Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Wireless power banks have been recalled for exploding and causing fires.
This time, it’s the ESR HaloLock wireless power banks distributed by Waymeet in Hong Kong. The power banks were sold online at Amazon, Home Depot’s website, and Esrtech.com from September 2023 to July 2025, according to a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“The firm has received nine reports of the lithium-ion battery catching fire and exploding, resulting in property damage of about $20,000,” the CPSC said, though no injuries have been reported.
The power banks come in dark blue, light blue, gray, white, and black—all with five circular LED display lights on the side. The model numbers that have been recalled include 2G520, 2G505B, and 2G512B, which should be printed on the side near the “ESR” branding.
Consumers should contact Waymeet for a refund. The easiest way to reach out is by email, according to the CPSC. You’ll be asked to send a photo of your power bank, showing the model number, to [email protected]. The company wants consumers to write the word “recalled” in permanent marker on the power bank for the photo.
After the company sends a refund, consumers are asked to dispose of the power banks responsibly. As the CPSC explains:
Do not throw this recalled lithium-ion battery or device in the trash, the general recycling stream (e.g., street-level or curbside recycling bins), or used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores. Recalled lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of differently than other batteries, because they present a greater risk of fire. Your municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center may accept this recalled lithium-ion battery or device for disposal. Before taking your battery or device to a HHW collection center, contact that office ahead of time and ask whether it accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries. If it does not, contact your municipality for further guidance.
There have been many phone charger recalls in recent months, including a recall of Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks back in June. And the iStore Magnetic Wireless power banks recalled in July.
There’s a reason TSA doesn’t allow power banks in checked luggage. You really don’t want these things to explode in the wrong place.
Update, Aug. 21: ESR provided the following statement to Gizmodo:
At ESR, customer safety is always our highest priority. ESR is cooperating fully with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada in the voluntary recall of certain HaloLock wireless power bank models after identifying a potential risk of battery overheating. Approximately 33,000 units sold in North America between September 2023 and July 2025 are affected.
No injuries have been reported. ESR is offering a full refund, including taxes and shipping, to all customers who purchased these products. Customers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled models and visit www.esrtech.com/recall
for refund and safe disposal instructions. This recall involves only a small fraction of ESR’s global product portfolio. Millions of ESR products continue to be used safely worldwide. We have strengthened our quality assurance and supplier oversight processes to ensure continued product safety and reliability.
