EnergyLink Gen 2 adds faster Apple Watch charging to the band itself

EnergyLink Gen 2 is a new Kickstarter project built around a simple idea: put an Apple Watch charger inside the band, so the cable is no longer the thing you forget. The second-generation version promises 4.8W charging, a slimmer module, a more secure strap design and September 2026 shipping for backers.

Charging built into the band

Apple Watch battery life has improved over the years, but it still has one awkward habit. You need to think about charging it, especially if you use sleep tracking, workouts, navigation, cellular features or long days away from a desk.

EnergyLink Gen 2 tries to solve that from the strap itself. Instead of carrying a separate Apple Watch puck, the band has a hidden magnetic wireless charger built into the design. Fold the band into position, align the charging area with the back of the watch and connect the band through USB-C.

What’s important to note – the band does not appear to carry a large battery inside the strap itself. Instead, it turns the strap into the charging interface, using a universal USB-C input so you can power the watch from a wall charger, laptop, phone charger or power bank.

The pitch is aimed at people who do not want to carry another proprietary Apple Watch cable. It also makes sense for travel, gym bags and long work days, where a standard USB-C cable is usually easier to find than an Apple Watch charger.

Faster than the first version

The Gen 2 model claims 4.8W rapid charging, which the creator says makes it 30% faster than the original EnergyLink. For Apple Watch Series 10, the campaign says the band can take the watch from 20% to 80% in around 38 minutes.

This means a short top-up before a run, flight or night of sleep tracking could be enough to avoid the usual low-battery scramble. It is not trying to turn the Apple Watch into a multi-day device, but it could reduce the number of times you have to think about the charger.

The creator also says the charging module has been reduced by 30%, which should make the strap less bulky than the first version. That detail is important because on-wrist charging accessories often run into the same problem. They solve battery anxiety, but then add bulk or stiffness to a device people wear all day.

EnergyLink Gen 2 also comes with a 5000mAh charging power bank and storage case. That gives the whole setup a second use case, because the case can act as a travel dock and external power source when the band itself needs to be stored or topped up.

Standard and titanium versions

EnergyLink Gen 2 comes in standard and titanium editions. The standard model uses stainless steel hardware, while the higher-tier titanium version upgrades the metal parts to Grade 5 titanium.

There’s a dual-locking system onboard that combines a magnetic quick-release buckle with a reinforced Velcro strap. The idea is to keep the convenience of a magnetic closure while adding a more secure backup during workouts.

Colour choices include Lunar Ash and Terra Coffee. The strap also comes in two connector sizes, covering smaller Apple Watch models and larger 44mm to 49mm cases. The whole thing supports Apple Watch Series 1 to 10, SE and Ultra models.

A neat idea with the usual Kickstarter caveats

EnergyLink Gen 2 is already in pre-production, according to the campaign. The creator says mass production will begin after the campaign ends, with shipping scheduled for September 2026.

The original EnergyLink achieved a 100% fulfilment rate and reached more than 2,000 backers. That helps, because hardware Kickstarter projects always carry extra risk. Even so, rewards are not guaranteed in the same way as buying a finished product from a shop.

Price: $49 and up

Raised: $46,800 of $4,000 goal

Estimated delivery: September 2026
28 days to go before campaign closes

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