Just like battery cases, battery packs have become something that is more essential to carry alongside your smartphone. When it comes to battery packs, there is a few reputable brands out there but not all of them have one that connects to devices via USB-C or charges via the new connector type.
Thankfully, Mophie has created products like the Powerstation Plus XL, which was made for USB-C smartphones in mind.
I’ve been testing the Powerstation Plus XL for a few weeks now its one of the best USB-C battery packs you can get.
Design & Hardware
The Powerstation Plus XL has a metal-feeling design with a slightly soft touch feel on the other side. Be careful, the battery pack is a fingerprint magnet. The top of the battery pack is where you’ll find the USB-A port and the USB-C port to recharge your battery pack.
The Powerstation Plus XL comes with a built-in USB-C cable, so there’s no need to worry about using another USB-C cable. On the right side is where you’ll find the battery indicator. To start charging your device, all you need to do is take out the attached USB-C cable and connect it to your device and you’re on your way.
The battery capacity is 12,000 mAh which can give you up to 45 hours of extra battery. The Powerstation Plus XL also support USB-C PD (Power Delivery) which can charge your device super quick at up to 18W. It won’t be as fast as a wall charger but my Pixel 2 XL charged super quick with the Powerstation Plus XL.
The Powerstation Plus XL takes a few hours to recharge, so it’s best to leave it overnight to charge or at least left alone for a couple of hours.
The Powerstation Plus XL isn’t too heavy compared to other battery packs but is has some heft to it. In terms of size, the battery pack is about the same height as the Pixel 2 XL.
The only real trouble I had with the Powerstation Plus XL was getting the attached USB-C cable to go back into place after I was done using it. Other than that, the Powerstation Plus XL worked flawlessly.
The Powerstation Plus XL goes for $99.95 USD (around $129 CAD) from Mophie’s website. That may seem a bit pricey but one thing to consider is that there aren’t a lot of battery packs that charge via USB-C or support USB PD fast charging, which is the spec to look out for if you want to charge your USB-C device quickly.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really liked the Powerstation Plus XL, it made it easier to charge my Pixel 2 XL, thanks to the USB PD support. I would recommend picking one up, even if it’s a bit expensive and the attached cable is a bit finicky.
Pros
- Nice design
- Recharges via USB-C
- USB PD fast charging support
- Adds hours of battery life to devices
Cons
- Fingerprint magnet
- Issues with putting back built-in USB-C cable
