Sharge CarbonMag 5K and 10K wireless power bank hands-on review: MagSafe and Qi2 with style
Looks, durability, sustainability - the CarbonMag series has it all, at least according to its maker Sharge. The new wireless power banks are also touted as up-to-date charging accessories as they support Qi2 as well as MagSafe.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The CarbonMag wireless power bank comes in 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh versions (known as 5K and 10K respectively) with nearly identical packaging - except for the Qi2 logos of the latter.
The boxes are very similar to that of the new Disk Plus external SSD housing from the same brand. The idea is to emphasize how slim they are, although the packaging also has room for paperwork and, possibly more importantly, a short USB-C cable.
They are a departure from the OEM's typical transparent esthetic, as found in their predecessor - the ICEMAG RGB wireless power bank. At first glance, they look as though they are formed from flecks of their new and apparently recycled carbon fiber material, some of which reflect the light at different angles.
Then again, their smooth shells have not exhibited any cracks, flaws or other defects thus far. The new pattern also contrasts well with the accessories' single bright red power button.
They are both slimmer and shorter than the previous generation, even though the 10K version is identical in typical capacity to the ICEMAG. Nevertheless, the new CarbonMags have the same conventional-looking charging pad on the bottom.
Wireless Charging
The 10K CarbonMag is rated for the same "fast" 15W wireless charging as the 5,000mAh version: a claim that holds up in their testing.
They are compatible with Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - although their magnetic connections are much improved when used with an iPhone.
Their compatibility with MagSafe really is remarkable, especially in the 10K: it is genuinely difficult to separate it from an iPhone, even compared to other wireless charging power banks I have tested. As for Android phones, a case with a magnetic ring would be required for anything near the same effect.
Wired Charging
Both CarbonMags also have a USB type-C port for the option of wired charging. However, they are definitely not on a level with the Shargeek 140, delivering 20W (12V/1.67A) at best in the 5K version. The 10K version was also capable of ~14.5W at best, even though its box (see above) specifies a 10W output for some reason.
However, their average speed was on par with other 15W power banks I have tested: good enough for (most) iPhones, but not sufficient for a number of newer Android smartphones.
In terms of capacity, the larger CarbonMag can charge an S23 Ultra once per full charge, whereas the smaller one is only just sufficient for an iPhone 13 Pro. This is a reasonable result given their actual rated capacities of 6,000mAh and 3,000mAh, respectively.
Re-charging
Both CarbonMag variants are rated to re-charge using their single USB-C ports at the same rate of 20 watts (W) - which might be reasonable for an iPhone user, but is like going back in time for those with newer Android smartphones (even the Pixel series at this stage). They both take hours (up to 4 in the 10K) to charge from 0 to 100% from any power source,
Cooling
Sharge also asserts that its "Carbon Forged" build is the best new way to keep the power banks cooler during charging - a claim that does hold up to testing. Even leaving one active in the strongest sunlight of the year by accident failed to raise its temperature to a dangerous degree.
Pros
+ Interesting, unique esthetics
+ Good MagSafe function
+ Wireless charging speeds as expected
+ Decent cooling
+ Come with own USB-C cable in the box
Cons
– Prolonged recharging times
– Limited Qi2 uptake to date makes 10K model slightly less useful
Conclusion
The Sharge CarbonMag power banks are first-party MagSafe alternatives that might appeal to a lot of consumers with their new look. The pattern is intriguing, yet more low-key than that of their predecessor the ICEMAG, which (as I found when reviewing that product) is why I would choose either the 5K or 10K instead on leaving the house. They do look good with an iPhone in a matching shade (what a shame that the latest Pro colorway is not one).
In terms of performance, I found Sharge's new CarbonMag power banks to be practical in day-to-day life, albeit not a significant change compared to other MagSafe power banks I have tried, the ICEMAG included. In fact, when charging the S23 Ultra, both variants kept failing Samsung's estimates of time to full charge. That may or may not be affected by a lot of variables, the most recent updates to One UI 6.1 included.
They also achieve their goal of being lighter and more compact than other wireless power banks. That is why I now prefer the 5,000mAh version of the two, even though its 10,000mAh sibling is more practical for most smartphones. It's a very slim and convenient addition, and seem no less durable than other accessories despite their new build material thus far.
All in all, I recommend the new CarbonMag wireless power banks, particularly the 5,000mAh version (at least until the wider adoption of Qi2 makes the 10,000mAh version a better buy).
Price & Availability
The CarbonMag 5K and 10K can be found on sharge.com from now, starting at $44.90 at the time of writing.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
