I examined a solid-state transportable battery for every week – now lithium-ion feels old skool

BMX SolidSafe 5K energy financial institution

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• This can be a 5,000mAh wi-fi energy financial institution powered by a solid-state cells
• Stable-state cells are far much less prone 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 through the years, and so they 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 superb 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 finished with the SolidSafe 5K energy financial institution. 

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 possibly output as much as 15W of energy for a quick cost. 

The magnets are additionally robust sufficient to securely maintain the charger to the telephone 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 possibly run alongside the wi-fi charging pad at as much as 15W. The ability financial institution additionally helps pass-through charging, so it may be charged through USB-C whereas it is wirelessly charging a telephone. 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 shade show that reveals energy ranges and charging/discharging energy. The show is sweet and clear, and comprises all the knowledge you want. 

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

The ability financial institution comes with a lanyard that doubles as a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. This can be a good contact as a result of there is a preventing probability that you will have a cable once you want it.

The SolidSafe 5K is a part of an even bigger ecosystem of units. BMX additionally affords 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 technique to discover out — take the facility financial institution aside and abuse the fully-charged pack by utilizing a screwdriver to make holes in it. 

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!

I took precautions of carrying 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 model is $99.99, and the 3-bay and 5-bay docking stations are $49.99 and $69.99, respectively). That is dearer than most energy banks of its measurement.

However it’s additionally new to the sphere, 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 interchange them any time quickly). 

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However when you’re after an influence financial institution that is received a low probability of going unhealthy on you — maybe you journey lots, or carry one when biking/motorcycling, or are a primary responder — that is undoubtedly price a glance.