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The best Qi wireless charging power banks
By Nick Guy This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full Qi wireless charging power banks guide here. After testing nine competitors over 10 hours, we're confident that Energizer's QE10000CQ 10K Wireless Charging Power Bank is the best all-in-one option for anyone looking for the convenience of a Qi wireless charger at a desk and the portability of a power bank on the go. It also has the fastest ports, and you can charge two devices and the battery itself at the same time. The Energizer QE10000CQ offers better grip on its wireless charging surface than the competition, ensuring that your phone stays in place and keeps charging. It has roughly the same footprint as an iPhone XS but measures about twice as thick, and it's equipped with the best combination of charging options we could find: two USB-A ports (one of which supports Quick Charge 3.0 charging), a Micro-USB input, and a USB-C port for both input and output. (You can fast-charge supported devices through the USB-C port if you have the right cable.) It can fully charge most phones three times before needing to be recharged itself; that's as much battery capacity as we saw from any Qi power bank available during our testing period. myCharge's Unplugged 5K is a good option if you prefer a small, inexpensive charger and are willing to make a few sacrifices. It's more affordable than the Energizer but has half the battery capacity (most phones can get about one and a half to two full charges from this myCharge model). In our tests, the Unplugged 5K wirelessly charged just as quickly as the Energizer, getting a fully drained phone to about 30 percent after an hour. Through the two USB-A output ports, you can expect charging speeds at least twice as fast as with wireless charging, but the unit doesn't offer a USB-C port for even faster charging than that. The white plastic body flexes when you press against it, and this power bank has less grip for keeping your phone in place.
The myCharge Amp Plus might be the perfect power pack
I love portable power banks. Actually, let me rephrase that; I love compact, powerful, beautifully-designed portable power banks. If I can toss something in my pocket which gives me some extra juice -- and not be constantly reminded of its existence when it bounces against my thigh as I walk -- I'm on board. I love the myCharge Amp Plus for all these reasons. Specs Capacity: 3000 mAh Output: 1.0A (via USB) Price: US$39.99 Design There's not a whole lot you can say about a tiny charging gadget like this, but the Amp Plus has several nice design touches worth mentioning. First off, the materials used in its construction are of the highest quality. No cheap plastic here. It has what myCharge calls a "Soft Touch" finish, which provides a very pleasant in-hand feel, and the rubberized grips on the ends are great when you're yanking it out of your pocket or bag. There's a discrete power gauge on the side that is activated by pressing a small button, a USB port to power whatever gadgets are in need of some life, and a microUSB port that is used to recharge the pack itself. As an added bonus, there's a built-in LED flashlight on one end of the pack which produces a surprisingly bright beam. It's a small added feature that really has nothing to do with its charging abilities, but if you're ever in need of some added light it really is a life saver. Size wise, it's just about perfect. I can toss it in my pocket and forget it's there or leave it in my vehicle's console without it taking up much room at all. It essentially disappears until it's needed, which is exactly what a device like this should do. Functionality You plug in your device's charging cord to the USB port on the Amp Plus and it begins transferring power immediately. With devices like this, it either works or it doesn't, and that's not usually a difficult thing to get right. I can say that it's not needlessly complicated like some charging devices I've used -- which sometimes require you to press or hold buttons in order for charging to commence -- so it scores points for simplicity. The Amp Plus boasts 3000 mAh of charge, which should be enough to charge your iPhone 5s from zero to full once while leaving about a half a charge left over as additional backup. That's a pretty remarkable feat for such a tiny little thing. Conclusion The myCharge Amp Plus is ideal as a backup battery and the added bonus of it being a pleasure to hold, along with the flashlight help set it apart from similar devices. It's easy to use and there's really nothing I could think to improve on it. At US$39.99, it's a very small, but very important investment. Rating: 4 out of a possible 4 stars
The myCharge Freedom 2000 gives you twice the battery life with a little less bulk
If you're considering an iPhone case that includes a battery pack, you've already decided that increasing the size of your device is a fair trade-off for more life, but that doesn't mean that all battery cases are created equal. The iBattz Mojo Refuel I reviewed previously increased the overall footprint of the device quite a bit, and while the myCharge Freedom 2000 also creates an overall more bulky handset, it's not quite as dramatic as some of its competitors. Specs Capacity: 2000mAh Price: US$79.99 Design Like many of the battery pack cases, the myCharge Freedom 2000 slaps the majority of its weight onto the rear of the device. The iPhone clicks into place easily and the case keeps a relatively firm grip on your phone. There are cutouts for the camera, volume buttons, and silent switch, and a built-in lock button that, in theory, carries your button push through to the device below. Unfortunately, the button is flush with the case and can be a bit of a challenge to push. This is the one big issue I have with the case in terms of design, but it's not a deal breaker. The sides of the case are a semi-flexible hard plastic, while the rear of the case has either a matte feel or a slightly textured, glossy paint, if you choose one of the more colorful case options. The fit and finish of the case itself is very high, and it doesn't have the cheap toy feel that some cases fall victim to. The most unique aspect of the Freedom 2000 case is that it has an open-bottom design, exposing the entirety of the device's bottom ports and speakers. This is great for people who want to recharge just the phone and not the case, and even allows the use of some docks without removing the case. On the bottom of the case there is a small built-in cord that plugs into the iPhone's Lightning port to allow the extra battery to recharge the device. There's also a MicroUSB port on the bottom of the case to recharge the case itself. Functionality This case works slightly different than most; Rather than being permanently plugged into the iPhone's charging port, the Freedom 2000 requires you to plug the case into your phone whenever you need a little extra juice. Once you've connect the case to the phone, you initiate the charge by pressing and holding the battery button on the back of the case. A quick tap of the battery button reveals how much charge you have left in reserve. Conclusion As far as iPhone charging cases go, the myCharge Freedom 2000 is one of the more unique options. The open-bottom design is great for users of docks and those who want to still get some use out of their lightning cables, and the exposed speakers means no muffled music or game sounds. The lock button is my single sticking point, but it's a small price to pay for having what is essentially a full battery recharge available any time you need it. Rating: 3 out of a possible 4 stars Giveaway Your iPhone always needs more juice, so follow the giveaway rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 23, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a myCharge Freedom 2000 case valued at US$79. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IRL: Nikon D90, myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 and Phosphor's World Time Sport
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Desperate times call for desperate measures -- namely, new gadgets. Disappointed with his Droid Charge's ever-depleting battery capacity, Tim took a $100 portable charger for a spin to see if he could eke out a little extra runtime before racing for an outlet. Meanwhile, Dan agreed to wear his first E-Ink watch after his analog Fossil timepiece outlived all compatible wristbands. Rounding things out, we have a more traditional account of gadget nostalgia from Don Melanson, who explains why he won't be replacing his aging D90 anytime soon.
