A new way of powering up: the mophie powerstation go

When we think about power-on-the-go, it tends to be in terms of power banks that slide into a bag to top off our phone while we’re out and about, or perhaps even something that can drive enough electrons to power a laptop. What if those battery packs could do more – say, provide enough power to jump start your car? That’s what the new mophie powerstation go lineup is offering.

In terms of total power storage, the mophie powerstation go isn’t offering us more than what we’ve seen in other powerbanks, ranging from 8,100 mAh up to 15,000 mAh. Of course, these also add in the ability to deliver a lot more amps than your phone needs, enough to get your car cranking over and (hopefully) recharging your battery. The two more entry-level ones are the mophie powerstation go compact ($99.95) and the mophie powerstation go flashlight ($119.95). The compact is just a nice little brick that, along with your jump starting capability, offers two USB-A output ports for charging up whatever you need, and a built-in spotlight.

On the other hand, the mophie powerstation go flashlight ($119.95) takes the formfactor into a literal flashlight. This is the one I would have picked up when I started owning my own cars, as having a flashlight in the glovebox is always handy. The jump-start ability is a nice add, as is the built-in worklight function that should shed some light under the hood as you work.

Past those two, then you’ve got two upgrade options. If you take “working on the road” quite literally, the $149.95 mophie powerstation go AC is the path that you want, as along with the two USB-A ports, you’ve got your standard 120V AC port for plugging in a standard device, be it a laptop or, hmm, a fan for use in the tent while camping.

That leaves us with the mophie powerstation go Air ($159.95), which is the one I find the most intriguing of the two larger chargers. This one drops the AC ports, but gives you something I find way more useful in a car-based device – an air compressor. I’ve got inexpensive ones that plug into the cigarette lighter, and you cannot underestimate how useful it is to be able to top off your tires before you go on a road trip. Or, now with kids, trips to the beach always involve inflatables, so again, another big win for the compressor here.

So, whether or not you’ve got your work/travel charging situation settled, if you find yourself roadtripping at all, having something from the mophie powerstation go in the trunk is a good thing, in my book. Never know when the battery might go a little on the fritz, and having the ability to jump start yourself (and not wait on the kindness of strangers or a roadside service truck) can get you on your way quickly (I’d advise a stop at the parts store is next on the list to have the battery tested). Available in a variety of capabilities, there’s sure to be one to fit most needs. zagg.com

Tech Specs from mophie

powerstation rugged go compact – $99.95

Compatibility: full-sized vehicles; smartphones; tablets; other USB-A devices
Battery capacity: 8,100 mAh @ 3.7V internal battery
Charging ports: USB-C® input; jumper cable output; USB-A output (2)

Input / Output current
- USB-C input: 5V/2A
- Jump start output: 12V/600Amps
- USB-A output (2): 5V/2.4A
Dimensions: 6.1 x 3.3 x 1.4 in (155 x 83 x 35 mm)
Weight: 18.4 oz (521 g)

powerstation rugged go AC – $149.95

Compatibility: smartphones; tablets; other USB-A devices; laptops; cameras; other AC devices up to 65W; full-sized vehicles
Battery capacity: 15,000 mAh @ 3.7V internal battery
Charging Ports: USB-C input; jumper cable output; AC output; USB-A output (2)

Input / Output current
- USB-C input: 5V/2A
- Jump start output: 12V/600Amps
- AC output: 65W max
- USB-A output (2): 5V/2.4A
Dimensions: 7.17 x 3.82 x 1.5 in (182 x 97 x 38 mm)

Weight: 1.66 lb (753 g)

powerstation rugged go Air – $159.95

Compatibility: full-sized vehicles; sports and play equipment; car and bike tires; other inflatables; smartphones; tablets; other USB-A devices
Battery capacity: 15,000 mAh @ 3.7V internal battery

Charging ports: USB-C input; jumper cable output; USB-A output (2)
Input / Output current
- USB-C input: 5V/2A
- Jump start output: 12V/600Amps
- USB-A output (2): 5V/2.4A
Dimensions: 4.65 x 9.52 x 1.85 in (118 x 241 x 47 mm)

Weight: 40.64 oz (1,152 g)

powerstation rugged go flashlight – $119.95

Compatibility: smartphones; tablets; other USB-A devices; full-size vehicles
Battery capacity: 9,900 mAh @ 3.7V internal battery

Charging ports: USB-C input; jumper cable output; USB-A output
Input / Output current
- USB-C input: 5V/2A
- Jump start output: 12V/400Amps
- USB-A output (2): 5V/2.4A
Dimensions: 10.43 x 2.85 x 2.28 in (265 x 72.5 x 58 mm)