Ikea Pad Adds New Charging Feature

Ikea was one of the first companies to sell furniture with wireless charging coils, but what if you don’t have one of the company’s powered-up tables or shelving units? There will be a solution next month if you desire smooth Wireless Qi charging without remodeling. The Sjömärke is a $39.99 wireless charging pad designed to integrate with your existing furnishings. This device differs from conventional Qi charging pads in that it does not allow you to place your phone or earbuds directly on the mat.

Instead, the seven-inch by three-inch aluminum and plastic charger works through plastic or wood, so you can stick it to the underside of a table or shelf using double-sided tape (or screws, not included). As long as the device is mounted on wood or plastic, it should be able to safely deliver an electric charge to your devices on the other side.

It requires an 8mm minimum distance from the phone, and Ikea suggests a surface thickness of three-eighths to seven-eighths of an inch.It’s “Perfect to install on a desk, side table, or bedside table when you want chargers and cords to blend with the decor to maintain the room nice and tidy,” according to the Ikea handbook (pdf). A six-foot power cord and stickers to designate the location of your new charging point are included in addition to the sticky tape.

The charging state is indicated by an LED, which also features temperature and power monitoring for safety. It’s compatible with the newest Qi 1.2.4 baseline power profile, so you can expect it to charge at around 5W – no Samsung, Google, or Apple-specific enhancements here. Still, if you want to charge a phone by simply placing it on the desk where it already sits and not having to move anything else, it’s remarkable enough.