Instead of tossing your phone down on the table every night, you can cradle it with a little more care in a dock. Docks can let you view the screen hands-free — perfect for when you’re reading a recipe off Pinterest in the kitchen or following that new YouTube knitting tutorial that’s a little more advanced. With the release of the new iPhone 12 Pro, you might be considering investing in a stand. Here are some great options at every price point. Some even have built-in Qi wireless charging for maximum convenience, keeping your nightstand, desk, or counter organized.
Apple Lightning Dock
Apple’s option isn’t exactly the best looking dock available, but it’s certainly one of the most minimalist in design. Apple’s official Lightning Dock is little more than a Lightning connector on a base, so there’s no support to help hold your iPhone. So why is it in this list? Well, it has some interesting utilities that make it a little more worthwhile. It’s one of the few Apple products to still include a headphone jack, so it can be plugged into external speakers to boost your iPhone’s sound. It also works with headphones with an inline microphone, so you can place speakerphone calls more easily while your iPhone is plugged in. It’s expensive, though, considering you get little more than a base and a connector — especially when it isn’t supplied with a Lightning cable or a wall adaptor.
Apple MagSafe Duo Charger
This MagSafer charge is a perfect pick if you have an Apple iPhone 12 with MagSafe compatibiity — but it’s also a lot more than that. On one side is the MagSafe charger that can easily lock onto your iPhone 12 (make sure you have a compatible phone case for this to work), and on the other side is a small Qi wireless charger that can work with all sorts of devices, but is especially well-designed for something like the Apple Watch or an AirPods case. When you’re done using it, the two chargers snap together for easy transport! Perfect for those who need an dock alongside their usual wireless charging spot.
Hercules Tuff Charging Station
A dock for one device might not be enough — what if you have a bunch of work devices that need charging or you have a large family of devices? This is exactly where Hercules’ Tuff Charging Station comes in. It has room for an amazing six devices to be charged at the same time, thanks to six USB plugs with charging speeds of up to 2.4A. It’s not going to charge your devices as fast as a dedicated fast charger, but if you’re looking to charge as many devices as possible, then this will be perfect. It also comes with six cables — four Lightning cables, a Micro USB cable, and a USB-C cable.
Spigen S370 Wooden Phone Stand
Spigen is best known for its cases and screen protectors, but don’t sleep on its other excellent accessories. Spigen’s S370 might not have the most memorable name, but with its bamboo wooden build and space for an Apple Watch charger, it’s an excellent choice for your desk or bedside table. It’s deeper than most other wooden stands of this type, which stops it from toppling over if you use your phone, and there’s even handy extra storage space behind your phone. Best of all, it’s pretty well priced.
Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock
This one is for people with an iPhone and an Apple Watch. The magnetic charging module for your Apple Watch and the Lightning connector for your iPhone are built into the dock, so you can charge them both via a single wall outlet. The dial on the back enables you to make fine adjustments to the Lightning connector, so you can position it perfectly to fit your iPhone model and whatever case it’s wearing. The base is weighted, so it’s sturdy and isn’t going to fall over or slide around on your night stand. It also features a simple design that will fit easily with most décor.
Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe Stand
Here’s a smart metal pedestal that’s finished in black, silver, or white. The stand docks your device at the bottom, so it will take any iPhone or iPad (except the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models with a USB-C port) with or without a case on. There’s a machined dial behind the two metal supports that hold your device, which allows for fine adjustments for any case or device. It leaves all the rest of your ports, controls, and speakers open, so it’s easy to use your iPhone while it’s sitting in the stand. This Deluxe model includes a Lightning cable and a Micro USB cable, so you can use it to charge up portable chargers or other devices.
Oakywood Walnut Combo Dock
This stylish, hand-finished, artisan combo dock is crafted from solid walnut with a waxed finish. Its geometric, minimalist style is ideal for your desk or nightstand and has a magnet for your Apple Watch (though you’ll need your own cable) and a Lightning cable for your iPhone. It works with iPhone 5 and later.
Lamicall iPhone Stand
If your budget is limited, then this sturdy aluminum alloy stand is worth a look. There is rubber padding to prevent any scratches, the hooks that hold your iPhone in place are roomy enough to accommodate rugged cases, and there are effective anti-slip pads on the bottom. The fixed angle works well for portrait or landscape, and this dock will work with any model of iPhone. The back features a handy opening to keep your Lightning cable out of the way. You can get it in silver or black finishes, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. If you prefer more flexibility with the angle, then check out Lamicall’s adjustable stand.
Archeer Bamboo iPhone Dock
A lot of iPhone docks stand out a little too much, but this smart bamboo dock is very unobtrusive. Archeer talks up the amplification, but don’t expect to hear a major difference as it only makes your iPhone slightly louder. The main attractions should be the simple design, bamboo construction, and low price. It would have been nice to have anti-slip pads on the bottom, though you could always add some yourself. This also won’t serve you if you want a charging dock as there is no space for a cable, it’s really just a stand for your desktop.
Kenu Stance Tripod
If you are craving a change, then this compact tripod may tempt you. It allows you to prop up your iPhone in both landscape or portrait view. It’s a prime option for taking pictures, hands-free reading, or film viewing. Small enough to fit neatly into your pocket or bag. You can also adjust the three legs to find just the right angle for you. Kenu changed the original design for this version, so it fashions a robust lightning port connector. There’s also a keyring attachment. It can even serve as a bottle opener.
Ventev Charge Stand 3000c
The Ventev Charge Stand 3000c may not look out of the ordinary, at first glance, but this phone stand is far from it. Busy people will appreciate this device because it combines a charging dock with a portable (and powerful) 3,000mAh battery that you can use wherever you go.
The Ventev model’s size and shape leave a noteworthy impression. Its low profile makes it optimal for backpacks, briefcases, purses, or other carry-on bags. It boasts four useful LED lights along its front, indicating the device’s available battery.
This stand is a three-in-one model containing a portable battery, charger, and stand with multiview function. You can charge your phone in either portrait or landscape mode, making it an incredibly versatile choice.
In general, the Ventev stand is practical and straightforward. It works well for travel because it’s lightweight, yet it’s sturdy enough to use on a desktop, making it a flexible and fully functional charging station for your phone no matter what the situation.
Research and buying FAQ
Do I need an iPhone dock?
You will need some kind of charger for your iPhone — and that’s particularly true of the iPhone 12, which infamously shipped without a power adapter. A dock is designed to be a largely stationary (although we do include some more portable picks) charger that you set your iPhone on or plug into it. It’s not absolutely necessary, but it makes an excellent companion for your bedside table, desk, and similar areas.
What does a dock do?
A dock is designed to charge your iPhone in an easy manner, in the places where your phone can spend some time charging up while you work, sleep, study, cook, etc. Many docks allow the iPhone to stand or angle upward, so you can watch for notifications or start up a video while it’s charging. Because the Apple ecosystem is so interconnected, iPhone docks also often include additional stands or spots for charging things like your Apple Watch and your AirPods case.
What ports does my dock need?
Your dock will need a Lightning cable port to charge iPhones, which is why you should always look for ports that are specifically designed to work with iPhones (or simply use wireless charging, which makes the issue moot). For plugging into a power adapter, look for USB-C connections — they aren’t absolutely necessary, but you should try to avoid anything older these days. Docks may also have additional ports to support other accessories, but this is not a requirement.
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