Heyday Wireless Charging Pad

From Skeptic to Convert: My Journey with Target’s Affordable Charging Solution

When I first encountered wireless charging technology, I was admittedly skeptical. Would it be reliable? Fast enough? Worth replacing my trusty cable collection? After reluctantly trying a friend’s charger during a desperate low-battery moment, I was intrigued but not entirely convinced. That all changed when I discovered Heyday’s wireless charging pads at Target.

As someone who reviews tech products regularly, I’ve had my hands on countless charging solutions, from premium options costing upwards of $60 to budget alternatives that frankly weren’t worth their $15 price tag. The Heyday wireless charging pad sits in that sweet spot between affordability and functionality that’s surprisingly hard to find. After using various models for over six months, I’m ready to share everything you need to know before buying a Heyday wireless charging pad.

What Exactly Is Heyday? The Target Brand You Should Know About

Before diving into the specifics of their charging pads, let’s address the question many of you might have: what is Heyday? If you’ve shopped at Target recently, you’ve likely noticed their colorful tech accessories adorning the electronics section. Heyday is Target’s in-house electronics brand, launched in 2018 to provide affordable yet stylish tech accessories that don’t compromise on quality.

Their product line spans headphones, speakers, phone cases, and—the focus of today’s deep dive—wireless charging pads. What makes Heyday stand out is their commitment to bringing vibrant designs and reliable performance at prices that won’t make your wallet weep. As someone who’s tired of the same old black and gray tech accessories, I find their color palette refreshingly bold.

Device Compatibility: Will It Work With Your Phone?

The first question most people ask about any wireless charger is whether it will work with their specific device. The good news is that Heyday wireless charging pads are compatible with any Qi-enabled device. If you’re not familiar with Qi (pronounced “chee”), it’s the universal standard for wireless charging technology that most modern smartphones support.

Compatible devices include:

• iPhone 8 and newer (including all iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 series)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 and newer
• Google Pixel 3 and newer
• LG G7 and newer
• Most newer Android phones from major manufacturers

I’ve personally tested the Heyday charging pad with my iPhone 13 Pro, my partner’s Galaxy S22, and even my Pixel 6, all without issues. If you’re unsure whether your phone supports wireless charging, a quick Google search of your phone model plus “Qi charging” should give you the answer.

It’s worth noting that while the charging pad works with both iPhones and Android devices, the charging speeds may vary depending on your phone’s specifications. We’ll get into that in more detail shortly.

Price Point: Affordable Without Feeling Cheap

One of the most appealing aspects of the Heyday wireless charging pad is its price. These chargers typically retail between $15-$25 depending on the model and any ongoing promotions. During Target’s frequent sales, I’ve seen them drop as low as $12, which is an absolute steal for a reliable wireless charger.

To put this in perspective, Apple’s official MagSafe charger costs $39, and other premium brands like Belkin and Anker typically price their comparable models between $25-$50. The Heyday pad delivers similar functionality at roughly half the price of these premium options.

I’ve found that while there are cheaper wireless chargers on the market (particularly from unknown brands on Amazon), the build quality and reliability of those sub-$10 options often leave much to be desired. The Heyday charger strikes an impressive balance between affordability and quality that’s hard to beat.

Where to Buy: Target Exclusivity and Availability

As Heyday is Target’s in-house brand, these charging pads are exclusively available through Target stores and Target.com. This exclusivity has both advantages and disadvantages.

On the plus side, it means you can often try them out in-store before purchasing, and returns are straightforward if you’re not satisfied. Target also frequently includes these chargers in their tech accessory sales, making them even more affordable.

The downside is limited availability if you don’t live near a Target store. While Target.com does ship these products, international shoppers or those in areas without Target coverage might find it difficult to get their hands on these chargers.

I’ve noticed that inventory can fluctuate, especially for the more popular colors and designs. If you see one you like, I’d recommend grabbing it, as specific colors can sell out and take time to restock. During the holiday season, I’ve seen entire displays emptied within days.

Charging Speed: Expectations vs. Reality

Let’s talk about what might be the most important technical aspect of any charger: speed. The Heyday wireless charging pads offer up to 10W charging capability, which is respectable for the price point. However, it’s crucial to understand that the actual charging speed you’ll experience depends on your specific device and setup.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

• iPhones (8 and newer): Up to 7.5W charging speed
• Samsung Galaxy and other Android phones: Up to 10W (on compatible models)
• AirPods and other wireless earbuds: Usually around 5W

In my real-world testing, my iPhone 13 Pro typically charges from 20% to 80% in about 1.5-2 hours on the Heyday pad. This is slower than my 20W wired Apple charger (which takes about 45 minutes for the same range), but on par with other wireless chargers I’ve tested.

It’s worth emphasizing that wireless charging is generally slower than wired charging—this isn’t unique to Heyday but is a limitation of current wireless charging technology. The convenience of simply placing your phone down versus plugging it in comes with the tradeoff of longer charging times.

Fast Charging Support: The Fine Print

While the Heyday pad advertises “fast wireless charging,” it’s important to understand what that actually means. The pad supports up to 10W charging, which qualifies as “fast” for wireless charging standards, but there are some caveats.

To achieve the maximum charging speeds:

1. You need a device that supports faster wireless charging
2. You need to use an appropriate wall adapter (more on this in a moment)

For iPhone users, Apple limits wireless charging to 7.5W regardless of the charger’s capabilities (unless you’re using their own MagSafe charger, which can reach 15W). So even though the Heyday pad can output 10W, your iPhone will only draw 7.5W maximum.

Samsung and some other Android phones can utilize the full 10W, but only if they specifically support faster wireless charging protocols. Some older phones may be limited to 5W regardless of the charger’s capabilities.

Qi Certification: Safety First

One concern I had before investing in a budget-friendly wireless charger was safety. Poorly designed chargers can potentially damage your battery or even pose fire hazards. Fortunately, Heyday wireless charging pads are Qi-certified, which means they’ve passed the testing standards established by the Wireless Power Consortium.

This certification ensures the charger meets specific safety, interoperability, and performance standards. I’ve been using mine nightly for months without any issues or concerning heat generation.

The Qi certification also guarantees compatibility with all Qi-enabled devices, so you don’t have to worry about whether your phone will work with it. This universal compatibility is particularly valuable if you have multiple devices or share your home with people who use different phone brands.

Single Device vs. Multi-Device Options

One limitation of the standard Heyday wireless charging pad is that it can only charge one device at a time. If you have multiple devices that need charging—say, a phone and wireless earbuds—you’ll need to charge them sequentially or invest in multiple pads.

Target does occasionally offer Heyday dual wireless charging stations, though these tend to be more seasonal offerings rather than regular stock items. These dual chargers typically retail for around $30-$35, still making them more affordable than most competitors’ multi-device solutions.

For my nightstand, I eventually opted for two separate Heyday pads—one for my phone and one for my AirPods—as it was still cheaper than most dual charging stations and gave me the flexibility to position them exactly how I wanted.

Aesthetics and Design Options: Style Matters

One area where Heyday truly shines is design variety. Unlike many tech brands that limit you to basic black, white, or gray options, Heyday offers a rotating selection of colors and patterns that complement various home aesthetics.

During my visits to Target, I’ve seen options ranging from:

• Solid colors: Black, white, navy, coral, mint green, lavender
• Patterns: Terrazzo, marble, floral, geometric
• Textures: Fabric-covered, silicone, faux leather

The designs tend to rotate seasonally, with new options appearing during back-to-school season, holiday periods, and spring refreshes. The model I ultimately chose features a woven fabric top in a heathered gray that blends perfectly with my bedroom’s neutral color scheme.

Beyond just looking good, the design serves practical purposes too. The slightly raised edge helps keep your phone centered on the charging coil, and the non-slip base ensures the pad stays put on your nightstand or desk.

Power Adapter: The Hidden Cost

Here’s something important to note before purchasing: most Heyday wireless charging pads do not include a wall adapter. The package typically includes the charging pad itself and a USB-A to USB-C cable, but you’ll need to supply your own wall plug.

While this might seem like a downside, it’s actually quite common among wireless chargers in this price range. It also assumes that most consumers already have multiple wall adapters from previous device purchases.

For optimal performance, Heyday recommends using a Quick Charge 2.0 or higher wall adapter (or equivalent). In my testing, using a standard 5V/1A adapter resulted in noticeably slower charging than when using my iPad’s 12W adapter or my phone’s 20W adapter.

If you don’t already have a suitable wall adapter, factor in an additional $10-$20 for a quality adapter that can deliver enough power for fast wireless charging. Using an underpowered adapter won’t damage anything, but it will result in significantly slower charging speeds.

Setup and Ease of Use: Couldn’t Be Simpler

One of the best things about the Heyday wireless charging pad—and wireless chargers in general—is the minimal setup required. Here’s the entire process:

1. Unbox the charging pad
2. Connect the included USB cable to the pad
3. Plug the other end into a wall adapter
4. Place the pad on a flat surface
5. Place your phone on the pad

That’s it! There’s no pairing, no settings to adjust, no software to install. Your phone should immediately recognize the charger and begin charging. Most phones will display a charging indicator or play a sound to confirm they’re receiving power.

The simplicity extends to daily use as well. Rather than fumbling with cables in the dark, you simply place your phone on the pad. This ease of use is particularly valuable for nighttime charging or when you’re in a hurry.

Overnight Charging: Safety Considerations

Many people, myself included, primarily use wireless chargers on nightstands for overnight charging. This raises questions about the safety of leaving your device on the charger for 6-8 hours at a time.

Based on my experience and research, the Heyday wireless charging pad is perfectly safe for overnight charging. Modern smartphones have built-in safeguards that prevent overcharging, and the Heyday pad includes temperature management features that prevent overheating.

I’ve charged my phone overnight on the Heyday pad for months without any noticeable impact on battery health. My phone’s battery health reading has degraded at approximately the same rate it did when I was using wired charging exclusively.

That said, there are a few tips I recommend for optimal overnight charging:

• Place the pad on a hard, flat surface (not on fabric or bedding)
• Make sure your phone is properly aligned on the pad
• Remove very thick cases that might interfere with charging efficiency
• Consider using a smart plug with a timer if you want to limit charging to a few hours

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the Heyday charging pad has been largely reliable in my experience, I’ve encountered a few minor issues that are easily resolved. If you run into problems, here are the most common issues and their solutions:

Phone not charging or charging intermittently:

• Ensure your phone is centered on the pad
• Remove any metal objects, credit cards, or magnets between your phone and the charger
• Try removing your phone case if it’s very thick (over 3mm) or contains metal elements
• Check that the cable is firmly connected to both the pad and wall adapter
• Try a different wall adapter with higher output

Charging seems too slow:

• Verify you’re using a wall adapter that supports at least 2A output (preferably Quick Charge compatible)
• Check that your phone supports faster wireless charging
• Remove thick cases that might increase the distance between your phone and the charging coil
• Make sure your phone is properly aligned with the charging coil

Charger gets very warm:

• Some warmth is normal during wireless charging
• If the charger feels uncomfortably hot, disconnect it immediately
• Ensure the charger is on a hard surface with good airflow
• Avoid charging in direct sunlight or very warm environments

In the rare case that these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your issue, Target’s return policy is quite accommodating, especially for their in-house brands.

Phone Case Compatibility: Thickness Matters

One of the most frequent questions about wireless chargers concerns phone case compatibility. The good news is that the Heyday wireless charging pad works with most phone cases up to 3mm thick.

In my testing, the charger successfully worked through:

• Apple’s silicone and leather cases
• Otterbox Symmetry and Commuter series
• Spigen thin and medium-thickness cases
• Fabric-covered cases
• Most standard TPU cases

However, there are some limitations. Cases that are very thick (like the Otterbox Defender), contain metal elements, or have magnetic mounts/attachments can interfere with wireless charging. Pop sockets or similar accessories might also create enough distance to prevent efficient charging.

If you’re having trouble charging through your case, try temporarily removing it to determine if the case is causing the issue. If your phone charges normally without the case, you might need to consider a thinner case for wireless charging compatibility.

Warranty and Customer Support

Heyday products, including their wireless charging pads, typically come with a one-year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use conditions.

Since Heyday is Target’s in-house brand, warranty claims are handled directly through Target. In my experience, Target’s customer service for their own brands tends to be quite responsive and accommodating. If you encounter issues within the warranty period, you can usually return or exchange the product at any Target store with your receipt.

Beyond the formal warranty, Target’s general return policy applies to these chargers as well. As of my last purchase, this allows returns within 90 days for unused or defective items, giving you ample time to determine if the charger meets your needs.

Comparing Heyday to Other Brands

Having tested wireless chargers from several brands across different price points, I can offer some perspective on how Heyday compares to the competition:

vs. Apple MagSafe ($39): Apple’s MagSafe charger offers faster charging for iPhones (up to 15W vs Heyday’s 7.5W for iPhones) and the magnetic alignment is convenient. However, it’s more than twice the price and lacks the stylish design options of Heyday.

vs. Anker PowerWave ($20-30): Anker offers slightly better build quality and often includes a wall adapter. Charging speeds are comparable, but design options are limited compared to Heyday.

vs. Belkin Boost Charge ($30-40): Belkin chargers often include wall adapters and some models offer 15W charging for supported devices. However, the significant price difference makes Heyday the better value unless you specifically need the faster charging capability.

vs. Amazon Basics ($15-20): Similar price point to Heyday, but with fewer design options and sometimes inferior build quality. Target’s return policy also tends to be more convenient than Amazon’s for physical products.

For most users, I believe the Heyday charging pad offers the best balance of price, performance, and aesthetics. Unless you specifically need the fastest possible wireless charging speeds, the premium charged by other brands is difficult to justify.

Beyond Phones: Charging Other Devices

While smartphones are the primary devices for wireless charging, the Heyday pad can charge other Qi-compatible devices as well. I’ve successfully used mine to charge:

• AirPods with wireless charging case
• Galaxy Buds and other wireless earbuds
• Some smartwatches that support Qi charging

The charging speed for these smaller devices is typically around 5W, which is perfectly adequate given their smaller battery sizes. I’ve found the charging pad particularly convenient for my AirPods, as the small charging case can be difficult to plug in with a cable.

It’s worth noting that not all wireless earbuds or smartwatches support Qi charging—some use proprietary charging methods instead. Check your device’s specifications to confirm compatibility before purchasing a wireless charger specifically for these accessories.

LED Indicator: Subtle but Functional

The Heyday wireless charging pad features a small LED indicator light that shows the charging status. The light is subtle enough not to be distracting in a dark bedroom but visible enough to confirm your device is charging properly.

On most models, the LED glows:

• Solid white/blue when a device is charging normally
• Off when no device is detected or charging is complete (on some phone models)

Some users might prefer a more detailed indicator system that shows different colors for different charging states, but I’ve found the simple indicator sufficient for confirming that charging is in progress.

The LED is positioned on the side of the charger rather than the top, which I appreciate since it doesn’t shine directly upward into your eyes when placed on a nightstand.

Environmental Considerations: The Wireless Dilemma

One aspect of wireless charging that’s rarely discussed is its environmental impact. Wireless charging is inherently less energy-efficient than wired charging, with some studies suggesting 30-50% more energy consumption due to heat loss during the transfer process.

For environmentally conscious consumers, this presents a dilemma between convenience and efficiency. I’ve personally addressed this by:

1. Using my wireless charger primarily for overnight charging when convenience matters most
2. Sticking with wired charging for quick top-ups during the day
3. Using a smart plug to cut power to the wireless charger when not in use

If environmental impact is a significant concern for you, a wired charger remains the more efficient option. However, the convenience of wireless charging makes it worthwhile for many users, especially in specific use cases like bedside charging.

Final Verdict: Is the Heyday Wireless Charging Pad Worth It?

After six months of daily use across multiple models, my verdict on the Heyday wireless charging pad is overwhelmingly positive. These chargers deliver reliable performance, attractive designs, and good build quality at a price point that makes wireless charging accessible to everyone.

The Heyday wireless charging pad offers exceptional value for money, providing most of the functionality of premium chargers at roughly half the price. While it lacks some advanced features like 15W+ charging speeds or multi-device capability, these omissions are reasonable given the price point.

For most users—particularly those new to wireless charging or looking to add charging pads to multiple rooms without breaking the bank—the Heyday charging pad is an excellent choice. The wide variety of designs also means you’re likely to find one that complements your space, unlike the utilitarian appearance of many competitors.

If you’re in the market for an affordable wireless charger that doesn’t compromise on the essentials, I highly recommend giving the Heyday wireless charging pad a try. At $15-$25, it’s an inexpensive way to cut one more cord from your daily routine and add a touch of convenience to your charging experience.

Whether you’re a wireless charging veteran or a curious newcomer, Target’s Heyday chargers deserve a spot on your short list. They’ve certainly earned their permanent place on my nightstand and desk—perhaps they’ll earn a spot on yours too.