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Quick Answer: The iLive 5-in-1 wins on charging features — Qi wireless pad plus two USB ports in one $40 stand. The Brainwavz Hengja wins on desk space savings (zero footprint), build quality (all-metal), and pure minimalism. Choose the iLive if you need a desk charging hub with headset storage; choose the Hengja if you want maximum desk space with premium build quality at the same price.
Introduction
The iLive 5-in-1 and Brainwavz Hengja both land around the $30–$40 price point, making this a direct budget-tier comparison. They solve the same problem — where to put your headset — through completely different approaches. The iLive is a charging hub with a headset arm attached; the Hengja is a zero-footprint clamp that does nothing except hold your headset perfectly. Which one’s right depends on what you actually need.
Quick Comparison
| iLive 5-in-1 | Brainwavz Hengja | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$40 | ~$30 ✅ |
| Desk Footprint | ~120mm base | Zero (monitor clamp) ✅ |
| Wireless Charging | Qi 10W ✅ | None |
| USB Ports | 2x USB-A ✅ | None |
| Build Material | Plastic | All-metal aluminum ✅ |
| Power Required | Yes (AC adapter) | No ✅ |
| RGB / Surround | No | No |
| Setup | Cable to AC outlet | 30-second clamp ✅ |
| Headset Capacity | 1 | 1 |
Charging Features — iLive vs Hengja
The iLive 5-in-1 wins this category outright — the Hengja has no charging capability at all. Drop your Qi phone on the iLive’s top platform and it charges wirelessly. Plug your earbuds or controller into one of the two USB-A ports on the side. The stand functions as a desk charging station that happens to also hold your headset. For anyone who currently has separate wireless charging pads and USB chargers occupying desk space, the iLive consolidates all of that into a single footprint for $40.
The Hengja is passive — no charging, no power, no cables. If you don’t need charging features at the stand, you’re not giving anything up by choosing the Hengja. If you do need them, the Hengja can’t provide them.
Winner: iLive 5-in-1 — Qi wireless + 2x USB charging vs nothing; clear advantage for charging-focused setups.
Desk Space — iLive vs Hengja
The Hengja clamps to the top edge or back of your monitor — zero desk surface consumed. The iLive’s 120mm square base sits on your desk permanently. For battlestation setups where desk space is maxed, this is a real constraint. For larger desks where a 120mm footprint is trivial, it’s not a problem — but it’s worth acknowledging that the iLive takes space the Hengja doesn’t.
Winner: Brainwavz Hengja — zero desk footprint vs 120mm base; concrete advantage for compact setups.
Build Quality — iLive vs Hengja
The Hengja is all-metal aluminum throughout — clamp, arm, and hanger bar. It feels like a precision-machined accessory and could last a decade of daily use. The iLive is plastic from base to arm tip — functional, doesn’t feel cheap for the price, but it’s a different material class. You’ll feel the difference picking them up. The iLive is lighter (which helps with the monitor clamp not being needed) but less premium.
Winner: Brainwavz Hengja — all-metal at $30 is significantly better construction than plastic at $40.
Value — iLive vs Hengja
Both are good value, but for different buyers. The iLive at $40 gives you a Qi wireless charger + 2x USB ports — if you’d otherwise spend $15–$20 on a wireless charging pad and another $10 on a USB hub, the iLive bundle at $40 is mathematically attractive. The Hengja at $30 gives you better build quality and zero desk footprint — if you don’t need charging, you’re getting more construction quality per dollar. Neither is overpriced; choose based on what features you’ll actually use.
Winner: Tie — depends entirely on whether you need the charging features.
Use Case Breakdown
Buy the iLive 5-in-1 if:
- Your phone, earbuds, or other Qi devices need daily charging at the desk
- You want to reduce the number of separate chargers on your desk
- Desk space isn’t critically limited — 120mm base footprint is acceptable
- Charging features matter more than premium material quality
- You want a complete desk-charging-and-headset-storage solution under $40
Buy the Brainwavz Hengja if:
- Zero desk footprint is the priority — space-constrained battlestation
- All-metal build quality matters — you want something that feels and lasts premium
- You don’t need charging features at the headset stand
- Minimalist aesthetic — no cables, no power bricks, clean desk
- Saving $10 matters — the Hengja is $30 vs $40
Verdict
The iLive 5-in-1 is the better stand if you need a desk charging hub — Qi wireless, two USB ports, and headset storage for $40 is genuinely hard to beat at this price point. The Brainwavz Hengja is the better stand if you prioritize desk space, build quality, and simplicity — $30 all-metal zero-footprint design with no cables required. Both are excellent for the money; the right one depends on whether “charging hub” is on your needs list.
Where to Buy
FAQ
Does the iLive 5-in-1 wireless charger work with iPhone?
Yes. Any iPhone 8 or later supports Qi wireless charging. Place the phone on the iLive’s top platform pad — face up or face down both work — and it starts charging at up to 10W. iPhone MagSafe speed (15W) is not supported since the iLive uses standard Qi rather than Apple’s MagSafe protocol. For overnight or daytime top-offs, the 10W speed is more than adequate.
Can the iLive 5-in-1 hold heavy gaming headsets?
The plastic arm handles all standard gaming headsets including heavier over-ear models. The weighted plastic base provides enough stability that the stand doesn’t tip when a headset is placed on the arm. Very heavy headsets (over 400g) combined with an uneven desk surface could theoretically tip the stand — check that your desk surface is level. The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 PRO at ~370g sits without issue in typical testing configurations.
Does the iLive 5-in-1 need to be connected to a PC?
No. The iLive plugs into a standard AC outlet via an included adapter — it does not require a USB connection to a computer. This means all charging features (Qi wireless + USB-A ports) work whether your PC is on or off, which is useful for overnight charging without leaving your computer running. Unlike the Corsair ST100 which requires a PC USB connection for power, the iLive operates independently.
