iphone apple watch AirPods. Passport. Purse. Sunscreen? Traveling can be a mess of things to remember, and as our collection of devices grows, your bag can also quickly become a mess of charging cables, travel adapters, and power supplies.
Ampere’s Unravel is designed to streamline your device maintenance, whether you’re sitting comfortably at your desk or traveling the world. Offers wireless charging of your three most portable Apple devices (up to iPhone 14, AirPods Pro 2 Y apple watch series 8) and folds into a compact unit for easy storage wherever you are.
It’s an inventive and truly portable device, and one that’s easy to recommend. Here’s our full Ampere Unravel review to help you determine if it’s what you need in your suitcase.
Ampere Unravel: price and availability
Ampere Unravel is available now and costs $69 / £59 for the version that enables wireless charging of an Apple Watch, AirPods, and an iPhone. It is available in an all-black design, a white accent design, or a red accent design. That price doesn’t include a USB-C cable or wall charger, which can be purchased separately, or you can provide your own. The black version of this model is the one we have been testing.
A slightly cheaper second model is also available for $49 / £44. It also supports wireless charging for up to three devices, but doesn’t have wireless charging for Apple Watch. Instead, it offers an additional USB-C port for connecting the watch’s own charging puck.
Considering Apple MagSafe Duo Charger It costs $129, charges just two devices, and is less flexible in use than the Unravel, which feels like a bargain. Yes, Unravel doesn’t have MagSafe, but it still manages to charge its trio of devices without much trouble.
Ampere Unravel: What I love
The Ampere Unravel has a really clever design. With two hinges separating its three wireless charging zones (one for Apple Watch on the left and AirPods or iPhone on either of the remaining two), it folds into a compact cube for easy storage on the go. You are looking at measurements of 88mm x 88mm x 30mm when the Unravel is stacked and 270mm x 88mm x 10mm when laid flat.
With just one cable powering all three, this is as simple as travel charging multiple devices. No more juggling lots of cables and wall adapters: just the Unravel, a USB-C cable and a wall plug and you’re good to go.
If you only need to charge one of your devices, you can do it with the Unravel folded too: the charger will continue to provide power to the single exposed charging area, meaning you can leave one of your devices charging when stacked. , saving space on your desk or nightstand.
Fold the three zones into a pyramid shape, with the edge snapping together magnetically, and the Unravel doubles as a stand for your iPhone. There’s a hidden mini shelf near the charging ring, ready to flip whenever you want to hold your phone. It’s useful for placing your phone in landscape mode as a video stand, and the angle at which the iPhone rests means it retains the wireless charging connection.
It adds to what we believe to be one of the best wireless chargers for multiple devices (opens in a new tab)especially if you are a frequent traveler.
Ampere Unravel: What I don’t love
The Unravel does a lot of things well, but there is room for improvement should there be a second generation of the device.
First off, while not a deal breaker, the inclusion of MagSafe would have been appreciated. It would drive up the price, but a solid magnetic connection for your devices is reassuring, and would mean little fold-out stands wouldn’t be necessary. It would be a boost to the comfort of the device.
It would also mean that the Unravel’s rubber grips, designed to keep your devices from moving, wouldn’t be necessary. These are a bit of a dust magnet and can become unsightly if the Unravel is left outside and open for a few days.
Apple Watch must be laid flat to charge in Unravel. That means if you’re used to using a load that holds the watch upside down to use it as a nightstand clock, you’ll lose that functionality with Unravel.
And while it’s a wireless charging limitation that Ampere isn’t the only manufacturer to grapple with, the 10W charging cap is a bit on the slow side. It’s fine for an overnight charge, but if you want to take advantage of all three devices quickly, you’ve got a few hours of waiting ahead of you. It’s another area where MagSafe connectivity could help, upping the power a bit.
Ampere Unravel: Competition
Wireless multi-device chargers are readily available for Apple devices, but travel options are a bit more difficult to come by. The closest thing to what Unravel offers is the Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe, priced at $149.95 / £169.95 (opens in a new tab). It’s significantly more expensive than Unravel and should be considered a premium alternative, but it addresses all the drawbacks Ampere’s model has, from its MagSafe connectivity to its Apple Watch nightstand mount. It also comes with a charger and charges slightly faster at 15W. It’s nearly three times the price though, and for many people, Unravel will fit their travel needs perfectly.
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You should buy this if…
- You need a compact and reliable travel charger
- You travel with the trinity of Apple mobile devices at all times: iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods
- You watch a lot of videos on your iPhone, as Unravel works as a handy kickstand
You should not buy this if…
- You need MagSafe support. The Unravel will not magnetically lock your devices in place
- You need a fast charge, as the Unravel has a frequency of 10W
- You don’t have a wall charger yet as it’s not included here and you can increase the price depending on which one you choose.
Ampere Unravel: Verdict
It may not have MagSafe connectivity or the option of an Apple Watch nightstand accessory, but the Ampere Unravel is a great travel companion. By folding securely and reliably, safely charging three devices at once, it will eliminate at least one packing headache the next time you’re planning a big trip.
Bottom line: A great travel charging companion for your everyday Apple devices.