I test a fair amount of power banks, but I really enjoy the ones that offer maximum utility. While many are specifically designed for phones and smaller electronics, the NOCO Boost Air AX65 is in a class of its own and easily one of the best power banks around.
Sure, I’m no stranger to power banks serving double duty as air inflators, but this particular one does way more. For example, this ultra-rugged power bank offers 60W charging to easily juice phones with supported fast-charging tech — while being more than capable of supplying power to laptops like my HP OmniBook or a MacBook Neo.
But what makes this power bank even better is how many times it has resuscitated my old Toyota Corolla from the dead over the last several months of testing.
2,000-amp jump starts are a breeze
It’s one thing to juice up my iPhone 17 Pro and Motorola Razr Fold, but it’s another thing entirely to breathe life back into a dead car. My Toyota Corolla sits in the driveway most of the time because I’m constantly away testing the best electric cars, which frequently leaves its battery completely drained.
Yet, the NOCO Boost Air AX65 makes light work of bringing it back to life thanks to its 2,000-amp peak rating. After attaching the included jumper cables to their corresponding terminals on my car’s battery, I powered the unit on and activated its charge boost mode. From there, I turned the ignition and voila — my car roared back to life.
Best of all, there are practically no complications when performing this rescue operation on my car. Thanks to its advanced spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection, jump-starting any 12V battery is entirely worry-free.
In fact, it easily outperforms the 600-amp peak output of the Scosche PowerUp 600 I used to keep in my trunk. With the Scosche, I typically had to attempt a jump a few times before the engine stayed running smoothly, whereas the NOCO Boost Air AX65 gets it done on the very first try.
Fast-charging all of my gear
When I’m in my garage, I always like to keep the NOCO Boost Air AX65 nearby. Whether I'm exercising or shooting product photos, it serves as an excellent portable power station for almost all my gear. Thanks to its 60W USB-C power delivery, it has more than enough speed to top up the phones I’m testing in no time at all. In those clutch moments when my phone's battery hits critical level, that fast charging brings it back to a healthy level in 30 minutes or less.
I’ve even started using it to charge my laptops while working out in the garage. Laptops like the MacBook Neo and my HP OmniBook easily pull a charge from its 31.8 Wh lithium-ion battery, giving me plenty of extra runtime before the NOCO itself needs a recharge.
Speaking of which, that 60W speed isn’t just for output — it works both ways. When I plug it into a high-speed GaN charger via USB-C, the unit recharges at that same rapid 60W rate, so it's ready to go again in no time.
High-speed inflation
As if juicing up laptops and reviving dead car engines weren't enough, the AX65 also packs a built-in 280-watt lithium-powered air compressor. Pushing up to 67 liters per minute (LPM) with a maximum pressure of 100 PSI, this isn't one of those agonizingly slow portable tire pumps I keep with my bike — it’s far more powerful and substantially faster.
I put it to the test on one of my Corolla's tires that was sitting noticeably low against the pavement. What makes the process so effortless is the smart pressure feature: you simply dial in your target PSI, hit start, and let it do the rest. The dynamic sensor monitors pressure in real time and automatically shuts off the moment it hits the exact mark, eliminating the need to manually check with a separate gauge.
Honestly, I was shocked by how brutally fast it is compared to other portable tire inflators I’ve used. It topped off my e-bike tire in roughly 30 seconds, compared to the minutes it usually takes with lesser pumps. I also love that it includes dedicated storage compartments for all the necessary nozzle adapters, ensuring they stay neatly stowed right on the unit so I never misplace them.
The Ultimate Car Companion
What really ties the whole package together — and makes it a non-negotiable addition to any trunk — is the built-in 100-lumen multi-mode LED flashlight. Not only has it been clutch when I’ve had to jump-start my Corolla at night, but it’s also been awesome for illuminating the garage whenever one of my overhead lights flickers out.
Honestly, it’s rare for a single gadget to tackle all of these demands so well. Even though it commands a premium price tag of about $300, it’s still worth every it because of how it eliminates the need to buy multiple dedicated devices. Since I started testing it months ago, the NOCO AX65 has earned a permanent spot in my car's trunk.
