OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank review: Power at any angle

Now you don't have to stop what you're doing to charge your iPhone. With the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank, you can place your iPhone (or another wireless-enabled smartphone) at just about any angle. At the same time, it charges from straight up at a 90-degree angle or totally flat.

This makes it a great wireless charger for gamers. Due to the dual-coil design, you can also charge it vertically, perfect for FaceTime calls, or horizontally for watching videos or gaming. In addition to wireless charging, you can also use a charging cable via the USB-A and USB-C ports.

OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank: Price and availability

You can find the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank on OtterBox's site for $60 or Amazon for slightly less (just over $57 as of this writing.) The only color option is Black. It comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable, but no wall charger. It's compatible with just about any Qi-enabled smartphone.

OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank: What's good

The OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank is unique in that it can charge your iPhone at unlimited angles. The friction hinge means that you can place your iPhone straight up at a 90° angle, totally flat, or anywhere in between. This product is aimed at gamers because of that flexibility, but it's great for anyone.

Because the surface is grippy, you don't have to worry about the iPhone sliding off. The dual-coil design means that you can place your iPhone vertically or horizontally. A gold ring in the center helps make sure you place the iPhone correctly. I found that wireless charging works just as well with or without an iPhone case.

The 10,000mAh battery could potentially give you up to 25 hours extra battery life (testing on the iPhone 12), though in my testing, I was able to get just about one full charge on my iPhone 13 Pro. Using wireless charging, the power output is 10W. I found that it charged my iPhone at about the same speed as Apple's MagSafe charger.

But if you use a power cable and the USB-C or USB-A port, the power output is 18W. Charge up the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank via the USB-C port, using the included USB-A to USB-C cable; it charges at 15W. The LED lights along the side let you know how much power is left in the power bank. Like all OtterBox products, it has a limited lifetime warranty.

OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank: What's not good

I was able to get about one full charge out of the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank before it ran out of juice. That's a little less than claimed, but then, testing was done on an iPhone 12, and I have an iPhone 13 Pro. What bothered me more is that it doesn't really work while it's plugged in. Sure, you buy a power bank to use it NOT plugged in, but I'd still expect to have the option to use it either way.

Finally, it's pretty pricey, especially considering that it doesn't come with the wall charger. You're paying for that flexible angle use.

OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank: Competition

The Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank costs even more, but it actually lets you charge your iPhone, Apple Watch (via the integrated charging puck), and AirPods wirelessly plus a wired fourth device at once. However, it doesn't serve as a stand like the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank does.

A totally different option is the RAVPower Magnetic Wireless Power Bank. This diminutive charger snaps onto the back of your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 series handset for charging on the go. Again, this one isn't a stand.

The ESR Lift Wireless Charging Stand is an inexpensive charging stand for your iPhone. But it's not a power bank; it must be plugged into the wall to use.

OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank: Should you buy it?

• You want a wireless power bank and stand
• You want to use it at any angle from upright to flat and anywhere in between
• You want to charge your iPhone vertically or horizontally

• You want a higher-capacity battery
• You prefer to use a charger plugged into the wall
• It's out of your budget

While the OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank is aimed specifically at gamers, it's really for anyone who wants a wireless charging stand battery that offers flexibility in terms of what orientation you charge your iPhone. If you're looking for a high-capacity battery, a charger to use plugged it, or a bargain charger, keep looking.

OtterBox's 10,000 mAh Folding Wireless Power Bank isn't cheap, but it stands out from the crowd because it can charge your iPhone at so many different angles. The friction hinge holds your iPhone securely at any angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, allowing a variety of activities.

Since it has two charging coils, you can orient your iPhone horizontally or vertically. You can also use the USB-C or USB-A port to charge up your device. I didn't find that the charger worked well while it was plugged in, but this is an excellent power bank to consider if you do your charging on the go.

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