I tested a solid-sate battery pack with serious durability (and some obvious caveats)

pros and cons

Pros

• Contains a solid-state battery that's safer, lasts longer, and performs better in cold weather
• Has a Qi2 wireless charging pad and two USB-C ports
• Bold colors help it stand out.

Cons

• It's heavier than most power banks of similar size.
• It's also fairly pricey at $100 (when not on sale).

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

I've fallen in love with BMX power banks powered by solid-state batteries. These banks do away with older lithium-ion batteries that include the flammable liquid electrolyte and instead use a solid-state battery that's a lot safer (I know, I've put a screwdriver through a fully-charged one and nothing happened). 

Also: I tried the first car charger with Apple and Google's location tracking, and it's the real deal

The BMX SolidSafe 10K is another in the company's series that doesn't disappoint, and it's the bigger — and in my opinion, better — brother of the SolidSafe 5K. 

So, why do I like solid-state batteries so much? The main reason is that they're safer. A lot safer. Like, you can rupture a fully charged battery pack, and all you get is a whiff of smoke. No fires. No plumes of smoke. No dramas. 

Also: This Anker power bank is so close to being my ultimate charging accessory – here's what's missing

But solid-state batteries have a couple of other benefits. The first is lifespan. While a standard lithium-ion battery is good for around 500 recharge cycles, a solid-state battery is good for at least 1,000 before the capacity drops to the point the battery is considered end-of-life. 

Another thing I like about solid-state batteries is that they work much better in colder temperatures than regular lithium-ion batteries. On top of that, they can be recharged at a lower temperature, which is an advantage when you're off-grid and there's no heat. If you had traditional power banks, you'd have to put them inside your clothes to warm them up for charging.  

Also: This simple Starlink Mini upgrade just solved my biggest power problem – here's how

The BMX SolidSafe 10K is a 10,000mAh/38Wh portable power bank that measures 4.0 x 2.7 x 0.6 inches and weighs 7.4 ounces. Those measurements are definitely on the hefty side for a magnetic power bank (it's a couple of ounces heavier than a standard power bank). This can be a problem if you're expecting an accessory of this size to make traveling and storage easier, as it can feel bulkier than most of its kind.

However, some of that heft is due to the bank's beautifully anodized aluminum and polymer shell.

The device features a Qi2 wireless charging pad that can deliver up to 15W of power to a compatible handset. The magnets are strong and can hold the power bank in place, no matter how rough and tumble your life gets, even if your phone is in a thick case like mine.

The SolidSafe 10K also has two USB-C ports (the 5K model had one), and it supports pass-through charging. The ports support a maximum of 30W output and 27W input. The dual-port setup is a boost because I can travel with a small single-port charging block. Then, at the end of the day, I can plug the charger into the wall and use it to charge the power bank while simultaneously wirelessly charging my iPhone and another device via the second USB-C port. 

Also: Here's a portable power bank that's actually worth its high price – especially if you travel

There's a button on the power bank to turn it on, and there's a color display on the front that shows power levels and charging/discharging power. The display is crisp and clear, and shows all the basic information.

The SolidSafe 10K also comes with a lanyard that's actually a small USB-C-to-USB-C cable. This feature is a nice touch because it means there's a good chance that I'll have a cable when I need it. 

The retaining clip that holds the cable in place is pretty ingenious. The clip has resisted all my fidgeting — and it hasn't broken or given way, sending the power bank hurling through the air. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The power banks come in four finishes — black, blue, orange, and silver — and you can pick one up for $79.99 (which is $20 off the full price). For that money, the BMX SolidSafe 10K is a fantastic power bank. Yes, this bank is pricier than many other MagSafe power banks. However, the device has two USB-C outputs (a rare feature). 

It's also a sturdy power bank that really delivers on what it promises, and the solid-state battery offers a safer experience, a longer lifespan, and better cold-weather performance (if that's important to you).