Things to know about ESR HaloLock wireless chargers with CryoBoost:
- ESR wireless chargers are equipped with CryoBoost technology, which eliminates the biggest disadvantage of wireless chargers – overheating.
- In this review, I reviewed three products:
- Make sure you read the full review as this will help you make an informed decision.
Editorial rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝
Compatible models: iPhone 12 series | iPhone 13 series | iphone 14 series
ESR CryoBoost wireless chargers are designed to address the biggest downside of wireless chargers – overheating. Those who have used wireless chargers know how hot the device gets when charging wirelessly. But what if your wireless charger had a built-in heat dissipation system?
That would be cool, right? This will literally help your device maintain temperature and be on the cooler side when charging. An added benefit of these ESR wireless chargers is that they feature HaloLock, essentially an implementation of ESR’s MagSafe.
Before we dive into the product overview, let’s first understand what CryoBoost is and how it works.
What is Cryo Boost?
CryoBoost is a unique technology developed by ESR that prevents your device from heating up when charging wirelessly. It consists of a cooling fan that works with a set of first-of-its-kind heat dissipating components. Combined with HaloLock, CryoBoost provides cool, fast and secure (due to strong magnetic connection) wireless charging.
I got my hands on the HaloLock 2-in-1 Wireless Charger, the HaloLock Wireless Car Charger with CryoBoost, and the 5000mAh HaloLock mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank, and here’s what I think of these products.
Overview of the HaloLock 2-in-1 wireless charger with CryoBoost technology
As the name suggests, the HaloLock 2-in-1 Wireless Charger with CryoBoost is a wireless charger that can charge an iPhone and a pair of AirPods at the same time. It is compatible with MagSafe-enabled iPhones, i.e. iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series. The AirPods Charging Zone can wirelessly charge AirPods 2, 3, Pro, and 2nd generation AirPods Pro with a compatible MagSafe charging case.
Assembly and design
The wireless charger is finished in matte white, while the stand is finished in metallic silver. The base, which also doubles as an AirPods charging dock, has four anti-slip pads on the bottom. To further strengthen it, stick the included adhesive pad to the base and table top. This ensures that the charger does not rock.
The power port is on the back and can be neatly tucked away when the stand is placed on a table. However, the ferrite bead is near the end of the cable, which can be intrusive if you’re a cable-manager.
While all other components are made from polycarbonate, this stand is made from aluminum alloy. The stand holds the charging pad and is adjustable. And that adjustability ensures great viewing angles when your iPhone is mounted on the device.
The holding force of the HaloLock charging pad magnets is 1000 grams. This means it can support the weight of 4 iPhone Pro Max. The material of the charging pad has a glossy finish and the ESR logo in the center.
Adjacent to the panel is a round fin that displays a CryoBoost status indicator, as well as a vent for the fan and heat dissipation technology. You can turn off CryoBoost cooling whenever you want, as the backlight can be distracting at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Utility
The HaloLock 2-in-1 Wireless Charger is great if you want to set it up on your desk or next to your bed as it can charge your iPhone and AirPods at the same time. The HaloLock Charging Pad can wirelessly charge an iPhone without a case that supports MagSafe charging, as well as an iPhone with an official MagSafe case or HaloLock case.
Luckily, the office has a transparent HaloLock case on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I’ve tried attaching an iPhone to the charging pad with and without a case, and I’m surprised by the results. The magnetic lock is noticeably stronger with the case!
Charging your iPhone wirelessly, whether you use a case or not, is up to you. However, the magnetic lock is stronger with a case. You can attach your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation. And since the stand is adjustable, you can also set it at a comfortable angle.
While MagSafe delivers up to 15W wireless charging speeds, the ESR charger’s total power output is 12.5W. This means that the maximum speed it delivers is 7.5W for iPhones and 5W for AirPods. Over time, I realized that regardless of the power output, the charging rate will be slow if there is no proper heat dissipation.
When charging your iPhone with the ESR 2-in-1 Wireless Charger, you can expect the same or slightly longer charging time than MagSafe. ESR states that it takes three hours to fully charge an iPhone, and their claims are close to actual results, but this will largely depend on your room temperature.
Is the ESR HaloLock 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Worth Buying?
pros
- Minimalistic design
- CryoBoost cooling technology
- HaloLock provides a secure magnetic lock
- Adjustable viewing angles
Minuses
- Not an official MagSafe charger
- No Qi wireless charging.
- Obtrusive ferrite bead on power cable
The ESR HaloLock 2-in-1 Wireless Charger is priced at $49.99 and the value for money is on par with other wireless chargers available on the market. If I had a problem with this charger, it would be the lack of Qi wireless charging support. This will provide a charging speed of 10W.
The charger is equipped with an active built-in cooling system and can easily support higher power wireless charging. Perhaps the next iteration will have faster charging speeds. However, you can’t go wrong with this ESR HoloLock wireless charger for the price.
Review of HaloLock wireless car charger with CryoBoost technology
There are many wireless car chargers available on the market. But very few can come close to the minimalistic yet practical design of the HaloLock Wireless Car Charger. This is a MagSafe compatible charger with no clips or straps to hold your iPhone, but it can still hold your iPhone stronger than they can.
Assembly and design
Wireless car chargers are usually bulky. This does not apply to the ESR HaloLock Wireless Charger. The HaloLock Charging Pad keeps your iPhone in place without being crushed by clips or mounts. It has a sleek, minimalist design with a matte black finish that ESR calls Frosted Onyx.
Along with HaloLock technology, the wireless charger also boasts CryoBoost technology and features a round fin on the side of the charging pad that also doubles as a status indicator and air vent.
The mount is equipped with a ball mount mechanism that provides various viewing angles. Since this is an AC vent, there is a clip-on mount on the back with an adjustable support arm that can be placed on a hard surface under the vent.
The power input is on the bottom of the device and is a USB-C power input port that I find ideal. Also, I’m glad ESR provides USB-C.
Overall, the build quality of the charger feels solid and the design is sleek.
Utility
I mentioned earlier that with the introduction of HaloLock technology, the ESR HaloLock Wireless Charger replaces the traditional mount and clips. The holding force of the magnetic lock on the charger is a whopping 1400g. That’s more than the combined weight of five iPhone 13 Pro Max units.
It can easily hold your iPhone 13/14 Pro Max; you don’t have to worry if your device falls on a bumpy road. However, because HaloLock technology works better with MagSafe or HaloLock cases, I recommend using an iPhone with a case. The magnetic lock is stronger, but with a case, you can be sure that your device is protected.
The ESR HaloLock wireless charger delivers speeds up to 7.5W. To achieve this speed, you must connect the charger to a minimum output power of 18W. Excessive heat is why wireless chargers tend to charge your iPhone at a slower rate than advertised.
However, the built-in CryoBoost technology eliminates this problem and enables fast charging while keeping the device relatively cool.
Is the ESR HaloLock Wireless Car Charger Worth Buying?
pros
- Robust design with stable mounting
- Clean design
- CryoBoost cooling technology
- HaloLock provides a secure magnetic lock
- Adjustable viewing angles
Minuses
- Not an official MagSafe charger
- No Qi wireless charging.
The ESR HaloLock Wireless Car Charger is $45.99. While there are cheaper alternatives, the feature set this charger offers is second to none. It may not be the fastest, but it can efficiently charge your device without getting hot like a frying pan over a fire.
If your country or state has a tropical climate, you know how important cooling is, especially in a car. In addition, we should not forget about the sleek, clean and minimalist design.
HaloLock 5000 mAh wireless power bank review with mini stand
The backup battery on iPhone 13 or later is in a league of its own. But there may be times when you need extra juice. In such cases, a power bank comes to the rescue. And I’m not sure there’s anything better than a Power Bank that attaches magnetically to your iPhone and doubles as a stand.
Assembly and design
HaloLock 5000mAh Mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is available in black and white. The name of the product refers to its size and battery capacity. This compact device measures 3.9 x 2.52 x 0.65 inches. However, it weighs 8.8 ounces or 249 grams.
At the top of the charger there are a number of LED indicators that display the battery capacity of the bank. There is a power button on one side and a USB-C port for charging on the other.
The power bank has a stand on the back and supports pass-through charging. So placing the charger inlet on the side is a smart design choice.
You can connect your iPhone to a power bank and use it as a mobile stand. Thanks to HaloLock technology, the magnet strength is great and you can set your iPhone in both portrait and landscape mode.
Utility
Before we start, let’s address the elephant in the room. Let me rephrase, let’s refer to the calf in the room, which is the weight of the HaloLock 5000mAh mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank. As indicated by the design, the charger weighs 8.8 ounces or 249 grams.
If you plan on attaching a power bank to the back of your iPhone while using it at the same time, trust me, don’t. The power supply won’t fall off thanks to HaloLock. It can withstand up to 1000 grams without breaking a sweat.
However, let’s assume that you are used to carrying your iPhone with a power bank. In such a case, this is the best solution as it can charge your iPhone at 7.5W.
It also doubles as a pass-through charger that can provide up to 12.5W charging speeds, which is a great option when you want to watch content and quickly charge your iPhone.
In addition, the stand serves its purpose. You can set your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation, adjust the stand and set different viewing angles.
Should I get an ESR HaloLock wireless power supply with a mini stand?
pros
- Compact size
- Built-in stand
- Passage through charging
- HaloLock provides a secure magnetic lock
Minuses
- Not an official MagSafe charger
- No Qi wireless charging.
- A little heavy
ESR HaloLock Miniature Wireless Power Supply with Stand is $49.99. And I have no complaints about the product or its price. The compact form factor means you’ll have to compromise on the battery backup it provides, but convenience usually comes at a price. Also, remember that this is not only a power supply, but also a stand. Thus, the usefulness of the product is doubled.
And it’s a wrap!
ESR has been making great accessories for some time now and these three products are a symbol of their quality and performance. Let me know what you think in the comments below if you have used any of these products.