IKEA Qi2 Charger: The $10 Magnetic Upgrade You’ll Use

You’ve tried wireless charging in the car. Your phone slides a half-inch, the charge drops, and your battery still dies with maps running. Cables solve it, but cables also turn your console into spaghetti.

This week, IKEA dropped a $9.99 fix that feels like it belongs in a vehicle: the VÄSTMÄRKE wireless charger. It’s a squishy red donut with a built-in USB-C cable you can wrap inside the body, so it lives in your travel bag or glovebox without becoming a knot. IKEA also certifies it for Qi 2.0 Baseline Power Profile and Magnetic Power Profile, which is the real story here. Qi2 (sometimes called “Qi 2.0”) is the latest Qi wireless-charging standard, and it adds magnetic alignment so your phone snaps into the right spot and charges more reliably instead of sliding off the coil. Unless you are driving a new Nissan with their new built-in magnetic wireless charger, then this could be your solution.

Why Qi2 stops wireless charging from acting dumb in your car

Qi2 adds magnetic alignment so your phone lines up with the charging coil every time instead of skating around like it’s on ice. The Wireless Power Consortium’s Qi2 overview spells out the payoff: better alignment improves energy efficiency and usability, and Qi2 targets up to 15W charging on certified devices. In normal-person terms, your phone stays “on the spot,” charges more steadily, and doesn’t throw a tantrum because you hit a pothole.

What you should know before you buy it

IKEA’s own notes are refreshingly blunt: the magnets work best if you remove a thick case or use a magnetic case. A regular case can still charge, but you lose the snap that makes Qi2 feel like an upgrade. Also, IKEA says it’s “complete with a USB-C charger,” and recommends its SJÖSS adapter, so don’t assume a wall brick comes in the box.

The fun part is that this isn’t a precious desk accessory. It’s a cheap Qi2 wireless charger you can actually use like gear. Toss it into a duffel. Drop it in a cupholder at a hotel. Keep it in the truck for emergency top-offs. It’s simple, clean, and hard to screw up. Even the tech press called out the donut design, the wrap-up cable, and the low price when IKEA launched the new Qi2 lineup. The Verge’s coverage nails the vibe: it looks goofy, but it’s surprisingly practical.

My Verdict

If you want a cheap car phone charger that behaves, this IKEA Qi2 charger is the move. You get magnetic wireless charging that stays lined up, plus a built-in cable that doesn’t wreck your console. Buy it for road trips and daily driving. Skip it only if you refuse to run a magnetic case.

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