To Charge or Not to Charge: The Wireless Charging Pad Debate

The charging pad--what is it? It's a space-saving gadget that allows you to charge several PDFs at once in the same spot. With a wireless charge mat, you only have one plug and wire to contend with: that of the device itself. Each PDF (cell phone, mp3 player, etc.) gets a dedicated small receiver that's place inside the device next to its batter. The exception are devices like the iPhone which cannot be easily opened and aren't meant to be accessed by the user. For the iPhone there is a sleeve, containing the receiver, that fits over the phone. (Note: you don't have to keep that sleeve on the iPhone except during charging.)

 Why would you need a charging pad? If you just have one cell phone or iPod, there's no real advantage for you, since you'll have just the one wire and outlet to deal with. But, if you're like many people, and have more than one item (mp3 player, portable gamer, cell phone, GPS device) you'll appreciate the charging pad's convenience and neatness. Most of them have a sleek, low-profile design which is much less unsightly than a power strip. You put it in a handy spot, like your kitchen counter, place your cell phone(s) on it, and let it do its thing. You no longer have to go hunting for power cords, which is a big benefit if you're one of those people who tends to misplace such things. Some cell phones have very flimsy power ports; by just laying your phone on a charging pad you don't have to worry about ruining it.

For travel, there are portable charge mats that fold up for space-saving packing. In a typical motel room or airport terminal you're fortunate to find one free outlet. The next generation of charging pads will come with car mounts and DC outlet converters for even greater convenience in charging multiple devices when you're on the road. There are many styles and price ranges currently available, so if you're in the market for a charging pad, you're sure to find one that suits your taste.