Anker 3-in-1 Cube Review: Is the MagSafe Y1811 Worth It?
APPLE CHARGING STATION
A compact home for three Apple devices
This Anker 3-in-1 Cube review focuses on the original MagSafe Y1811: its charging limits, case requirements and value for a bedside or travel setup.
Quick verdict: Consider the Y1811 if you own a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch and wirelessly charging AirPods case, and want one compact station for all three. Its appeal is organization and a folding design. If you only charge a phone, or prioritize faster wired top-ups, compare a simpler charging setup first.
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Check the original Y1811 package
Check Amazon optionsCheck Walmart optionsRetailer search links. Confirm the model number, included power adapter, seller and delivered price. Current retailer stock and a lowest-price winner have not been verified.
Review method: This is a specification-based buying assessment using Anker product and support documentation checked November 4, 2026. We have not bench-tested this charger. Recommendations are editorial judgments; no measured speed, heat or durability results are claimed.
Anker 3-in-1 Cube review: identify the model first
“Anker Cube” is not a unique product name. The original Y1811 with MagSafe differs from the Y1812 Cube with Qi2 and other MagGo cube models. A similar shape or a retailer headline does not make their adapter requirements interchangeable.
Anker’s adapter guidance specifies at least a 30W USB-C power adapter for Y1811, while Y1812 requires at least 40W. This review concerns Y1811. Match the label or listing model before applying its specifications to a purchase.
| Buying check | Original MagSafe Y1811 |
|---|---|
| Intended setup | Compatible iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods |
| Phone charging ceiling | Up to 15W for supported iPhones |
| Watch charging surface | Up to 5W; fast-charge support depends on the watch |
| Earbud charging area | Up to 5W for a compatible wireless case |
| Recommended power supply | 30W USB-C Power Delivery adapter meeting Anker’s requirements |
| Viewing adjustment | Up to 60 degrees |
| Main tradeoff | Convenient three-device placement versus a simpler wired setup |
These are separate wireless output ceilings. The adapter’s input rating does not describe power delivered to the phone, and maximum ratings do not guarantee sustained charging speed.
What makes the Cube worth considering?
A smaller bedside charging area
A dedicated place for each device can reduce the daily search for loose cables. If your phone, watch and earbuds already live beside the bed, one station may make that routine easier. The benefit is most noticeable when you regularly charge all three, rather than occasionally using the extra areas.
Check your bedside layout before buying. Leave room to position the phone, reach the watch module and place the earbud case properly. A compact closed shape is useful, but the open charging arrangement still needs usable space around it.
A folding design for repeated trips
The Cube folds into a compact shape, and the phone surface can act as a stand when opened. That suits someone who wants a familiar charging arrangement at home and in a hotel. Remember to pack the AC adapter and USB-C cable as well as the Cube.
Travel convenience is personal. If your existing cables already fit neatly in a small pouch, a dedicated station may not save much effort. Compare the complete kit you actually carry, including plug adapters, rather than the charging station alone.
Compatibility checks before checkout
iPhone and phone case
The original model’s documentation lists MagSafe-equipped iPhone generations, including the iPhone 12 through 15 families in its published compatibility tables. Check current support for your exact phone, especially a newer model or a variant without MagSafe. A case with a magnetic ring does not by itself prove the phone supports the advertised charging mode.
Use a compatible magnetic case and remove accessories that interfere with alignment. Anker warns about metal cases and objects such as cards, keys and grips between the phone and charging surface. A phone that attaches securely should still be checked for an active charging indication.
Apple Watch
The station’s watch charger and the watch’s own capability both matter. Anker’s product material identifies fast charging for supported models such as Series 7, 8, 9 and Ultra models. Do not infer fast charging for every Apple Watch generation from the presence of a watch module.
For a newer watch, confirm model-specific support with Anker before purchasing. For an older watch, distinguish ordinary charging compatibility from fast charging. That distinction matters if your routine leaves only a short charging window before bed or exercise.
AirPods and their case
Check the case, not just the earbud name. The lower charging area needs a compatible wireless charging case. Anker lists examples including AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 with a wireless case. A cable-only case will not gain wireless charging from being placed on the station.
Position the case in the intended area and verify that charging starts. The earbud area is not a second full-size phone stand, so do not buy the Cube expecting to charge two phones and a watch together.
What the charging ratings do—and do not—tell you
Peak wireless wattage is one part of the charging experience. Battery level, temperature, alignment and the device’s charging controls can affect the power actually used. We have not measured a full charge time, so no minutes-to-full or head-to-head speed claim is made here.
If your priority is a quick daytime refill, compare your phone’s supported wired charging setup. If your priority is placing three devices down conveniently for a longer charging session, the Cube’s layout may matter more than peak speed.
Who should skip the original Cube?
- Phone-only users: a single-device charger may meet the same need with fewer unused features.
- Android and mixed-watch households: this is an Apple-focused station; do not assume the watch module works with another brand.
- Owners of cable-only earbud cases: the third charging area would not serve that case.
- Buyers seeking a newer charging standard: compare the precise newer model and its requirements instead of treating all Cube listings as equivalent.
- Users who need battery backup: this station needs external power; it is not a power bank.
Compare alternatives around your routine
For a stationary bedside setup, our Belkin WIZ023 review covers another three-device approach. Compare physical layout, supported devices and included accessories before choosing.
For frequent wired charging of a phone and laptop, see our laptop-and-phone charger guide. If you need charging away from an outlet, our wireless versus wired power bank comparison addresses a different purchase need.
Amazon vs Walmart: compare the complete package
Search for the full model name and Y1811. Check the product label, seller description and package contents. Some results may show a Qi2 Cube or another similarly shaped station. Compare like-for-like models before comparing prices.
Then review the delivered total, return window, seller identity and warranty eligibility. Confirm a U.S. power adapter or suitable regional plug is included. An attractive price for an incomplete or different package is not a reliable value comparison.
We have not verified a live Amazon-versus-Walmart price winner. The buttons open retailer searches so you can inspect current offers. If the correct model is unavailable, compare a suitable current alternative instead of choosing a mismatched listing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Y1811 the same as the Qi2 Cube?
No. Anker identifies Y1811 as the MagSafe Cube and Y1812 as a Cube with Qi2. Their power-adapter requirements differ.
Does a 30W adapter mean 30W wireless phone charging?
No. Adapter input capability and wireless phone output are different specifications. Check the phone area’s published ceiling and your phone’s support.
Does it charge a laptop?
No. Its intended charging areas are for the supported phone, watch and earbud case. Its USB-C power connection is not a general laptop-charging output.
Can it work during a power outage?
It does not store energy. Any operation away from mains power requires a suitable external source meeting the station’s input requirements.
Is the Cube worth buying today?
It can be if its exact compatibility and package suit your three-device routine at a competitive delivered price. Compare newer alternatives if faster supported charging or different device support is important to you.
Final verdict
Buy the original Y1811 for a tidy, repeatable Apple-device charging routine. Its folding shape and dedicated charging areas are the main reasons to choose it. Confirm your phone, watch, earbud case and included adapter first; a premium station is useful only when its layout serves the devices you actually own.
Compare the correct model before buying
Match Y1811, the complete package and a seller you trust.
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Manufacturer documentation checked November 4, 2026. Product image: Anker. This is an editorial assessment of published specifications, not a hands-on test.
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