After multiple high-profile recalls, battery packs are starting to switch to new, safer solid-state technology. We've rounded up the best solid-state MagSafe battery packs for your iPhone to help you pick one.
Currently, most batteries on the market are traditional lithium-ion battery cells. It's a tried-and-true technology, utilized for years, that is commonplace and affordable.
That doesn't mean the process is without its downsides, though. Battery cell manufacturing is exacting; everything from poor design and subpar manufacturing to microscopic impurities can introduce defects serious enough to cause problems.
Recent recalls from major accessory makers show that even reputable manufacturing partners can produce defective batteries.
These are the major recalls. Other incidents occur due to physical damage, such as a puncture, a drop, or overheating.
When damaged or overheated, the liquid inside can quickly vaporize into a highly flammable gas. That gas builds pressure inside the cell, which is why swollen batteries can explode.
For these reasons, interest has started to shift toward solid-state battery technology. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, solid-state designs offer several advantages, including improved safety.
Emergence of solid-state tech
Traditionally, rechargeable batteries work by applying a voltage, which then drives ions from the cathode, through a liquid electrolyte, to the anode. The process then works in reverse when discharging.
Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte found inside with a solid instead. Without the liquid, there is far less chance of a leak occurring, and it significantly drops the chance of fire.
Our collection of batteries continues to grow
Solid-state batteries can also be denser, have longer lifespans, and charge faster. More benefits for tiny form factors, such as MagSafe batteries.
Right now, solid-state battery tech is still in its infancy. All of the batteries we tested are technically semi-solid state batteries.
In this case, the liquid has been swapped for a thick gel. While not a pure solid-state battery, these semi-solid state ones are safer.
There have been many demonstrations of these semi-solid state batteries being punctured or otherwise damaged without exploding or catching fire.
For those who are looking to purchase a reliable battery, these may be worth considering as they start to increase in production.
Zens 5K
The first battery in our lineup is from Zens. This is a slim, 5,000 mAh battery that supports Qi2.2 25W wireless charging. There is also a 10K version of this battery, though we didn't test this one out.
The 5K battery is 8mm thick, while the 10K version is 14mm. This makes it the slimmest 25W 5K battery currently available.
The new Zens Qi2.2 25W solid-state battery
It looks very handsome with a matte black finish. The sides are the only one of the lot that are silicone, which adds some grip and a warm feel.
Buy Zens Semi Solid State Powerbank
Centered on the back are five tiny LEDs to serve as battery indicators, which turn on when you press the small button located on the right side.
The 5K capacity is $53.99, and the 10K is $71.99. Both are currently on sale.
BMX SolidSafe 5K
Next is the BMX SolidSafe battery pack with 5K mAh capacity. This isn't the thinnest or even the most attractive, but it has some cool tricks.
BMX is a new brand focusing on solid-state battery tech
The battery is metal with a plastic back where the power is transmitted. On the back is a full-color LCD.
This handy screen tells you exactly how much battery capacity you have, if you're charging, and how fast you're charging.
Its USB-C port is capable of 20W output and 15W input, putting it in the middle of the pack for wired speeds. What's nice, though, is that it includes a small USB-C to USB-C cable that can attach to the corner of the battery pack.
Buy BMX SolidSafe 5K on Amazon
The best part of this battery pack isn't the battery itself, but the other accessory BMX makes to go with it. It has created a docking station to hold either 3 or 5 of its battery packs.
The BMX docking station is helpful for households
This is huge for families that share multiple battery packs across multiple people. Batteries can stay in use and be charged at any time, including several at once.
You can grab the Better Mobile Xperience SolidSafe 5K battery on Amazon for $59. The dock is available via BMX direct starting at $49.
Statik State 5K
The Statik State battery is another 5K entrant. It comes in silver, orange, and black, which is shown here.
Statik Safe battery pack on iPhone Air
It leans a bit more on the boring side of all the batteries we tested, but it has a compact form factor, one of the lowest prices, and still utilizes semi-solid state battery cells.
The battery is mostly metal with a soft-touch material on the back. The magnetic pull is solid, and the rubbery feel kept it from sliding around too much on our phone.
Statik Safe battery pack back
Its USB-C port can handle 20W of power for the output and 18W for the input. Double-pressing the power button will activate low power mode for the USB-C port for small devices, like earbuds.
You can buy it for $49 on Amazon, though a current coupon brings it down to $39.
Kuxiu S3
The Kuxiu S3 is a larger battery, offering 10K capacity, and has a handy integrated USB-C cable. It's also a 25W Qi2.2 battery instead of 15W, which will have a larger benefit with the higher capacity.
It has a soft-touch finish on the outside, and the removable cable wraps around the sides and top. Via USB-C, you can wirelessly charge at up to 35W, with 30W support for input.
The Kuxiu S3 battery with 25W of wireless power and an integrated cable
The battery feels very solid, and the rubberized back provides added grip. This is our first battery pack on the list with a kickstand, too, which comes in very handy while traveling.
You can buy it direct from Kuxiu for $62.99, but 10% off coupon code APPLEINSIDER brings it down to $56.70.
BMX SolidSafe Air
The second offering from Better Mobile Xperience is the SolidSafe Air. It is a slimmer version of its battery that swaps the display for a rigid titanium body.
BMX SolidSafe Air is made of titanium and super slim
The titanium looks great and is a wonderful companion for the iPhone Air, which similarly uses titanium. At 6.8mm, it is the thinnest 5K battery pack we've tested.
Wirelessly, this can charge your phone at 15W of power, but you can get 20W wired.
SolidSafe Air on iPhone Air is a perfect match
Buy SolidSafe Air 5K at Amazon
You can find this one also on Amazon for $59 in black, gold, or silver.
Kuxiu S4
Finally rounding out our roundup is the Kuxiu S4, another model from Kuxiu. This one is again a 25W charger and is the latest from the brand.
The Kuxiu S4 looks great, has 25W of wireless power, good wired power, a kickstand, and a helpful display
It has an aluminum alloy metal frame to help with heat and hardened glass for the front and back. It comes in black and has a corner radius that perfectly matches that of the iPhone.
On the bottom of the back is a small display, hidden behind the built-in stand. This display will show the battery health, temperature, current battery capacity, and charging speed in three colorful circles.
The display on the S4 is great, and hides behind the kickstand. You can also see the matching corner radius
For a 10K battery, it's exceptionally thin. The USB-C PD port supports 30W in and 30W out.
You can find it on Kuxiu's website for $77.98, but be sure to enter discount code APPLEINSIDER to save 10%, bringing it down to $70.19.
Brands you can trust
The market is still growing, and we're seeing more and more solid-state batteries launch week by week. Right now, these are the favorites that we've been able to test.
All the batteries are fully certified by the Wireless Power Consortium, the organization that oversees the Qi wireless standard. This means they must meet certain criteria for things like safety, performance, and heat.
There's also something to be said about the companies behind them. Most of these are smaller companies, but that doesn't make them less reliable in any sense.
Zens is a luxe charging company that has made many amazing Qi, Qi2, and MagSafe chargers over the years, many of which were hand-picked by Apple to go into Apple Stores. BMX is made up of former Hyper engineers who left a bit after its acquisition by Targus and focuses exclusively on solid-state tech.
Sometimes it's just easier for smaller companies to adopt new technologies as they ship less product than the bigger players, such as Belkin and Anker. In time, they're also likely to get on board with this new, safer technology.
Which battery pack to buy
To summarize everything, let's figure out which battery pack to buy. It depends, though, on what you need.
The BMX SolidSafe Air is one of our favorites because it's so slim
If you want the thinnest, most portable battery, buy the BMX SolidSafe Air. It has the thinnest profile with the most premium design of titanium and glass.
For those who need capacity, I'd recommend the Kuxiu S4. I love the aluminum body, kickstand, helpful display, and super-speed 25W of power while also being relatively thin.
But for most people, if I had to give one suggestion without knowing anything else, it would be for the Zens model.
This one just checks so many boxes with a very handsome and thin design, grippy sides, and even has 25W of peak charging. It's a great all-around solution for iPhone users.
