5 days ago
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Since we often rely on our mobile devices to shop, communicate, travel, and more, it's paramount to keep your phone's battery boosted. But most of us can't stay tethered to a wall outlet.
Thankfully, you don't have to. The battery market is packed with options that can boost your phone's battery life no matter where you are. From power banks to wireless charging stations, there's something for everyone's lifestyle and charging needs. Battery packs that use MagSafe technology to magnetically attach to your phone offer a more compact solution than traditional portable power banks, so you can ditch the charging wires altogether.
I and other ZDNET experts went hands-on with several of the top MagSafe battery packs (including every pick on this list), spending time testing for charge speed, function, and other features during our everyday activities. Our tested pick for the best overall MagSafe battery pack is the newly refreshed Baseus PicoGo Magnetic power bank thanks to its practical design and refined functionality. Read on to learn more about the Baseus PicoGo and which other top-tested MagSafe battery packs may be worth considering for your wants and needs.
Let me start by saying that I really liked the first iteration of this battery pack (enough to have it included on this list over the last several months), and I like the newly upgraded Qi2 version even more.
This new model has the USB-C connector on the side instead of the bottom of the pack, making it easier to use your phone standing upright while the pack is charging. Instead of the charging indicator lights being on the side, they're now more visible, located on the back of the pack. This model is also a tad slimmer and lengthier than its predecessor, making it easier to transport.
And while this Belkin pack is a true embodiment of a classic brick-style battery booster, there is still a place in my heart for it because it just works so well. Similarly to many picks on this list, it provides 5,000mAh of extra juice to your phone, which is a standard capacity for many MagSafe packs. Its design, though simple, fits snugly against my phone (no bumping onto the lip of my camera lens) and remains secure. Often, you'll see some gapping between the battery and the phone due to a disturbed magnetic connection, but not with this Belkin battery pack.
Its secure grip and competitive battery speak for themselves. I took this pack to a Yankees game, to several late-night outings, to work, and even on errands, and I am impressed with the charging. You can expect between a 25-30% battery boost in about an hour to your phone.
What's more, is that it comes with a built-in stand that easily swings in and out -- no folding required -- and while I originally thought this would be useless, I rather enjoyed being able to prop my phone up whenever. Perhaps the best thing about this Belkin pack is that it comes in a few fun colors, a nice feature many competitors still haven't matched.
Like the previous iteration, this pack is still not the slimmest design I've ever seen. But the newly upgraded design offers a more comfortable and sleek user experience that feels great in hand and doesn't feel as boxy as the pack really is. Overall, I'm impressed with the new shape and think it was a much-needed facelift.
Apple used to be the only retailer that sells the blue, green, pink, and sand color options right now (as well as black), but the product is no longer accessible on the Apple website, which is a downside. The color options made this a fun battery option. However, Belkin carries the black and white iterations as well as the 8k and 10k models. Regardless, Redditors who own this battery pack really like the intentional upgrades. Some Redditors said that this is a great pack to replace Apple's discontinued battery pack, too.
Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5K specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
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