I switched to solid-state portable batteries for a week – now lithium-ion seems outdated

BMX SolidSafe 5K Power Bank

ZDNET Highlights

• This is a 5,000mAh wireless power bank powered by a solid-state cell
• Solid-state cells are much less likely to catch fire than lithium-ion batteries.
• At $80, this is a very expensive unit, so it’s focused on people who value security.

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I’ve tested countless power banks over the years, and they’ve all used lithium-ion batteries. Their advantage is that they are cheap and have high energy density, but they can burst into flames if heated too much. Needless to say, this is not a good thing.

This is where solid state cells come in handy. These replace the flammable electrolyte solution found in lithium-ion batteries for a non-flammable solid.

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This is what BMX has done to it SolidSafe 5K Power Bank.

This 5,000mAh/19Wh wireless charging power bank is designed to fit iPhone perfectly. It measures 4.0 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches/102.7 x 68 x 11 mm and weighs 4.8 ounces/137 grams. The magnetic wireless charger is built as per Qi2 standards, which means it can output up to 15W of power for fast charging.

The magnets are also strong enough to keep the charger securely stuck to the phone during use.

It also has a single USB-C port that handles charging (max output up to 20W, max input up to 15W), and it can go with a wireless charging pad at up to 15W. The power bank also supports pass-through charging, so it can be charged via USB-C while charging the phone wirelessly. I like this feature because I can use the single-outlet charger while traveling light to charge both my iPhone and power bank overnight.

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There is a button on the power bank to activate it, and a color display that shows the power level and charging/discharging power. The display is nice and clear, and includes all the information you need.

This definitely enhances the quality of the power bank.

The power bank comes with a cord that also works as a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. This is a nice touch because you’re more likely to have a cable when you need it.

SolidSafe is part of a larger ecosystem of 5K devices. BMX also offers a large SolidSafe 10K with 10,000 mAh capacity, as well as 3-bay and 5-bay docks for charging multiple power banks.

How safe are solid state cells? There was only one way to find out – take apart the power bank and misuse the fully charged pack by using a screwdriver to make a hole in it.

Don’t try this at home!

I took the precaution of wearing safety glasses and stabbing outside, but as I expected, thankfully it was counterproductive, and the cells only released a few puffs of smoke.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

bmx solidsafe 5k Not cheap; It costs $79.99 (ten) 10,000mAh version is $99.99, and 3-bay And 5-bay docking station are $49.99 and $69.99 respectively). It is more expensive than most power banks of its size.

But it’s also new to the field, and I expect prices to drop as this technology becomes more mainstream (though given how cheap and energy-dense lithium-ion batteries are, solid-state batteries are unlikely to replace them any time soon).

Plus: This flexible phone accessory effectively makes the sturdy case unnecessary for me

But if you’re looking for a power bank that’s less likely to fail – perhaps you travel a lot, or carry it with you while riding a bike/motorcycle, or are a first responder – then it’s definitely worth a look.