Lightweight magnetic power bank — what I picked
My goal: the lightest power bank that attaches to the back of my phone, for a Samsung Galaxy S23 (standard 6.1"). Below: what I chose, why, advice if you have a different phone, and what I ruled out. Research from 14 Nov 2026, prices from Lithuania and the EU.
What I picked
One magnetic case plus a shortlist of three Qi2 power banks. They all work together.
Ringke Fusion Magnetic Matte (Galaxy S23)
- Thin, so the magnet sits close to the phone. Thick cases (≥3 mm) slow charging down.
- Weaker magnet than rugged cases, so not great for car mounts. Can yellow after several months.
Power bank shortlist (all Qi2, 5,000 mAh)
Anker Nano 5K MagGo Slim (A1665)
- The top slim pick in most 2026 roundups
- Warm in hot weather. The button is easy to press by accident.
(see product page)
UGREEN MagFlow Air (PB580)
- Strong magnet, gets more energy out of the cell than Anker
- Wireless drops to 5 W when charging two devices at once
Samsung Magnet Battery Pack (EB-U2500)
- The fastest over cable for Galaxy phones, with a built-in stand
- The heaviest and thickest. Some reports of heat.
Why this setup
How I made the choice.
Weight first
"Compact" for me means as light as possible. 5,000 mAh magnetic packs weigh 120–140 g. A 10,000 mAh Samsung pack weighs 210 g.
Attaches to the phone
A magnetic pack clicks onto the back, so I can keep using the phone without a cable hanging off it.
The S23 needs a magnetic case
The S23 has no built-in magnets, so no magnetic pack sticks to it on its own. A MagSafe-compatible case adds the ring. Every power bank maker (Anker, UGREEN, Samsung) says the same.
Realistic expectations
The S23 doesn't support Qi2, so wireless charging from these packs runs at about 5–7 W. That's a top-up of about 40–50%, not a full charge. Over USB-C it's much faster.
Proven combination
Reviewers charged an S23 Ultra with Anker MagGo packs through magnetic cases (Engadget, JC in the Shed). It held firmly and charged slowly.
No Qi2-certified case exists for the S23
Qi2 case certification (2025) is only for "Qi2 Ready" phones like the S25 and S26. A MagSafe ring has the same geometry as Qi2, so it works in practice.
Advice for your phone
Any of the three power banks above works. What changes is whether you need a magnetic case, and how fast it charges.
| Your phone | Magnets built in? | Case you need | Wireless speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ | No | MagSafe-compatible magnetic case (e.g. Ringke Fusion Magnetic for your exact model) | ~5–7 W | What I chose. Check that the case matches your size exactly (S23 ≠ S23+). |
| Galaxy S23 Ultra / S24 Ultra | No | Magnetic case. Spigen Ultra Hybrid OneTap (MagFit) is available for the S23 Ultra. | ~5–10 W | ⚠️ Samsung warns magnets can interfere with the S Pen, NFC and the compass. The bigger battery (5,000 mAh) means a smaller % top-up, so consider a 10K magnetic pack. |
| Galaxy S24 / S24+ | No | Magnetic case | ~5–10 W | One S24 owner reports the Samsung pack works well with a MagSafe case and doesn't block the camera. |
| Galaxy S25 / S26 (all) | No, but "Qi2 Ready" | Qi2 magnetic case (Samsung Silicone Magnet Case or similar) | 15 W | The best Samsung match. Here Qi2 speed actually works. The Samsung pack is shaped around the S26 Ultra camera. |
| iPhone 12 and newer | Yes (MagSafe) | None needed, or any MagSafe case | 7.5–15 W | Anker A1665 doesn't support the iPhone 12/13 mini, SE or 16e. |
| Pixel 10 | Yes (Qi2) | None needed, or a magnetic case | 15 W | Pixel 9 and older have no magnets and need a magnetic case. |
What I ruled out, and why
These are all fine products. They just didn't match "lightest + attached to the phone".
Anker Nano A1653 (plug-in USB-C, ~100 g, ~€23)
The lightest and cheapest, and it charges faster than wireless. But it sticks out of the charging port, which makes the phone awkward to hold and it won't fit in a pocket while plugged in. Good if you only charge in a bag.
Samsung EB-P3400 (10,000 mAh, 25 W, 210 g)
Twice the capacity and true Super Fast charging, but heavy, not magnetic and needs a cable. Good if you want two full charges.
Encased Magnetic case
Several buyers report the magnetic ring coming loose after 2–4 weeks, weak magnets and even Wi-Fi interference.
Pitaka MagEZ Case 3
The thinnest case, but it uses metal plates instead of magnets, so it holds worse with power banks.
Opulenté "Qi2" case (€49)
The only S23 case marketed as "Qi2". It's "compatible", not certified, from an unverified brand, costs over twice as much as Ringke, and the site doesn't confirm a standard-S23 version.
Spigen OneTap (MagFit)
A great case, but only made for the S23 Ultra and S23 FE, with no version for the standard S23. Recommended for Ultra owners.
Tech-Protect Flexair Hybrid MagSafe (€7.49)
Not rejected, it's the budget backup. A third of the price and in stock in Lithuania, but fewer reviews. I preferred Ringke's brand and matte finish.
Waiting for a Qi2-certified S23 case
There won't be one: certification needs a "Qi2 Ready" phone, and even then the S23 couldn't charge faster.
Sources
- Engadget: best power banks 2026 (Anker MagGo on S23 Ultra)
- JC in the Shed: Anker 622 on S23 Ultra
- Maplee-tech: MagSafe on Samsung, case thickness test
- Samsung: Magnet Wireless Battery Pack (case and S Pen notes)
- Anker A1665: Samsung FAQ
- UGREEN MagFlow Air: case FAQ
- 9to5Google: Qi2 case certification
- MobileReviews-EH: Ringke Fusion review
- Amazon: Encased S23 Ultra reviews
- XDA: S23 Ultra MagSafe setups
- Zens: phones with Qi / Qi2