Final Thoughts
Price
The Antec Lifebar can be found from most major retailers for £25-£30 in the UK and $22 in the US. The Patriot Fuel+ can be found for £25-£40 in the UK and $30 in the US. The Luxa2 PL1 for around $30, but I struggled to find UK stock.
Conclusion
There are two key features that set the Fuel+ and the Lifebar apart from the Luxa2, they’re both able to charge devices much quicker thanks to their high amp socket. The Luxa2, charges your device slower. On the flip side of this, the Luxa2 device can fit in your pocket and that means it’s suitable for charging your device in your pocket while you’re walking around. The Fuel+ is great for charging your device when you’re stationary, pop it on your desk, or a tablet, it works really well in this environment. The Lifebar, thanks to its slimmer design, fits nicely in your bag or if you’re feeling up to lugging it around, perhaps your coat pocket. It really depends on what you need from your device, but it’s clear they’ve all got something unique to offer.
The Luxa2 may be slower and offer less power, but if I was to sit down for a meal and put my wallet and phone up on the restaurant table, the Luxa2 would blend in much better. It looks smarter and more professional than pulling a big honking battery out of your pocket, so it will certainly appeal to those out on a business meeting.
If you’re out on a long journey, either the Luxa2 or the Lifebar are what you want. They’ll charge your device multiple times, they’ll charge larger devices such as iPads and work great if you’re on a long-haul flight, long car journey or out camping; where ever you want to do, they’re going to keep you going for a couple of days without the need for a plug socket.
Build quality on all are great, although the Lifebar did show some signs of wear and tear, that’s no doubt a consequence of my having it in my backpack and it being used more often due to its larger capacity. Overall, they’re all great devices for their respective price ranges, which one is best suited for your needs, should at least be a little clearer now.
