Finally, I found a MagSafe power bank thats fit for traveling (and fancy dinners)
Twelve South Power Capsule ZDNET’s key takeaways Twelve South’s Power Capsule is available now for $49 for the 5,000mAh, and $59 for the 10,000mAh capacity. It’s slim, light, and one of the sharpest-looking power banks I’ve tested. It can be finicky with certain phone cases. Follow ZDNET:Add us as a preferred sourceon Google. I’m a…
Twelve South Power Capsule
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Twelve South’s Power Capsule is available now for $49 for the 5,000mAh, and $59 for the 10,000mAh capacity.
- It’s slim, light, and one of the sharpest-looking power banks I’ve tested.
- It can be finicky with certain phone cases.
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I’m a big fan of Twelve South’s premium mobile accessories. From the genuine leather Valet that looks good enough to be a statement piece, to the HiRise 2 Deluxe that’s a desktop staple for me, these low-key, sophisticated chargers do one thing, do it well, and in premium materials.
The brand’s latest product — and one I’ve been waiting for — is the Power Capsule, a slim, MagSafe-compatible power bank that comes in either a 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh version, with a minimalist, textured design and Qi2 wireless charging at 15W.
Also:Thousands of readers bought this super-thin battery pack – and I would do the same at this price
With support for pass-through charging and a thin, 0.6-inch form, the bank snaps to compatible phones with a low profile. Currently, it supports iPhones (iPhone 12 and later) and the Google Pixel 10 with PixelSnap, with a single USB-C port on the bottom.
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There is no shortage of thin, MagSafe-compatible power banks on the market. We’ve tested quite a few that work really well. But the Power Capsule — and Twelve South’s products more generally — stand apart from the tide of Amazon products for their well-made, minimalist aesthetic.
Nothing about this device looks cheap or like it’s ticking down to an inevitable end in a landfill. It looks good, like a power bank ready for an adult’s smartphone. That said, these aren’t rugged devices made to withstand the elements. For that task, there are better options.
Also: I opened a 9,000,000mAh power bank from eBay to learn the truth – here’s what I saw
The Power Capsule is certainly one of the smallest power banks I’ve tested, just barely under four inches long, 2.78 inches wide, and 0.27 pounds. The outward face is coated in a cactus-leather textile emblazoned with a neutral, tasteful geometric pattern. The material itself feels like natural leather and comes in Dune or Slate colorways.
The device supports pass-through charging, which means you can charge the bank while it’s also charging your phone, providing 15W of power in a 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh capacity.
The 5,000mAh bank has enough power for about one full charge of an iPhone, while the 10,000mAh model boasts about double that performance. Keep in mind these are rough estimates, and the device will naturally go further with an iPhone 12 than the massive battery in the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Also:I tested a solid-state portable battery for a week – now lithium-ion feels outdated
Still, the bank will keep you topped up over the course of a day or two — not necessarily as a main source of power for several days in a row. I’ve been using the Power Capsule for a few days now and can’t get beyond two days when keeping my iPhone 13 charged.
Luckily, the device charges quickly, with lights on the front indicating its current charge level.
A few things to note: first, the magnetic connectors on these devices are strong, but they’re not indestructible. While it’s not often the charger comes completely loose, it’s possible to unseat the device enough to interrupt charging. This issue occurred a few times during my testing while out on the town, especially while going in and out of pockets.
Also: Why the most premium charging accessory for iPhone fans isn’t made by Apple
Second, the Power Capsule does work with phone cases that support wireless charging, but not 100% of the time; the charging can be a little more finicky when used with a case. I have one from Hicasers, and sometimes the wireless charge wouldn’t activate or would be interrupted, even when it had juice.
ZDNET’s buying advice
If you’re looking for a premium MagSafe power bank that doesn’t look like a cheap Temu purchase, Twelve South’s Power Capsule is a reasonably priced option that does what it advertises and looks good doing it.
There’s only a $10 difference between the 5,000mAh power bank and the 10,000mAh, so if you don’t mind a slightly thicker device, you’ll get twice the capacity. That said, the smaller power bank is significantly thinner, so unless you really need the extra oomph, I’d suggest the 5,000mAh model.
