The Thickness Problem Nobody Talks About
The portable charger market has a bulk problem.
Open any "best portable charger" roundup from Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, or TechRadar, and you'll find excellent products — good capacity, fast charging, reliable brands. But pick any of them up, and you'll notice they're chunky. Even the "slim" models are 0.4–0.6 inches thick and weigh 4–8 ounces.
That might not seem like much, but when you drop it in your pants pocket, you feel it. When you toss it in your purse, it takes up real estate. When you pack for a trip, it's one of those annoying items that doesn't quite fit anywhere.
The Clutch Pro was built to solve this problem — and its specs are worth looking at closely before you spend $40–$100 on any portable charger.
The Comparison: Clutch Pro vs. Anker vs. Mophie vs. Belkin
We compared the most popular slim and magnetic portable chargers across the same criteria: thickness, weight, capacity, built-in cable, magnetic, TSA status, and price.
Full Comparison Table
| Charger | Thickness | Weight | Capacity | Built-In Cable | Magnetic | TSA Safe | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clutch Pro (USB-C) | 0.32" | 3.7 oz | 5,000 mAh | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $49.99 |
| Clutch Pro (Lightning) | 0.32" | 3.7 oz | 5,000 mAh | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $39.99 |
| Anker Nano 5K MagGo Slim | ~0.35" | ~4.0 oz | 5,000 mAh | ❌ | ✅ (MagSafe) | ✅ | $59.99 |
| Anker 621 Magnetic (MagGo) | ~0.35" | ~3.5 oz | 5,000 mAh | ❌ | ✅ (MagSafe) | ✅ | $35.99 |
| Anker 633 Magnetic Battery | ~0.44" | 7.6 oz | 10,000 mAh | ❌ | ✅ (MagSafe) | ✅ | $59.99 |
| Apple MagSafe Battery Pack | ~0.30" | ~3.6 oz | ~1,460 mAh | ❌ | ✅ (MagSafe) | ✅ | $99.00 |
| Mophie Snap+ Powerstation | ~0.42" | ~4.8 oz | 5,000 mAh | ❌ | ✅ (MagSafe) | ✅ | $59.95 |
| Belkin BoostCharge 5K | ~0.53" | ~5.3 oz | 5,000 mAh | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | $39.99 |
| Belkin BoostCharge 10K | ~0.67" | ~7.1 oz | 10,000 mAh | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | $49.99 |
| Mophie Powerstation 5K | ~0.55" | ~4.5 oz | 5,000 mAh | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | $49.95 |
Specs from manufacturer listings and independent testing. "~" indicates approximate measurements from spec sheets.
Thickness: Why 0.32" Matters
The defining difference between Clutch and every other portable charger is thickness.
Clutch Pro: 0.32 inches
To put that in perspective:
- A standard US credit card is 0.030" thick
- A stack of ~10 credit cards = approximately 0.30"
- The Clutch Pro is about as thick as a small stack of cards
The next thinnest competitors: ~0.30–0.35"
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack comes closest at ~0.30", but it has dramatically less capacity (~1,460 mAh vs. 5,000 mAh) and costs $99. It also doesn't have a built-in cable.
The Anker 621 and Anker Nano Slim also approach this thinness, but again — no built-in cable, and they require a separate cable to charge anything.
Why does this matter practically?
A 0.32" charger:
- Slides into a front pants pocket without a noticeable bulge
- Fits in a card slot in a wallet or passport holder
- Doesn't weigh down a purse or tote
- Feels like carrying nothing
A 0.53–0.67" charger (like most Belkin or Mophie non-magnetic models):
- Creates a noticeable pocket bulge
- Requires dedicated bag space
- Feels like carrying a portable device (because you are)
Weight: The 3.7 oz Advantage
Weight matters as much as thickness for EDC (everyday carry) items.
Clutch Pro: 3.7 oz
The Anker 633 — Wirecutter's top pick for magnetic wireless power banks — weighs 7.6 oz. That's more than twice the weight of Clutch, at the same price point, for a 5,000mAh capacity increase.
For travelers, this matters a lot. Most airline carry-on bags have a 15–22 lb weight limit. For frequent flyers who optimize their carry-on, saving 4 oz on a charger matters.
For everyday use, it matters more. You feel 7.6 oz in your pocket. You don't feel 3.7 oz.
Capacity: Is 5,000 mAh Enough?
This is the one area where larger competitors have an advantage. 10,000mAh chargers can charge most phones twice. 5,000mAh charges most phones once (or from dead to ~80%).
iPhone 15 battery: 3,349 mAh → Clutch Pro gets you 1.0–1.2 full charges
iPhone 15 Pro Max battery: 4,422 mAh → Clutch Pro gets you ~70–80% charge
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra battery: 5,000 mAh → Clutch Pro gets you ~60–70% charge
Is that enough?
For most users, yes. Think about when you actually use a portable charger:
- Your phone hits 20% in the afternoon
- You're traveling and need to get from 30% to 80% before landing
- You're at an all-day event and need a top-up
In all of these scenarios, one full charge is what you need. 5,000mAh covers it.
If you regularly need two full charges from a single power bank, you should look at 10,000mAh options. But you'll carry more weight and bulk. That's the tradeoff — and for most people doing a single charge top-up, Clutch wins.
Built-In Cable: The Feature That Changes Everything
This is Clutch's definitive edge over every competitor at this price point.
No other magnetic portable charger in the 5,000mAh category has a built-in cable.
Here's why this matters for daily use:
Scenario 1: You're at the airport.
Non-Clutch users: dig into your bag, find the USB-C cable, plug it into the power bank, plug it into your phone.
Clutch users: take Clutch out of your pocket, plug the built-in cable into your phone.
Scenario 2: Your phone dies during a meeting.
Non-Clutch users: you need your cable with you — if it's not, your power bank is useless.
Clutch users: cable is always attached. Plug in silently.
Scenario 3: You're on a plane.
Non-Clutch users: power bank is tethered to your phone via cable, both sitting on your tray table.
Clutch users: power bank is magnetically attached to the back of your phone. Hold them both as one unit.
The built-in cable eliminates an entire category of failure (forgetting the cable, losing the cable, cable breaking) while reducing friction to near-zero.
Magnetic Attachment: Clutch vs. MagSafe
MagSafe (Anker, Mophie, Apple):
- Works natively with iPhone 12 and newer
- Charges wirelessly — no cable into the phone
- Limited to iPhone MagSafe models
- Slower than wired charging (7.5W–15W wireless vs. 20W+ wired)
Clutch Magnetic System:
- Works with any phone (iPhone or Android) via included magnetic ring
- Charges via cable — full wired speed
- Magnetic attachment is for convenience, not charging
- Free magnetic ring included with every Clutch
Which is "better" depends on what you value:
- If you want wireless charging convenience: MagSafe wins
- If you want speed and universal compatibility: Clutch wins
- If you want both magnetic and a built-in cable in one package: Clutch is the only option
Brand Deep Dives
Anker
Verdict: The mainstream winner — but Clutch beats it on thinness and cable
Anker is the dominant force in portable chargers. They have more SKUs, more reviews, and more retail presence than anyone. The Anker 633 is Wirecutter's top pick for good reason — it's well-built, reliable, and widely available.
But Anker's lineup has a consistent weakness: no 5,000mAh charger in their magnetic lineup has a built-in cable. You need to pack a cable separately. For a brand that sells the Nano Power Bank (implying minimal carry), this is a surprising gap.
For slim charging, Anker's closest slim option (Nano MagGo 5K at ~$59.99) is actually more expensive than Clutch Pro while lacking a built-in cable.
When to choose Anker instead: If you want a 10,000mAh option, Anker 633 or Anker 621 are excellent. If you want wireless-only charging, Anker's MagGo lineup is solid.
Mophie
Verdict: Premium brand, premium price, similar limitations
Mophie is owned by Belkin and positions itself as the premium Apple-ecosystem accessories brand. Their Snap+ Powerstation is sleek and well-designed.
At $59.95 for a 5,000mAh wireless charger without a built-in cable, Mophie is asking a premium for brand prestige. Clutch Pro costs $10 less and includes a built-in cable.
Mophie's advantage: if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want a premium-feeling product with excellent fit and finish, Mophie delivers.
When to choose Mophie instead: If you want wireless-only charging and are willing to pay for Apple-premium aesthetics.
Belkin
Verdict: Reliable and widely available, but traditional form factor
Belkin makes reliable, well-tested power banks. They're available at Target, Best Buy, and major retailers worldwide, which gives them huge distribution and brand visibility.
But Belkin's portable chargers are traditional in form: rectangular, 0.5–0.7" thick, no magnetic capabilities on their standard line. For someone who wants the smallest possible charger, Belkin isn't the answer.
Belkin's Boost↑Charge 5K at ~$39.99 is competitively priced, but at 5.3 oz and 0.53" thick, it's noticeably bulkier than Clutch.
When to choose Belkin instead: If you want a widely available, in-store purchasable charger with a trusted brand name. If you don't care about thinness or built-in cables.
The Verdict: When to Buy Each
Choose Clutch Pro if:
- ✅ You want the thinnest portable charger available
- ✅ You hate carrying a separate cable
- ✅ You want to use it with any phone (iPhone or Android)
- ✅ You travel and want a TSA-safe, zero-friction charger
- ✅ You want a charger to magnetically attach to your phone while using it
- ✅ You want the best value in the 5,000mAh magnetic category
Choose Anker 633 if:
- ✅ You want 10,000mAh capacity (two full charges)
- ✅ You prefer wireless (no cable into phone) charging
- ✅ You want Wirecutter's tested top pick
- ✅ Weight and thickness aren't priorities
Choose Mophie Snap+ if:
- ✅ You're in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize aesthetics
- ✅ You prefer wireless charging
- ✅ You're comfortable with premium pricing
Choose Belkin if:
- ✅ You need to buy in-store (Target, Best Buy)
- ✅ You want a traditional form factor
- ✅ Brand name recognition matters to you
The Bottom Line
When it comes to thinness, the Clutch Pro is in a category of its own among capable portable chargers. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack comes close in thickness, but at $99 and with only ~1,460mAh capacity, it barely qualifies as a power bank.
For a 5,000mAh portable charger with magnetic attachment, a built-in cable, and a profile thin enough to slide into any pocket: the Clutch Pro is the only product on the market that does all three simultaneously.
10,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon suggest that a lot of people have discovered this already.
Shop Clutch Pro — $49.99 (USB-C)
Shop Clutch Pro — $39.99 (Lightning)
Free US shipping. 1-year warranty. 20–40% off on bundles.
Updated February 2026. Product specs sourced from manufacturer listings.