iCulture review: ZENS Dual+Watch wireless charger for iPhone and Apple Watch

ZENS Dual+Watch Fast Wireless Charger review

At iCulture we have often taken a closer look at ZENS products. For example, we already wrote a review of the ZENS Powerbank for Apple Watch and iPhone and the handy ZENS Dual Fast Charger. Recently there is also a charger that combines the Apple Watch and iPhone. At first glance, the thin Dual+Watch looks very similar to the aforementioned Dual Fast Charger, but it does have a number of other features. In this short review of the ZENS Dual+Watch Fast Wireless Charger you can read our experiences.

Update June 2019: The Zens Dual+Watch charger is now also available in white. The specifications have also been slightly modified so that the charger works perfectly with the AirPods 2 or original AirPods with wireless charging case. The review has been updated for this.

ZENS Dual+Watch charger in short

These are the main features of the ZENS Dual+Watch charger:

• Wireless charger with a maximum output of 20W
• Wirelessly charges two iPhones at the same time
• Anti-slip prevents iPhone from sliding off
• Includes built-in Apple Watch charger
• Qi and MFi certified
• Suitable for AirPods with wireless charging case
• Supplied with long power cable with plug
• Price from €99.95, in black and white.

Not all products we test on the iCulture editors get an extensive review. For cases, cables and other accessories, we have the more concise ‘view iCulture’ reviews. The ZENS Dual+Watch wireless charger is made available by ZENS.

There is now quite a lot of choice when it comes to wireless chargers for your iPhone. Most of these chargers are suitable for a single device, but the ZENS Dual+Watch is, as the name suggests, suitable for charging two iPhones at the same time. It is therefore a kind of alternative to the AirPower, Apple’s wireless charger that will unfortunately never see the light of day. In principle, you can charge as many devices with this ZENS charger as with the AirPower.

The base of the charger is relatively large, with a width of about 19 centimeters and a depth of about 9 centimeters. The charger is quite flat, namely about one centimeter. The charger therefore looks stylish with a sleek rectangular design with beautiful rounded corners. We like the charger better than the earlier ZENS Dual charger, which looks slightly thicker and more robust. The top has a thin rubber edge, so your iPhone won’t slide off easily. Two ZENS logos show you exactly where to place your iPhone, without the logos being very noticeable. A small light on the front confirms that your iPhone is charging. In the bedroom, this light can be a bit disturbing, no matter how small it is. The bottom is equipped with rubber studs, so that the charger itself also stays in place.

Completely separate is a holder for the Apple Watch on the left. This holder is about ten centimeters high and is made of shiny aluminum. In terms of color, this is somewhat similar to the edge of the space gray iPhone X and iPhone XS with the black, which gives the holder a luxurious appearance. The white variant of the charger is more similar to the stainless steel bezel of the silver-colored models. It contains a charger that is suitable for your Apple Watch. What does detract from the appearance is that you see the cable of the Apple Watch charger in an open edge. It would have been a lot nicer if the holder was made of aluminum all around, since you can’t remove the Apple Watch charger anyway. As it is now made, the cable can only be damaged.

Charging your iPhone and AirPods is very easy, but that applies a little less to the Apple Watch. In our test, the Apple Watch sometimes had some trouble making good contact, so you have to take it off and put it back on. This may be due to the fact that the ring on the charger is slightly smaller than the standard charger supplied with the Apple Watch. An advantage of this charger compared to the AirPower is that it is suitable for any Apple Watch strap, including the link bracelet. With the link bracelet and the woven sports band, you cannot lay the Apple Watch flat on a charger, as with the AirPower. Because the charger of this ZENS Dual+Watch is on an elevation, it is suitable for any type of strap. You can also use night clock mode, but only in vertical view.

The charger has an output of up to 20W: 10W for each wireless charging contact point. That means that the charger supports Apple’s maximum speed of 7.5W for wireless charging. If Apple increases the speed to, for example, 10W, you will also benefit from this with this charger. The ZENS charger comes with a standard plug that you connect to the charger itself via a round bait point. We do regret that a more universal plug, such as USB-C or micro-USB, has not been chosen. Such a specific connection is not always convenient. Fortunately, the cable is very long, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to hide it properly.

Conclusion ZENS Dual+Watch Fast Wireless Charger review

This ZENS charger looks nice and offers space for no less than three devices, namely two iPhones and an Apple Watch. It is therefore a good alternative to the AirPower, although there are some disadvantages. Charging your iPhone is very easy, but with the Apple Watch we sometimes had to put the watch back on the charger before it could connect. An advantage is that the charger is suitable for any type of strap, including closed straps such as the woven sports strap and the link bracelet. The charger offers the full charging speed that your iPhone can handle wirelessly, so you are quickly recharged. The suggested retail price of €99 is on the high side, but it is immediately suitable for three devices at the same time.