The best iPhone dock overall
Most iPhone docks block the bottom row of speakers and some even cover up the home button, making it hard to use your phone periodically while charging. Not so with the Twelve South HiRise 2 dock.
The HiRise 2 holds your iPhone up off the base of the stand so your speakers aren't muffled and the home button is accessible. It's a clever design that frees up your phone for use while charging securely. If you still have an iPhone 6S or older with a headphone jack, you can access that, too.
The dock is sturdy and well weighted so it won't tip over. You can keep almost any case on your iPhone and still use the dock to charge. Even bulky cases like Mophie's Juice Pack Plus work with it. Twelve South says it updated the clip heights to 0mm, 3mm, and 6mm so that you can plug the lightning (or Micro USB cable, if you're using a battery case) into even the most deeply recessed ports.
You do need to use your own lightning cable and outlet adapter, though. Pick one of the best ones from our buying guide here. Although the lack of a built-in cable may seem annoying, it may be a blessing in the event that you get a different phone with a different charging port like USB-C or Micro USB. You can choose to buy the Deluxe version of the stand, which comes with a lightning cable, a Micro USB cable, and clips to manage the cable.
Pros: Simple design, affordable, comes in a few colors, doesn't block your speakers
Cons: You may need to remove your case, no built-in cable
The best iPhone dock with wireless charging
If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, you owe it to yourself to get a great wireless charger, so why not get one that doubles as an iPhone dock? The Anker PowerWave 7.5 Watt Charging Stand is the perfect dock for the new iPhones because you don't have to plug your phone into it every time you want to juice up.
Once you've plugged the PowerWave Stand into an outlet with the included Quick Charge 3.0 AC adapter Anker's great PowerLine Micro USB Cable, all you have to do is set your iPhone on the stand, and it will start charging. The small circle on the front of the stand lights up blue when it's charging, so you know it's working. It feels like magic when you use it for the first time.
I use the PowerWave stand at my desk in the office every day to top off my phone before I head home. I love the simple white design, its slim profile, and how sturdy it is. The stand holds your phone at the perfect angle for easy viewing, and you can position your phone vertically or horizontally, and it'll keep charging.
The best part about this wireless charging iPhone dock is that it works with thick cases, which is something that wireless chargers traditionally struggle with.
In my experience, the PowerWave stand can charge an iPhone XS that's wearing a leather case and a PopSocket with no problem, which is incredibly impressive. I haven't been able to charge through the case and PopSocket with any other wireless charger I've tested.
If you're worried about safety, don't be. Anker says that the PowerWave stand has several safety features, including "over-charge protection, foreign object detection, and radiation shielding."
Buyer reviews for both products are very positive on Amazon. The stand has a 4.5-star average, as does the pad.
Pros: Affordable, small, charges fast with right adapter, works with all Qi compatible devices
Cons: Outlet adapter not included, may not charge when case is on
The best beautiful iPhone dock
Native Union makes beautiful accessories for the iPhone. The Dock+ is made in two different materials: weighted silicon with aluminum and marble with aluminum. Both versions come with a four-foot lightning cable that's MFi certified by Apple. You simply slide the cable into the dock and the tail end comes out the back. You have to use your own wall outlet adapter to supply power to your phone.
The Dock+ looks beautiful on any desk, table, or nightstand. The sleek silicon and aluminum version comes in midnight blue and gold, slate, or stone and rose gold. It ships with a matching cable, so that everything goes together perfectly. The marble version is made out of a solid piece of real marble for an added touch of luxury. You can choose either black or white marble to match your phone's color scheme.
The silicon dock works with most phone cases, though the marble one only works with slim cases that measure under 3.5mm thick. It's a sturdy dock that's well weighted, so you don't have to worry about it falling over at the slightest provocation.
Pros: Gorgeous design, built-in lightning connector, multiple colors and materials
Cons: Pricey
The best simple iPhone dock
Apple makes very nice accessories for its own devices and the iPhone Dock is one of the best. It's a simple piece of aluminum that comes in all the same shades as the iPhone. It has a built-in lightning connector, a lightning port that serves as the power supply, and a headphone jack so you can play music while charging your phone.
The dock doesn't come with a lighting cable or outlet adapter, but you can just use the one that came with your phone. Or, you can pick one of the best ones from our buying guide here. It's stable enough that you can use your phone while it's charging without knocking it over. The dock should work with most cases, too, though the bulkiest ones may cause problems.
Pros: Simple design, pretty, built-in lightning connector, sturdy, stable
Cons: Pricey
The best iPhone dock with an Apple Watch charger
The Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock for Apple Watch and iPhone sat on my nightstand for several months while I was using an iPhone and Apple Watch every day. It looked gorgeous and got the job done without cluttering up my bedroom with wires and ugly chargers.
If you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch, this is the dock you want. It's less pricey than most dual iPhone and Apple Watch docks, but it has a lightning connector and an Apple Watch charging disc built into the design so you don't have any extra wires. you simply plug the Belkin dock in and pop your phone and watch in the dock to charge both up simultaneously.
The only real downside to the dock is that it's expensive in comparison with the other docks in our guide, but that's the price you pay for good looks and concealed cords.
Pros: Works with both iPhone and Apple Watch, built-in lightning connector, simple design, sturdy
Cons: Pricey
The best wooden iPhone dock
Pad & Quill makes gorgeous wood and leather accessories. The Timber Catchall Stand is made from one solid piece of American Walnut hardwood. It's less of a dock than it is a catchall, but it serves the same purpose.
A beautiful tray holds your iPhone laying down while it charges, and right next to it, you have an upright stand to hold your Apple Watch and its charger. There's another tray in front of the Apple Watch stand where you can place your keys, wristwatch, or any other small items.
The Catchall doesn't come with charging cords or an outlet adapter, so you'll need to use your own. Or, you can pick one of the best ones from our buying guide here. There's a small hole in the back of the Apple Watch stand where you can thread your iPhone and Apple Watch charging cords through. It measures 8.5 by 6.4 by 0.8 inches, so it will take up a bit of space on your nightstand or table. However, it will look beautiful.
Pad & Quill offers a two-year warranty, but this Catchall is so well made that it should last you a lifetime. It may be expensive, but that's the price you pay for craftsmanship and solid hardwood.
Pros: Solid wood, holds iPhone and Apple Watch, well made, beautiful
Cons: No built-in cables, pricey
