Approaching the end of 2024 I was on the hunt for a something I can charge my Apple Watch with on-the-go. But not just something like those puck-style travel chargers, or even just an alternative to the magnetic charging cable Apple ships with its wearables, something truly portable, something battery-powered that I can use anywhere and just about anytime that also supports the rest of my Apple kit. Dive in below for my hands-on impressions of the Journey GLYDE 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station that does just that.
You’re reading Tested with gadgetnewsonline, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.
Hands-on with the Journey GLYDE 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station
The Journey GLYDE 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station comes in one color, the one you see on display here obviously, and carries a $169.99 list price. It., however, is often on sale and you can score one quite often for $135.99 (including right now).
Journey says it is the “world’s first charger with a retractable wireless charging lid.”
Features at a glance:
- 4-in-1 Charging: Wirelessly Charge your Phone, AirPods and Apple Watch – with an additional device charged via the USB-C Input
- Works with iPhone 16/15/14/13/12 series, Apple Watch Series 1-10, SE, Ultra 1/2, AirPods(Wireless charging models)
- Retractable design allows you to reduce its size to 1/3 for ultimate portability
- A high-capacity 10k mAh power bank ensures you stay charged all-day
- Qi 2 Fast 15W Wireless Charging for iPhone
- Fast Apple Watching charging
- LED Power Bank Capacity Indicators that automatically turn off
- Apple, Qi2, and Safety Certified
gadgetnewsonline’ Take
I was considering just using one of the USB-C ports on the power banks I already have for on-the-go Apple Watch charging, but that’s not really a particularly elegant way to power an entire Apple kit when traveling either.
The slate of fold-out puck chargers, like the Twelve South Butterfly SE, the new Satechi models, and the Anker UFO variant are a great option, but they still require an outlet when it comes down to it.
Okay so, what is the Journey GLYDE? It is a 4-in-1 MagSafe charging station that works just like any other 3-in-1 model that charges your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, but it also has an internal battery so it can do all of that and power a fourth piece of kit over USB-C, all without an outlet handy as well.
All of that said, I thought I would give the latest Journey GLYDE a shot. This one has a few things going for it you won’t always get from competitors like Anker in a single unit – the unique slide out top lid that helps to maintain a more compact form-factor when it’s packed away, a clean white and light gray design, Qi2 15W charging on the MagSafe pad, and a bonus USB-C port so you can actually charge four pieces of kit (the USB-C port delivers input and output, doubling as a way to charge up the internal battery).
In other words, it’s both a traditional desktop 3-in-1 stand, but can also be a totally portable battery-powered 4-in-1 charger on-the-go. Pretty cool.
Now let’s talk build quality. There’s nothing particularly notable to write home about – it’s basically all made of plastic. A high quality, more premium than your average tech plastic, and one that looks a bit more high-end to my eyes, but plastic nonetheless. It’s not like it’s going the smash in your bag or anything, but it’s certainly not one of the metal-laden builds we see from brands like Satechi.
As mentioned above, it comes in the form of a rounded corner rectangle about the size of your typical 10,000mAh battery, but about twice as thick – this is to accomodate the MagSafe pad and AirPods charger that slides over to reveal the magnetic Apple Watch charger that pops out from the bottom row. The unit shrinks in size by about 30% before you slide open the lid.
As far as functionality goes, everything has been totally solid. I have been using it both at home and when out and about for a couple months now, including over the holidays – no issues at all.
I perhaps would prefer the whole thing was a little bit smaller and lighter, but this is a full 4-in-1 MagSafe charging unit with a 10,000mAh battery inside after all.
The only real issue I have with it is the price – you can get something like seven or eight 10,000mAh power banks for the price of this thing. They probably don’t have MagSafe on them at that price, can’t charge your entire Apple kit, and don’t elegantly double as a desktop charging station like this, but $170 still feels pricey. You can score the Anker MagGo Power Bank with the same battery capacity and a similar onboard Apple Watch charger for $100 less, but again it’s not nearly as versatile or as elegant when it comes to resting it down on the desktop, table in a hotel room, or really anywhere for that matter.
The GLYDE is indeed a sweet charger and a particularly versatile one at that, but it really all depends on how much you value the combination functionality here, and whether or not you’re lifestyle actually requires it. Spending $170 (or less with the frequent discounts) for something that doubles as a desktop MagSafe charger at home and a full-featured solution for the road isn’t bad once you do the math, but only if you really need it.
Buy the Journey GLYDE 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station
FTC: gadgetnewsonline is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links
Subscribe to the gadgetnewsonline YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!
