I tested a solid-state portable battery for a week – now lithium-ion feels outdated

BMX SolidSafe 5K power bank

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• It is a 5,000mAh wi-fi energy financial institution powered by a solid-state cells
• Strong-state cells are far much less more likely to catch on hearth than lithium-ion batteries
• At $80, it is a very costly unit, so it’s centered on those that worth security.

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I’ve examined numerous energy banks over time, they usually have all made use of lithium-ion batteries. These have the benefit of being low cost and have excessive power density, however they’ll, if provoked an excessive amount of, burst into flames. For sure, that is not a great factor.

That is the place solid-state cells come into play. These ditch the flammable electrolyte resolution present in lithium-ion batteries for a non-flammable stable.  

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That is what BMX has achieved with the SolidSafe 5K power bank. 

This 5,000mAh/19Wh wi-fi charging energy financial institution is completely designed to suit the iPhone. It measures 4.0 x 2.7 x 0.4 in/102.7 x 68 x 11 mm and weighs 4.8 oz/137 g. The magnetic wi-fi charger is constructed to Qi2 requirements, which signifies that it could actually output as much as 15W of energy for a quick cost. 

The magnets are additionally sturdy sufficient to securely maintain the charger to the cellphone when in use.

There’s additionally a single USB-C port that handles charging (most output of as much as 20W, most enter of as much as 15W), and it could actually run alongside the wi-fi charging pad at as much as 15W. The facility financial institution additionally helps pass-through charging, so it may be charged by way of USB-C whereas it is wirelessly charging a cellphone. I like this characteristic as a result of I can use a single-outlet charger when touring mild to cost each my iPhone and my energy financial institution in a single day. 

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There is a button on the facility financial institution to activate it, and a coloration show that reveals energy ranges and charging/discharging energy. The show is sweet and clear, and comprises all the data you want. 

This positively provides to the facility financial institution’s high quality really feel.

The facility financial institution comes with a lanyard that doubles as a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. It is a good contact as a result of there is a combating probability that you will have a cable once you want it.

The SolidSafe 5K is a part of an even bigger ecosystem of gadgets. BMX additionally provides a bigger SolidSafe 10K with a ten,000 mAh capability, together with 3-bay and 5-bay docks for charging a number of energy banks. 

How secure are solid-state cells? There was just one option to discover out — take the facility financial institution aside and abuse the fully-charged pack through the use of a screwdriver to make holes in it. 

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!

I took precautions of sporting security glasses and doing the stabbing exterior, however as I anticipated it was fortunately anticlimactic, and the cells merely emitted just a few puffs of smoke. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The BMX SolidSafe 5K is not low cost; it retails for $79.99 (the 10,000mAh version is $99.99, and the 3-bay and 5-bay docking stations are $49.99 and $69.99, respectively). That is costlier than most energy banks of its measurement.

Nevertheless it’s additionally new to the sector, and I count on costs to return down as this know-how turns into extra mainstream (though given how low cost and energy-dense lithium-ion batteries are, solid-state batteries are unlikely to exchange them any time quickly). 

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However for those who’re after an influence financial institution that is acquired a low probability of going unhealthy on you — maybe you journey rather a lot, or carry one when biking/motorcycling, or are a primary responder — that is positively price a glance.