I was provided an IOGEAR GMP7K to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

IOGEAR GMP7K mobile charger

I’ve tried several mobile chargers in an attempt to keep my devices powered when I’m on the road because there is nothing worse than missing a photo or a call because of a dead battery. It seems I’m always looking for the best, lightweight but powerful charger, which will fit in my pocket. But it has to be more than convenient. If I’m going to carry a mobile charger, it has to be capable of recharging my device several times.

I recently added the IOGEAR GMP7K to my power arsenal and gave it a tryout on a press trip to San Diego where I put it to the test. Since I was going to be in and out of cars all day, I wanted to take just what I could carry comfortably for the day. I was already carrying a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone and a Samsung Galaxy Wi-fi Camera, but I needed a way to recharge them. Adding the IOGEAR GMP7K power station gave me the charging options I needed without bulk I didn’t.

During my trip I fell in love with the size and weight of the IOGEAR GMP7K. It recharged both my Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Camera – both in under an hour. But I mistakenly left my Galaxy S4 connected to it while I used it and ran the battery down. I likely could have gotten another recharge or two out of it had I used it properly.

IOGEAR GMP7K and GMP2K

IOGEAR GMP7K Portable PowerThe GMP7K  is one of two recent releases in the IOGEAR GearPower line.  These hi-capacity mobile power stations address different needs. The GMP7K is a 7,000mAH capacity, 2.1A charging unit with a dual USB output that can recharge your iPad and most smartphones, digital cameras, MP3 players, or handheld gaming systems. It’s said to be able to charge an iPhone® 5 up to four times before requiring a recharge itself. It’s about the size of a deck of cards (4.69” x 2.83” x .67”), weighs under 7 ounces, and retails for just under $60.

The GMP2K is even smaller at 4.13” x 2.16” x .42” inch. This tiny workhorse weighs in under 3 ounces and retails for under $30 and works as a battery pack.

But how do you decide which one you need? The GMP7K is a must if you have an iPad or need to power up two devices at once. The GMP2K is for smartphones and portable media players.

Final Thoughts on the IOGEAR GMP7K

I’ll be giving the IOGEAR GMP7K another try soon, but so far the size, weight, charging ability and price of it are a huge plus over other mobile chargers I’ve tried.

Connect with IOGEAR

For more information on IOGEAR and their mobility solutions visit their website at www.iogear.com.  You can also connect with them on Twitter, read their blog, or become a Facebook fan for product highlights.