the only battery pack you need

We’ve all been out and about on an adventure or living our daily lives when we realize we need a few more hours of battery life to get us through the day. You could stop and plug in your iPhone, but that could throw a wrench in the flow of what you’re doing and wait for it to charge. If only you had a MagSafe battery pack with you.

It’s a scenario I’ve lived through more times than I can count. A year ago, I was traveling to Texas for a conference. I decided to buy a MagSafe battery pack from ESR to take with me as I knew there would be some long days when stopping to charge my phone would be inconvenient, to say the least. At the time, Apple still sold its own MagSafe battery pack, but I scoffed at the idea of paying such a high price for such a small battery.

The joke was on me, because the very first time I used it, even after landing in Austin, I found that the ESR battery was too large to comfortably hold or put in my pocket. It would keep going into sleep mode, causing all sorts of frustration. So, I went to the nearby Apple Store and bought the company’s first-party MagSafe battery pack — I’ve loved using it ever since.

However, Apple discounted its MagSafe battery pack a while ago. Ever since, I’ve been trying to find a good recommendation to give to others, and I think I might’ve found it with the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank.

Price, availability, and specs

Those interested can grab a UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank from Amazon for $50 in black or white. While this battery is decent, it’s not too big either. At 10,000 mAh, it’s nearly seven times the power capacity of Apple’s MagSafe battery pack, with a capacity of only 1,460 mAh. UGreen reports that this battery can recharge an iPhone 15’s battery nearly twice. From my own testing, I would say that metric might even be underselling it.

On top of securely attaching to any MagSafe-compatible iPhone, the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank can recharge and provide power via its USB-C port, making it versatile enough to recharge just about any device. Wireless, you can expect to send 7.5W to your iPhone as it’s not officially MagSafe certified, or 20W via a cable. Some specs are not too shabby for a little backpack for your iPhone.

What I liked about the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

More than enough power to get you through the day

What I like most about the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank is its massive battery capacity. With 10,000 mAh and the ability to charge wirelessly via its USB-C port, this is a versatile battery for its size. I appreciate that this battery is small enough to throw in a bag or purse without a charge for several days. It’s also remarkable how its magnets are strong enough for a secure attachment.

What I didn’t like about the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

The lack of official MagSafe support is rough

My biggest gripe with the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank is the lack of official MagSafe support — for two reasons. First, wireless charging is limited to 7.5W rather than the 15W MagSafe supports. Second, there’s no way of checking the battery’s remaining charge within iOS. Instead, you have to press a button on the bottom of the battery pack for up to five LED indicator lights to activate to help you gauge how much charge is left. Now, while I dislike this, my girlfriend actually prefers it, so it may come down to your subjective opinion.

I also don’t like how UGREEN made this battery so large that it extends beyond the length of the regular and Pro iPhone models. If you have a Plus or Pro Max iPhone, I assume it looks and feels more natural. However, on the smaller devices, it’s a bit awkward looking. If esthetics are a priority, this might not be a battery for you. Still, this could be a great option if you’re only looking for the largest battery possible.

Should you buy the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank?

I can’t stress how disappointed I am that Apple discontinued its MagSafe battery pack rather than upgrading it to USB-C. While it was grossly overpriced for the capacity it provided, it was slim, efficient, and integrated with iOS, making it perfect for Apple nerds like me. I often only find myself needing a small top-up in the evening, and I’ve found that using a MagSafe battery is a great way to keep going without stopping to plug into a cable. As someone with excellent recharging habits, I recharge my Apple MagSafe battery consistently so I don’t find myself racing to replace it.

However, the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank is an attractive option, given that Apple’s is no longer available for sale. Funny enough, my girlfriend has been using the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank more than me, because she doesn’t plug in her phone overnight unless I do it. So, she often needs to recharge throughout the day. Since the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank has a massive 10,000 mAh battery, we don’t need to recharge it for several days, allowing her many top-ups.

While I prefer my Apple MagSafe battery pack, which is still in good shape, my girlfriend said she prefers the UGREEN one. I can safely say that while the UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank is a little awkwardly large, it’s an excellent choice for those days when they need to recharge their battery on the go.

UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

Brand

UGREEN

Battery Capacity

10,000mAh

Ports

USB-C

Flight safe

Yes