A Good Choice for Phones and Earbuds

If you need an inexpensive power bank that’s all-business-no-frills, I recommend the Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K with Integrated Cable. It’s not the fastest or most powerful charger, but sometimes getting the job done is all that matters. Not to mention, the brand name is as reliable as they come.

Brand

Belkin

Battery Capacity

20,000mAh

Ports

USB-C, USB-A

Dimensions

6.06 x 3 x 0.99 inches

With a built-in USB-C cable, a USB-A and a USB-C port, you can simultaneously charge three devices with 30W shared output. Ensure your smartphone and tablet have power no matter where you are.

Pros & Cons

• Inexpensive
• Portable and lightweight
• Supports pass-through charging
• Two-year warranty

• Takes a long time to recharge
• Only delivers up to 30 watts
• Another USB-A port would be nice

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Price and Availability

The Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K is only $50 and is available in four colors: black, white, blue, and pink. Right now, you can only purchase the BoostCharge 20K directly through the manufacturer.

A Sleek and Simple Design

If you’ve seen one basic USB power bank, you’ve seen them all, and the Belkin BoostCharge is no exception here. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a traditional design.

Measuring 6.06 inches wide, 3 inches from front to back, and just shy of an inch tall, the BoostCharge is portable enough to fit in just about any bag, laptop sleeve, or piece of luggage. The slightly textured casing also allows it to stand out from similarly sized tech accessories you may be carrying, and is made from 72% recycled plastic.

The bottom lip of the charger features a 4.7-inch integrated USB-C cable that’s easy to pop in and out of place. The BoostCharge has one USB-C port, which can be used for pass-through charging (charge another device while the BoostCharge charges) or as a charge port for your phones, tablets, etc. There’s also a USB-A port if one of your devices has a charge cable that uses this connection. Unfortunately, the BoostCharge doesn’t support wireless Qi charging.

A glossy trim piece runs the length of the top lip, which makes it easy to locate the BoostCharge’s power toggle. When pressed, a series of four LEDs should light up, indicating how much battery life the charger is holding (the LEDs also illuminate when you connect to a device).

The BoostCharge is also fire-resistant and features several failsafe protections for current, temperature, voltage, overloads, and short circuiting.

A Reliable Battery Boost When You Need It Most

The Belkin BoostCharge has a 20,000mAh cell capacity and delivers up to 30 watts maximum. This cap is applicable whether you have more than one device connected or just a single component. Compared to other chargers, I don’t really think 30 watts is all that impressive, but it’s just the right amount for re-upping an iPhone, iPad, smartwatches, and earbud cases.

I took the Belkin BoostCharge on a recent Walt Disney World vacation and was pleased with how well it kept my go-to gadgets operating. With just my iPhone 12 connected to the USB-C port, the BoostCharge brought my phone from 34% battery life to 91% in about 56 minutes.

On the day before my girlfriend and I went into the Disney parks, I wanted to do a stress test with the BoostCharge. Charged to 100% capacity, I connected an iPad and AirPods Pro 2 case to the charger, the former at 55% battery and the latter at zero. In just shy of an hour, the iPad went up to 75% battery, and my AirPods had charged from zero to 65%.

When I finished that round of testing, the BoostCharge had dropped to 70% capacity (three LEDs instead of four). I then disconnected the iPad and AirPods and connected the integrated USB-C lead to my late 2020 MacBook Pro, which was at 13% battery. After an hour had passed, my computer was up to 55%, but the BoostCharge had dropped to 50% capacity (two LEDs).

While we were away, I used my 60-watt MacBook Pro charger to charge the Belkin BoostCharge, and while this worked just fine, I did notice it took a while (about 3.5 hours) to recharge the power bank from 50% to 100%. That being said, if you’re using the BoostCharge on a trip, I’d recommend making sure it’s charged every night so it’s ready to go in the morning.

Here’s the deal: I don’t think the Belkin BoostCharge is a great option for portable laptop power, especially since there are far more powerful units on the market that are designed to keep portable PCs alive. But if you’re looking for a reliable charger to boost smaller mobile tech with, including phones, tablets, earbuds, etc., the BoostCharge is a solid choice. Not to mention its relatively low price!

Should You Buy the Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K with Integrated Cable?

The Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K with Integrated Cable is a fantastic charger to take on a trip or to tuck away in your grab-and-go tech bag. Yes, there are much stronger power banks on the market, but strength often translates to physical bulk. The BoostCharge’s pleasant, streamlined footprint and rock-steady, mobile-friendly charging (check out our roundup of the best phone chargers!) is convenience with a capital C, and I can totally see myself bringing this tough pup on future Disney trips.

I also recommend taking a look at our review of the Belkin 2-in-1 Charging Travel Pad!

Brand

Belkin

Battery Capacity

20,000mAh

Ports

USB-C, USB-A

Dimensions

6.06 x 3 x 0.99 inches

With a built-in USB-C cable, a USB-A and a USB-C port, you can simultaneously charge three devices with 30W shared output. Ensure your smartphone and tablet have power no matter where you are.