“Qi Fan Fan: A New Player in the Gaming Scene”

Initially, I was skeptical about wireless Qi chargers with built-in fans designed to keep your phone cool during charging. I thought they might be too noisy, ineffective, or just a gimmick. However, after a week with the Kuxiu D5 Qi2.2 charging dock priced at $59.99, I’m a believer. Its active cooling system has prevented my phone from overheating, a welcome change from my previous experiences with other Qi chargers.

Last year, I had a mishap with my titanium iPhone 15 Pro when I was on a hot train, trying to edit a 4K video while charging it with a magnetically attached Qi power bank. My phone got alarmingly hot, and then the screen went blank. The repair cost me €660.33 (over $750), but I didn’t pay a dime since it was still under warranty. The technician wouldn’t confirm if overheating was the issue, but I’m not eager to take that risk again.

Heat is a battery’s worst enemy. High temperatures speed up the chemical breakdown of lithium-ion cells, which reduces their capacity over time. Qi chargers use electromagnetic induction, which is less efficient and generates more heat compared to charging via a cable. This excess heat can cause phones to throttle charging speeds to protect the battery.

Despite this knowledge, I find myself drawn to Qi charging docks and power banks for their convenience. I also love Apple’s StandBy feature, which transforms my phone into a clock and widget display when docked in landscape mode.

Thankfully, brands like Anker, Aukey, ESR, and Kuxiu are integrating active cooling systems into their Qi chargers. These devices come equipped with small heat sinks and ultra-quiet fans that actively dissipate heat from the back of your phone while it charges, keeping the battery cooler and enabling faster charging speeds. Strong magnets ensure perfect alignment between the phone’s receiver coil and the charger’s transmitter coil, maximizing efficiency and minimizing heat loss.

The fan in the Kuxiu D5 operates quietly, but you can turn it off if you prefer. The display is handy, showing the time and the charging status of each device, along with total power consumption. However, the animated screensaver can be a bit distracting, especially at night, though you can easily disable the display with a button press.

I appreciate that the Kuxiu D5 comes with a 45W USB-C PD charger included. Without it, you might have to guess whether your existing charger can handle the dock’s maximum output, which can deliver up to 25W to Qi2.2-compatible phones, 2.5W to Qi-compatible watches, and 5W to Qi-compatible earbuds. It works with various generations of devices from Apple, Samsung, and others.

Kuxiu markets the D5 as a “5-in-1” charger, which feels a bit misleading since it can only charge three devices at once. It seems to count the display and fan in that total. I’d prefer it to be labeled a 4-in-1 device, as the display doesn’t add much value for most users and could lead to complications later.

The watch charger design is also a bit over-engineered. A long press on the dock’s single button activates a small motor that slowly extends the watch dock. While it may enhance the dock’s durability during travel, it doesn’t add much practical benefit, and it can only retract when plugged into a power source.

Overall, the Kuxiu D5 is a solid Qi2.2 charging dock enhanced by its active cooling feature. It fits well on both desks and nightstands and is priced competitively against similar docks from other brands.

Active cooling in Qi chargers is a concept whose time has come. Phones from brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo have supported wireless charging speeds of 50W and higher for years, but only with proprietary docks that can manage the excess heat. The organization behind Qi is working on a global 50W standard set to launch by 2028, and manufacturers will likely need to adopt active cooling to maintain those higher charging rates.

I’m all for it—whatever it takes to keep that essential Qi energy flowing.