This Belkin battery pack is not only an upgraded version of a great original, but it’s also ZDNET’s pick for best MagSafe battery pack right now.
I really liked the first iteration of this battery pack, and I like the new upgraded Qi2 version even more. This new model has a 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 charges. Instead of the charging indicator lights being on the side, they are now more visible, located on the back of the pack. This model is also slightly slimmer and taller than its predecessor, making it much easier to carry.
And while this Belkin pack is a true embodiment of a classic brick-style battery booster, there’s still a place in my heart for it because it’s so good. Like many options on our Best MagSafe battery pack list, this one gives 5,000mAh of extra juice to your phone, which is a standard capacity for many MagSafe packs. Its design, although simple, fits my phone perfectly (without bumping into the lip of my camera lens) and remains secure.
Its secure grip and competitive battery speak for themselves. I took this pack to the Yankees game, on several night outs, to work, and even on errands, and I was impressed with the charging. You can expect between a 25-30% battery increase in about an hour on your phone.
Plus it has a built-in stand that easily swings in and out — no folding required — and while at first I thought it was useless, I’m more than happy that can pick up my phone anytime. Perhaps the best thing about the Belkin pack is that it comes in some fun colors, a nice feature that many competitors have yet to match.
Like the previous iteration, this package still isn’t the slimmest design I’ve seen. But the newly upgraded design offers a more comfortable and sleek user experience that feels great in the hand and isn’t as boxy as the pack. Overall, I’m impressed with the new shape and think it’s a much-needed facelift.
Apple is the only retailer that sells blue, green, pink, and sand color options right now (as well as black), which is a bit of a downside. On the other hand, Belkin only carries the black and white iterations as well as the 8k and 10k models. Regardless, Redditors who own this battery pack love the intentional upgrade. Some Redditors said that it’s a great pack to replace Apple’s discontinued battery pack, too.
Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5K features: Capacity: 5,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes | Available in several colors (some exclusive to Apple)