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Mophie Powerstation PD XL
MSRP:
What we like
What we don't like
Mophie Powerstation PD XL
Foster Sylvers once sang that “big things come in small packages,” but he probably wasn’t referring to power banks at the time. Now, the meaning may have changed as companies find new ways to fit 10,000mAh portable batteries into increasingly smaller form factors. Mophie’s Powerstation PD XL is a perfect example, but how much punch fits into the pocket-sized package? Find out in our Mophie Powerstation PD XL review.
What you need to know about the Mophie Powerstation PD XL
- Mophie Powerstation PD XL (10,050mAh): $25 / £25 / €25
Mophie’s Powerstation lineup covers various capacities and features, and the PD XL is one of its smallest 10,000mAh models. It measures just 108.9 x 59.18 x 21.59mm and weighs 204g. It’s made entirely of plastic, with matte gray on the sides and a dimpled, glossy black finish for the top and bottom.
The Powerstation PD XL is barely over 100mm on its longest side, despite its name.
You’ll find a 12W USB-A port and an 18W USB-C port tucked on the end, along with four white LEDs and a button to check the remaining charge on the side. It supports Power Delivery, as the name suggests, though only the PD 2.0 standard. You can use Quick Charge 2 and 3 as well as Apple 2.4A charging for older devices.
The Powerstation PD XL is one of Mophie’s older power banks, having launched in early 2019 for $60. The price has since halved and it remains a popular option on Amazon and at other retailers. You also get basic paperwork and a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, but that’s about it.
What’s good?
The Mophie Powerstation PD XL is just the right size. As you can see in the image above, it’s no larger than the Google Pixel 5, even if it is quite a bit thicker. It’s impressive that the power bank sports a 10,050mAh capacity, given its size and relative age. Mophie’s fit and finish on the Powerstation PD XL is pretty good too. The dimpled black plastic is easy to hold onto, and it feels well-built all around.
Although Power Delivery 2.0 isn’t the latest implementation, Mophie’s USB-C charging is fast enough for most phones. I was able to max out at 18W for an iPhone 12 Pro — which is Mophie’s top-rated speed. The Powerstation PD XL also delivered 15W speeds to a Galaxy S21, which is as fast as Samsung will go without the latest USB Power Delivery PPS support. I hit 18W speeds regularly with the Pixel 5.
| Mophie PowerStation PD XL Power Bank Test | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mophie PowerStation PD XL Power Bank Test USB-C port | Samsung Galaxy S21 9.30V 1.62A 15.1W Standard: USB PD 2.0 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro 9.28V 1.96A 18.2W Standard: USB PD 2.0 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 9.32V 1.56A 14.5W Standard: QC 2.0 |
| Mophie PowerStation PD XL Power Bank Test USB-A port | Samsung Galaxy S21 4.93V 1.76A 8.7W Standard: QC 2 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro 4.92V 2.18A 10.7W Standard: APPLE | Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 N/A |
The Powerstation PD XL advertises 5W USB-A charging when you have multiple devices plugged in, but I found that it’s capable of going beyond that number. I achieved 8W speeds on an iPhone 12 Pro, with a Galaxy S21 pulling 14W through the USB-C port simultaneously.
Mophie launched this Powerstation PD XL power bank at $60, which is rather expensive for what you get. Now that some time has passed, you can grab it for closer to $25, which feels like a steal.
Learn more: Here’s how fast charging really works
What’s not so good?
As good as the Powerstation PD XL is when it comes to charging most phones, it’s not a practical option for laptops. I was limited to 15W Power Delivery 2.0 on a Surface Laptop 3, and charging from the USB-A port was a total non-starter. This isn’t a surprise given the top 18W speeds, but it’s something to be aware of.
So too is the lacking support for USB Power Delivery PPS. We typically don’t see this on more affordable or older power banks so this isn’t a criticism as such, but the lacking standard means devices like the Galaxy S21 family and Pixel 6 series won’t reach peak recharge speeds. This is definitely something to be aware of if you have a newer Samsung or Google flagship.
The Powerstation PD XL is great for most phones, but look elsewhere if you need a laptop power bank.
Although the Powerstation PD XL is a great size to shove in a pocket, it’s a rather heavy little bank. It may be a matter of density, but the 204g package feels heavy compared to a few larger power banks that I’ve tested.
Mophie’s inclusion of a USB-A to USB-C cable is also a telling sign of the times. While it was a bit more common in 2019, most power banks that have launched since then come with a USB-C to USB-C cable instead. After all, most people will probably rely on the faster 18W speeds the bulk of the time.
See also: The best USB-C cables you can buy
Mophie Powerstation PD XL review: Should I buy it?
The Powerstation PD XL is a decent buy for anyone who wants a travel-ready power bank and doesn’t have a newer Samsung or Google device, or something more demanding like a laptop. The Power Delivery 2.0 standard doesn’t unlock the fastest charging capabilities, but 18W is still suitable for most phones and wireless earbuds. While the Powerstation PD XL would’ve been hard to recommend at the $60 launch price, the reduced $25 price gives this two-year-old power bank new life.
The Mophie Powerstation PD XL is a pocket-sized power bank that's suitable for most phones and wireless earbuds.
On the other hand, if you have a recent Samsung device or a new Pixel 6 with USB PD PPS, it might be better to grab Samsung’s Super Fast Wireless power bank ($79). It’s more expensive but it’s capable of up to 25W speeds — good enough for all but the Galaxy S20 Ultra. If you’re hoping for a budget-friendly power bank, Anker’s PowerCore III Wireless ($49) sits in the middle price-wise but adds wireless charging to the mix.
