With concerns over battery life making headlines since last year and recent concerns about battery drain reported by TechCrunch, phone users need to have their wireless charging station ready for action, both at home and work.
Below, we’ll take you through the what you need to create your own wireless charging station, no matter where you are, to keep you connected when you need to be.
Choose your tabletop
Depending on where you want to set up your wireless charging station or stations – will determine the best type of surface or tabletop to install these in. For personal workspaces, start by choosing between standard desk types or sit-stand varieties. The type of table you choose will impact the set-up too. wireless charging stations that require access to the power source will require slack for when you’re switching from the seated to standing position. This is essential if you’re choosing an in-desk charging system or one that is plug and play and sits on the surface.
At home, depending on how many of these stations you want, you’re going to need to look at which use-case makes the most sense for you. IKEA has DIY options that would allow you to install chargers in your kitchen island for example.
In fact when choosing a tabletop – you can use ChargeSpot in your office to create a commercial version of a wireless charging station at big open cafeterias or lunch rooms.
At home, If you like to charge overnight then a wireless charging dock on a lamp is going to be a good fit.
In, Under or Over the top Wireless Charging
Determine if you want in-table wireless charging, an under-table solution or an over the top wireless charging. In-table systems have the ability to be completely seamless and invisible on the tabletop. While these systems can be removed, be careful if you are going to use a grommet based wireless charging system. These will still leave holes in your tabletop.
Under-the-table systems have more flexibility if you are looking at making changes to your layouts of use-cases for certain spaces often. For full information on how these systems are installed and work, you can consult our spec guide.
If you change the set-up and use case in your offices extremely frequently – I.E. one week a table may be someone’s desk and the next it may be a boardroom table, then consider using wireless charging pads that you can plug into the wall and don’t require installation. The downside of these systems is that wire-clutter is still created, but they provide good interim solutions until your office design becomes more concrete.
On-The-Go
(Image Courtesy BMW US)
When you’re on the go, many new cars now offer built-in wireless charging stations. However, if you are not fortunate enough to own a BMW, or even a Hyundai, then wired charging systems may be your best bet. Wirecutter provides a good breakdown of options that are available in this wireless-portable-power class.
