We’ve reviewed many portable battery packs here, but the SYNAVOLT is the first I’ve ever seen that is both expandable and modular. Currently raising funds on Indiegogo, SYNAVOLT starts with a 20,000mAh base unit; it has two slotted expansion bay ends that can handle a variety of power-enabled modular attachments.
I was sent a working beta model so I could check out the SYNAVOLT’s functionality before they’re available to the public. The SYNAVOLT base unit power bank is composed of grooved black plastic, and it measures approximately 5.9″ long by 2.3″ wide by 1″ thick; it weighs one pound 2.1 ounces. While it is a portable power bank, it’s not necessarily a pocketable one, but you’ll still want to keep it in your backpack once you realize what it can do.
On the front of the base unit, you’ll find the power button, an LCD battery capacity indicator, a USB-C 30W port, a USB QuickCharge 3.0 port (the QC feature wasn’t working on my pre-release loaner sample), a USB 2.4A port, and the power input for the wall charger.
The sides of the power bank have removable gray rubber strips inserted; when you pull them off, you reveal the ports which can accept other SYNAVOLT modules.
Included in the package were a wall charger, a 350 lumen LED module, and an AC plug module.
It’s easy to slide the various modules into the SYNAVOLT’s sides when you need their capabilities; this is the LED module, and while I’ve had battery packs with built-in flashlights before, this takes it to a whole new level.
The other included module can accept a three-prong grounded AC plug. Each module has its own power button, so there’s no drain on the power bank until you turn it on.
It takes about 4 hours to fully charge the SYNAVOLT; your charging progress is reflected in the LED window, and you can tap the button on the power bank at any time to see the remaining charge.
20,000mAh is enough to keep you going for some time — even if you’re topping off your laptop, tablet, and phone all at the same time.
Those aren’t the only available modules, however. SYNAVOLT is also selling a 5 port USB expansion module, a Qi wireless charging module, a MacBook power and data module (it has a built-in SD and micro SD card reader, an HDMI port, an additional 60W USB Type-C power and data port, and two USB-A 3.0 ports), there’s a Bluetooth speaker module, a 4,000mAh mini power bank, and a 12V 100W DC module. When you need a particular module, you just slide it into one of the two ends of the SYNAVOLT; this is a power pack that can handle just about anything you can throw at it.
The SYNAVOLT power bank features AC and USB outlet protections, power overflow protection, and voltage overflow and underflow protection. It’s built to be the one and only power bank that you’ll ever need, with modules that will allow it to expand to meet all of your needs.
The base SYNAVOLT with AC module sells for $99, the 5 USB expansion module is $12, and the Qi wireless fast charge module is $25. The MacBook Warrior package, which includes the SYNAVOLT base unit, the AC module, and the MacBook power and data module is $139, and you can get the base SYNAVOLT power bank with all available modules for $199. SYNAVOLT is available on Indiegogo.
Source: Manufacturer loaned review sample
What I Like: Ability to carry the base SYNAVOLT power bank by itself or two of the available modules attached; Easy and quick to swap out modules; 20,000mAh is powerful enough to charge your laptop and any other mobile accessories you’re carrying
What Needs Improvement: The base SYNAVOLT is larger than most portable power banks, but the expandability makes it a must-have for your backpack