At CES 2026, I had a chance to examine Better Mobile Xperience’s (BMX) range of semi-solid-state power banks. I was deeply impressed by the touted benefits of the technology, but it wasn’t until last week that I was able to get my hands on one.
The ultra-thin BMX SolidSafe Air 5K is a seriously impressive piece of hardware. While 5,000mAh isn’t breaking any records for power banks, it’s thinner than my phone and more I’ve used. The future is here, and I’m ready for it.
What makes BMX’s power banks so impressive
Safer and more efficient than other power bank
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, found in everything from power banks to laptops, BMX’s semi-solid-state batteries have minimal liquid elements. Not only is this dramatically safer ( BMX’s booth at CES 2026 had examples of its power banks with nails safely hammered through), but they take up much less space. It’s why my Pixel 10 Pro can fit neatly in my hand even with the SolidSafe Air 5K attached.
While BMX’s SolidSafe batteries technically have liquid elements, there is not enough to cause the chain reaction that causes lithium-ion batteries to ignite. They are therefore airline safe.
Solid-state batteries can charge devices faster because they operate at a lower temperature for a longer period. Lithium-ion batteries’ slow charging rates when they overheat, but this isn’t a concern for solid-state batteries. They can also theoretically last longer, but we haven’t seen conclusive evidence that their cycle stability will be higher than that of lithium-ion batteries.
The problem with true solid-state batteries is that they’re not a commercially viable product for mobile devices yet. BMX’s compromise with semi-solid-state technology is safer than lithium-ion batteries while being more practical than solid-state technology.
It’s the most convenient power bank I’ve ever used
Qi2-compatible chargers are nothing new. I’ve used them myself, but they tend to be bulky, awkward devices that don’t comfortably fit in your pocket. I actually gave up on using the magnetic attachment on one power bank and switched back to the classic method of shoving it in my bag and running a cable out the top.
But with SolidSafe Air, I can use it without even thinking about it. The entire package is only slightly more bulky than using a phone case, and the magnetic attachment is strong enough that I can pick up my phone by the power bank.
It’s the sheer versatility of the power bank that makes it invaluable for me. I actually didn’t charge my phone directly once this week; instead, I charged the SolidSafe Air overnight, then walked around with it attached all day.
But the fun thing is that I didn’t actually mean to do that. I had merely meant to test whether it would overheat on me or not, but it was so convenient that I kept it attached all week.
Speaking of overheating, I can confirm that my phone and power bank did get slightly warm during testing. It never reached uncomfortable levels, and I was quite happy to leave it attached while walking around in sunlight.
There’s also a neat trick where you can charge two devices simultaneously, one through the Qi2 attachment and the other via USB-C. However, the relatively small 5,000mAh capacity means this isn’t going to be useful outside of emergencies.
The advantages of BMX’s power banks are impossible to ignore
The only catch is price
The downside to BMX’s semi-solid-state power banks is the cost. The SolidSafe Air 5K retails for $60, but Anker sells a Qi2-compatible 5,000mAh lithium-ion power bank for $45. Ditch the convenience of Qi-2 and size, and you can buy a 10,000mAh power bank from Anker for just $30.
What you’re paying for with a BMX SolidSafe charger is convenience. Normally, I always opt for the practical option, and if you had asked me before testing the SolidSafe Air 5K, I probably would have dismissed it. But I can’t get over how great it is that I can attach it to my phone and then forget it’s there.
What this power bank means for the future
BMX isn’t the only company making semi-solid-safe power banks, but it’s at the forefront of the power bank revolution. It’s still early days for the technology, so I expect to see established manufacturers like Anker and Baseus start producing competitive alternatives very soon.
The SolidSafe Air 5K is a fantastic power bank, but while I’ll be toting mine around for a while longer (I decided not to destroy it for science), I’m more excited about the future. Semi-solid-safe batteries have the potential to completely replace lithium-ion batteries; they’ll just need to lower the cost first.
