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IOGEAR GearPower Mobile Power Station

*Est. $30-$70

Reviewed

February 2013

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Light and portable
Very high power capacity
Some models can recharge two devices at once
Multilevel indicator lights
Built-in safety features

Cons

Will not charge devices when recharging itself
Slower than AC power charging

Where to Buy

for $52.59

Our Analysis
Specs

Bottom Line

Light and small, IOGEAR GearPower's reasonable price doesn't reflect its powerful abilities. It is available in four different models with increasing power capacities: the GMP2000mA, GMP4400mA, GMP6600mA and the GMP10k Ultra Capacity Mobile Power Station. The last delivers a whopping 11,000mA. It and the 6600 model have two USB ports: A 2.1 amp port charges high consumption devices like the iPad, while the single amp port is better suited for charging smaller devices like smartphones.

Ease Of Use

"Portable, powerful and pocket-size," says Gadizmo.com reviewer R. J. Huneke. Operating the IOGEAR GearPower is straightforward. After connecting the device and charger via an included cable, press a button and a row of four blue lights indicates the charging level. Four lights mean a full charge. The lights also indicate the charger's remaining power. The GearPower stores tidily in an included travel pouch.

Design

Four models; four different styles. The GMP4400 is white and curvy, while the others are variations of a flat portable hard drive-look. Kim describes the GMP6600 design as an "attractive two-tone gray plastic … with a thin strip of blue LEDs." The dual USB design on the two larger models makes them especially versatile. Functional design includes a single start button, a micro USB port for charging and one or two USB ports, depending on the model.

Performance

Powerful multitasker. In his "battery drain" tests, Kim recharged several different devices, including an iPad2 "with Wi-Fi and brightness set to max." He says the IOGear GearPower "performed admirably." Huneke says he can get five full charges for his iPhone 4S. In addition to praising the it's performance, Edgar Cervantes of AndroidAndMe.com points out that operating a device while recharging will cut the GearPower's performance in half.

Where To Buy

GearPower Mobile Power Station

5 New from $42.71

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

Review Credibility: Very Good "It isn't a show-stopper," says PCMag.com reviewer Eugene Kim, but it is "excellent." PCMag.com rates the IOGEAR GearPower Mobile Power Station 6600 as its Editor's Choice model among portable USB chargers. It "is a relatively inexpensive, high capacity battery," that delivers "solid performance," Kim says.

Review: IOGEAR GearPower High Capacity Mobile Power Station, Eugene Kim, May 14, 2012

2. Gizmodo.com

Review Credibility: Good Gadizmo.com reviewer R. J. Huneke says, "I took my halfway dead iPhone 4S … in a little over an hour my phone was fully charged." He says people on the move will find the GearPower 2200 "makes life a lot easier."

Review: Hands On: GearPower Mobile Power Station by IOGEAR, R. J. Huneke, July 16, 2012

3. LustGadget.com

Review Credibility: Good "Overall, this portable power supply is my new favorite gadget," says LustGadget.com's Johnny Mota. Reviewing the 6600 model, he especially likes its small size, portability and performance. He says it's "so simple, even your mom could figure it out." One of his biggest complaints about the IOGEAR Mobile Power Station is it being "another device to carry around."

Review: IOGEAR's High Capacity Mobile Power Station, Johnny Mota, April 12, 2012

4. AndroidAndMe.com

Review Credibility: Good "We would recommend the IOGEAR Mobile Power Station to anyone … and for the price, it's a no-brainer," declares AndroidAndMe.com reviewer Edgar Cervantes of the GMP6600 model. It did well, but because he used devices while recharging them, the GearPower drained nearly twice as fast.

Review: Review: IOGEAR Mobile Power Station was Ultimate CES Lifesaver, Edgar Cervantes, Jan. 20, 2012

5. GearPatrol.com

Review Credibility: Fair "Caffeine only powers the body -- the IOGEAR GearPower High Capacity Portable Battery covers the rest." Although not a review, Scott Packard from GearPatrol.com highly recommends the GearPower to holiday shoppers.

Review: 12 Gifts for the Traveler in 12 Guys of Christmas: The Globetrotter, Scott Packard, Dec. 3, 2012

6. CleverHousewife.com

Review Credibility: Fair In her short review of the 4400 model, Emily Lyon says, "What I love about this mobile power station is that it is so slim and sleek." Among other reviewers, she alone highlights the IOGEAR Mobile Power Station's "built-in short circuit prevention, as well as temperature protection."

Review: GearPower Mobile Power Station by IOGEAR, Emily Lyon, June 3, 2012

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