This ultra-thin battery pack I tested is a must-have travel gadget (and it works with MagSafe)

Testing MagSafe battery packs is likely one of the bigger elements of my job at ZDNET. During the last yr, I’ve gone hands-on with over a dozen battery packs, testing every for its operate, fashion, options, and, most significantly, charging capabilities. I additionally carry one always, partly resulting from my job and my unrelenting want to remain ready. 

Additionally: My new favorite MagSafe battery pack supports Qi2 charging, has a kickstand, and isn’t made by Anker or Baseus

I’ve tried battery packs from manufacturers like Anker, Belkin, Baseus, Casely, Burga, Hyper, and extra, and it is not typically that I really feel compelled sufficient to assessment one in-depth. However each on occasion, I get the chance to check a MagSafe pack that knocks my socks off, and it is simply too good to not share in additional element. Enter the Torras MiniMag Power Bank. 

It makes use of MagSafe expertise to snap onto the again of your iPhone or adapter-equipped device, and works nice with MagSafe circumstances. Within the field, you will get the battery pack and an included USB-C cable for $55 (or much less, relying on the place you store). 

It is available in two colours (Glacier Grey and Azalea Pink) and guarantees 5,000mAh of battery capability. The aluminum alloy building presents an ultra-light really feel, and options graphene warmth dissipation for charging security. You possibly can cost on the go as much as 7.5W or with the financial institution plugged in for 18W, however both manner, indicator lights make it simple to inform how a lot capability is left. 

Additionally: My everyday Anker power bank has a genius feature that makes it irreplaceable

The principle enchantment of the Torras battery is its design. It’s the thinnest and lightest pack of this capability I’ve examined within the final yr, which actually is saying one thing. MagSafe battery packs will be notoriously chunky or brick-like, making them unsuitable for some conditions. Torras has actually nailed the slim profile issue whereas nonetheless sustaining a 5,000mAh capability, the smallest capability I would advocate for a battery pack to have available for battery boosts and top-offs.

To place this into perspective, the Torras MiniMag is barely 0.3-inches thick and weights 4 ounces. An iPhone 15 is barely 0.35-inches thick. The MiniMag is actually slimmer than the cellphone itself, which is an anomaly within the MagSafe battery market. For instance, my current best overall pack, the Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2, is 0.7-inches thick and weighs 5.3 ounces, and it is not even one of many largest MagSafe battery packs I’ve examined. 

Plus, the Torras MiniMag has a robust magnetic maintain (13N, or about 2.2lbs), which makes it good for on-the-go use with out fear. Nonetheless, the MagSafe maintain can turn into dislodged if the pack is knocked from the facet, however I’ve discovered this to be true with nearly any magnetic charger.

The MiniMag, in my view, is actually the very best 5,000mAh choice for on a regular basis use or journey. It is extra juice than smaller plug-in charging options, however nonetheless slim sufficient to hold in a handbag, work bag, and even simply your pocket as a result of it truly suits (sure, even whereas snapped in your cellphone). 

Additionally: The best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert tested 

There’s additionally no awkward overhang on my iPhone 14 Professional, and it doesn’t impede my digital camera or bump onto the lip of my case round my digital camera, which is a giant plus. Nobody desires to cost their cellphone by way of MagSafe solely to comprehend you possibly can’t cost and take your Insta pics concurrently (been there, performed that). 

How lengthy does it take to cost a cellphone? 

Onto crucial half. The MiniMag took my iPhone 14 Professional from 42% to 74% in an hour. I charged utilizing MagSafe, which gave me a max output of seven.5W. I didn’t discover any intense overheating on the pack, although it did heat up (that is anticipated). When you cost with a USB-C, you possibly can stand up to 18W, which took about 2.5 hours in my testing. 

My solely unfavorable about this pack, if I’ve to get choosy, is that I want it got here in additional colours, which is one thing I’ve began to see  the massive manufacturers like Anker and Belkin speak in confidence to. Additionally it is very clean on the surface floor, which does not all the time create essentially the most safe grip for my fingers on my cellphone. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation 

Regardless of some attainable enchancment areas, my shopping for recommendation for this pack is simple: it is a good purchase. Even at its retail worth of $55, this Torras MiniMag Power Bank continues to be pretty priced. Nonetheless, you possibly can typically nab it for under $50, relying on where you buy it from (and, after all, when). 

This most likely is not the very best battery in the event you’re on the lookout for added options like kickstands or grips or bigger capability choices (although, Torras does make a 10,000mAh version that is solely 0.5 inches thick), however it’s a tremendous sensible choice to make sure you all the time have a battery pack available. 

Finally, it is fairly spot on to different MagSafe battery packs that I’ve tested. I used to be totally pleased with its efficiency, particularly for its skinny design. Regardless of its smaller stature, it doesn’t compromise on charging or pace, and it’s actually aggressive with related 5,000mAh packs I’ve recently tested, like Belkin’s latest BoostCharge Pro pack.