Electric power has become more critical to modern life considering how many devices we carry with us all the time. In addition to smartphones that sometimes need to be charged even before we get home, some of us also carry laptops that may need to be plugged in after just an hour or two of work. That often means carrying different power sources for different devices or one gigantic power bank to cover all use cases.
Sometimes, the answer can actually be as simple as one plus one, which in this case yields 3-in-1 like RedMagic is trying to say. With a rather futuristic flair, its newest power bank pulls double duty as a regular charger that can power many thin laptops. It even has a built-in cable so you won’t have to scramble for a tangle when you need to juice up your phone in a pinch.
Designer: RedMagic (nubia)
As part of its DAO line of accessories, the RedMagic Go Power Bank looks nothing like your typical portable battery. It has a clean, sci-fi aesthetic that makes use of geometric shapes to create visual interest. Instead of a simple rectangular block, one section breaks away to form a cylinder reminiscent of a traditional dry-cell battery. To some extent, its form gives the suggestion that this isn’t a one-trick pony.
On the one hand, it is a power bank, one that can charge two devices at the same time. The built-in 5,000mAh battery might not be enough, but it can help get your phone through the day if needed. When charging a single device, it puts out 20W of power, but plugging in two at the same time reduces that to 15W each.
Push the two-prong plug out, on the other hand, and you begin to realize that this isn’t your normal power bank. It is, in fact, a GaN charger that dishes out 65W of power from its USB-C port, enough to power some laptops. Curiously, if you use the built-in USB-C cable, it only reaches 60W.
The third “mode” of this gadget, if you can really call it that, is the aforementioned USB-C cable that saves you time and effort when you only need a quick recharge. The cable also acts as a handle or carrying loop, and its nylon-braided material gives it enough durability to serve that purpose. For only $79, this multifunctional power bank can cover your basic charging needs, presuming you don’t have more power-hungry phones or laptops in your arsenal.