It’s a great day when your iPhone battery can last through your morning commute, the endless conference calls throughout the workday, the New York Times crossword puzzles you play to procrastinate, the Google Maps navigation to that restaurant your friend recommended, and the trek back home. Our phone’s battery weakens with every hour and requires an eventual boost. But who wants to be tethered to an outlet all day, checking their phone’s battery percentage? Allow me to give you an alternative recommendation: go wireless.
Wireless battery packs that employ Apple’s MagSafe technology offer an even more compact solution to the ever-helpful portable power banks, so you can ditch the wires entirely to power your iPhone 12-15 generation model on the go — including the mini and the latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. And a MagSafe battery pack is a great holiday gift for anyone who has a weak iPhone battery they are always needing to charge throughout the day.
Also: The best iPhone accessories include cases, chargers, and more
ZDNET went hands-on with the best and latest MagSafe battery packs on the market, testing them for efficient charge rate, portability, and charging pass-through capabilities to help you confidently decide which is the most practical (and powerful option) for your iPhone. Our top pick, the Baseus magnetic portable charger is budget-friendly, wireless, can charge two devices at once, and provides your phone with up to two recharges — and it will work with the iPhone 15, too. Read on to see how other models compare and find which is right for you.
Pros
- Strong grip to phone
- Up to two recharges
- Wireless
- Charge two devices simultaneously
Cons
- Android users need accessories to use
Baseus 10,000mAh magnetic portable charger specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh/18.5Wh | Charging Port: Wireless Charging (7.5W and 15W) + USB-C (20W PD) | Power button: Yes
Not all wireless battery power packs are created equally. Take this Baseus 10,000mAh magnetic power bank, for example. Most battery power packs can only supplement a little battery boost, but not this one. You can get up to two recharges on an iPhone with this power bank, and charge two different devices simultaneously.
This power bank is for iPhones with MagSafe, but Android users can also reap the benefits of this bank with a couple of added accessories. When ZDNET contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tried out the battery pack, he complimented the magnetic connection as “one of the best [he’s] seen” and said the power bank is “more than enough” to get you through a day of hard work.
More: Forget the cable: This MagSafe battery pack is good for up to two full recharges
How much juice you can get out of the power bank depends on the iPhone version you own. If you have an iPhone 13, you can recharge it about 1.8 times with Baseus’s charging capacity, and 2.1 times with an iPhone 12. For just around $46, it’s also a pretty affordable bank for the battery it replenishes.
Pros
- Built-in kickstand
- Not expensive compared to competition
- Multiple colors
- 7.5W charging
Cons
- Not compatible with iPhone 12 or 13 mini
- More of a trickle charge
Anker 622 Magnetic Battery specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
If you’re someone who does a lot of work with your phone, having a battery pack that you can use both on the go and at your desk is incredibly important. When former ZDNET associate editor Christina Darby tested out this Anker 622 magnetic battery pack, it provided her and her iPhone-dependent workflow with everything she needed in a single package.
Read the review: This Anker MagSafe charger offers something Apple’s doesn’t
With a single magnetic click, this battery pack can be stored in your pocket, or propped up using its sturdy magnet to create a stand. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about charging your phone and your battery pack separately, as you can charge both simultaneously when the pack is connected to a power source.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Comes in four colorways
- Gets your iPhone to around 80% charge
Baseus 20W 6,000mAh magnetic power bank specs: Capacity: 6,000mAh/3.85v | Charging Port: Wireless | Power button: Yes
This MagSafe power bank connects to your iPhone 12, 13, or 14 with ease. Depending on the size and battery status of your iPhone, the power bank could be enough to fully charge your iPhone in one go, according to Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, who reviewed the bank last year.
Review: This is the best MagSafe power bank for the iPhone masses, and it’s not Apple’s
It takes around two hours to get all the juice from this battery pack, and you can charge your iPhone while the power bank itself is charging, which is pretty convenient. For around $37, it’s not a bad deal.
Pros
- Comprehensive functionality
- USB-C port
- Built-in speaker signals charge level and connection
- Budget-friendly
myCharge MagLock Magnetic Powerbank specs: Capacity: 3,000mAh, 6,000mAh, 9,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
The latest company to offer a MagSafe compatible battery pack is myCharge with its MagLock lineup. The MagLock lineup has three different options, ranging in capacity and price. A 3,000mAh option is $50 and the 6,000mAh is $60.
The MagLock has a unique raised design where the pack connects to the phone. According to myCharge, the gap between the phone and the battery pack allows both devices to remain cooler than the competition, which leads to better efficiency and faster charging rates. When you connect the pack to your phone, it plays a short sound to let you know the pack is in use. Another sound plays when you remove the pack from your iPhone.
There’s also a power button, but I haven’t had to use it. I just attach the pack to my phone, let it charge, and then remove it. The MagLock is charged via a USB-C connection, and functions as a wireless charging pad if you place your phone on the pack while it’s plugged in.
Pros
- Supports pass-through charging
- Additional USB-C charging port
- Compact
Cons
- Bulky
- Maximum 5W output
Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh/18.5Wh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
Anker’s PowerCore Magnetic 5K boasts a 5,000mAh (18.5 Wh) capacity in a fairly thick footprint. The Hyper battery pack only outmatches its size. You’ll find LED indicator lights to reveal the charge level, a power button, and a USB-C port on the bottom of the pack.
You can charge the battery pack and your iPhone at the same time using pass-through charging, as I’ve personally tested and verified. One bonus feature Anker offers over the competition is that it acts as an external battery pack, too. You can use the USB-C port to connect the pack to another device, like your iPad, and charge it if needed.
Pros
- Pass-through charging
- Additional USB-C port
- Fast charging
- Simple design
Cons
- Largest unit on the list
- Limited to charging one device at a time
Hyper Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh/18.5Wh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
Hyper’s Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack packs a punch. With a total capacity of 5,000mAh (18Wh), it’s also the biggest pack out of the group, despite most of the packs I reviewed having a similar capacity. On the front of the pack are indicator lights and a power button. I prefer the button placement on the Hyper simply because it’s easier to find and press than on the edge of the pack.
You use a USB-C cable to charge the pack, which supports pass-through charging and can double as an external battery pack to charge via a wired connection. If size isn’t a factor for you, the Hyper pack is an affordable option that’s sure to get the job done.
The best MagSafe battery pack is the Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W for its 10,000mAh capacity, its ability to wirelessly charge two devices simultaneously, and its middle-of-the-road price.
| Best MagSafe battery | Starting price | Capacity | Charging port |
| Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W | $46 | 10,000mAh | Wireless and USB-C |
| Anker 622 Magnetic Battery | $40 | 5,000mAh | USB-C |
| Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W | $37 | 6,000mAh | Wireless |
| myCharge MagLock Magnetic Powerbank | $60 | 3,000-6,000mAh | USB-C |
| Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K | $35 | 5,000mAh | USB-C |
| Hyper Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack | $50 | 5,000mAh | USB-C |
There are a few factors worth considering when you look at this group of MagSafe compatible batteries. The first, and arguably most important, is how much you want to spend. If you don’t want to go over $50, there are a handful of options on this list that could work for you. From there, you only need to take into account the various brands and physical size of the battery pack.
| Choose this MagSafe battery pack… | If you want… |
| Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W | A strong wireless charger that supplies your phone with up to two recharges and can recharge two devices simultaneously. |
| Anker 622 Magnetic Battery | A battery pack under $50 that doubles as a kickstand for hands-free operation with a single magnetic click. The pack also still powers your phone while the unit itself is charging. |
| Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W | The best budget power bank for iPhone users. |
| myCharge MagLock Magnetic Powerbank | The best multi-functional MagSafe battery pack, complete with a unique raise design and power button and unique cooling engineering for a faster, more efficient charge. Plus, for $60, you’ll get 3,000 mAh. |
| Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K | A MagSafe battery pack for under $40 that supports pass-through charging. As an added bonus, you can use the USB-C port to connect the pack to another device. |
| Hyper Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack | The chunkiest MagSafe battery pack that outputs a total of 5,000 mAh. The indicator lights and easy button placement make operation extra intuitive. |
In our testing and research, we considered factors like charging efficiency, pass-through charging capabilities, portability, and price.
- Charging efficiency: Most power bank companies claim that your phone should last more than a day with 5,000 mAh. Therefore, we looked at battery packs within the 5,000-2,000 mAh range.
- Pass-through charging capabilities: Chances are it’s not only your phone that could benefit from some battery, but a whole device ecosystem. Pass-through charging allows other connected devices to charge simultaneously.
- Portability: A battery pack won’t do you any good if you can’t take it on the go. We considered options that were sleek, compact, and don’t weigh you down.
- Price: Phones are expensive enough, so your battery pack doesn’t need a hefty price tag to match. We considered budget-friendly options that offered quality charge and features.
The MagSafe Battery Pack allows for on-the-go, wireless charging that is easy and reliable since it attaches to the back of your iPhone.
MagSafe charging is great for when you need your phone to charge while you are out and about, making it a better option for some. Just be careful to pay attention to your phone’s temperature, as the MagSafe pack can make your phone warm, which is not good for your device.
A removable battery pack makes it easy to charge when you need it and ditch the battery when you don’t. If you find yourself constantly looking for an outlet while carrying a wall adapter and cable, then a battery pack would be a good fit.
Apple claims its MagSafe Battery Pack offers the following capabilities:
- Up to 70% additional charge with iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini and MagSafe Battery Pack
- Up to 60% additional charge with iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 and MagSafe Battery Pack
- Up to 60% additional charge with iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro and MagSafe Battery Pack
- Up to 40% additional charge with iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro Max and MagSafe Battery Pack
Our tests have shown the MagSafe battery pack charges a completely drained iPhone 12 from 0 to 60%. The rest of the battery packs I’ve tested go past that.
If you’ve recently bought a MagSafe battery pack for your iPhone, you shouldn’t have any issues with fit or compatibility when you decide to upgrade to the new iPhone 15. However, if you have a first-generation MagSafe accessory, it may not fit perfectly due to design changes since the technology was first introduced.
Yes, along with the picks above there are also great alternative options that consider compact size and a strong magnetic grip.
MagSafe battery pack alternative pick
ESR Kickstand Wireless Power Bank
Keep your iPhone upright as your charge with this 10,000mAh power bank with a kickstand.
Best compact alternative
Zendure Supermini 20W – Best compact MagSafe battery
The Zendure Supermini 20W is a great power bank for phones, tablets, and more. It has USB-C PD and USB-A ports, it comes in several colors, and its rounded edges make it easy to slip into a pocket.
Best alternative with an ultra-powerful magnet
mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini
This best magnetic MagSafe battery boasts a Snap+ magnetic hold for greater stability.
