Belkin Stage PowerGrip vs. KraftGeek PowerShutter: Convert your smartphone into an old-school camera with these new-school power banks. They both have their charms, but one has an advantage over the other

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip and KraftGeek PowerShutter are a new breed of power banks — the kind that convert your smartphone into an old-school camera, in a sense.

I love this new era of power banks where the sky's the limit, and brands are playing around with form factors. From high-capacity power banks to transparent ones, we've seen those that come with cooling fans, and even some that double as SSDs.

Now, smartphone accessory brands like KraftGeek and Belkin are rethinking the form factor once again with their portable power banks that have MagSafe support, Bluetooth camera buttons, and act as phone stands.

Belkin and KraftGeek's magnetic power bank stands share the same core

Image 1 of 2

There are some differences between the two power banks, but the most vital one is the price. The Belkin Stage PowerGrip costs $79.99, whereas the much more affordable KraftGeek PowerShutter costs $36.99. KraftGeek's offering is less than half the price of the Belkin option.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip has a much larger capacity, giving you 9,300mAh, but it's also 67 grams heavier. In comparison, the KraftGeek PowerShutter has a modest 5,000mAh capacity.

Both the Belkin Stage PowerGrip and KraftGeek PowerShutter have magnetic pads where you can mount any MagSafe or magnetic Qi2 phone. You can also use both accessories as phone holders, allowing you to use your device in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Image 1 of 2

You can pair your phone with either power bank stand using Bluetooth, enabling you to use the camera shutter button to take pictures. It's a very comfortable method of shooting pictures and videos, especially if you grew up with digital cameras and DSLRs.

Thanks to the 1/4-inch threaded hole, you can mount your phone on any standard tripod. This eliminates the need to buy a separate stand or stand mount just for your phone.

How does Belkin justify that price gap?

Image 1 of 5

At $79.99, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip costs twice as much as the KraftGeek PowerShutter. Besides the extra battery backup, you also get more color options, a built-in USB-C cable, lanyard holes, and an LED display indicating the battery level and connection status.

Belkin's camera stand also has better functionality. You can switch between photo and video modes on your phone with the shutter button. On top of that, you can disable wireless charging so the Belkin Stage PowerGrip isn't unnecessarily draining its battery when in use.

With KraftGeek, you get what you pay for

Image 1 of 4

When it comes to KraftGeek's option, you cannot turn off the wireless charging feature, so it's constantly recharging your phone wirelessly when in use. This, paired with the smaller battery, means that it drains much faster than Belkin's power bank stand.

Additionally, you cannot use the shutter button to switch between photo and video modes on the KraftGeek PowerShutter.

You do, however, get extras in the box that compensate for these drawbacks. There's a USB-C charging cable and a magnetic adapter ring provided.

Image 1 of 2

Recharging the KraftGeek PowerShutter takes a while because of the 18W wired charging speed. However, it's still faster than Belkin's slower 15W wired charging speed.

KraftGeek gets my vote when it comes to comfort. It is noticeably lighter, and I prefer its slightly softer faux leather grip.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip vs KraftGeek PowerShutter: Which should you buy?

Image 1 of 3

Performance-wise, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip lasts much longer than the KraftGeek PowerShutter, giving it a major edge over it. The extended battery life alone is worth the splurge. It's perfect for vacations and trips where you need to take lots of pictures and videos but have battery anxiety.

Additionally, since you can turn the wireless charging off on the Belkin camera stand power bank, it also helps you conserve its power instead of wasting it unnecessarily. The built-in Type-C cable can get awkward to use, but it's so convenient to have. You don't have to worry about packing a separate cable.

At $36.99, the KraftGeek PowerShutter is an absolute steal. It's a fantastic alternative to the more premium Belkin Stage PowerGrip. However, if you can afford to spend another $43, the $79.99 Belkin option will make you a lot happier!

Bonus tip: If you really want the Belkin Stage PowerGrip but are counting the change you found in your couch, just wait for Black Friday to grab a good deal on it.

FAQ