Twelve South Valet mini review: specs, performance, cost

Twelve South updated its luxe Valet MagSafe charger and catch-all with better performance and a new size, helping it fit into even more homes.

The Valet is a clever device, and something I’m surprised we don’t see more of in the space. It combines a MagSafe charger with a leather-lined tray to hold your daily essentials.

When I reviewed the original Twelve South Valet, I had one primary criticism. While the design was great, the charging speed was a dealbreaker.

Fortunately, with these new models, Twelve South is righting that wrong. We now have faster charging and a new smaller size.

Black Valet-branded electronics box resting on a sleek black wall shelf, against a vertical white-and-gray striped wall background

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Valet is now faster and comes in two sizes

Here in the studio, I am testing out the 4.25-inch model in black with the black border. So far, it’s delightful.

The Twelve South Valet comes in several colors and two sizes. The original is 7.5 inches, and the new, smaller one is 4.25 inches for the catch-all.

Black smartwatch packaging box on a gray surface, with watchband and watch nearby, small plant at upper left, and silver scissors at upper right.

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The charger, still in the box, comes in three colorways with three frame options.

Like the original, the design is two-tone with one for the frame and one for the body. You can choose black on black, taupe on ecru, or brown on brown.

As you can see in the photos, I have the black-on-black. The frame is held in place magnetically, so that you can remove it and swap it for another color.

Slim black wireless charging pad on a gray fabric surface, with a matching black rectangular frame resting diagonally on top, featuring small gold text on one side

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The frame of the Valet can be removed, and you can swap it for additional colors to create your own design

Additional frames are available from Twelve South for $25 a pop, in the same black, brown, and ecru colors. Between the two sizes, three base colors, and three frame colors, you have 18 total combinations to design your own Valet.

Open electronics box on a table, showing neatly arranged accessories in white packaging, including adapters and a cable, with a small green potted plant nearby and other dark items around

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The 45W power adapter includes UK and EU adapters, too

The Valet also comes with a sturdy color-matched and braided USB-C to USB-C cable and a 45W power supply. The power supply has collapsing prongs for use in the U.S., with EU and UK adapters included for international use.

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Clever design and functionality

From the beginning, what set the Valet apart from others has been the exceptional design. Twelve South thought through so many different use cases and scenarios, not skimping on the design or materials.

Wooden cabinet top with framed photo, small tan leather case, and a slim black electronic device, against a plain light-colored wall in a tidy, modern room

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The extra USB-C output is perfect for my smart glasses or Apple Watch

The solid zinc alloy base is wrapped in soft Nappa leather. It has a slightly pebbled texture and will elegantly wear over time as you toss your keys and other EDC gear into it.

On one side is a small perch that will hold your device while charging. It elevates your phone just about a quarter inch and makes it look like it’s floating.

If you have an iPhone Air, the effect is particularly impressive. It looks so sleek.

Flat rectangular electronic device with four round rubber feet on the underside, resting on gray fabric, featuring a central cutout and a single cable plugged into a port in the middle

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The USB-C cables can be routed in any direction to keep your counter tidy

Valet is designed to support multiple orientations to fit easily into your home, thanks to intelligent cable routing on the underside. There are four little cable clips on the bottom so that the cable can emerge from any side to stay as unobtrusive as possible.

I also appreciate that the cable color matches that of the leather. It helps complete that clean aesthetic.

Smartphone on wooden table showing wireless charging screen with a glowing circular battery icon and percentage, next to a leather case and other small accessories

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: When your phone is placed, three lights subtly glow to signal charging has started

Another fantastic touch is a subtle charging light. When you place your phone down, three lights will momentarily glow around the bottom of the charger, giving you confirmation that your device is charging.

Finally, Twelve South includes a secondary USB-C output on the bottom. That way you can charge any other devices you need, like a set of Meta Ray-Ban glasses, your AirPods, or an Apple Watch.

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Finally more power

The first-generation Twelve South Valet supported 15W of Qi2 charging. For this device, that’s not going to cut it for me.

See, Twelve South pitches this as something that’s meant to live on an armoire or in a common area. Those are the kinds of places where I expect to set my phone down for a few minutes and get a quick top-off.

15W isn’t bad, but when many iPhones now support 25W Qi2.2, this device is an ideal candidate for that faster speed. That’s just what we get with Twelve South’s new models.

It’s officially a Qi2.2 25W magnetic charger. That speed is largely supported on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 lines, though the iPhone Air is capped at 20W.

Close-up of a dark handheld gaming controller lying flat, showing a USB-C charging port with a cable partially plugged in, two joystick-like controls, and small buttons on a gray surface

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The Valet has a USB-C input and a bonus 25W USB-C output

I love the bonus USB-C output, which continues to come in handy. If you use the USB-C port by itself, the Valet can do 25W, but this drops to 10W if used alongside the Qi2.2 charger.

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Should you buy it?

If your goal is a 25W Qi 2.2 charger, you can find more affordable options. The flat positioning also isn’t ideal for bedside use due to its inability to display the iPhone in StandBy mode.

Wireless charging tray on a wooden tabletop holding a smartphone in a slim black wallet case and a compact gray electronic device with a small button

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: I can fit my keys and wallet in the tray

Elsewhere, though, the Twelve South Valet makes much more sense. Its compact size fits perfectly by my front door, and faster charging tops off my phone while I get the kids ready.

I love the look, and the leather is a nice change from the largely cold plastic world of multi-chargers. That bonus USB-C port is a killer feature that I think more chargers should include.

Black Twelve South charging dock with a small raised pad sits on a wooden-topped white cabinet, with a tan leather case placed nearby in a softly lit room

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: The sleek leather-wrapped charger looks great.

Simply put, this is a stylish, modern charger you won’t find anywhere else.

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Pros

Premium Nappa leather

Multiple colorways and sizes

Faster 25W magnetic wireless charging

Bonus USB-C output

Elevated design choices like charing lights & matching cable

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch review: Cons

Price is on the high side

No StandBy mode for nightstand use

Twelve South Valet 4.25-inch rating: 4.5 out of 5

Where to buy the Twelve South Valet

The 4.25-inch Twelve South Valet is available both on Amazon as well as the Twelve South website for $129.99. The updated 25W 7.5-inch version is currently on Amazon and will soon launch on the Twelve South store for $179.99.

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