Konnet PowerEZ Plus battery for iPhone and iPod: review

Batteries which merely snap onto the bottom of an iPhone or iPod have generally been considered a poor man’s substitute for a more expensive form-fitting battery case or battery cradle. But three things are potentially working in the favor of Konnet’s new PowerEZ Plus battery. One is that, for now, there are no form-fitting battery cases or cradles on the market for the new iPhone 4, leaving those users (at least for the moment) looking for universally compatible solutions. The second is that its 1000 mAh capacity is in line with competing snap-on batteries priced at $39, while this one is priced at a mere $29. And the third thing going for this product is the fact that it has a kick-out leg which can be used to prop up your iPhone.

So how does all of the above hold up in real world testing? As far as the kickstand, it’s immediately apparent that it has no value when your iPhone is positioned upright, nor was it likely intended to. But when you lay your iPhone (or iPod touch) sideways, for watching video or perhaps when you want to prop it up overnight on your nightstand as a pseudo-alarm clock, it’s actually surprisingly steady, so long as it’s being used on an evenly flat surface. And the battery life claims held up, meaning that you can count on getting roughly an extra fifty to seventy percent battery life out of your iPhone if it’s fully charged to begin with.

All of that, combined with the price, makes the Konnet PowerEZ Plus the most attractive bottom snap-on battery currently on the market. My only complaint is that unlike most batteries, which begin working when you plug them in, you have to remember to manually turn on the PowerEZ Plus after you plug it in, but that’s minor. I’d still recommend considering a battery case or cradle for your iPhone as they tend to be more practical during active use, but those will generally run you $50 to $100, whereas the PowerEZ Plus is $29 – making it a steal at that price.

rating: 4.5 out of five stars • KonnetOnline.com