Kanex’s GoPower Watch is a new portable battery designed for charging an Apple Watch. A simple product, GoPower Watch has a built-in magnetic charger and an available USB port, both of which take advantage of the 4000 mAh battery inside. Kanex claims GoPower Watch can charge an Apple Watch up to six times before the portable battery itself needs to be recharged. It’s a welcome addition to a market still mostly devoid of portable Apple Watch charging options, though we were big fans of Zagg’s Mobile Charging Station.
Where Zagg’s Mobile Charging Station required an existing Apple Watch charging cable and Lightning cable to charge both devices, GoPower Watch is a standalone battery, using only a built-in charger for Apple Watch.
It is possible to charge an iPhone at the same time, though, using the USB port on back of the battery. A micro-USB port is also located back there for recharging the battery itself — a cable comes with GoPower Watch. To start charging, simply hit the small button on the front of the battery — that button is also surrounded by an LED indicator, which informs users of how much battery power is left. If you’re only using GoPower Watch to charge an Apple Watch, you’ll get about six full recharges, which should be enough to get you through a week-long trip.
At the very least, you shouldn’t have any reservations about using GoPower Watch as a weekend trip charger.
Zagg’s Mobile Charging Station is still a more complete travel solution than GoPower Watch, but we can see why some users would prefer Kanex’s offering. GoPower Watch requires no cables to charge the Apple Watch, and just one Lightning cable for iPhone charging (though the 1A USB output speed doesn’t offer the fastest possible charging for iOS devices). Kanex’s compact battery also has a smaller footprint (3.07” x 3.22” x 1.25”) and unquestionably, a nicer look, with its soft-touch space gray-and-black exterior. Apple Watch users who are frequent travelers should take a close look at GoPower Watch.