Twelve South has released a smaller, $130 version of its Valet charging station, shrinking the depth from 7.5 inches to 4.25 inches and raising the wireless charging output from 15W on the original $180 model to 25W. Engadget deputy editor Nathan Ingraham published a first-person review of the new pad on August 6, 2026, positioning it as a nightstand-friendly alternative to the full-size Valet. Engadget

The new Valet uses the Qi2 wireless charging standard, which adds a magnetic alignment system for compatible devices — similar to how MagSafe magnets snap an iPhone into the optimal position on a charger. The pad has a single wireless charging spot on top and a USB-C port on the bottom for wired charging of a second device. Total simultaneous output is capped at 35W; when the wireless pad is idle, the USB-C port can deliver up to 25W on its own. The original Valet topped out at 15W on the wireless side.

Neither version of the Valet includes built-in wireless charging for Apple Watch. That is a deliberate choice in Twelve South's product lineup: the company's HiRise 3 Deluxe, a separate 3-in-1 product, covers the iPhone-AirPods-Apple Watch combination with a vertical iPhone charger that surfaces notifications at a glance. The HiRise 3 can bring all three devices to full charge in roughly 2.5 hours. The Valet line, by contrast, targets users who want a single magnetic pad plus an auxiliary USB-C port rather than a multi-device stand.

The Valet's industrial design leans on materials and modularity. The top and frame of the tray are wrapped in Nappa leather, and the frames are interchangeable, letting owners swap finishes without replacing the charging base. A subtle LED array on the bottom illuminates when a device is placed on the pad, confirming placement without a bright indicator on the surface.

The pricing structure is worth examining. The new Valet costs $50 less than the original while increasing peak wireless output by 10W. That is an unusual combination in a category where smaller form factors typically command a premium or accept reduced performance. The 4.25-inch depth puts the pad into a footprint that fits on a crowded nightstand or desk without dominating the surface, and the $130 price undercuts many multi-coil Qi2 competitors that charge $150 or more for similar output levels.

Twelve South's broader charging ecosystem provides useful context. The company's Charging Solutions product pairs a 30W fast charger with an integrated USB-C cable at a regular price of $29.99 to $39.99, and its PowerPic delivers up to 10W to Qi-compatible phones. The PowerBug Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charger rounds out the portable end of the lineup. The Valet Small sits at the top of this pricing tier, offering the highest wireless output of any Twelve South charger.

The company has been designing Apple-ecosystem accessories since 2009 and is known for products like 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 track record matters here because the Valet Small is not a category experiment; it is a refinement of an existing product in a category where Twelve South has already shipped multiple Qi2 designs.

The Qi2 standard itself is the enabling factor for the Valet's output increase. Qi2's Magnetic Power Profile, derived from Apple's MagSafe technology, allows for tighter coil alignment and higher power delivery than the original Qi specification, which topped out at 5W and later extended to 15W through extended power profiles. A 25W Qi2 pad approaches the charging speeds of wired solutions for most smartphones, narrowing the convenience gap that has historically made wireless charging a slower overnight-only option.

In my view, the trade-off Twelve South has made here is telling. By dropping Apple Watch support from the Valet line entirely and pushing that use case to the HiRise family, the company is betting that a segment of users want a single high-output pad with premium materials rather than a do-everything dock. The $130 price point and 25W output suggest that Qi2 is maturing past the early-adopter tax that characterized first-generation MagSafe-compatible accessories. Whether the broader market agrees will depend on how many users are willing to give up multi-device charging for a better single-device experience.

For now, the Valet Small gives Twelve South a more accessible entry point into its charging hardware lineup without the feature compromises that typically accompany a price cut. The Nappa leather finish, interchangeable frames, and LED indicator carry over the design language of the original, and the reduced depth makes it practical for spaces where the full-size Valet would not fit.