I have real beef with most charging stands, especially those that tend to go viral on the TikTok Shop, are all made of poor-quality materials, and generally don’t look appealing sitting on most nightstands. They’re functional, sure, but if I ever moved them from their original spot, they’d stop working when I needed them most.

After living with the new NOCO X-Grid charging stand, though, I’ve finally found a wireless charging stand that perfectly strikes the right balance between sturdiness and stylishness that I’ve been missing from other wireless chargers. As NOCO tends to do, they’ve overengineered this product’s robustness, and that’s a good thing. What impressed me more, though, was that NOCO actually included more in the box than necessary, and that’s where they won me over with the X-Grid system.

4.5/5

Brand

NOCO

Qi-Certified

QI2

Color

Black or Silver

A sturdy, metal wireless charging stand with QI2 capability from NOCO.

Pros & Cons

• Sturdy, metallic construction
• Fast charging for iPhone and Apple Watch
• In-box international capability

• Not the easiest charger to pack

Price, Availability, and Specs

A charging stand that’s actually worth the price

The NOCO XDS3W, as it’s officially called, is a wireless charging pad from NOCO, a leading manufacturer in the automotive charging and battery pack space. I’ve recommended several of their products before, but when I found out they expanded their catalog to inside the home, I was intrigued. Known for their build quality, their automotive tech is always impressive and, despite being on the more expensive side, worth the extra money in reliability. When I saw that this phone stand cost $130, I figured the same would be true.

I was happy to be correct. In terms of specs, the X-Grid stand comes with 15W wireless charging for the iPhone connector and 5W charging for the Apple Watch and AirPods. The connection is a traditional USB-C port, and the stand itself comes equipped with a 45W charging block and a swappable international plug set.

Set up was a breeze and none too complicated. The X-Grid shipped as one piece in the box, so it’s as plug-and-play as it gets regarding a quick startup.

4.5/5

Brand

NOCO

Qi-Certified

QI2

Color

Black or Silver

Input Voltage

45W (15V⎓3A, 20v⎓2.25A) USB-C PD

Speed

Output 1 (Right): Qi2 15W Output 2 (Center): 5W Apple Watch Fast Charger Output: 5W Total Wireless Output: 25W

Weight

1.5 lb

Adapter included

Yes

Materials

Metal

A sturdy, metal wireless charging stand with QI2 capability from NOCO.

What I liked about the NOCO XDS3W

If you’re looking for a charger that sits a cut above, look no further

My absolute biggest issue with most wireless chargers is that they operate more like a trickle charger than a true fast charger. The cost-benefit of switching from a wired charger to a wireless one typically doesn’t make sense, as most people can get a faster charge with their standard USB-C cable than with a wireless pad or tower. That isn’t the case with the XDS3 tower, and that’s precisely its biggest selling point. NOCO claims that the iPhone stand can charge an iPhone 16 from 0 to 80% in under 70 minutes. As an overnight charger or even for a boost while someone gets ready in the mornings, that’s hard to beat.

My favorite part, though, is the construction. It weighs 1.5 lbs, and with the base making up most of that, you do get a sense of real sturdiness from this stand that you can’t find on the cheaper TikTok Shop or Amazon open market. Of course, the standby mode option makes it even more versatile as a possible workstation companion or, again, a “nightstand” mode, as I call it. The price may seem like a chunk on the outset, but after you’ve held it in your hands, it makes complete sense.

What I didn’t like about the NOCO XDS3W

While it’s capable of traveling, it’s not the perfect product for it

NOCO acknowledges that while the taller design of the CDS3W has its perks, being packed away for travel is not one of them. That’s why they have the XDP3, its flatter companion. Admittedly, this is nitpicking, but if it’s not a product that’s meant for travel, including international travel plugins doesn’t make much sense to me. That said, will I still find a way to squeeze this into my suitcase for our upcoming honeymoon in Europe? You bet.

While it might compromise some of the sturdiness I’m so fond of in this device, I do wish the stand itself could fold down to meet the base, so it can pack away into a suitcase. Am I asking to have my cake and eat it, too? More than likely, but at the end of the day, these are small nitpicks.

Should you buy the NOCO XDS3W

If you’re looking for a great Father’s Day gift, absolutely

My first thought about the X-Grid was that it would make a great Father’s Day gift, especially if you have someone in your life who, like me, is deeply entrenched in the Apple Ecosystem. After living with it for a few days, I’m happy to report that it’s as accurate as can be. If you’re looking for a guest room charging pad to make your visitors feel welcome, this probably isn’t the best option, just based on price.

But if you’re looking to upgrade your desk or nightstand with an all-encompassing, well-built, high-functioning wireless charger that, if you can fit it in a suitcase, can quite literally work in just about every corner of the globe, the XDS3W can carry the torch. NOCO’s reputation continues to be warranted, because even at this price, this is a solid buy.