OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe evaluate: Magception — cost this magnetic battery with MagSafe

When Apple launched MagSafe with the iPhone 12 lineup, I used to be intrigued however not sure if it will be an enormous deal for me. In spite of everything, the primary equipment had been simply wallets and chargers, basically. However as time handed, extra MagSafe equipment got here out, together with PopSockets and even battery packs. As soon as these sorts of equipment made their debut, I grew to become hooked — MagSafe is now one thing I merely can’t do with out.

Whereas Apple has its MagSafe Battery Pack, many different manufacturers are popping out with their very own variations. Manufacturers like Anker, mophie, RAVPower, and others have magnetic battery packs; although they are not formally MagSafe-certified, they work nicely. OtterBox, a model recognized for powerful and sturdy instances, has been branching out into energy merchandise lately. The newest addition is the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe.

How does the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe stack up with all the different choices on the market? Let’s discover out.

Whereas OtterBox merchandise are normally discovered at a number of big-name retailers, the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is just accessible instantly from the OtterBox web site. It is available in two capacities: 3000mAh or 5000mAh and each variations can be found in both black or white. Nonetheless, the white model is at present out of inventory, however you possibly can join electronic mail notifications of when it is again in inventory. The 3000mAh model prices $50, whereas the 5000mAh model is $70.

OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe: One of many solely dual-sided magnetic battery packs

OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is available in two battery capacities: 3000mAh or 5000mAh. It additionally is available in two colours: black or white. For my testing unit, I obtained the black shade in 5000mAh.

The OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is fabricated from a light-weight plastic materials that serves because the housing for the battery. Since that is OtterBox, the plastic is meant to be powerful and sturdy, designed to outlive unintended drops. The facet that attaches to your telephone has a magnetic circle with all the regulatory data beneath it. The facet that faces outward merely has the OtterBox brand in direction of the underside. On the underside edge, you may discover 4 LED standing indicator lights, a USB-C port, and a button to show the battery pack on and off — this one doesn’t routinely begin charging when you connect it to your iPhone.

It is a dual-sided MagSafe battery pack, which implies you can too mount it on a MagSafe stand and even cost it by means of MagSafe.

Essentially the most fascinating factor concerning the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is that it has dual-sided magnets inside. Which means not solely can connect to your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, however it may well additionally magnetically adhere itself to mounts and even different MagSafe chargers. This undoubtedly makes OtterBox’s magnetic battery a standout simply because it is so handy to throw it on a MagSafe charger to prime it off.

On my iPhone 13 Professional, the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe suits decently, leaving a little bit of house on the backside. I haven’t got an iPhone 13 mini, so I can not check it out myself, however there shouldn’t be a difficulty with that gadget. Nonetheless, as a result of giant digital camera bump on the iPhone 13 Execs, the match can differ relying on the case that you just select to make use of.

With the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe, you may have 7.5W charging speeds by way of MagSafe, which is a bit more than even Apple’s personal MagSafe Battery Pack. Nonetheless, since this isn’t an official MagSafe licensed charger, you’ll not get 15W output, nor do you get the MagSafe charging animation in your finest iPhone with iOS 15. Nonetheless, it is quicker than Apple’s and is available in bigger capacities, in order that’s a plus. And there’s a USB-C port, so you can too use this to cost different non-MagSafe gadgets with the suitable cable.

OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe: Magnetic maintain is weak, no stabilizing line

One of the crucial important points with the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is that there isn’t any stabilizing line beneath the magnetic circle. Due to this, the battery pack itself is sort of liable to sliding round, particularly when you put it along with your telephone in a pocket.

The onerous plastic has no grip, and since there isn’t any stabilizing line, this battery pack can transfer round fairly a bit whereas in your iPhone because the magnetic maintain is not very robust.

The magnetic maintain on the OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe can also be simply not very robust general, so it is not simply the dearth of stabilizing line that’s the drawback. In comparison with my different MagSafe battery packs and equipment, the facet that attaches to your iPhone is actually fairly weak, even when you’re utilizing one of many finest MagSafe instances. With such a weak magnetic maintain and no stabilizing line, this battery pack tends to only transfer round quite a bit, so you will not get constant charging except you are tremendous cautious.

I am additionally not a fan of the truth that you must push a button to energy this one on except you slap it onto your telephone proper after charging it up. For my MagSafe battery packs, I want simply to place it on my telephone and have it begin charging routinely — no further button required.

Lastly, the plastic housing on this battery pack simply feels low-cost. It additionally has no grip to it, so it is really pretty slippery in comparison with different choices in the marketplace. And once you pair that with the weak magnetic maintain in your iPhone and no stabilizing line, it is simply not a superb time.

OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe: Competitors

Whereas MagSafe launched with the iPhone 12 and solely had just a few supported equipment, there isn’t any scarcity of nice MagSafe battery packs these days. One in all my private favorites is the Anker MagGo 622. This transportable little energy financial institution packs in 5000mAh of energy and prices at 7.5W speeds. It additionally has a USB-C port to cost different gadgets, and it even doubles as a transportable stand to your MagSafe iPhone. Plus, the worth is fairly good at simply $60 for a double-duty product.

One other most popular MagSafe battery pack I have been utilizing is the Anker MagGo 633 Magnetic Wi-fi Charger. Whereas this acts as a MagSafe stand and wi-fi charger initially, the stand itself has a detachable MagSafe battery pack. The removable battery pack has a 5000mAh capability, and because it prices up whereas it is within the stand, it ought to all the time be topped off and able to go along with you. It even has a USB-C port to cost different gadgets, and it is fairly slim. Actually, I by no means go to Disneyland with out this in my bag. Whereas the worth is a bit excessive at $120, it’s principally a 4-in-1 product, which is nicely value it.

In fact, we won’t overlook concerning the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack. That is the official one from Apple, nevertheless it’s a smaller capability and, oddly sufficient, solely prices at 5W speeds. It is also rather more costly at $99 for what many contemplate an “inferior” product than third-party choices. However it does combine with iOS 15 to inform you how a lot juice is left, which is sweet, and the one MagSafe battery pack to have such a characteristic.

OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe: Do you have to purchase it?

You should purchase this if …

• You need a dual-sided MagSafe energy financial institution
• You need choices in the case of capability and shade
• You need one thing that prices quicker than 5W

You should not purchase this if…

• You need robust magnets
• You need a battery pack with extra grip
• You do not have an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 gadget

The OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe is a small and compact little battery pack, making it good for throwing into your bag or slipping into your pocket. And it attaches magnetically to your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 gadget, which is handy for wi-fi charging with 7.5W output speeds. Plus, OtterBox made it in two capacities, 3000mAh or 5000mAh, so you possibly can decide the scale that matches your wants finest. It additionally is available in white or black, which is sweet. OtterBox’s Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe can also be distinctive in that it has dual-sided magnets, so you possibly can even mount this battery pack onto a MagSafe stand and even cost it with one other MagSafe charger or battery.

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Nonetheless, the variety of points with this magnetic battery pack, particularly for the worth, maintain me from absolutely recommending it over competing merchandise. It tends to maneuver round a bit due to the onerous plastic housing (it is slippery) and no stabilizing line beneath the magnetic ring. It is also a bit thicker than different merchandise, and actually, the plastic makes it really feel low-cost. For a similar worth, you could find higher magnetic battery packs on the market.