I recycled all my USB-C cables minutes after trying out this wireless charger
I’m a big fan of Twelve South’s lineup of premium accessories. In a world full of cheap, disposable chargers and one-and-done cables, it feels good to invest in high-quality accessories with thoughtful design. Case in point: the new HiRise 2 Deluxe charging stand, a 2-in-1 device that supports Qi2 wireless charging for your iPhone AirPods, Apple Watch, or other compatible devices.
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If you’re not familiar with Twelve South, the company makes well-designed accessories primarily for the Apple ecosystem of products such as chargers, stands, and mounts. We’ve gone hands-on with a number of these products here at ZDNET in the ongoing quest for quality accessory essentials that hold up for longer than a few months.
The HiRise 2 Deluxe joins the lineup as a more practical and affordable version of the HiRise 3 Deluxe, which is a wireless charging stand that charges up to three different devices at once, but costs around $150 — potentially a bit too steep for a some.
The solution? For a more accessible $80, the HiRise 2 Deluxe charges your iPhone with 15W of power, and an additional Qi2-compatible phone, pair of AirPods, or earbuds with 5W. So if you’ve got two devices that support wireless charging, this one takes care of them both.
The HiRise 2 Deluxe is smartly designed with its physical footprint in mind, utilizing vertical space instead of horizontal so it can be placed on any crowded nightstand, furniture, or desk. In other words, the widest part of this device is your phone.
The stand itself feels weighty and premium, and is constructed with vegan leather for a soft, textured look that resists dust and fingerprints. Additionally, the bottom of the device has rubber stops that keep it firmly in place on whatever surface you put it on.
You can position your phone on the mag-safe charge port either vertically or horizontally, and it snaps onto the device easily either way. On a nightstand or bedside table, it turns your phone into an alarm clock, showcasing the standby mode feature that became fully customizable in iOS 17.
Personally, however, I’ve been using the HiRise 2 as a desktop charger for my iPhone. Synergizing nicely with the improvements to focus settings, I can put the phone in standby mode on my desk, and only worry about the most important notifications popping up while I work, instead of being notified about every random message or email.
It’s sturdy, but it’s still a magnet, so if you’re someone who slams around your alarm clock in the morning, it’s possible you could knock the phone off of the charger, or move the stand around as you fumble for the Snooze button.
Also: Finally, a 2-in-1 wireless charger that lets you use every Apple device feature
Other than that, the beauty of this device is its simplicity. I realize that some folks still might consider $80 to be a tough pill to swallow for a charger, but there are a few things to consider here. First, the low-cost, mass-produced charging cables are tempting, but they’re not designed to last, and inevitably wind up contributing to the ever-growing pile of tech waste.
Second, hybrid chargers that can power multiple devices at once are smarter at using desktop real estate and outlets. I prefer to invest in fewer, well-designed products that last longer, and the HiRise 2 Deluxe aligns with that concept.
ZDNET’s buying advice
I recommend Twelve South’s HiRise 2 Deluxe charging stand for anyone who has an iPhone and at least one other wireless charging device. With one outlet, you get a sophisticated solution that lasts, eliminating the need for cheap, disposable USB-C cables that are likely overflowing from your junk drawer.
