Mophie’s been a solid, consistent maker of external batteries and backup power sources, but its new Powerstation AC just might top them all. The large, 22,000 mAh powerhouse has ample output options – including a crucial one that most backup batteries lack: a standard AC plug, just like you’d find in a wall in your home.
The Powerstation AC[1] also has a 30W USB-C port with power delivery, which can charge your MacBook or Nintendo Switch at normal speeds; and a USB-A 2.4A Quick Charge port for you iPhone, Android or tablet. It features priority passthrough charging, so you can charge it while connected to another device overnight, and it charges via standard USB-C so you can fill it up with the same charger you use to power your MacBook, Android smartphone or Switch, too.
That last bit is a key differentiator: I’ve used big battery backups with AC outlets before, but most of these use a dedicated AC adapter with a non-USB connector to ensure the battery charges back up quickly. Using USB-C PD is a much better option, and one that’s far more practical for when you’re using the Powerstation AC on the road – which is exactly where you need it most.
Other Mophie details are still here, too, including an LED power indicator you can access with the push of a button to figure out how much juice you have left on board, and the company’s attention to design. A fabric-wrapped shel is both durable and comfortable to hold, making this one of the few options in this category that doesn’t look like it would be more at home on a factory floor than in your living room or office.
Of course, a key...