BioLite Charge 80

Description

Note of Support: If you purchase something through the links in this article, ReviewGuru may receive a small commission which will help support the fun stuff we do, er, our work.

I have a dozen phone chargers in various shapes, sizes, and configurations — wireless, portable, solar-powered, and so on.

But there isn’t a single one that can charge my laptop. The portability of the few charging options that do have that kind of power is limited, and the price tag is prohibitive.

BioLite, a Brooklyn-based outdoor gear company, launched the Charge-PD series last year, a line of portable power banks with one USB-A and two USB-C ports that the company claims can provide “safe, efficient charging up to 18W,” or more than three times faster than a traditional USB port. The line appeared to be ideal for powering everything from smartphones to, theoretically, laptops, with models ranging from 6,000mAh to 20,000mAh.

I grabbed a review unit of the BioLite Charge 80 PD and used it for a week, primarily but not exclusively to power up my MacBook Pro, since I had all the power options I needed for my phone and earbuds.

SPECS:

Rechargeable battery with a capacity of 20,000 mAh
Charges a 13-inch laptop once, a tablet twice, and a smartphone five times.
Multiple devices can be charged at the same time
1x USB-C Power Delivery port (up to 18W)
2 x Quick Charge USB-A Charge up to 15W through the out ports
FAA Carry-On Compliant Quick Charge 3.0 Protocol
One USB-A to USB-C cable is included.
6.7 in. x 3.2 in. x 1.0 in.

The Good:

The Charge is a simple charger with three ports, a single button for checking battery status, and four LEDs to show the current charge level.
While the device is plugged in and charging, you can power up two devices at the same time.

The Okay:

I had no trouble charging my smaller devices (including portable speakers) and did so quickly. If you just need a charger for your phone or earbuds, the Charge 80’s size and weight make it a better choice than the more compact 20 or 40 models.
After being completely drained, the device took about five hours to fully charge. While this power bank is longer than others I’ve used, it also does a lot more work.

When my MacBook Pro reached 10%, I plugged in a fully charged Charge 80; after four hours, my MacBook Pro was at 69 percent, but the BioLite was dead. To be fair, it charged much faster when I wasn’t using it, so if you’re going to use it for your laptop, make sure you plug it in when you’re not using it.

It’s not as powerful as other portable laptop chargers, but it’s much smaller and less expensive.

What needs to be improved:

While the device appears to be tough, nothing on the packaging suggests that it is waterproof or can withstand drops (though it feels like it can). However, the device is said to work in temperatures ranging from -4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

You’ll need to bring your own USB-C to USB-C cable if you’re charging your laptop.

 

What the review blogs are saying

“4/5 stars,” says one reviewer. It’s tough, simple to use, and adaptable enough to refuel smartphones, cameras, tablets, and a laptop on long flights and journeys.” T3 —

“4.5 out of 5 stars. It doesn’t have the largest batteries, most ports, or the most attractive design. However, it does so with a product that excels in each of those areas while also bringing BioLite’s signature simplicity to the mix.” — Gastronomy

“Seeing that it can’t charge my laptop while I’m using it dampened my enthusiasm.” The Gadgeteer (The Gadgeteer) (The Gadgeteer)

 

Final thoughts:

If you’re out and about and need a quick boost for your phone, this isn’t the charger for you. It’s a hefty brick. The BioLite Charge 80, on the other hand, is an excellent resource for powering up multiple devices at once if you’re on a plane or in a car — or simply going somewhere with a laptop bag. And what about a laptop charger? Consider this a last resort, and avoid using it if you need to work on your computer while it’s booting up. If you don’t think you’ll have access to a wall outlet, something like the Anker PowerCore Fusion, which can double as a portable power bank and a computer’s wall charger, might be a better option.