This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Belkin makes a cable-free Apple Watch fast charger that plugs straight into a USB-C port. On my scale it weighed 18.5 g, against 30.8 g for the Apple cable that came with my watch, and nothing dangles or tangles in a bag. It works best plugged into a power bank. With some wall chargers the angle gets awkward, but for travel it is the one I would pack.
What I tested
- Belkin portable Apple Watch charger with a built-in USB-C plug (black)
- Apple Watch Ultra with a stainless steel band, drained to 36 percent
- A wall charger with vertically stacked USB-C ports
- Two power banks, including a thin MagSafe model
- Plugging the Belkin into an iPhone USB-C port
What I found
- Light and tidy: 18.5 g versus 30.8 g, with no cable to coil up. Build quality feels close to Apple.
- Wall chargers: on a charger with stacked ports, the top port works, but the watch sits a little off balance. All the weight rests on the plug, so very heavy setups make me nervous. Sideways ports needed the band removed.
- Power banks: the best match. Run the band under the battery and the watch sits steady while charging.
- Thin MagSafe battery: it still charges because the band loop is thin. A CIO battery charged my iPhone and watch at the same time, but that splits a small capacity.
- iPhone as the source: plugged into my iPhone, it charged the watch. Handy for a quick top-up.
| Belkin | Apple cable | |
|---|---|---|
| Photo |  |  |
| Weight | 18.5 g | 30.8 g |
| Cable | None | Yes |
| Best for | Travel | Home |
Who it is for
- Apple Watch owners who pack a charging cable for every trip
- People who want to charge the watch from a power bank
- Less ideal as a permanent home charger, since port position and angle matter
The video is in Japanese. The power bank tests start around 3:50, and the iPhone test is near the end, around 7:40.
Limitations
I tested one black unit with one Apple Watch Ultra. I did not measure charging speed. The price was a little under ¥4,000 when I bought it, at the time of recording, and Belkin sells this charger in other markets too.
Products
Belkin portable Apple Watch charger (USB-C): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Chargers & Cables (29) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.