If you are in the market for an external battery that offers decent capacity, doesn’t require an extra cable for charging, includes flash storage for your “must always have” files, and can be personalized — look no further than the PowerStick PowerTrip. This $99 external battery even charges via the sun. It truly is the Swiss Army Knife of External Batteries.
Last night I had an event in the city (for those of you outside the NorthEast, “The City” means “New York”). I had multiple phones with me, but by the end of the night all of them were on vapors. Yes, it never fails that the times I head out without an external battery are the times my devices most need a charge. And while we have reviewed numerous external batteries over the years, we’ve never seen one quite like the PowerStick PowerTrip. This external battery offers 5700 mAh of charge on the go, and it packs more innovations into a single battery than we’ve ever seen in one place. In addition to having a built-in wall adapter, PowerStick included a solar panel on the battery for charging on the go; they stuck flash memory inside for that extra bit of mobile storage, and the battery can even be personalized. As the company notes:
The PowerTrip charges mobile devices smart phones, iPods, iPads, digital cameras, GPS and MP3 Players. At home, in the air, on the boat or in any remote location, PowerTrip will keep communication devices powered up, and important files close at hand. PowerTrip is that essential source of power 24/7, in town or out.
PowerStick PowerTrip Video Review
As you can see, there is a lot to like about this external battery. While some batteries may have one or two of the key features offered by the PowerTrip, I don’t recall any other battery that offered this combination of features AND customization.
PowerStick PowerTrip Features:
- It can receive a full charge for its 5,700 mAh battery from a wall socket, a supplemental through a USB port, and an emergency top-up through its solar PV panel.
- Replaces all your chargers with one convenient power source.
- When fully charged, the PowerTrip can power three Blackberrys or iPhones
- The first wall charger with its own battery.
- Is safe for mobile devices, as it has a micro-controlled processor that provides power only as needed.
- Charges cellphones, PDAs and MP3 players through your device’s USB cable.
- Available with no memory, 8GB or 16GB of memory. Your charger can ALSO function as a USB key to store/transfer/back up files from your computer.
The power button is easy to find and use, and the same holds true for the fuel meter. It is an easy-to-read LCD that lets you keep track of how much juice is left without you having to think too much about it.
I’ve become a huge fan of external batteries that come with their own wall-adapter. It eliminates the need to carry an additional cable, and it means you don’t have to carry a separate wall-adapter for your phone or tablet too.
And then there is the built-in solar panel and customization. The first lets you cut the cord entirely and use the power of the sun to recharge the charger. That means you’ll get 5700mAh of power from the start and then, after leaving the battery in the sun for a while, get even more. I can see this being the perfect charger if you are going sailing or taking a day at the beach! And while you may not feel the need for the customization, the fact that you can put a picture or logo on the PowerStick PowerTrip means it makes a great company gift, or it will bring a special smile if you give it as a personal gift. From there, the battery will keep offering up smiles or promoting your company — and it is all for under $100! You can learn more and order yours here.
MSRP: $99.00 (extra if you dd flash memory)
What I Like: Good capacity; Decently built; Built in wall adapter; Built in solar charger; Customizable
What Needs Improvement: Even with the custom image it is not the most attractive package
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the PowerStick PowerTrip