The traditional power bank has always been a bit of a liability in a hunting pack. They’re heavy, they take forever to charge, and if you happen to take a tumble and puncture a standard lithium-ion cell, you’ve got a potential fire in your pocket. BMX (Better Mobile Xperience) is trying to change that with the SolidSafe 5K, a power bank using semi-solid-state technology. I asked BMX to send me this unit for review.
Overview
The SolidSafe 5K is a 5,000mAh magnetic power bank designed for “on-the-go” users who value slimness and safety. Unlike the liquid electrolytes in your standard battery, this uses a gel-like semi-solid-state chemistry. For us, that means it’s much more stable under pressure and less likely to turn into a flare if it gets banged around in a gear bag. It uses wireless Qi2 charging and has a magsafe connector for hooking up to the back of an iPhone or some Android phones like the Pixel 10.
Specifications
- Capacity: 5,000 mAh (18.5Wh)
- Wireless Charging: Qi2 Certified up to 15W
- Magsafe attachment
- Wired Charging: 20W USB-C Output / 15W Input
- Weight: 4.8 oz (137g)
- Dimensions: 4 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches
- Display: Full-color LCD for battery % and wattage
Usability
In the field, the convenience of the magnetic attachment cannot be overstated. It snaps to the back of a MagSafe or Qi2-compatible phone, eliminating the “cord spaghetti” that usually happens when you’re trying to charge a phone inside a jacket pocket. This is easy for iPhone users.
The profile is impressively slim. It’s roughly the size of a small wallet, and in my testing, I found it actually fits inside a wallet fold. This makes it an easy “always-on-you” piece of kit. The body is surprisingly durable as well. I’ve accidentally sat and kneeled on this unit multiple times on hard ground, and the casing hasn’t shown any signs of cracking or stress.
The built-in lanyard is actually a hidden USB-C to USB-C cable if you want more efficient power transfer or if you’re charging a phone that doesn’t do Qi wireless charging.
The Trade-offs: There are two things to watch out for. First, the magnets are designed for “naked” phones or specialized magnetic cases. If you use a standard thick phone case, the magnetic hold is weak. To get a secure “snap,” you’ll likely need to pull the phone out of the case or use a magsafe case.
Second, this thing runs hot. Because it’s so thin and pushes 15W to 20W of power wirelessly, it builds up heat quickly. On a hot day, having this in your pocket while it’s charging can get uncomfortable.
Competitors
The primary competition is the Anker Nano Magnetic and the Sharge Icemag. While the Anker is a household name, it still uses traditional lithium-ion chemistry. The Sharge offers active fan cooling, but it’s significantly bulkier. The SolidSafe wins on the “size-to-safety” ratio, which is usually what we care about when counting ounces for a back-country trip.
Conclusion
The BMX SolidSafe 5K is a phenomenal choice for the weight-conscious hunter. It’s fast, incredibly slim, and the solid-state tech offers a level of durability and fire safety that standard power banks just can’t match. If you can move past the heat buildup and the need for a magnetic case, it’s a reliable piece of insurance for your electronics.
