The iWALK Reel comes with a built-in retractable wire - that works like a dog lead! Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

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REVIEW: iWALK Reel – a game changer in portable charging

Paul JonesMay 2, 20250 Comment0

WHEN you’re getting ready for a trip, an outing, a holiday or festival, there are certain items that don’t even need to go on a list – you just need them; Your keys, wallet and yes, your mobile phone.

Our phones have become a permanent pocket fixture, providing everything from a point of contact, to a portable sat nav and TV.

So there is little that upsets your routine quite as much as running out of charge.

As a result, portable phone chargers have also become a must-have accessory.

But there is a problem. A lot of portable chargers are big, and they don’t come with a wire, so you end up with a huge, chunky battery and what feels like miles and miles of wire in your pocket – defeating the object of a ‘mobile’ phone completely!

Well, thanks to the good people at iWALK, a solution is at hand!

They have come up with the iWALK Reel, which addresses both of my major issues with portable phone charges – size and wires.

First of all, the Reel is not huge. While it is what might be described as ‘chunky’ – I think batteries have to be – it easily fits in a regular jeans or shorts pocket, which is an absolute dream when on the move.

The iWALK Reel is small, lightweight and has a built-in wire. Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

It is a 10,000mAh battery, which is not insignificant, and compared to rival chargers of the same size, or similar, it is much, much smaller. And it has a good-quality display telling you how much charge you have – and doesn’t take long to boost, either.

The second, and for me the best, feature of the Reel is just that – the reel.

For the device features a clever, built-in charging USB-C cord which – like some dog leads – can be pulled out and retracted at will, so it is only ever the length you need!

This was an absolute game changer for me.

As a parent, I always have pockets fit to bursting with whatever remnants of activity my children discard as they make their way through the day; wrappers, toys, handkerchiefs, as well as change, wallet, whatever. So the space-saving boost of a retractable wire is, genuinely, a delight!

If my phone is tucked in my pocket, I need no real extension, yet if I need to use it, I can pull out more of the cable, but still keep my phone on charge. When I’m done, I just retract it (just like a dog lead). Amazing!

Another thing to note is that the connector stays in your phone, which is good as cables falling out of the charging input when moving around is a real bug bear of mine and a common fault.

No such worries here.

The iWALK Reel features a built-in, retractable cable – a godsend when out and about. Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

The iWALK Reel is also handy for charging several devices at once, as it can handle up to three, with extra USB ports (but you will need additional cables for any extra devices).

For everyday use, the iWALK is a real step up in portable charging. It’s pretty small, it doesn’t weigh a tonne, and it can charge three things at once, but importantly, it has that built-in retractable wire.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-carry charger for when you’re on the move, this is quite simply a no-brainer.

It’s already joined that list of things that don’t even need to be on the list of ‘needed’ items when I leave the house…

PAUL JONES