BioLite Charge 100 Max (25,000 mAh / 91.25 Wh)
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
2026 lineup note: BioLite's flagship power bank (fall 2024): 25,000 mAh (91.25 Wh), 2× 100 W USB-C PD outputs, 65 W USB-C PD input (90-min recharge), plus 15 W USB-C, 15 W USB-A, and a 15 W magnetic wireless deck — 120 W total, 5 devices at once, 580 g. MSRP $149.95. The one to buy new from BioLite; the Charge 80 PD is the legacy tier below it.
Version lineage (2023–2026)
- 2024 (fall): Charge 100 Max launches as BioLite's "biggest and fastest power bank" — 100 W bidirectional PD, wireless deck, 90-minute recharge.
- 2025–2026: Still the current flagship as of Sept 2026. The Charge 20/40/80 PD tiers continue below it.
- Discontinued predecessors: None — it extended the line upward.
- Smart-buy advice: At $149.95 it's priced against Anker's 737 and similar 100 W-class banks. Buy it for the BioLite ecosystem (SolarPanel 5 pairing, headlamp pass-through) or the wireless deck; buy Anker for raw value.
Overview
A laptop-class power bank for basecamp and remote work: two 100 W USB-C PD ports that can fast-charge a MacBook Pro-class laptop while simultaneously feeding phones, earbuds, and a watch off the remaining ports — plus a 15 W MagSafe-compatible wireless deck on top. The 65 W input refills the whole 25,000 mAh in 90 minutes from a laptop brick. At 580 g it's a brick, but it's the brick that replaces a wall outlet for a group.
Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 25,000 mAh / 91.25 Wh, Li-ion (1000 cycles to >70%) |
| Inputs | USB-C PD 65 W (1.5 h full recharge) |
| Outputs | 2× USB-C PD 100 W (5/9/12/15/20V) · 1× USB-C 15 W · 1× USB-A 15 W · wireless 15 W |
| Total output | 120 W across 5 devices simultaneously |
| Weight | 580 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz |
| Dimensions | 140 × 112 × 35 mm (5.4 × 4.4 × 1.4 in) |
| Extras | Magnetic wireless deck (MagSafe-compatible), LED indicators, FAA carry-on compliant, 100 W USB-C cable included |
Sources: bioliteenergy.com official product page; zdnet.com, gearjunkie.com, thegreatoutdoorsmag.com, mantripping.com reviews; rei.com listing (all observed 2026-09-20).
Long-term durability
- 1000 cycles to >70% is honest mid-tier longevity (below LiFePO4 stations, normal for Li-ion banks).
- ZDNET's hands-on notes the lack of port covers and water resistance — dust/grit ingress is the practical durability concern for camp use. Keep it in a dry bag in dusty conditions.
- REI's 3.2★ average (72 reviews) is notably lower than the Charge 80 PD's 4.3★ — worth reading the critical reviews before buying (UNVERIFIED on specific defect patterns; deeper review mining recommended).
- BioLite warranty terms not re-verified in this pass (UNVERIFIED); one distributor datasheet cites a 3-year limited warranty (psabrowse.com — UNVERIFIED).
Pricing
- MSRP: $149.95 — SOURCES: rei.com, bioliteenergy.com (via ZDNET), gearjunkie.com.
- One UK review listed $179.95/£179.99 (thegreatoutdoorsmag.com) — regional pricing varies; US MSRP is $149.95.
In the Box
- Charge 100 Max power bank
- 100 W USB-C PD cable
- Instruction manual
Warranty
Distributor datasheet cites 3-year limited warranty (UNVERIFIED). BioLite's own current terms not re-verified.
Support & Parts
- BioLite (Brooklyn, NY). Sealed unit; no user-serviceable parts.
Head-to-head vs closest rivals
- vs BioLite Charge 80 PD (
biolite-charge-80-pd): 100 Max wins on everything (capacity, 100 W vs 18 W, 90-min recharge, wireless) for $50 more. Buy the 100 Max new, period. - vs Anker 737 (
anker-737-power-bank): The real fight — 737 is 24,000 mAh / 120 W with a smart display, usually cheaper street. 100 Max counters with the wireless deck and BioLite ecosystem. Pick on price and whether you want wireless. - vs Nitecore NB10000 (
nitecore-nb10000): NB10000 is the ultralight 10,000 mAh pick at a third of the weight. 100 Max for laptops and groups; NB10000 for solo fast-and-light.
Care & maintenance
- No port covers — blow/brush dust out of the USB-C ports regularly; a silicone port plug set is cheap insurance.
- Recharge to ~50% before storage; don't leave at 0% for months.
- The wireless deck is convenient but inefficient — use cables when every Wh counts.
Buying traps
- REI's 3.2★ rating deserves a look — read the 1–2★ reviews for patterns before buying (UNVERIFIED in this pass).
- No water resistance, no port covers — it's a basecamp/travel bank, not a river-trip bank.
- 580 g is heavy — this is a group/vehicle bank, not a backpacking bank.
- Regional price variance ($149.95 US vs higher UK pricing) — buy in-region.
Community Verdict
Reviewers (GearJunkie, ZDNET, TGO) agree it's one of the best-balanced large power banks: the 5-device/120 W layout with 100 W laptop charging and a 90-minute refill is genuinely best-in-class versatility, and the wireless deck is a nice touch. The caveats are consistent: it's bulky, not weather-sealed, and REI's mediocre rating suggests quality-control or expectation issues worth investigating. For remote workers and family basecamps it's excellent; for ultralight hikers it's the wrong product.
Images
images/biolite-charge-100-max-1.jpgimages/biolite-charge-100-max-2.jpgimages/biolite-charge-100-max-3.jpgimages/biolite-charge-100-max-4.jpg— 3/4 view: port panel with 100W OUT / 65W IN / 15W OUT labels, wireless pad on topimages/biolite-charge-100-max-5.jpg— Real review photo: top view on weathered woodimages/biolite-charge-100-max-6.jpg— Real review photo in hand: LED charge indicators lit, wireless pad
Research date: 2026-09-20. Specs/prices change; re-verify live before buying. Claims dated above; anything marked UNVERIFIED was not confirmed from a primary source.