cable and Anker's ActiveShield 2.0 temperature monitoring. No adapter, no fan, no multi-device charging, no frills. But it does the one thing it promises — certified 15W Qi2 magnetic charging from a trusted brand — at a price that makes it easy to put one everywhere you charge: desk, nightstand, kitchen counter, travel bag.

For budget buyers who want to dip into the Qi2 ecosystem or need multiple charging spots without breaking the bank, the Zolo is the entry point.

Features Deep-Dive

Qi2 Certified at a Budget Price

The Zolo carries full Qi2 certification, delivering 15W to compatible iPhones. This isn't off-brand "compatible with Qi" charging — it's the real thing, verified by the Wireless Power Consortium. In real-world testing, Anker claims 20% charge in 19 minutes on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which aligns with the 15W Qi2 specification. The magnetic alignment snaps onto MagSafe-compatible iPhones with confidence.

Ultra-Compact Form Factor

At 2.36 x 2.36 x 0.41 inches and just 2.39 ounces (67.8g), the Zolo is the smallest and lightest charger in our roundup by a significant margin. It's genuinely pocketable — you can toss one in a jacket pocket or laptop bag without noticing the weight. The polycarbonate housing and aluminum Qi2 module keep it light while providing adequate heat dissipation.

ActiveShield 2.0 Temperature Monitoring

Anker's ActiveShield 2.0 uses a temperature monitoring algorithm that checks thermal conditions during charging and adjusts output to prevent overheating. It's not the same as active cooling with a fan — there's no airflow — but it provides a safety net that pure passive charging lacks. The system is driven by what Anker calls a "32-bit AI-powered algorithm," which manages charging efficiency in real-time.

2-Pack Value

The Zolo ships as a 2-pack with two chargers and two 5-foot USB-C cables. This is the smart way to buy budget chargers — put one at your desk and one on the nightstand, or keep one at home and one in your travel bag. At $8 per charger, it's essentially the cost of a coffee for each charging location.

Pricing Analysis

At $15.99 for two chargers, the Anker Zolo is the cheapest Qi2 option by a landslide. The next cheapest single-device charger is the INIU W11-E1 at $21.99 for one. Even factoring in the required 20W+ adapter ($10-15), the total per-charger cost of approximately $13-16 is still dramatically cheaper than any multi-device alternative. The Zolo makes financial sense as a supplement to a desk-based 3-in-1 — keep your premium charger at the main station and scatter Zolos everywhere else.

Who Is This For?

Anker Zolo Magnetic Wireless Charger works best for:

• Multi-location chargers who want a Qi2 pad at every spot they set their phone down
• Budget-first buyers who want to enter the Qi2 ecosystem at the lowest possible price
• Travel supplementers who need a tiny, light charger for trips alongside their main dock at home
• Gift givers looking for a useful tech gift that costs less than a nice lunch

Who Should NOT Use This

Anker Zolo Magnetic Wireless Charger might not be the right choice if:

• You want fast charging — 15W Qi2 is significantly slower than 25W Qi2.2; for quick top-ups, the speed gap is noticeable
• You need multi-device charging — this is a single-pad charger with no Apple Watch or AirPods support
• You use a thick case — cases must be 5mm or less for reliable charging; thick rugged cases may not work
• You need to charge Android — the Zolo is marketed as iPhone-only and isn't compatible with Android devices

Bottom Line

The Anker Zolo is the charger you buy to put everywhere. At $8 per pad in the 2-pack, it removes the cost barrier to Qi2 wireless charging entirely. It's not fast, it's not fancy, and it only charges one device — but it does that one job reliably at a price that makes multi-location charging practical.

FAQ

Do I need to buy a power adapter?

Yes. The Zolo requires a 20W or higher USB-C Power Delivery adapter, sold separately. Any quality 20W+ USB-C adapter works — you likely already have one from your iPhone or iPad.

Does it work with all phone cases?

Cases must be MagSafe-compatible and 5mm or thinner. Standard MagSafe cases work fine. Thick rugged cases, non-magnetic cases, and cases with metal attachments (ring holders, wallet cards) will interfere with charging or magnetic alignment.

Can I charge AirPods on it?

Yes. AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Pro 2 charge on the Zolo at 5W. You'll need to center the case on the pad since AirPods cases don't have MagSafe magnets for automatic alignment.

Is it worth upgrading to a 25W charger?

For overnight nightstand charging, no — 15W fills your phone by morning regardless. For quick daytime top-ups (30 minutes to get from 20% to 70%), the 25W chargers cut the time by roughly 40%. If you find yourself impatiently waiting for your phone to charge, upgrade. If you mostly charge overnight, save the money.