Other MagSafe Power Banks to Consider
Here are a few other MagSafe power banks we like that didn’t make it into our top picks.
Apple’s MagSafe Battery for iPhone Air: The super svelte iPhone Air doesn’t have room for a big battery, so Apple offers this perfectly sized MagSafe add-on, capable of charging wirelessly at 12 watts. But, with just 3,149 mAh of power (it charged the iPhone Air to 68 percent), it’s awfully pricey. Still, it’s one of the few power banks specifically designed for the iPhone Air. You can technically use it with other iPhones, but you’ll have to rotate the power bank so that it hangs horizontally.
Statik State Power Bank: This pack uses semisolid battery tech, meaning there’s less liquid inside, so it’s safer (won’t catch fire, even if damaged), and should last longer. Statik suggests double the lifespan of a typical power bank. It certainly keeps its cool, offering 5,000 mAh at up to 15 watts or 20-watt USB-C charging. I like it, but the similar Kuxiu power bank recommended above is cheaper and slightly more compact.
Ecoflow Rapid Qi2 Power Bank: Slim and speedy, this power bank is an impressive gadget from a company we usually associate with portable power stations. It is Qi2 certified for up to 15-watt wireless charging, but there’s also a USB-C port that can deliver up to 36 watts, and it supports a bunch of charging protocols (PD 3.0, PPS, and QC 3.0). To sweeten the deal further, it has a wee kickstand.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Anker Nano Power Bank: Anker offers one of the slimmest power banks with its new Nano Qi2, measuring just 0.34 inches thick. It stays cool, charges at up to 15 watts, and fills most compatible phones to just over the 50-percent mark.
Mous MagSafe Compatible Wireless Power Bank: I don’t have any major complaints about this MagSafe power bank. The 6,000-mAh capacity is good for a 70-to-80 percent refill for most iPhones, and the design is rounded with a soft finish, though it is a little thick. It maxes out at 15 watts for charging, with a USB-C port that can hit 20 watts.
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Photograph: Simon Hill
Burga Magnetic Power Bank: If you are appalled at the idea of attaching an ugly limpet to your iPhone, consider splashing out for one of Burga’s stylish MagSafe power banks. A mix of tempered glass and anodized steel, these pretty power banks come in a wide range of eye-catching designs. The camo model I tested had strong magnets and charged my iPhone 14 Pro wirelessly (7.5 watts) to around 70 percent from dead. The USB-C port can also supply 20 watts. The catch is the relatively high price for the relatively low 5,000-mAh capacity.
Bezalel Prelude XR Wireless Power Bank: The cleverly designed X series from Bezalel includes two MagSafe power banks and a wireless charging plug. The XR, which I tested, has a 10,000-mAh capacity, while the smaller makes do with 5,000 mAh. The XR is bulky, and the kickstand feels flimsy, but it offers more than enough power to fully charge an iPhone 14 Pro. Both power banks charge iPhones at 7.5 watts and other Qi wireless phones at up at 15 watts, plus you can pop your AirPods on the other side to charge at 3 watts. They also have USB-C ports that can deliver 20 watts of power.
Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini: This 5,000-mAh-capacity power bank works well, but it’s a little bigger than it should be. It works with MagSafe iPhones and comes with an optional attachment for non-MagSafe phones. Mophie’s Snap+ Powerstation Stand offers double the capacity and a kickstand, but it’s chunky.
Cuktech CP13 Magnetic Power Bank: This Qi2 wireless power bank has 30-watt two-way charging, though it’s a bit large for only having a 5,000-mAh capacity. I like the built-in kickstand and display, but it doesn’t stand out in a sea of competitors.
Native Union (Re)Classic Power Bank: This stylish power bank is easy on the eyes and nice and slim, though it is a bit wide. It can charge your iPhone at 7.5 watts or up to 15 watts for other Qi phones. It’s just expensive for what it offers.
Infinacore M3 Power Bank: This slim MagSafe power bank has the option for personalization, which is a nice touch. It’s very portable and has a slick built-in display. I don’t love the logo on the side, though.
Avoid These MagSafe Power Banks
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Photograph: Simon Hill
These MagSafe portable chargers aren’t worth your time.
Alogic Matrix Universal Magnetic Power Bank: This lightweight, 5,000-mAh-capacity magnetic power bank has an awkward angular look because it’s designed to slide into a 2-in-1 dock, a 3-in-1 dock, or a car dock. Unfortunately, one of the Alogic batteries I tested failed and refused to charge. The one that worked managed to add 74 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery.
HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack: Yet another 5,000-mAh MagSafe power bank, the HyperJuice looks quite nice with four LEDs and a round power button on the back, but the USB-C port is limited to 12 watts, and it only managed to take my iPhone 14 Pro up to 71 percent.
UAG Lucent Power Kickstand: This MagSafe power bank has a curved design with a soft-touch coating and a tough metal kickstand. Unfortunately, the capacity is only 4,000 mAh, yet it’s as big as—or even bigger than—some higher-capacity options. It added just shy of 60 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro, charging wirelessly at 7.5 watts. The USB-C goes up to 18 watts, but you can get better power and performance for the money.
Moft Snap Battery Pack: I like the soft faux-leather finish, and this power bank is comfy in the hand and looks great, but the 3,400-mAh capacity only added 41 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro. It’s designed to pair with a magnetically attached folding stand and wallet, with perhaps enough room for a couple of cards or emergency cash. I like that it attaches separately so you can ditch the power bank when it’s dead, but keep the stand; it just doesn’t offer enough power.
Scosche PBQ5MS2 Portable MagSafe Phone Charger: Slim, decent magnets, four LEDs to show remaining power, and a wee USB-C cable in the box—so far, so familiar. There’s nothing really wrong with this 5,000-mAh MagSafe power bank, but charging (wireless and wired) maxes out at 10 watts, and you can get better performers for the same money above.
Belkin BoostCharge Wireless Power Bank: With a 5,000-mAh capacity and a handy kickstand, this MagSafe power bank is decent. I like the choice of colors (especially purple), but the magnets are a bit weak, and the kickstand works best in landscape (it feels unstable in portrait). It fell well short of a full charge for my iPhone 14 Pro.
What Are MagSafe and Qi2?
MagSafe is Apple’s accessory system integrated into the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 range (excluding the iPhone 16e). A ring of magnets on the back of the phone (and in MagSafe cases) can help transfer power more precisely and faster than traditional wireless chargers. It’s also handy for holding an accessory, such as a wallet, in place, or mounting an iPhone without requiring clamps. There’s an enormous range of MagSafe-compatible accessories now.
Qi2 is the next-generation wireless charging standard, and Apple worked with the Wireless Power Consortium to develop it. Compared to the original Qi standard, it brings MagSafe-style magnetic charging, faster charging rates, and improved efficiency—but where MagSafe is an Apple technology designed for Apple products, any device, including Android phones, can support Qi2. Apple updated the iPhone 12 and newer to support Qi2, so this should be a term you look for when shopping for a magnetic wireless charger. Qi2 Android phones are still thin on the ground right now, though Qi2 Ready phones add magnets using a compatible case. A Qi2 charger can charge your iPhone and any other Qi2 phones.
Frequently Asked Questions About MagSafe
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Does MagSafe Reduce Battery Life?
There isn’t much evidence that MagSafe charging negatively impacts battery health, but it is less efficient than wired charging and can sometimes generate heat, which may degrade your battery faster. But other factors (such as never fully draining your battery) are more important if you want to preserve battery health.
What’s the Charging Rate?
Most MagSafe power banks we have tested wirelessly charge at a rate of up to 7.5 watts, but some newer models, like Anker’s Qi2 power bank, can charge at up to 15 watts.
Is USB-C Better Than MagSafe?
Wired charging is faster and more efficient than wireless charging, so if you plug your phone in via cable to any of the power banks above, you can expect to get more power more quickly than you will using MagSafe or Qi2. MagSafe is simply more convenient.
What Are the Downsides of MagSafe?
Older iPhones don’t support MagSafe (including the iPhone SE series). It’s not officially compatible with Android phones either. MagSafe is also less efficient than wired charging. Lost energy during wireless charging generates heat, which can have a negative impact on battery health. Unless you have a MagSafe-compatible phone case, you should remove your case to use MagSafe power banks.
Why Do MagSafe Power Banks Get Hot?
MagSafe is not as efficient as wired charging, and power lost during wireless charging generates heat. MagSafe’s magnets reduce this problem, compared to Qi wireless charging, by ensuring the charging coils are aligned. (The Qi2 standard adopts a similar magnetic charging system so that all supported phones can enjoy the more precise charging technology.) Charging phones with cases on can also reduce efficiency and generate more heat.
How Does WIRED Test MagSafe Power Banks?
We aim to test MagSafe power banks for at least a week, recording how much battery life a fully charged pack adds to our iPhones (one tester uses an iPhone 16, another uses an iPhone 17). For Qi2 power banks, we also test with a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. If there are additional ports or cables, we’ll try charging with them too, using a cable with a wattage display. We check how long each fully depleted power bank takes to recharge from an outlet. We also assess the size and weight, the strength of the magnets, the temperature during charging, and any other features such as kickstands or LED displays.
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