Review: Mophie's Latest Powerstation Batteries Pack Power and App Integration Into a Slim Design

[MacRumors]

Late last year, Mophie unveiled its latest lineup of Powerstation external batteries, offering a number of slim new options for recharging mobile devices on the go. The lineup includes five models: 1X (2,000 mAh), 2X (4,000 mAh), 3X (6,000 mAh), 5X (10,000 mAh), and 8X (15,000 mAh), with prices ranging from $40 to $150. Mophie's Powerstation batteries are available from a number of outlets, including Apple's own online and retail stores for most of the lineup.

Mophie sent me both the 2X and 8X varieties for testing purposes, and I've been using them as my primary external batteries for the past several months.

Design

Mophie's batteries certainly aren't cheap, but they do come in appealing designs using high-quality materials, so a bit of a price premium is to be expected. The casings of the latest Powerstation models are made entirely or almost entirely of aluminum with a matte finish, nicely complementing Apple's most popular silver color. They feature a slim design that makes them easy to slip into a purse, bag, or even a pocket for the smaller versions, along with a substantial, high-quality feel. A button and four LEDs along the side of each battery makes it easy to quickly check approximate charge level. As is typical of Mophie products, the Powerstation design and feel are terrific.


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Article Link: Review: Mophie's Latest Powerstation Batteries Pack Power and App Integration Into a Slim Design

 

[Cwolk]

I have had a few mophie power bricks and they all seem to work well and are well made. However, they are unreasonably priced and I personally prefer to pick up cheap ones on Amazon. Here's an example of one from Anker on Amazon with 20000mAh.

 

[thelookingglass]

I have had a few mophie power bricks and they all seem to work well and are well made. However, they are unreasonably priced and I personally prefer to pick up cheap ones on Amazon. Here's an example of one from Anker on Amazon with 20000mAh.

Yep. I love Anker batteries. There's just no reason to pay these exorbitant Mophie prices when you can get the same (or better?) for way cheaper.

 

[austinmm6]

How much does Mophie pay for all of these "reviews" you keep doing?

 

[C DM]

How much does Mophie pay for all of these "reviews" you keep doing?

From the review at https://www.macrumors.com/review/mophie-powerstation-batteries/:

Note: Mophie provided Powerstation 8X and 2X batteries to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.

 

[Aston441]

Asymmetric charging cable fail.

 

[Paul7]

I love the slimness and the app integration is neat, but I really wish they included built in cables. I hate having to carry extra cables.

 

[Cwolk]

I love the slimness and the app integration is neat, but I really wish they included built in cables. I hate having to carry extra cables.

This one is pretty neat. I know someone who has it. It's by Mophie, it's expensive, but it's nice. The metal top panel opens to reveal a compartment for the built in cable. Link takes you to Amazon.

 

[sudo1996]

My iPhone isn't the problem. I want a battery in my backpack to keep my MacBook charged.

 

[macduke]

I have a 10,000mAh Anker battery I picked up for $20 on Amazon. Saw it on sale two weeks later for $15. Works great and charges fast. Enough capacity to charge my iPad Air 2 once in addition to my 6s a couple times, or can charge my 6s about six times. They make quality gear for cheap. Small enough to easily fit in my small iPad-sized bag along with iPad, cables, a small mirrorless camera, and a 4TB portable external RAID 0 drive with a copy of my Lightroom catalog. Not a bad setup for a small gear bag. Oh and it can charge the camera too. I havent switched from dSLR to mirrorless yet but carry a little RX100 in there that has plenty of room. It's amazing how small technology is becoming. Now if only my iPad could load photos off the external. I only carry it to work between my home rMBP and 27" iMac at work.

 

[T-R-S]

My iPhone isn't the problem. I want a battery in my backpack to keep my MacBook charged.

mophie's batteries are way overpriced I bought a 20,000mAh battery for $30.00 2 outputs it lasts for days.

 

[ThaRuler]

I've bought cheap external batteries for like $15. But they seem to not last that long. They stop holding their full charges after about 6 months or so of using them. Don't get me wrong, they still work but not like when they were brand spanking new. Wonder if these Mophie ones last longer

 

[navaira]

They're so unbumpy. Nobody's going to buy them. /s

 

[Ronlap]

My first criteria for an external power bank is that it needs to have either an AC plug (preferred) or USB charging cable built in. For me this means:

• SanHo HyperJuice Plug (10,000 and 18,000)
• LithiumCard
• Prong (amazing technology in this one!)

[doublepost=1455811484][/doublepost]

My iPhone isn't the problem. I want a battery in my backpack to keep my MacBook charged.

Check around for the best price, but this has been my companion for a lot of years (the first gen):
http://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperjuice-external-battery-pack-for-macbook

 

[sudo1996]

mophie's batteries are way overpriced I bought a 20,000mAh battery for $30.00 2 outputs it lasts for days.

That sounds good to me. Not going to pay more than that for any battery.

 

[thelookingglass]

That sounds good to me. Not going to pay more than that for any battery.

I've said it already and I'll say it again. Anker batteries are way cheaper and work just as well. In fact, I have an Anker USB hub too that includes three fast charging USB ports. It's worked just as well as any other USB hubs I've ever owned.

 

[Gooberton]

The looks are important to me