Belkin Qi2 enabled BoostCharge Pro power banks are small but mighty

A power bank is pretty much an EDC (Everyday Carry) item. There are plenty of options in the market, so what makes the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank special?

I got my first look at this one at m, the end of June 2024 at the Belkin “Tech Ready for Today” event in Melbourne. With thanks to Belkin I have my own unit to try out.

 

First Impressions

The unit I have is the 8,000 mAh variant. It measures 107 x 68 x 16.3mm and pretty much fits in the palm of my hand.

The top surface is a soft touch material, with the Qi2 / Magsafe ring display prominently. The bottom and sides are a hard polycarbonate type material.

This range of BoostCharge is USB-C only. There are three size variants, 5K, 8K and 10K. The two lower capacities have a single USB-C port. The 10K variant has two USB-C ports.

Flipping over the back is a small kickstand that pops out and works in both portrait and landscape orientation.

 

In Use

Belkin makes a pretty big song and dance on the Qi2 compatibility. Why not? After all it makes the BoostCharge both iPhone and increasingly Android compatible. As an aside, why Google, just why?? The Pixel 9 should have had Qi2 built in!

I rock a Pixel 8 Pro and a Mous Magsafe compatible steel case. The BoostCharge took to it like a duck to water .. err, magnet to magnet.

It is so easy and convenient to pop the phone onto the BoostCharge and get up to 15W fast charging wirelessly, no need to fuss about for a cable.

You could charge a second device via the USB port but that drops the output to 7.5W maximum per device.

Belkin does not give a rating for USB-C only charge, but looking at the numbers it would be safe to say maximum of 15W.

The small form factor for the BoostCharge means it stays out of the way of the main camera module out the back. This a design point that Belkin highlights.

As for the kickstand, as Sime said with the previous generation, it survives being attacked constantly by his Jack Russell. It is a solid piece of kit despite looking a bit spindly.

Despite not looking like it will hold up, the stand actually works really well in both portrait and landscape orientation. So you can keep watching your show whilst you charge. The BoostCharge can also passthrough power so you can connect it to mains power and use it as a nightstand for your phone.

I don’t have an iPhone but Belkin does mention tht it supports Apple StandBy mode.

Gripes

After using the BoostCharge for a few weeks, including when I was out and about, I really only have one complaint.

The magnets are fine if you are using the BoostCharge in a static way. I found that if I am holding it in my hand and doing things, I can shift the phone off the attachment a bit too easily for my liking. Would be nice if that magnet connection was just a little stronger.

Conclusions

It is hard to pass up the convenience of wireless charging, even when you are on the go.

This one does the job pretty well, with the bonus feature of the kickstand which adds functional value to it. It also comes with a two year warranty and CEW up to $2500. Handily Belkin provides a 1m USB-C to USB-C cable to get you going right out of the box.

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank comes in 5K, 8K and 10K variants in black and white colourways. Prices start at $99.95 for 5K, $109.95 for 8K and $129.95 for the 10K.

DRN would like to thank Belkin for providing the review unit.