Biolite Charge 20 – the perfect EDC power pack
Specifications
- Dunk proof, spill-proof, rainproof; IPX6 rated
- Drop tested from 3.9 feet
- 5200 mAh
- 82 x 1.5 x 3.98 inches
- 9 ounces verified weight
- Stainless steel body, silicone gasket top
- Four-stage LED charge indicator
- MSRP $40
The BioLite Charge 20 felt incredibly dense and robust in the hand; the weight was surprising given its diminutive size. The stainless-steel body added to the tactile sensations that this was a solid piece of gear destined for a long life in demanding situations. The silicone lid that hides USB ports and a charge status check button has a distinctive gasket lip, providing the necessary water sealing for the IPX6 rating. This certification involves three minutes of jets spraying at least 100 liters of water per minute on the entirety of the outer casing without water penetration.
Although the Charge 20 survived drop testing from just shy of four feet to earn an air and water transportation safety rating, I felt that the stainless-steel body might get dented if dropped on harder surfaces, but it didn’t happen during the testing period.
The BioLite Charge 20 recharged my iPhone 8 twice from fully dead. It is claimed to be capable of charging action cameras multiple times as well.
The small size made the Charge 20 the perfect everyday carry power pack or for overnight backpacking trips where I needed my cell phone or action camera for shooting content. No need to carry a huge and heavy brick for a day or two of urban or backcountry adventuring. The Charge 20 is a great example of a product with just enough features to make it functional on the daily while being reliable and durable for the long haul.
LifeProof Lifeactiv Power Pack 20
Specifications
- Waterproof at 6.6 feet for one hour
- Drop tested from 3.9 feet
- 20,000 mAh
- 13 x 2.96 x 1.02 inches
- 15 ounces verified weight
- Plastic body with rubber edge bumper
- Four-way LED light
- Four-stage LED charge indicator
- Two lanyard anchors
- MSRP $100
The LifeProof Liveactiv Power Pack 20’s massive 20,000 mAh capacity rendered it the charger of choice for multiday trips with multiple batteries to tend. I charged my iPhone four times and still had half of the power remaining for use on my camera batteries. This large capacity does have its drawbacks; the Power Pack 20 is heavy and large; you know you’ve packed it, but when capacity ruled the day, it delivered.
The plastic body with a rubber edge guard felt very capable of fending off all but the burliest of impacts and the submersion testing squashed all worries of water damage. These attributes made the Power Pack 20 a legitimate option for longer backcountry excursions or when camera batteries and the like were in play. The charger survived multiple impacts while housed in the front pocket of my backpack and leaving it out in the rain produced zero issues. A door with a rubber gasket shields the USB ports, and it closed with a distinct snap, giving an obvious tactile signal of protection against water and dirt. A button on the lower portion of the charger activates both the battery status indicator and LED flashlight. The flashlight (both white and red LEDs) proved handy when digging through my camera bag in search of the batteries that needed charging.
Having 20,000 mAh of power normally meant carrying multiple chargers; the LIfeProof Lifeactiv Power Pack 20 puts all this juice into a single unit that lived up to the LifeProof mantra of “waterproof, drop proof, dirt proof, and snow proof.” This power pack fills the need for large-capacity charging that can withstand abuse typical of outdoor adventures.