Foster Sylvers once sang “big things come in small packages,” and that’s certainly true of portable battery packs as manufacturers continue to shrink the size of these portable power sources without sacrificing capacity. Mophie’s latest is a pocket-sized battery with enough punch to give most modern smartphones and wireless earbuds two full charges, plus the ability to charge your phone while you use it thanks to its support for fast-charging.
The company’s Powerstation PD 3XL battery is only 6.6 inches long and 3.7 inches wide, yet it holds 26,000mAh and 45 watts of power. That’s enough to fully recharge an iPhone, iPad, 12-inch MacBook Air, or Apple Watch, and even to charge a MacBook at its maximum output of 45 watts, though the speed will dip as you add more devices to the mix.
Unlike many cheap no-name batteries you can pick up on Amazon, this battery also supports the faster Power Delivery 2.0 standard and features one USB-C port with Power Delivery that delivers an output of up to 30W for charging a compatible MacBook or Air at its fastest possible rate. The battery also has a second USB-C port that’s good for up to 2.4A charging of most phones and tablets, and its status indicator lets you see how much juice it has left using four LEDs.
It’s a little pricey, but it’s from a recognized brand and carries a two-year warranty for peace of mind. I’d rather pay a little extra for that security than buy a cheaper battery from a less-reputable brand that might not last as long or offer the same level of fast, safe charging.