ZAGGsparq 6000 mAh Portable Battery/Charger review

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zagg sparq

I travel a great deal for my day job and all too often forget one or more of the needed accessories to charge my litany of tech equipment. Every time that happens, I think to myself (after several choice words) that I really need a dedicated set of charging gear staged in my bag. Well, the ZAGGsparq 6000 from ZAGG looks to be an ideal travel companion for tech-packing road warriors, not only enabling you to charge via wall socket but when you are truly off the grid, from its internal battery as well.

zagg sparq frontback

The ZAGGsparq 6000 is a universal USB charger that is capable of powering multiple mobile devices at once. Within the Sparq is a 6000 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer backup battery engineered to power your portable technology while on the fly. Built into the back are retractable prongs for easy and convenient charging and transport. There is also an on/off switch to prevent/reduce battery drain while the battery is not in use.

zagg sparq withi5

The ZAGGsparq is definitely large compared to many of the devices it is designed to charge. So much so, I doubt I would ever take it in my gear bag but will most likely just bring it along in my check-bag while on travel.

Specifications:

zagg sparq specs2

zagg sparq compared1

ZAGG has created three versions of the ZAGGsparq. The 6000 has the most battery capacity and the only one of the three with dual USB charging ports.

Features

  • Rechargeable lithium polymer backup battery
  • Built-in prongs for convenient charging
  • When plugged into an outlet, the ZAGGsparq works just like a wall charger (directly charging the device, then charging the internal battery)
  • On/off switch to prevent battery drainage
  • 2.1A output for ultra-fast charging, up to four times faster than a standard USB charger
  • Attractive, durable polycarbonate shell hides scratches and fingerprints
  • 5 LEDs indicate battery level and pulsate one after the other while the ZAGGsparq is charging
  • Universal charger powers all USB-charged mobile devices
  • Ergonomic design features a soft touch rubber finish
  • Charges iPad and other tablets at optimal speed

zagg sparq topbottom

The USB ports have a 2.1A output for fast charging of two devices. According to ZAGG, the ports are up to four times faster than a “standard USB charger”. I did a bit of non-scientific testing, and found the ZAGGsparq charged my iPhone 4S in less than two hours leaving three of the LEDs glowing (approx 2/3 of the power left) and charged my iPad 3 to 50% in less than three hours leaving the Sparq completely depleted. During this test the Sparq was unplugged and charged via its internal battery.

zagg sparq pluggedin

When plugged into an outlet, the ZAGGsparq works just like a wall charger, first/directly charging the device(s), followed by charging its internal battery. On its front face are 5 LEDs which indicate battery charge level, glowing one after the other while the ZAGGsparq is recharging. The LEDs are very bright, especially in the dark. I thought they would make for a nice nightlight but are too bright for me and I covered them up (minor point) when plugged in next to my bed.

Compared to most no-name $3 USB wall chargers, the ZAGGsparq is big and bulky without a doubt, but it does get the job done and then some. Its ability to quickly charge multiple devices while at home/office/travel via wall socket or internal battery definitely gives you options when you need them. At $100, the ZAGGsparq is not inexpensive either. Quite a lot for a USB wall/battery charger, even with its quality build and feature set. That said and cost not withstanding, it is a well thought out and useful accessory that I will definitely keep in my travel bag ready to go.

 

Product Information

Price:$99.99
Manufacturer:ZAGG
Pros:
  • - Well made, quality build
  • - Built in 6000 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer backup battery
  • - 2.1A output for quick charging
  • - Retractable power prongs
  • - On/Off switch
  • - Acts as a wall charger/USB plug
Cons:
  • - Relatively large and bulky
  • - Expensive

6 thoughts on “ZAGGsparq 6000 mAh Portable Battery/Charger review”




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  2. I am confused how this is much better than the ZAGGsparq 2.0 which did the same thing for a smaller size (and better looking to me)?

  3. Yes @Fuzzy Wells — they’re not *that* different. The 6000 is .9 oz (25 grams) lighter, it’s 3/4 an inch narrower, but it *is* taller and wider.

    The 2.0 is 89mm x 89mm x 25.4mm at 8.6 oz.

    The 6000 is 104mm (taller) x 70mm (narrower) x 36mm (wider) at 7.7 oz (so almost an oz less, or 10% lighter).

    Might also depend on if you like shiny black (2.0) vs grey color (6000) and/or prefer the “goes in sideways (sticks out a lot on 2.0) vs. lays flat (on 6000).

  4. My biggest issue with the Zaggspaq 2.0 was the inability to charge your devices and the ZaggSparq while it was plugged in. The new device can work as a USB charger when plugged into the wall and while on the go. IF you had to choose one or the other for travel, and you currently carry around several wall wort/charging plugs and cables, this may new device may allow you to leave two of those chargers at home and only carry the ZaggSparq 6000 and your USB cables. I went from the 2.0 battery, several different wall chargers and cables to a single ZaggSparq 6000 and two Innergie Magic multi-cables. ( http://tinyurl.com/bldsxm4 ) It removed a lot of clutter form my bag during travel.

  5. they have replaced multiple of the Sparq – and the same issue keeps happening. The unit is not a good product. The battery will not hold a charge after multiple uses and fails. then to top it all off, since the product doesn’t fail the second you open the package, customer service (zagg) hassles over warrant vs in store credit vs refund. clearly after multiple of the same device/same malfunctions i wish to NOT be a Guinea pig any longer… i want my money back not credit for more crappy product!

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