Power banks in the new MyCharge Mag-Lock series use the magnets from Apple’s MagSafe system to attach to an iPhone. They come in 3000mAh, 6000mAh and 9000mAh capacities, with the largest able to triple the length of time a handset can go between charges. No power cable is needed and you can use your iPhone while it’s charging.
I put all three sizes of the power bank to the test. Read on to find out how they stood up.
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MyCharge Mag-Lock review
These accessories are meant to be used in public and MyCharge it a lot of thought into their appearance. All of the three devices are available in the five iPhone 12 colors: graphite, Pacific blue, white, red and purple. Their finish has been designed to protect against scratching, stains, and fading colors.
Every edge and corner is rounded so these products fit with the look of an iPhone.
Wireless charging
Traditional external batteries are useless if you don’t have a power cable with you. Mag-Lock power banks, on the other hand, use wireless charging. Just place your iPhone on the battery and power starts flowing.
The accessories include a raised coil for some separation between pack and phone, helping to dissipate heat better than typical flat battery packs.
As noted, these devices take advantage of the MagSafe system. This includes magnets built into the back of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series. The magnets attach to ones in MyCharge Mag-Lock power banks and line up the charging coils every time. And they hold the two devices together while you’re using your handset. The connection is solid — I had no problems with them slipping apart.
However, the Mag-Lock batteries do not offer the faster charging capabilities of MagSafe. They put out 5 watts, which is far less than the 15W of some MagSafe accessories. This means it can take about 3.5 hours to give an iPhone a complete charge.
MyCharge built in a audible “twing” when you connect or disconnect your iPhone. Or begin recharging any of these power banks.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Non-wireless charging
The Mag-Lock series gets its power through a USB-C port on the bottom edge. A charging cable comes in the box for just this, or you can use the one for a Mac or iPad.
As a bonus, you can use the USB-C port to charge a device that doesn’t have MagSafe. And this works while an iPhone is also charging. I tested with my iPad Pro to be sure.
MyCharge Mag-Lock 3000mAh
The smallest of the three Mag-Lock options is 4.0 inches by 2.6 in. by 0.4 in. It weighs 0.24 pounds. I found it entirely practical to clip this to the back of my iPhone and keep using the handset while it charges.
The two cling together tightly, and the combination isn’t too bulky. It’s not ideal — you’re only going to want to use the Mag-Lock when you need it, not all the time. But it adds hours of use.
This “baby bear” version stores 3000mAh. In my real-world test, it gave a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 a 53% charge. That’s enough to get you through the rest of an extra-long day after the built-in battery starts to run out.
Exactly how of a battery bump you’ll get depends on your device. The Pro Max models have significantly larger built-in batteries and so this power bank is relatively smaller. It’s still the same amount of power, though.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
MyCharge Mag-Lock 6000mAh
The “mama bear” version of MyCharge’s new power banks is 4.0 inches by 2.6 in. by 0.7 in. It weighs 0.36 pounds.
In my testing, I found it possible to keep using my iPhone with this clipped to the back, but the combination is somewhat unwieldy. The battery is thick and a bit heavy.
But don’t lock yourself into the idea that the only way to use a Mag-Lock power bank is while holding it. You wouldn’t expect to do that with a standard 6000mAh battery. In this case, the real advantage of MagSafe is that you don’t have to worry about having a charging cable. Just put the iPhone onto the battery and you’re good to go.
Also, the battery can act as a stand with an 6.1-inch iPhone 13 or iPhone 12. Attach it to the back of your handset, put the combination in landscape mode and you’re ready to watch a movie. I’m not sure how well this will work with an iPhone Pro Max or mini, however.
Over multiple test runs, the 6000mAh version of the MyCharge Mag-Lock gave a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 a 120% charge. That’s enough to get you though a second day of use.
Again, you’ll see a smaller increase in battery percentage if you have an iPhone Pro Max but will get the same amount of power.
MyCharge Mag-Lock 9000mAh
And now we get to “poppa bear.” This largest version is 4.0 inches by 2.6 in. by 0.9 in. It weighs 0.49 pounds. You may have noticed a theme here: the only dimension in which the three accessories vary in is thickness. And weight, of course.
Part of MyCharge’s marketing for this series says, “the larger the Mag-Lock — the easier the hold.” True, it’s easier to hold the power bank because it’s almost an inch thick. But it also adds almost half a pound. To me, only in case of emergency should you should hold your iPhone with this version of the series attached. The rest of the time, put your handset down to charge like you would with any other hefty battery.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
That said, the trick of using the battery pack as a stand works in both portrait and landscape mode with this jumbo-size accessory.
During my tests, the 9000mAh version of the MyCharge Mag-Lock gave a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 a 189% charge. (Which took multiple test runs, of course.) That’s enough to get through a long weekend of camping without access to a wall socket.
To repeat myself just in case, those who use an iPhone Pro Max will see a lower increase in battery level though they’re getting the same amount of power.
Final thoughts
Having to carry around a cable to charge my iPhone with a power bank is an unnecessary irritant. And with MagSafe accessories like the MyCharge Mag-Lock series the cable becomes unnecessary.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The range in storage capacity for these external batteries means each is likely to appeal to different customer. The 3000mAh version can be used to give a quick boost while clipped to an iPhone. The 9000mAh one can keep your device going for days and days but you’ll probably only want to attach it overnight. The 6000mAh is a mix of the two — your iPhone is heavy but usable with it clipped on, and the power bank is capable of more than doubling the battery life.
Pricing
You can pick up the 3000mAh battery pack for $49.99 on the myCharge website.
Buy From: Amazon
The “mama bear” 6000mAh version is $59.99 on the myCharge website.
Buy From: Amazon
And the “big daddy” 9000mAh one is $69.99 on the myCharge website.
Buy From: Amazon
Comparable products
Other companies make their own MagSafe batteries that clip to your iPhone. There’s the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini that holds 5000mAh. Don’t miss my review.
And there’s also the Sanho HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack ($39.99). It has a 5000mAh capacity as well. I reviewed this one, too.
Or there is Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. This has a few tricks, like iOS integration, but holds less power and costs $99.
MyCharge provided Cult of Mac with review units for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
