Journey Glyde 4-in-1 journey charger assessment
It was love at first sight with the Journey Glyde. Once I got here throughout it, I used to be on the point of embark on a four-week abroad vacation that concerned highway journeys to totally different locations. So I used to be relatively excited that this MagSafe journey charger wouldn’t solely work as a wi-fi stand for my iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, but in addition work as a conveyable charger with a ten,000mAh capability.
Whereas I’m not a fan of the matte white prime panel that has the charging pads for a telephone and AirPods – it picks up scratches very simply – I like the sliding panel beneath that pops up the charging pad for the Apple Watch. The splotchy gray end is fascinating, and I’d have most well-liked one thing comparable for the highest panel as properly. Its weight and bulk, nevertheless, had been regarding.
Whereas Journey lists the Glyde at 395g, it felt heavier in my hand and, weighing it myself, it tipped the scales at 411g. The additional 16g could not seem to be a lot, however once you’re packing for an abroad journey, the grams shortly clock up. Its sliding design additionally makes it cumbersome for a journey charger.
Personally, I feel it’s finest to hold a smaller 20,000mAh transportable charger as a substitute, a capability that just about each worldwide airline permits in carry-on baggage. Most of those are smaller and lighter, so gained’t eat away at your baggage allowance. I suppose if Journey elevated the backup capability on the Glyde to twenty,000mAh, it could make the entire gadget even heavier.
For an extended journey, 10,000mAh doesn’t sound like a lot however, in a pinch, it’s higher than nothing in any respect. It was simply sufficient to prime up my Apple Watch SE 2 and my iPhone 13 Pro solely as soon as after use all through the day. That may drain the Journey Glyde totally which, in my particular use case, wasn’t perfect as it could want time on the mains to prime up. In any other case it was only a cumbersome and heavy wi-fi charger. If I wasn’t occurring a number of mini journeys throughout my abroad vacation, I’d in all probability not have felt the necessity for extra transportable capability than 10,000mAh, however that was exacerbated by the truth that, as an influence financial institution, it was inefficient – one thing {that a} colleague proved via testing.
The Glyde doesn’t assist newer environment friendly fast-charging protocols like PPS, however does output 20W, so can nonetheless do moderately quick top-ups.And whereas most energy banks sometimes supply 15% much less of their marketed capability attributable to conversion losses, the Glyde gave 34% loss throughout testing. Even at a straightforward gradual cost, the losses had been 27% – means above what’s anticipated.
Because of this of the ten,000 mAh capability, solely about 7,000mAh is offered in regular use – sufficient to present a telephone and a smartwatch a single cost, however not end result contemplating the worth. It’s significantly better to make use of wired charging on the go, as wi-fi charging is even much less environment friendly, and you may anticipate round 50% of the rated capability. On the plus aspect, it really works effective as a charging stand, and may hit the 15W Qi charging charge when plugged in.
Journey Glyde: Worth & specs
Worth: |
$169.99 / £139.99 / AU$299.99 |
Wi-fi output: |
15W Qi2 |
Wired charging: |
20W |
Gadgets charged: |
as much as 4 |
USB-C: |
sure (energy in or out) |
Battery capability: |
10,000mAh |
Wi-fi charging: |
Sure – MagSafe |
Weight: |
395g listed / 411g reviewed with out cable |
Dimensions: |
226 x 81 x 33 mm open / 153 x 81 x 33 mm closed |
Ought to I purchase the Journey Glyde?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate
There is not a lot else on the market to check the Journey Glyde on to, however there are journey chargers aplenty. Beneath are a few alternate options, though neither will get you a backup battery.