Twelve South has released a smaller, $130 version of its Valet charging station. The new pad is shallower — 4.25 inches deep instead of the original's 7.5 inches — and charges devices faster, delivering up to 25 watts of wireless power compared to the original's 15 watts. The original model costs $180. Engadget deputy editor Nathan Ingraham published a first-person review on August 6, 2026, calling it a good fit for a nightstand. Engadget

Wireless charging means you power up a device by setting it on a pad instead of plugging in a cable. The new Valet uses a standard called Qi2, which includes magnets that snap a compatible phone into the right position automatically — similar to how MagSafe works on recent iPhones. The pad has one wireless charging spot on top and a USB-C port on the bottom for charging a second device with a cable. Combined, both charging spots can deliver up to 35 watts at once. If the wireless pad is not in use, the USB-C port alone can deliver up to 25 watts.

Neither version of the Valet can charge an Apple Watch wirelessly. That is intentional. Twelve South sells a separate product called the HiRise 3 Deluxe that handles the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch together, bringing all three to full charge in about 2.5 hours. The Valet line is designed for people who want one magnetic charging pad plus a spare USB port, not an all-in-one stand.

The Valet's design focuses on materials and flexibility. The top and frame are wrapped in Nappa leather, and the frames are interchangeable, so owners can change the look without buying a new charger. A small light on the bottom glows when a device is placed on the pad, confirming it is charging without putting a bright indicator on the surface.

The pricing is worth a closer look. The new Valet costs $50 less than the original while delivering 10 watts more wireless power. That is unusual. In most product categories, a smaller version either costs more or performs worse. The compact 4.25-inch depth fits on a crowded nightstand or desk without taking over the surface, and the $130 price is lower than many competing Qi2 chargers that cost $150 or more for similar output.

Twelve South's broader lineup of chargers provides context. The company's Charging Solutions product pairs a 30-watt fast charger with a built-in USB-C cable for $29.99 to $39.99. Its PowerPic delivers up to 10 watts to phones that support wireless charging. The PowerBug Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charger covers the portable end of the lineup. The Valet Small is the most expensive and most powerful charger Twelve South sells.

Twelve South has been making Apple accessories since 2009. The company is known for the original iPhone wallet case, the BookBook for iPhone, the BookArc vertical MacBook stand, and the AirFly Bluetooth transmitter for AirPods. Engadget's best travel gifts list for 2025 recommended the AirFly SE, and the AirFly Pro appeared in Black Friday tech deals at $44. That history is relevant because the Valet Small is not a new experiment — it is a refinement of a product from a company that has already released several Qi2 chargers.

The Qi2 standard is the reason the Valet can charge faster. Qi2 uses a magnetic system based on Apple's MagSafe technology, which keeps the charger and phone tightly aligned so more power can flow. The older Qi standard started at 5 watts and later reached 15 watts. A 25-watt Qi2 pad charges phones at a speed close to plugging in a cable, which narrows the gap that has traditionally made wireless charging slower.

The broader context here is what Twelve South chose to leave out. By not including Apple Watch charging in the Valet line and pointing those users to the HiRise family instead, the company is betting that some people would rather have one fast, well-made charging pad than a dock that tries to do everything. The $130 price and 25-watt output suggest that Qi2 accessories are moving past the premium prices that early MagSafe-compatible products charged. Whether enough buyers agree will depend on how many are willing to trade multi-device charging for a better single-device experience.

For now, the Valet Small gives Twelve South a lower-priced way into its charging lineup without the usual compromises that come with a price cut. The leather finish, interchangeable frames, and bottom light all carry over from the original, and the reduced depth makes it practical for spaces where the full-size Valet would not fit.