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I always enjoy getting to be part of a product launch! Not only is it nice to create content around something that hasn’t been talked about a million times, but I also get to have a unique take on a product that literally no consumer has ever used (and I don’t have any other reviewers pushing their opinions into my head). So, when BioLite asked if I wanted to be part of this Charge 100 Max launch (by gifting it to me) and review the product, I, of course, took them up on it.
So, after three or so weeks of having this charge pack on my dinner table, desk, and kitchen counters, I’m ready to let you know what it is, what I like about it, what I DON’T like about it, and exactly who it is for. So here we go!
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What is the Charge 100 Max?
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- It has wireless charging capabilities.
- This charging bank is quite compact.
- Five different charge options, which all can be used at the same time.
- I like the color and styling of these charge banks.
- It's quite heavy at 1.3 pounds
- I wish it had a screen showing more stats
- You have to press the button on the side to get wireless charging to function.
- Battery Capacity: 25,000 Mah
- Dimensions: 5.5" by 4.4" by 1.4"
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
The Charge 100 Max is the largest version of what I call their standard battery lineup! They may have their larger Basecamp batteries, but those are primarily meant to be camp-out batteries or backup home batteries. However, the Charge 100 Max (and its smaller siblings) are more meant for on-the-go batteries that can fit into your backpack.
This 25,000Mah battery can charge your laptop one or two times (or AirPods up to 35 charges), and comes equipped with three USB-C ports (two of which offer up to 100 watts of charging power, and is also how it got its name). One of those USB-C ports doubles as the battery packs’ charge port (at 65 watts). Finally, if all of your devices haven’t quite made it to USB-C, it offers a 15-watt option for USB-A devices.
All of that said, its standout feature (for me at least), is that it offers a built in wireless charger for my iPhone 15 Pro. Now, if you so wanted to, you technically could utilize all five charge points, and charge 5 devices at one time with this little battery pack, however you’ll want to keep an eye on output, as it maxes out at 120 watts.
What do I like about the Charge 100 Max?
1. It has wireless charging capabilities.
I’m a bit behind on the times when it comes to charging, and in fact, this is my first device to include a way to wireless charge. Most of you probably have fifteen of those things lying around, but it is still a bit of a novelty for me and my phone. However, what I do know is that not all power banks like this offer a wireless charging feature.
Having wireless charging on this Charge 100 Max is an awesome idea, as it makes your experience with the device much more seamless. You just push the gray button (which annoys me, but we’ll get to that later) and then place your wireless charging device onto the little electricity icon, and it pulls your device into place and starts charging it.
You literally don’t need any chords to wirelessly charge your device anymore! The other added benefit to this wireless charger is its essentially an additional charge port, meaning you can charge not four devices, but five at the same time, as long as one of them is able to wirelessly charge.
2. This charging bank is quite compact.
I spent quite a bit of time researching other 25,000Mah battery competitors to this 100 Max, and there is some truth in advertising with its compact capabilities. Most competitors are either longer or wider than this one.
Its nearly square design works really well for sliding into your backpack, and it’s slim enough not to really be noticed (we’ll talk about its weight here in a few). Ultimately, considering its capacity, I think you’ll be surprised by its size as well!
3. Five different charge options, which all can be used at the same time.
I already touched on this point a little earlier in this article, but it’s worth mentioning a little bit more. The ability to charge your laptop, phone, tablet, and AirPods (and I can’t think of what else to make 5) all at the same time is impressive.
Of course, you’ll max out at that 120-watt charge rate rather quickly, but having the option to at least top off your devices every once in a while is a really nice thing to have.
4. I like the color and styling of these charge banks.
All of the compact charge packs from BioLite follow a similar theme: it’s a matte gray exterior (with an almost carbon fiber-like weave behind it) with a yellowish accent color. I doubt everyone will like the styling, but I’m a fan of a dull color mixed with a bright color on my devices, and this follows suit with that.
As for the materials themselves, it definitely doesn’t feel the highest quality, but it does feel durable, which I have a feeling is what they were going for; I’d rather have durable than scratched-up glass.
What do I not like about this BioLite?
1. It’s quite heavy at 1.3 pounds
It’s always surprising to pick up a battery of any kind, much less a 25,000Mah battery pack. In this case, it weighs in at 1.3 pounds, which may not seem like much, but once you add it into a backpack, or your carry-on, it starts to add up quickly. I can’t wait for the day when battery technology starts to become a bit lighter. However, with this pack, that day is not here yet.
I will say here, though, that if you find a 25,000Mah battery that is considerably lighter than this one, you should be wary. There are plenty of scam companies out there that are looking to take your money and exchange it for a lesser product. It’s not that difficult to say it has a 25,000Mah battery, only to include half that and fill the rest of the container with foam. That’s why it’s important to get one from a reputable company like BioLite (Paid Link).
2. I wish it had a screen showing more stats
I’m still relatively new to the world of battery packs; however, in my research to test out this product and write this review, I saw plenty of battery packs with screens on them. These screens could show input charge, output charge, remaining capacity, and more. I wish this battery pack had those features instead of just a simple LED light to show how much battery capacity is left.
That said, that would raise the price and complexity of the device, making it less reliable. There’s always a trade-off.
3. You have to press the button on the side to get wireless charging to function.
Now, if there was one thing that annoyed me most often, it’s that you have to push the gray button on the side of the charge pack to get the wireless charger to work. It goes like this: Push the gray button and put the phone on the device.
It may seem easy, but when you are trained that you can put your phone on any wireless charge (if it’s plugged in), and it will start charging your phone, you find that extra button push means your phone doesn’t charge like you thought it was going to. It’s a small issue that just annoyed me a bit too much.
Who is this charge pack for?
The BioLite Charge 100 Max isn’t necessarily for everyone! For someone that only needs a little extra boost during the day to keep their devices going, would likely only need their Charge 20 PD (which they had gifted me a while back), and for those that need a LOT of charge for keeping something like a campsite going, would likely need BioLite’s Basecamp charge packs.
However, if you are someone that travels consistently for work, and need to keep larger devices like tablets or laptops going throughout the day, this might be the right device for you. It’s durable, simple, and quite compact for sitting in carry-on or in your backpack.
Where should you buy it?
