M-cloud wireless charger station review
Ever since I finally ditched my HTC EVO 4G LTE, and picked up the LG Nexus 4 instead, I’ve been looking for ways to take full advantage of all the features of Google’s current Nexus phone. This includes Qi wireless charging, which allows users to charge the device on any Qi-compatible charger, without having to plug anything into the phone, thus preserving the microUSB port from unnecessary wear and tear. I initially didn’t have a lot of luck finding a Qi charger that actually worked with the Nexus 4 and looked good, until the folks at Mobile Fun decided to send me the m-cloud wireless charger station to try out.
Now I can honestly say that, since I have a wireless charger that’s sleek and actually works, I don’t think I can ever go back to the traditional way of charging my phone.
The m-cloud wireless charging station can actually be used as a horizontal charging pad or as a stand, offering a great amount of flexibility, along with the ability to use the charger as a vertical dock for the phone if you choose. The ability to either set my phone down and let it charge, or use this as a desk stand in portrait mode, is much appreciated and allows you to use the phone as an alarm clock or digital picture stand if you choose – or it just makes it easier to quickly glance at text messages while the phone is charging.
While charging, a soft green light will flash on the bottom of the device – it’s enough to let me know that it is working, but it’s not so bright that it keeps me up at night (this is on my nightstand, right next to my bed). Once the phone is fully charged, a solid green light will shine – again, it’s not so bright that it will bother most people while sleeping.
I have to admit that this charger seems to charge my Nexus 4 very quickly; it only takes a couple hours to fully charge my phone from a battery that has been drained to around 25-35%. This is an important point to make, since users often report slower charging times with many other cheaper wireless chargers. Additionally, I never notice my Nexus 4 getting hot while wirelessly charging – another common complaint. The m-cloud wireless charger station does make my phone slightly warm to the touch, but nothing out of the ordinary.
It’s also worth mentioning that, while some wireless chargers carry a risk of over-charging your devices once the battery is fully charged, this one has a built-in mechanism that detects when the battery is full, and stops charging the device. This results in me waking up to a phone that is around 95% charged, since the charger stopped charging sometime in the middle of the night, but I also have peace of mind knowing that the battery will ultimately last a lot longer since it isn’t being worn out due to hours of over-charging.
Even though this is actually my first experience with a wireless charger, and I’ve only been using it for around a week, I have to admit that I’m impressed. I love being able to simply drop my phone into this, and waiting only a second or two for the satisfying tone letting me know that my phone is charging. This is cheaper than the official Nexus 4 charger from the Google Play Store, and functionally it seems a lot better, too. (Looks aren’t everything!) It works with the official Nexus 4 bumper and a clear plastic skin on the back, but your mileage may vary, depending on how thick your particular case is.
If you are wanting to try a wireless charger for yourself, I don’t think you can go wrong with this one. You can also definitely count me as a convert: I’m now hooked on Qi wireless charging!
Mobile Fun has a variety of Nexus 4 chargers to choose from, and the m-cloud wireless charger station can be purchased for $46.99.
