Anyone who constantly moves around with multiple devices knows finding a reliable power bank for laptop charging can be a challenge. After more than a week of using the new Alogic Roam 21,000mAh Power Bank, I’m ready to share my hands-on experience with the premium charger. Is it worth the investment? Yes. Let’s dive in, and I’ll tell you why.
Alogic Roam power bank review
Alogic Roam arrives in sleek, minimalist packaging that shows it’s on the “premium” side. In the box I found the power bank itself, a USB-C charging cable and a quick start guide. My immediate reaction was surprise at how compact the unit is considering its substantial 21,000mAh capacity. But it’s not exactly lightweight.
The power bank features a corner-less, fold-up design that immediately distinguishes it from the typical rectangular power banks flooding the market. At 158 x 82 x 35 mm and weighing 606g, it’s not the lightest portable power bank for laptop charging, but it strikes a good balance among capacity, portability and versatility. It’s not that easy to find multiport power banks with 100-watt output and a built-in cable.
Design and build quality
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Alogic Roam’s design clearly prioritizes both aesthetics and functionality. The matte finish resists fingerprints and provides a secure grip. The fold-up design is particularly clever. When folded, it’s compact enough to slip into a pocket. Unfolded, it reveals additional charging surfaces.
One of my favorite design features is the built-in USB-C cable that tucks neatly into the body when not in use. As someone who sometimes forgets cables, this integrated solution will probably save me at some point.
Portability considerations
At 21.4 ounces (606g), this portable power bank for laptop users has some heft to it, but that’s expected given its capacity. Its weight distributes evenly, making it relatively comfortable to carry. Its dimensions allow it to fit easily in backpack pockets, laptop bags or even big, sturdy coat pockets.
Importantly for frequent travelers, Alogic Roam is airline-approved for carry-on luggage, staying under the 100Wh limit that airlines enforce. This makes it an ideal companion for long-haul flights or extended workdays away from power outlets.
Technical specs and features
These specifications position the Alogic Roam as a high-end USB-C laptop power bank capable of handling even power-hungry laptops like the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
- Battery capacity: 21,000mAh (77Wh)
- Input: USB-C PD: 5V/9V/12V/15V 3A, 20V 3.5A (65W Max)
- Maximum output: 100W
- Charging ports: Built-in 100W USB-C cable, 100W USB-C port, 18W USB-C port
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
6-in-1 functionality
What truly sets this power bank for laptop charging apart? Versatility. Alogic Roam offers six different ways to charge your devices:
- Built-in 100W USB-C cable (for charging power bank or devices)
- 100W USB-C port (for laptops and fast charging)
- 18W USB-C port (for smartphones and tablets)
- 15W Qi2 wireless charging pad (for phones)
- 5W Qi wireless charging pad (for earbuds)
- 2W Apple Watch charger
This multi-device charging capability makes it an excellent choice for Apple ecosystem users or anyone with multiple devices.
Laptop charging performance
As a power bank for laptop use, Alogic Roam delivers impressive results. During my testing, I was able to fully charge my M4 Pro MacBook Pro from 20% to 100% with a smidge of capacity left in the power bank. One one charge, it can nearly fully charge my machine, up around 90%.
And the 100W output ensures that even while using the laptop, the battery percentage continues to climb. The charging speed is comparable to the original chargers, which is remarkable for a portable power source.
Smartphone and tablet charging
Alogic Roam easily handles smaller devices. In my tests, it provided iPhone 16 Pro with five full charges and iPad Air 5 with about 1.5 charges.
The wireless charging feature, while not as fast as wired charging, is convenient. The 15W Qi2 wireless charging pad charged my iPhone 16 Pro from 25% to 80% in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Multi-device charging
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
An impressive aspect of this USB-C laptop power bank is its ability to charge multiple devices at once. I tested charging my MacBook Pro via the 100W USB-C port, my iPhone via wireless charging and my AirPods on the second wireless pad — all at once.
While charging multiple devices does slow down the charging speed for each, the convenience of charging everything with a single power bank is hard to overstate. This makes it perfect for travelers or remote workers who need to keep multiple devices powered throughout the day.
Battery life and efficiency
The 21,000mAh capacity translates to excellent real-world battery life. From a full charge, I was able to use the Alogic Roam for about five days of regular smartphone charging before needing to recharge it.
When it comes to recharging the power bank itself, it takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge using a 65W wall charger. This is reasonable considering the large capacity.
One thing I noticed is that the power bank maintains its charge well when not in use. After leaving it untouched for two weeks, it had only lost about 8% of its charge — better than some competitors that might lose more than 20% in the same timeframe.
Broad compatibility
As a USB-C laptop power bank, Alogic Roam works with virtually any USB-C laptop that supports Power Delivery, including MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The 100W output is sufficient for most laptops, though some high-performance gaming laptops may still drain battery while under heavy load.
The power bank also works with iPhones and other smartphones for both via cable and wireless charging, as well as iPads and other tablets plus AirPods and other earbuds’ wireless charging cases. And it has a dedicated Apple Watch charging pad, too.
Unusual features
The built-in USB-C cable is a standout feature that eliminates the need to carry an extra cable. It’s securely housed in the body of the power bank and extends to a useful length when needed.
Few power banks offer multiple wireless charging pads, and even fewer include dedicated Apple Watch charging. This makes the Alogic Roam particularly valuable for Apple users who want to minimize the number of chargers they carry.
And several safety features may provide peace of mind. They include advanced device protection systems, real-time power status monitoring, remperature regulation and short-circuit protection.
Alogic Roam power bank review: Pros and cons
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Pros:
- Versatility: The 6-in-1 functionality covers virtually every charging need.
- High power output: 100W USB-C output is enough for most laptops.
- Built-in cable: One less thing to forget or lose.
- Multiple device charging: Ability to charge up to 6 devices simultaneously.
- Premium design: Fold-up design and quality materials feel durable.
- Travel-friendly: Airline-approved and just compact enough for carry-on.
Cons:
- Weight: At 606g, it’s heavier than some competitors.
- Price: Premium features come with a premium price tag.
- Charging indicator: The battery level display could be more precise.
- Heat management: Gets warm when charging multiple devices simultaneously.
- No USB-A ports: May be inconvenient for those with older devices.
The bottom line: A solid value for most users
After testing, I can confidently say Alogic Roam 21,000mAh Power Bank is a very good power bank for laptop users, especially for those who value versatility and convenience alongside raw power. It comes in quite handy for anyone traveling, whether for a weekend outing or a long work trip. And it’s not a bad thing to have around in a power outage.
Its combination of high capacity, fast charging, multiple charging options and thoughtful design features makes it stand out in an increasingly crowded market. While it’s not the cheapest option available, it offers excellent value for those who need a comprehensive charging solution.
At $158.39 (currently on sale from $197.99), the Alogic Roam sits in the premium segment of the power bank market. However, when you consider that it replaces multiple chargers and offers features not found in most competitors, the value proposition becomes clearer.
For Apple ecosystem users especially, the convenience of charging all devices with a single power bank justifies the investment. For frequent travelers or remote workers, the reliability and versatility make it worth considering despite the higher price point. And note that many Alogic product appear on Amazon, so this one probably will, too (just not yet).
Price: $197.99 $158.39
Buy from: Alogic
★★★★☆
Alogic provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
