Hands-On With the Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe Charging Station for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods

Apple today started selling new Zens charging accessories, including a modular 4-in-1 charging stand for the iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch. I got my hands on this stand and have outlined my first impressions below.

This stand provides the fastest charging for the latest Apple devices. The built-in MagSafe charger wirelessly charges iPhone 12 and newer at up to 15W, and the Apple Watch Magnetic Wand Extension supports fast charging for Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Ultra, allowing these Apple Watch models to go from wireless charging in approximately 45 minutes Range from 0% to 80%. There’s also a 30W USB-C port on the right side of the stand to charge any iPad or MacBook Air at top speed, and a Qi-certified charging mat for the AirPods case. In my early tests, all charging speeds worked as advertised.

Both the MagSafe Charger and the Apple Watch Charging Dock are certified by Apple, and the stand for sale in the Apple Online Store is an added seal of approval from the company, so customers can buy this accessory with confidence.

The stand features a modular design, with the Apple Watch charging dock magnetically connecting to the main charging station for iPhone, iPad and AirPods, and sharing the same 65W power adapter. There are also two additional magnetic pins for connecting to other modular parts sold separately on the Zens website, such as additional Qi pads or USB-A chargers. The MagSafe charger is tilt-adjustable for different iPhone viewing angles.

The LED light on the back of the main charging station glows white when the Qi-certified charging mat is charging AirPods or other devices. It would be nice if this indicator was placed on the front of the stand so it would be easier to see.

While it’s certainly convenient to be able to charge an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch all in one spot, the stand is priced at $179.95 on Apple’s online store in the United States, making it an expensive luxury. That said, I’m not aware of any other four-device charging stands with an Apple-certified MagSafe charger and a fast-charging Apple Watch puck, with other options that I’ve seen so far limited to three devices.

Zens says the stand is made with recycled plastic, although it’s unclear to what extent. The use of recycled ABS pellets gives the stand a speckled design that almost makes it look a bit dusty, which might be a downside for some people but isn’t a huge issue.

All in all, the Zens modular 4-in-1 charging stand is a versatile but costly accessory for those interested in a fast-charging hub for nearly all of their Apple devices. The stand can be purchased on Apple’s online store for delivery in early December.