Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank review: Fast battery pack has it all

Best Prices Today: Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank

The big news in wireless power banks is all about two technologies these days: super-speedy Qi2 25W charging; and semi-solid-state batteries.

The Kuxiu S3 is not the first semi-sold-state magnetic wireless power bank we’ve tested—that honor goes to stablemate Kuxiu S2. Nor is it the first 25W battery pack: that was the Ugreen MagFlow.

However, the Kuxiu S3 is the first—and surely not the last—semi-solid-state 25W magnetic wireless power bank to enter the Macworld Labs.

Indeed, not only does it tick those boxes but its also boasts three other top-end features: a built-in USB-C cable, integrated kickstand, and digital battery display.

In terms of a magnetic wireless power bank it has it all.

• Capacity: 39.5Wh (10000mAh)
• Input charger: USB-C (30W)
• Output charger: Wireless (25W) & USB-C (30W)
• On test charged iPhone to: 177%
• Weight: 8.65oz (245g)
• Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches (10.7 x 7.1 x 2.2cm)
• Colors: Black

Qi2 25W for some, Qi2 for the rest

Elsewhere (in Which wireless tech is best for your iPhone) I’ve written more about the various wireless power outputs, how they affect charging speed and which iPhone can use which charging tech.

In short, the higher the power output the faster the recharge, and only the iPhones 16 and 17 support the very fastest wireless tech Qi2 25W (also known as Qi 2.2). Older iPhones (from 12 on) can use 25W chargers and power banks but are pegged back at 15W.

15W MagSafe or Qi2 wireless charging is still speedy, and faster than found on older and cheaper “MagSafe-compatible” power banks that chug along at 7.5W.

In terms of wireless charging, the Kuxiu S3 is best suited to iPhones 16 and later, which can take advantage of the full 25W on offer.

Wireless vs wired

25W takes wireless close to the charging speeds that are possible with a cabled wired charger.

In terms of compatibility, another factor to consider is the type of charging port on your iPhone. A built-in cable is fine if it matches your phone’s port. iPhones from version 15 onwards pack a USB-C charging port. Previous models (14 and earlier) use Lightning cables.

The S3’s USB-C cable feels integrated but can be detached, although I’m not sure why that would be an advantage. It makes it a little more flexible (and losable) and the connection to the power bank is robust so it won’t come out without a good tug. At 10 inches (25cm) it’s longer than most. It tucks neatly around both sides of the power bank.

The S3’s USB-C cable is therefore best suited to later iPhones (15/16/17), just as its wireless charging (16/17) is also more beneficial for later iPhones. That’s not to say it’s useless for older iPhones as it can be used to input power into the battery pack when it needs recharging itself.

The S3’s power input is rated at 30W. That’s not bad but somewhere shy of the EcoFlow RAPID’s unmatched input rate of 65W.

Battery capacity

The Kuxiu S2 performed well in our tests, its 5000mAh (5K) battery recharging an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 79%. The S3 has a 10000mAh (10K) battery capacity and managed to recharge that same iPhone to 177%—so up to 100% then another 77% when it came to a second recharging task.

That’s not the top score we’ve had in our 10K power bank tests: the champs so far have been the Anker Zolo 10K and EcoFlow RAPID 10K, both of which scored 190%. But 177% is above average and handsomely beat the 25W Ugreen MagFlow 10K (144%).

While the 5K Kuxiu S2 measures 3.3 x 2.4 x 0.4 inches (8.4 x 6 x 1.1cm) and weighs 174g, the 10K S3 is, as you’d expect, bulkier at 4.2 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches (10.7 x 7.1 x 2.2cm) and weighing in at 245g.

It’s not as slim as the aptly named Anker MagGo 10K Slim (4.1 x 2.8 x 0.58 inches) and is about the same size as the 25W Ugreen MagFlow’s 4.4 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches and 254g.

If you desire an ultra slim magnetic power bank look to the 5K models.

Semi-Solid-State of the art

A semi-solid state (SSS) power bank is more energy-dense than a traditional liquid electrolyte power bank because its semi-solid electrolyte is less prone to leakage and thermal runaway. SSS is therefore more durable, safer and offers more charge cycles so will last longer.

I can see the day when airlines ban liquid electrolyte power banks; at present it restricts the capacity to 100Wh. The S2’s 10K is 39.5Wh, well within airline regulations, and being semi-solid-state safer to carry.

Clear display

You can see exactly how much power is left in the power bank via its digital display, which is more accurate than other power banks’ four LED indicators that let you know the remaining capacity only in increments of 15%.

The display is at the bottom of the power bank, next to a spare 30W USB-C port and a power button that switches the display on when you need it.

Even with that spare port plus the wireless pad and cable you sadly can’t charge three devices at the same time, but two is possible at a total shared 15W: wireless + cable 1; wireless + cable 2; or cable 1 + cable 2.

Stand to attention

If you are using your phone to watch a streaming show or making a video call, you’ll appreciate the kickstand at the back that allows for either portrait or landscape orientation while charging wirelessly.

Price

The Kuxiu S3 10K Magnetic Power Bank is priced at $68.99 or £54. For a 25W semi-solid-state 10K power bank with all these features, this is great value. It’s also available on Amazon.

For more options we have tested and reviewed the best magnetic power banks.

Should you buy the Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank?

Safe and durable semi-solid-state battery? Tick. 25W wireless charging speed. Tick. Built-in USB-C cable. Tick. Kickstand. Tick. The Kuxiu S3 has it all. We’ve tested slimmer and higher capacity magnetic wireless power banks but what’s on offer at this price is super easy to recommend.

Best Prices Today: Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank