Portable battery packs have moved from nice-to-have to something I think just about everyone should keep in their bag. Between phones, tablets, and other gear, it does not take much travel or a long day away from an outlet before a backup battery starts to matter.
Journova sent over its WayCharger for a first look, and the thing that stood out right away was that this is not a tiny emergency phone charger. It is a larger, heavier 12,000 mAh battery pack built more for a bag than a pocket.
Quick Answer
The WayCharger is a 12,000 mAh portable battery with two USB charging ports, and both ports are rated at 2.1 amps. That matters because it should handle larger devices like iPads better than smaller battery packs that are really meant only for phones.
It also supports pass-through charging, so you can plug the WayCharger into the wall and charge a device from it at the same time. Not every portable battery does that, and it is a useful feature if you want one charger sitting on a desk or nightstand keeping both the battery and your device topped off.
What Comes In The Box
Inside the package, the WayCharger includes the battery itself, a small user manual, a USB to micro USB charging cable, and a carrying pouch.
The pouch is a nice touch. It fits the battery, and it also has a front pocket where you can keep the cable. That makes it more practical as something you actually throw into a backpack or gear bag instead of having the cable floating around loose.
- Journova WayCharger battery pack
- USB to micro USB charging cable
- User manual
- Carrying pouch with front pocket
Build And Design
The first thing I noticed after taking it out of the box was how solid it feels. I am used to battery packs with aluminum, plastic, or rubber cases, but this one has a much heavier, sturdier feel in the hand.
The sides have a black leather design, and the rest of the casing feels very rigid. I could not confirm the exact material from the first look, but it feels more substantial than the battery packs I usually carry.
That does mean there is some weight to it. This is not something I would want in a pants pocket all day. But for a bag, the extra size and weight make more sense because you are getting a much larger battery.
Ports And Indicators
The WayCharger has two USB output ports for charging devices and a micro USB port used to recharge the battery pack itself.
On the bottom, there are four indicator lights and a power button. Pressing the button shows the remaining battery level. In this first look, all four lights came on, which means the unit arrived with a full charge.
There is also a small opening at the top that looks like it could be used for a strap, hanging point, or attaching it to a bag. I did not test that as a mounting feature, but the design does look like it was made with carrying in mind.
Why The 2.1 Amp Outputs Matter
One of the more important details is that both USB ports output 2.1 amps. That is useful if you are charging larger devices, especially tablets like an iPad.
Some battery packs have multiple USB ports but split the charging output between them, or only offer the faster output on one port. With the WayCharger, both ports are rated at 2.1 amps, which makes it more flexible if you are charging more than one device.
For everyday use, that means this is not only an emergency phone battery. It is better suited for someone who carries a phone and tablet, or who wants enough battery capacity to get through more than one top-off.
Size Compared To A Mophie Duo
For comparison, I put the WayCharger next to the Mophie Duo that I normally keep in my bag. My Mophie is around 6,000 mAh, so the WayCharger has roughly double the battery capacity.
The WayCharger is bigger and a little thicker, but it is not double the physical size. That is the tradeoff that makes it interesting. You get a much larger battery without carrying something that feels twice as large.
The Mophie has more of an aluminum and rubber feel, while the WayCharger feels heavier and more rugged. If I dropped the Mophie, I would be more worried about it. The WayCharger feels like it could take more abuse, though I did not do a drop test in this first look.
Pass-Through Charging
Another feature worth calling out is pass-through charging. Journova describes this as in-and-out charging, meaning the battery can charge devices while it is also plugged in and charging itself.
That is useful in real life. You could plug the WayCharger into the wall, plug an iPad or phone into the WayCharger, and let both charge. For travel or a nightstand setup, that reduces the number of chargers and outlets you need.
Not all portable batteries support this, so it is one of the more practical details here.
Colors And Other Journova Batteries
The WayCharger shown here is the black model, but Journova also showed white and green versions. The green one looked pretty sharp, though black is the safest choice if you want something that goes with everything.
Journova also has a smaller battery called the ViewCharger. That one is around 6,000 mAh, which makes it more comparable to the Mophie Duo I already carry. The WayCharger is the larger option for people who want more capacity.
Who This Is For
The WayCharger makes the most sense for someone who already carries a bag and wants enough battery to charge more than just a phone once. If you carry an iPad, travel often, go to conferences, or spend long days away from outlets, the 12,000 mAh capacity is the main appeal.
If you only need a tiny emergency charger for a phone, this may be more battery than you want to carry. It is solid and good-looking, but it is still a larger battery pack.
This was a first look, so I still needed to put it through a few days of actual use before making a final call. But from the initial hands-on, the WayCharger stood out for its capacity, sturdy feel, dual 2.1 amp outputs, included pouch, and pass-through charging.
Key Takeaways
- The Journova WayCharger is a 12,000 mAh portable battery pack built more for a bag than a pocket.
- Both USB ports are rated at 2.1 amps, which is helpful for charging larger devices like iPads.
- It uses micro USB to recharge the battery pack itself.
- The four LED indicators show the remaining charge when you press the power button.
- The included pouch has a front pocket for the charging cable.
- Pass-through charging lets the WayCharger charge a device while the battery pack itself is plugged in.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full first look, including the unboxing, port layout, pouch, size comparison with the Mophie Duo, and my initial impressions of the WayCharger in hand.
