In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system has a wireless power transmitter and receiver. The transmitter has a transmitting resonant circuit that resonates at a first frequency and a signal generator that generates a signal at a second frequency. The transmitter also has a power detector that measures reflected power at the transmitting resonant circuit, and an auto-tuner that generates transmitter tuning parameters for adjusting the first and second frequencies to reduce reflected power. The receiver has a receiving resonant circuit that resonates at a third frequency based on a receiver tuning parameter. The receiver tuning parameter is generated by a power detector that measures power generated at the receiving resonant circuit, and an auto-tuner that generates the receiver tuning parameter to increase the load power.