TL;DR
At CES 2026 booths showcased a surge of charging gear, but solid-state battery tech stood out. Startups and established partners displayed semi-solid and full solid-state packs that promise smaller, safer devices and much faster EV charging.
What happened
Walking the CES 2026 South Hall revealed rows of conventional chargers, cables and power banks, but the most notable demonstrations used solid-state battery technology. Better Mobility Xperience (BMX), a start-up formed in early 2025 by former Hyper founders, exhibited a family of 'SolidSafe' power banks that use semi-solid-state cells — significantly reduced liquid content compared with typical lithium-ion packs. BMX showed everything from a 5,000mAh 'Air' unit only 6.7 mm thick to a 20,000mAh model rated for 140W output. Elsewhere, Donut Lab and Verge Motorcycles presented a TS Pro electric bike fitted with a full solid-state pack that extends range to 372 miles and can reach 80% charge in ten minutes; that model is listed at $34,900. The presence of Xiaomi prototypes and statements about TDK and Toyota aiming mass production in 2027 underscored broader industry momentum toward solid-state cells.
Why it matters
- Safety: solid and semi-solid cells reduce reliance on volatile liquid electrolytes, lowering risks of thermal runaway.
- Pack density and thinness: semi-solid designs can store substantial capacity in thinner form factors suitable for slim accessories or phones.
- Charging and range gains: full solid-state packs demonstrated much faster charging and longer electric-vehicle range in real demos.
- Consumer impact: the technology could free space inside devices for other components or extend battery life in phones and laptops.
Key facts
- CES 2026 South Hall featured many charging-related exhibits, but solid-state tech stood out among them.
- BMX (Better Mobility Xperience) was founded in early 2025 by former Hyper executives after a buyout by Targus in 2021.
- BMX markets semi-solid-state power banks under the 'SolidSafe' name; these contain far less liquid electrolyte than conventional cells.
- BMX SolidSafe Air: a 5,000mAh power bank reported to be roughly 6.7 mm thick.
- BMX also showed a 20,000mAh model capable of delivering up to 140W.
- Donut Lab partnered with Verge Motorcycles to fit a full solid-state battery into the TS Pro, extending range to 372 miles (vs. 200 miles for the standard TS Pro).
- The Donut Lab–equipped TS Pro can reach 80% charge in ten minutes and is priced at $34,900 for the long-range version.
- Xiaomi has demonstrated a prototype phone with a solid-state cell claiming about 33% higher capacity than its retail counterpart.
- TDK and Toyota were reported to be working on solid-state batteries with mass production expectations around 2027.
- As of early January 2026, both solid-state and semi-solid-state battery products were being shown and made available.
What to watch next
- TDK and Toyota’s timeline toward mass production in 2027, and whether that schedule holds.
- Whether BMX’s SolidSafe units will reach broad retail availability and at what price — not confirmed in the source.
- If smartphone makers adopt fully solid-state cells at scale and how quickly that transition happens — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Solid-state battery: A cell design that uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, aiming to improve safety and energy density.
- Semi-solid-state battery: A hybrid approach that reduces liquid electrolyte content compared with conventional lithium-ion cells but is not entirely solid.
- Lithium-ion battery: A common rechargeable battery chemistry that uses liquid electrolytes to transport ions between electrodes.
- Electrolyte: The medium (liquid, gel, or solid) inside a battery that allows ions to move between anode and cathode during charging and discharging.
- Power bank: A portable battery pack used to recharge devices like phones, tablets and laptops on the go.
Reader FAQ
Are solid-state batteries available now?
Yes — CES 2026 showed both full solid-state and semi-solid-state products available in early January 2026.
Are BMX power banks fully solid-state?
No. BMX’s products are described as semi-solid-state, meaning they still contain some liquid but far less than conventional cells.
How fast does the Donut Lab–equipped TS Pro charge?
The TS Pro with a solid-state pack was reported to charge to 80% in ten minutes.
Will solid-state batteries replace lithium-ion soon?
Not confirmed in the source.
I tried the future of batteries at CES 2026, and I'm ready to ditch my power banks Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | Donut Lab By Jon Gilbert Published 24…
Sources
- I tried the future of batteries at CES 2026, and I'm ready to ditch my power banks
- New Solid State Battery shown at CES – Game Changer??
- New semi solid-state power banks headline BMX's CES 2026
- Best of CES 2026: BMX SolidSafe Air power bank
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