Goal Zero Flip 24 Portable Power Bank

UPDATE: Goal Zero has updated the Flip 20 to the Flip 24. The links below go to the new Flip 24 product page.

Over the years I have used several different brands of portable power banks, in an attempt to find the one that fits my lifestyle and needs.

Most of them require you to keep a separate cable for charging the power bank itself, which can be easily misplaced or lost. I don’t like to carry unnecessary items when commuting, whether that is just across town to the local coffee shop or to a major metropolitan city.

I want my kit to be minimalist, lightweight, and allow me to move unobstructed through crowds. One of the items that go in that kit is a portable power bank, specifically the Goal Zero Flip 24.

The Goal Zero Flip 20 will give me two full charges from dead on my iPhone 6s (yes it’s old, I know) but it’s been a workhorse of a phone. Having the ability to maintain comms and navigation when you don’t have access to an outlet or are on the move is critical in today’s day and age. For the urban commuter, this is a must.

At 5,200mAh, Flip 20 gives about two recharges on most phones and can even boost a tablet in a pinch. It’s the perfect size for any backpack, purse, or carry-on.

So why the Goal Zero Flip 24 over the others? It’s in the name…Flip. This portable power bank has an onboard USB connect that ‘flips’ out and allows you to plug directly into a USB port to recharge the unit.

I know it sounds too simple to say that’s the feature that won me over the other options, but that is one less cable I have to worry about.

There is no on/off button to worry about. The unit auto senses when you plug your phone in for a charge and automatically powers down after you unplug. The design of the Flip 20 is kept very lean and simple too.

Unlike other brands that try to incorporate a small flashlight into the unit, Goal Zero steered clear from that approach. Simple is better.