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The Belkin Stage PowerGrip and KraftGeek PowerShutter are a new breed of power banks — the kind that convert your smartphone into an old-school camera, in a sense.
I love this new era of power banks where the sky's the limit, and brands are playing around with form factors. From high-capacity power banks to transparent ones, we've seen those that come with cooling fans, and even some that double as SSDs.
Now, smartphone accessory brands like KraftGeek and Belkin are rethinking the form factor once again with their portable power banks that have MagSafe support, Bluetooth camera buttons, and act as phone stands.
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Belkin and KraftGeek's magnetic power bank stands share the same core
There are some differences between the two power banks, but the most vital one is the price. The Belkin Stage PowerGrip costs $79.99, whereas the much more affordable KraftGeek PowerShutter costs $36.99. KraftGeek's offering is less than half the price of the Belkin option.
The Belkin Stage PowerGrip has a much larger capacity, giving you 9,300mAh, but it's also 67 grams heavier. In comparison, the KraftGeek PowerShutter has a modest 5,000mAh capacity.
Category |
Belkin Stage PowerGrip |
KraftGeek PowerShutter |
|---|---|---|
Price |
$79.99 |
$36.99 |
Capacity |
9,300mAh |
5,000mAh |
Charging |
15W wired, 15W wireless |
18W wired, 10W wireless |
Charging indicator |
Display |
LED lights |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth |
Buttons |
Power button, shutter button |
Power button, shutter button |
Ports |
USB-C port, built-in USB-C cable, 1/4 inch camera hole, lanyard holes |
USB-C port, 1/4 inch camera hole |
Dimensions |
4.6 x 3.3 x 1.6 inches |
4.75 x 1.875 x 3.25 inches |
Weight |
271 grams |
204 grams |
Colors |
Charcoal, Ice Blue, Sand |
Black, White |
Both the Belkin Stage PowerGrip and KraftGeek PowerShutter have magnetic pads where you can mount any MagSafe or magnetic Qi2 phone. You can also use both accessories as phone holders, allowing you to use your device in both portrait and landscape orientations.
You can pair your phone with either power bank stand using Bluetooth, enabling you to use the camera shutter button to take pictures. It's a very comfortable method of shooting pictures and videos, especially if you grew up with digital cameras and DSLRs.
Thanks to the 1/4-inch threaded hole, you can mount your phone on any standard tripod. This eliminates the need to buy a separate stand or stand mount just for your phone.
How does Belkin justify that price gap?
At $79.99, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip costs twice as much as the KraftGeek PowerShutter. Besides the extra battery backup, you also get more color options, a built-in USB-C cable, lanyard holes, and an LED display indicating the battery level and connection status.
Belkin's camera stand also has better functionality. You can switch between photo and video modes on your phone with the shutter button. On top of that, you can disable wireless charging so the Belkin Stage PowerGrip isn't unnecessarily draining its battery when in use.
With KraftGeek, you get what you pay for
When it comes to KraftGeek's option, you cannot turn off the wireless charging feature, so it's constantly recharging your phone wirelessly when in use. This, paired with the smaller battery, means that it drains much faster than Belkin's power bank stand.
Additionally, you cannot use the shutter button to switch between photo and video modes on the KraftGeek PowerShutter.
You do, however, get extras in the box that compensate for these drawbacks. There's a USB-C charging cable and a magnetic adapter ring provided.
Recharging the KraftGeek PowerShutter takes a while because of the 18W wired charging speed. However, it's still faster than Belkin's slower 15W wired charging speed.
KraftGeek gets my vote when it comes to comfort. It is noticeably lighter, and I prefer its slightly softer faux leather grip.
Belkin Stage PowerGrip vs KraftGeek PowerShutter: Which should you buy?
Performance-wise, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip lasts much longer than the KraftGeek PowerShutter, giving it a major edge over it. The extended battery life alone is worth the splurge. It's perfect for vacations and trips where you need to take lots of pictures and videos but have battery anxiety.
Additionally, since you can turn the wireless charging off on the Belkin camera stand power bank, it also helps you conserve its power instead of wasting it unnecessarily. The built-in Type-C cable can get awkward to use, but it's so convenient to have. You don't have to worry about packing a separate cable.
At $36.99, the KraftGeek PowerShutter is an absolute steal. It's a fantastic alternative to the more premium Belkin Stage PowerGrip. However, if you can afford to spend another $43, the $79.99 Belkin option will make you a lot happier!
Bonus tip: If you really want the Belkin Stage PowerGrip but are counting the change you found in your couch, just wait for Black Friday to grab a good deal on it.
High capacity, high cost
Looking for the perfect photography-friendly power bank for your MagSafe or Qi2 phone? The magnetic Belkin Stage PowerGrip is perfect! If you don't mind the price tag, this power bank can do it all, be it charging your phone, propping it up, or helping you take photos all night long.
Budget-friendly alternative
Need an affordable dupe for Belkin's power bank stand and don't mind having a smaller capacity bank? Get the budget-friendly KraftGeek PowerShutter instead. It even comes with extras like a cable and a magnetic ring adapter in the box.
FAQ
How do these power banks connect to your smartphone?
The Stage PowerGrip and PowerShutter physically connect to smartphones using magnets, for MagSafe/Qi2-compatible phones or cases. They connect to your phone's software via Bluetooth.
How fast are the wireless charging speeds?
The Belkin Stage PowerGrip supports 15W wireless charging output, while the KraftGeek PowerShutter only supports 10W wireless charging output.
Can you turn the wireless charging on and off?
Only the Belkin Stage PowerGrip allows users to turn the charging functionality on or off, while the KraftGeek PowerShutter will continuously charge your device.
Is the Belkin Stage PowerGrip worth the higher price?
The Stage PowerGrip is priced higher than the PowerShutter likely due to the larger battery, built-in USB-C cable, and additional functionality that you won't find on the cheaper model. However, the PowerShutter is still a great value for anyone looking for a power bank that doubles as a phone grip/camera shutter.
