These funky USB

Your USB-C device can charge Apple Watch or AirPods, but you won't need a cable with this Prime Day dongle deal.

Running out of battery on your AirPods or your Apple Watch can be a serious inconvenience, but it's all too common. Forgetting to charge up your devices for just one day can result in a situation where your favorite devices are out of juice. It might not seem like a big deal now, but losing stats during a workout or having to survive a trip without music can be extremely frustrating. Make sure you always have an Apple Watch or AirPods charger with you, and you don't need a cable, either. USB-C dongles work with iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones that feature a USB-C port, as well as power banks. You can snag these strange but useful accessories for under $30 during Prime Big Deal Days, but only if you move quickly.

This dongle is the strangest of the bunch because AirPods charge via either USB-C or Lightning, so you'll probably be able to find a charging cable for them easily. However, I've found the USB-C Wireless Charging Dock for AirPods to be more useful than I initially thought. You can plug the dongle straight into a MacBook or power bank with the USB-C connector and instantly start charging, which is great when you're at a desk and don't want to deal with messy cables. Plus, it ensures you won't accidentally dislodge a cable or move the AirPods off their wireless charging station.

This is a Qi-compatible wireless charger, which means you can technically use it to charge any Qi-enabled device. I wouldn't recommend it for this purpose, though, because alignment can be tricky. It's designed specifically for AirPods, and it's excellent when used for that purpose. The USB-C Wireless Charging Dock also features MagSafe magnets, so your AirPods should stay in place while charging wirelessly. All told, it's a strange dongle that you can actually find some utility in. And at just $21, it's worth a shot.

Save 30% on this USB-C dongle for AirPods in this limited-time Prime Day deal.

However, this charging puck is a lot more useful since the Apple Watch uses a proprietary charging connector. Unless you carry an Apple Watch charging cable with you every day, you're out of luck if your smartwatch runs out of juice — unless you pick up this USB-C Apple Watch Charging Puck from Satechi. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and yet is a fully functional Apple Watch charger. You can slip it in a purse, bag, or even your pocket to make sure you have a way to charge your Apple Watch in case its battery runs out.

The best use case for this dongle is with a power bank, but the most fun use case is with the iPhone 15 series. Since Apple's newest smartphones feature a USB-C port, you can plug this charging puck right into your iPhone 15 and start charging an Apple Watch. I've used it a few times since getting my iPhone 15, but be warned that Apple will pause charging if your Apple Watch asks for too much power. Overall, it's a great solution that works perfectly with MacBooks, iPads, wall adapters, portable chargers, and more. You can get it for just $30 on Prime Day, and it's a must-have for your everyday carry.

Save 25% on this tiny and useful Apple Watch charging puck in this limited-time Prime Day deal.

These chargers might look a bit funny, but they're a great way to carry chargers without the bulky cable. By taking a chance on these Prime Day deals, you can have peace of mind that you'll always have a charger with you. Considering how frustrating a dead Apple Watch or a pair of AirPods can be, I'd say getting these dongles for $30 or less is a Prime Day steal.

Brady Snyder is a technology journalist that has written about mobile devices and computers for multiple publications. He graduated from St. John's University in 2023 with a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in English. Prior to joining XDA Developers, Brady wrote over 500 articles for Screen Rant's tech team, where he covered an Apple beat. Based in New York City, he reviews consumer technology, software, and services. Brady is an expert in iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS — but experiments with Android and Windows as well. You can reach Brady at [email protected].