The best MagSafe battery packs for 2023 (that do more than charge your iPhone)
Magnetic mobile chargers for the win! These clever battery packs also incorporate grips or kickstands, making them smarter than most.
While other wireless battery packs connect through a phone’s charging port, MagSafe power banks snap onto the back of your iPhone through magnetic technology. These power banks are compatible with iPhone 14, 13 and 12, as well as Apple’s most recent iPhone 15 release.
Fokimdo Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
Voltme MagPak 5K Magnetic Power Bank
Anker 622 MagGo Magnetic Battery with PopSockets Grip
Anker MagGo 633 Magnetic Battery
Pass-through charging options make great gifts for iPhone lovers, especially those who like to be prepared for whatever emergencies life throws their way. Amazon's October Prime Day is quickly approaching, so keep an eye out for deals so you can snag one as a gift this holiday season for your techy friends or family. I’ve highlighted the four best MagSafe battery pack options that are not only some of the strongest and most functional chargers, but also have a few extra tricks up their sleeve.
Capacity: 5,000mAh | Ports: 1 Lightning, 1 USB-C | Warranty: 12 months
Often on sale for as little as $20, Fokimdo is the best budget portable pack. Its slim built-in kickstand allows for both portrait and landscape phone viewing, while also serving as a fairly comfortable grip. (Slide your fingers through the loop and it's much easier to hold your phone.) In addition to the USB-C input/output connector port for charging the battery or something other than your iPhone, there's a Lightning input port if you prefer to use your Apple cord.
Capacity: 5,000mAh | Ports: 1 USB-C | Warranty: 18 months
Available in your choice of four colors (blue, green, gray and charcoal), the MagPak portable charger measures just half an inch thick and comes with a fold-out kickstand flap that lets you prop up your phone in either portrait or landscape orientation. That flap can be a little stiff at first, but I like the tapered design of the battery pack, which makes it a bit easier to grip your phone while it's attached.
Capacity: 5,000mAh | Ports: 1 USB-C | Warranty: 18 months
For anyone who can't live without a PopSocket, this is the battery pack to get. Anker has basically grafted one of the little pop-out grips to an otherwise fairly standard Magsafe charger. What's nice is that it can also be used as a stand, though only in landscape orientation. Wait for a sale on this one; I've seen it as low as $40.
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 1 USB-C, 1 USB Type-A | Warranty: 24 months
The big kahuna of the group, Anker's 633 packs a 10,000-mAh battery capacity and includes a fold-out kickstand, converting it to a charging stand. It also has a 20-watt Power Delivery USB-C port if you want faster charging speed via a USB-C-to-Lightning cord (not included), or you want to charge a separate device. What's more, Anker backs this with a 24-month warranty, the longest of any power bank in the group. If you're not in a rush, wait for a sale; the 633 has been priced as low as $55.
How do MagSafe battery packs work?
These wireless charging pads are handy little gadgets that use magnets instead of cords or lightning cables to connect to your iPhone. Just how much power do these portable power banks pack compared to other wireless chargers? Three of the four magnetic battery packs listed here have 5,000-mAh (milliampere-hour) batteries, which should be good for at least one complete iPhone recharge. (For reference, the iPhone 13 incorporates a 3,227-mAh battery.) The Anker 633 ups the ante to 10,000 mAh and measures only a bit thicker than the other magnetic wireless power banks. The downside is you'll pay more for that extra battery power, but it's worth it if your phone battery life is especially poor.
One more thing to note: All four candidates for best MagSafe charging packs come with a USB-C cable, but to actually recharge any of them, you'll also need a USB-C AC adapter, which is not included. If you already have a fast charging power bank that can produce at least 5V/3A, go ahead and use it. Otherwise, here's a dual-port USB AC adapter 2-pack for just $9 (because you can always use a spare).
What do you need before buying a MagSafe battery pack?
The case that you keep your smartphone in must be MagSafe-compatible so the charger will snap onto it and still be able to magically deliver the wireless charging power. Look for the telltale "magnifying glass" design on the inside or outside of a MagSafe case to make sure it's compatible with the power bank.
Good news: If you love your existing case but it doesn't support MagSafe, there's an inexpensive upgrade kit you can buy.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
