Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger review: Elegant 3-in-1 charger for your pocket

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There are a few super-portable multi-chargers for your Apple devices, and the latest from Satechi has good looks, powerful wireless charging specs and can slip into your pocket with ease.

It can charge three Apple devices at the same time, yet its shapely, convenient design—like a giant macaron—is comparable to that of rival chargers that can charge only two at once.

Design

As part of Satechi’s growing OntheGo range of Apple-friendly accessories, the circular 3-in-1 Charger is available in three colors: standard Black if you must and two cheerier hues of Sand (a creamy beige) and Desert Rose (thankfully a not very shocking pink).

Folded, it is compact: measuring 3.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 inches (83 x 67 x 34mm). When unfolded into its long line of wireless charging pads it’s 9.5 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches (243 x 67 x 11mm). It weighs 5.1oz (145g).

You can use just the top Apple Watch charging pad without unfolding a thing, or extend to expose all three charging pads. The pads are connected with a silicone strap, within which are unseen wires taking power from the USB-C port that is situated in the middle pad’s body.

The 5W Watch charging module—enough to fast-charge any Apple Watch of series 7 or later—can be laid flat or raise to Nightstand Mode. At the other end is the Qi2 charging pad on which you magnetically clamp your iPhone for fast but flat 15W wireless charging.

In the middle there’s another 5W charger for the AirPods case. You can also use this Qi pad to charge another iPhone (from iPhone 8) although non-magnetically and therefor much slower—but it’s fine if you have the time.

It compares well to the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Folding Wireless Charging Station and 2-in-1 Twelve South MagSafe ButterFly. The MagSafe ButterFly and its cheaper Qi2 cousin the ButterFly SE are smaller at 2.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches (61 x 61 x 23mm) but are limited to charging just two devices at the same time. The Anker 3-in-1 measures 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches (60 x 60 x 36mm) when closed. The SE is also a third lighter than the Satechi and Anker (105g vs 150g).

Read our Twelve South ButterFly review and ButterFly SE review, plus Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger review for more information on those products.

Satechi vs its rivals

Satechi OnTheGo 3-in-1 Charger

• Simultaneous charging: 3 devices
• iPhone charging: 15W
• Watch fast-charging: Yes
• Closed dimensions: 3.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 inches (83 x 67 x 34mm)
• Weight: 5.1oz (145g)

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger

• Simultaneous charging: 3 devices
• iPhone charging: 15W
• Watch fast-charging: Yes
• Closed dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches (60 x 60 x 36mm)
• Weight: 6.9oz (196g)

Twelve South ButterFly SE

• Simultaneous charging: 2 devices
• iPhone charging: 15W
• Watch fast-charging: Yes
• Closed dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches (61 x 61 x 23mm)
• Weight: 4.2oz (119g)

The ButterFly SE is the smallest and lightest but charges just two devices at the same time, and while it’s larger than the Anker the Satechi is a little lighter—it’s also better looking when folded.

Despite being a little deeper, like the ButterFly and Anker MagGo the Satechi-OnTheGo 3-in-1 Charger will easily slip into a pocket, although you should remember that it requires a cable (nicely included in the same shade as the charger, which some chargers ignore) to connect to a separate USB-C wall charger (not included, and at least 36W recommended—read our reviews of the best USB-C charger for options if you don’t already own a spare wall charger).

It comes with a 3.3ft (1m) USB-C charging cable. In comparison, the MagGo and ButterFly come with chargers (40W and 30W).

The iPhone mostly lays flat, but it can be placed into a more useful landscape StandBy mode with some clever folding.

Wireless performance

Like the ButterFly SE and the Anker MagGo, the Satechi 3-in-1 uses Qi2 (pronounced “chee too”) tech that matches Apple’s MagSafe at 15W. It’s based on MagSafe so there’s no real difference except for price.

(For more on this, see our explanation Is Qi2 is as good as MagSafe?)

Again like the ButterFly and MagGo models, the MagGo is certified by Apple for Watch fast charging.

For more options check out our reviews of the best MagSafe Chargers for iPhone and best Apple Watch chargers.

Price

The Satechi OnTheGo 3-in-1 Charger costs $99.99 / £99.99.

The ButterFly SE costs $99.99 and the Anker MagGo $89.99. so the Satechi is around the same price as its rivals.

Note that unless you have a spare, you’ll need to but a USB-C wall charger to connect to the 3-in-1. The tiny Anker Nano 45W (Amazon / Amazon UK) would suit it well, or you can match the colors by buying Satechi’s own OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger (U.S. only).

Should you buy the Satechi OnTheGo 3-in-1 Charger?

The Satechi OnTheGo 3-in-1 Charger is a chic, highly portable clutter-killing all-in-one charger for Apple iPhone, Watch and AirPods that will suit your office or nightstand at home and also be your go-to carry-on charging companion when you are traveling.

Best Prices Today: Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger