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If you’re on the go, the last thing you want to discover is that your phone doesn’t have as much juice to make it through the day as you do. Phones are like another limb to most people these days. You use it to stay connected, get directions, and take photos, but if it’s dead, you’re lost—sometimes literally. Though, just as you grab a cup of coffee to give yourself enough energy to make it through a grueling day, your phone can get the top off it needs from a portable charger.
Even the best smartphones and tablets benefit from having a portable power bank handy. Very few modern phones sacrifice their svelte design in favor of packing in a larger battery, and that makes it harder for them to offer battery life that can hold up over long hours of scrolling or playing mobile games. A great portable charger makes up for the lack of internal power, sometimes even giving you multiple, full charges of your phone’s battery. Even better, many power banks support fast charging or offer enough juice to keep up with more demanding devices, like tablets, the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. There are even a few options that are beefy enough to juice up a gaming laptop.
With the insane amount of portable charger choices out there, we’ve made your search a bit easier by weeding through them to bring you the best. Our options cover every budget and need. So, if you’re ready to leave battery concerns behind, check out our top picks for power banks and find one that’ll give you the extra charge you need when you’ve got a long day ahead of you and no power outlets in sight – and click here to find them in the UK.
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000
Best Portable Charger
Capacity: 20,000mAh | Total Output: 38W | Ports: 1 x USB-A (18W), 1 x USB-C (20W) | Size: 6.22 x 2.91 0.76 | Weight: 345g
The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 meets just about everyone’s needs from a portable charger and then some. This power source packs a beefy 20,000mAh battery inside that can easily recharge most phones a few times over, and it can even recharge many tablets. Plus, the relatively compact design makes it easy to toss in your bag to ensure you’re never without power again.
It’s not just about the number of times a device can be recharged, but also how fast it can recharge them. The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 supports 20W PD fast charging out of its USB-C port, and it can hit 18W charging speeds out of its USB-A port with PowerIQ 2.0. This means that you can also charge two devices at one time. And, even your low-power electronics like wireless headphones and speakers are safe to plug in and charge up.
Anker 523 PowerCore Slim
Best Budget Portable Charger
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 20W, 12W | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Size: 5.87 x 2.68 x 0.55 | Weight: 208g
Anker has been known for making some of the best portable chargers on the market for years, and that includes their budget-friendly options too. Their 523 PowerCore Slim comes in just under 40, but it packs all the juice you need for your smartphone or tablet with a 10,000mAh battery. You should be able to get a full charge or two on your phone with it. And, if you’re worried about the portable charger running low on power, you can quickly check how much is left by pressing the LED button on the chassis.
With the Anker 523 PowerCore Slim, you get 20W charging speeds with a USB-C PD connection, so your devices can enjoy a speedy fillup. Using that same connection, you’re even able to charge the power bank to full in just four and half hours. There is also a 12W USB port to charge another device at the same time. And, thanks to its compact design, you should have an easy time finding room for it in your backpack or purse.
Xiaomi 10000mAh Redmi Power Bank
Best Ultra Cheap Portable Charger
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 13W | Ports: 2 x USB-A (5.1V/2.6A total), 1 x USB-C (in), 1 x micro USB (in) | Size: 7 x 4 x 1 | Weight: 254g
Now, Xioami’s 10,000mAh Redmi Power Bank may not offer brand name recognition or be the highest-powered option, but if you just need a bit of extra battery life available on the go, it can supply it at a low price. For just 15, this option offers up 10,000mAh of juice and supports a total output of 2.6A at 5.1V for about 13W of power. That’s delivered by the power bank’s two USB-A ports, which means you can charge multiple devices at one time. Just be aware that this isn’t the fastest portable charger out there.
The Xiaomi 10000mAh Redmi Power Bank offers a couple of options for how to recharge its own battery. Both a USB-C port for power input as well as a micro USB port, in case you’ve got the legacy cable are on hand, are available for a simple juice up. And, all of this comes packed into a unit that weighs just 254 grams.
Mophie PowerStation
Best Portable Charger with Quickcharge
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 20W | Ports: 1 x USB-C. 2 x USB-A | Size: 5.63 x 2.76 x 0.63 | Weight: 272.2g
When you’re short on time and are looking for the quickest possible charge out of a power bank, you can’t go wrong with the Mophie PowerStation. This battery ekes out 20W of fast-charging power through a USB-C PD output, delivering about a 50 percent charge to your phone in under 30 minutes. And if you choose to use the two USB-A ports to juice up headphones and other devices simultaneously with your phone, you’ll get a 15W combined output.
The Mophie Powerstation features a 10,000mAh battery, so there’s about two full phone charges worth of juice in it. And when the battery itself needs charging, you’ll know thanks to handy integrated LEDs. The power bank also remains relatively compact and lightweight, so you can just toss it in your bag, while the 50 price tag is easy to digest.
Anker 737 PowerCore 24K
Best Portable Laptop Charger
Capacity: 24,000mAh | Total Output: 140W | Ports: 2 x USB-C (140W, 122W), 1 x USB-A (18W) | Size: 6.13 x 2.15 x 1.95 | Weight: 630g
A laptop isn’t easy to keep topped up with any old battery bank, heck, most don’t even have enough juice or output power to handle it. However, the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K is up to the challenge. This battery bank not only has 24,000mAh of energy stored inside, but it can output at a max of 140W to keep many an Ultrabook or MacBook juiced up even while they’re running. On top of that, it has the extra capacity to feed power to two additional devices, one over its USB-A port at an 18W max, while the additional USB-C port shares 122W of powerful charging with the laptop plugged into the other USB-C.
You’d think the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K’s massive battery means it needs some serious time to recharge, but it manages to do it under an hour. And, if you’re worried about all this power causing the portable charger to overheat, there is included technology that monitors the temperature, ensuring things stay safe. To round out this highly-capable battery bank is a handy digital display showing valuable info, including the total input and output power, the estimated time to recharge, and the battery health.
Omni Ultimate 120v
Best Portable Charger With AC Power
Capacity: 38,400mAh | Total Output: 150W | Ports: 1 x 3-prong AC (120W), 1 x DC (100W out, 90W in), 2 x USB-C (100W out, 90W in), 2 x USB-A (22.5W) | Size: 6.5 x 5.7 x 2.1 | Weight: 1406.1g
If you need a serious portable charger to juice up your laptop or other power-hungry devices, you can’t go wrong with the Omni Ultimate 120v. Anything plugged into this portable battery’s AC port can feed on up to 120W of power, which is more than enough to recharge the MacBook Pro or even some gaming laptops. It far outpaces any of the other AC plug-equipped batteries we’ve seen that usually top out at an 80W max. Beyond the AC port, there’s also an adjustable DC port that outputs 100W for another laptop, a USB-C port for 60W power delivery, and even a few more charging options. Most of your devices, including cameras and drones, can be charged using this power bank.
The Omni Ultimate 120v comes with 38,400mAh on hand, so it will get you through a full day without ever having to touch a wall plug. It even has a removable battery, so when one is depleted, you can replace it. Plus, pass-through charging allows you to top up your devices and the power bank at the same time. And amazingly, Omni manages to keep all this power in a rugged, relatively compact design, so it’s a perfect travel companion whether you’re taking it on a plane or toting it along on a camping trip.
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
Best Compact Portable Charger
Capacity: 5,000mAh | Total Output: 20W | Ports: 1 x USB-C | Size: 4.45 x 1.18 x 1.18 | Weight: 199.6g
Power banks are relatively clunky, especially when you consider you’ll need to tote a block around with you if you want to recharge the battery itself. However, the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K includes a foldable plug to juice up your device and battery anywhere you find a wall outlet. And it does that while maintaining a tiny, lightweight form factor, so you can easily slide the power bank into your bag or
Of course, you bought the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K to charge up your devices on the go, and it offers a somewhat modest 5,000 mAh battery—enough to fill up your smartphone about one time. Charging is done via a USB-C port for ample compatibility, though you only get one port. It even utilizes Anker’s Power IQ 3.0 technology, delivering safe, high-speed charging to your devices.
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Best MagSafe Portable Charger
Max Charging Rate: 15W (wired), 5W (wireless) | Battery size: 1,460mAh | Connector Type: 1 x Lightning | Size: 4.46 x 3.24 x 0.93
Wireless charging is cool at home, but you know where it’s even cooler? On the go. Plugging in your phone with a cable isn’t the end of the world at home, but you don’t want to have your phone, a battery pack, and a tangle of cable jammed into your when you’re out and about. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is a solution for this on for the best iPhones.
Now this pack doesn’t have the biggest charge with only a 1,460mAh battery, but it’ll snap onto the back of your iPhone magnetically to help keep it topped up without needing any wires in the mix. And don’t worry, that magnet won’t interfere with your credit cards or key fobs. It really is a bit handy when you’re on the go, but it can continue to be useful when you get wherever you’re going. By plugging the MagSafe Battery Pack into a 20W charger over a Lightning cable, you can simultaneously recharge the pack and your iPhone at the same time, even giving the iPhone the full 15W charging speed that MagSafe enables.
Marval Power GuliKit Battery Master
Best Nintendo Switch Power Bank
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 15W | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C (built in cable) | Size: 5.24 x 2.76 x 0.71 | Weight: 249.5G
A power bank is an essential Nintendo Switch accessory, as it’s a simple and effective way to extend your Switch’s less-than-stellar battery life. The Marval Power GuliKit Battery Master is our favorite because rather than a typical battery bank, this one actually straps to the rear of your Switch or OLED Switch. It adds some weight and bulk to your device, but you’ll still have an enjoyable playing experience while charging.
The 10,000mAh battery should extend your gaming time by about 10 hours, and the 15W power delivery means your Switch will be topped up in no time. There’s a built-in USB-C cable, while a USB-A and USB-C port makes it possible to juice up a phone or other device without unplugging your Switch. Short circuit and overvoltage protection on the Marval Power GuliKit Battery Mastern also ensure your devices charge safely.
What to Look for in a Portable Charger
When shopping for a power bank the most important spec you should look out for is capacity. This figure is always followed closely by a mAh unit, which stands for milliamp-hour. Given that most ultra-thin flagship phones have a 3,000mAh battery inside of them already, you’re going to want to find a portable charger with at least that much capacity, so you can double the battery life of your handset—unless of course, you’re looking for an extremely portable battery.
As you may have noticed most portable chargers these days come in a 10,000mAh capacity or higher, and this is pretty much the standard. Portable batteries of this size should give you three times or more charge while you’re on the go.
After considering the capacity of your charger, you’re going to want to think about charging speeds and the ports that deliver those speeds. Not all chargers are created equal, with some offering much higher charging capabilities with increased voltages and amperages. Some chargers may use standards like Power Delivery (PD) to connect with your device and send the maximum energy possible. So, you’ll want to compare what output capabilities the charger has with the charging speeds your phone or other electronics supports. Also, check which ports offer those speeds, as you may find some offer much higher charging than others.
Doing this, you can find chargers that support the quick charging of your phone or even find chargers that will be capable of delivering enough power to keep even your laptop running for some extra time. You’ll also want to consider this same aspect but for the charger itself. After all, it has a battery that needs recharging, too. If you have a 20,000mAh battery, but it only supports 5W input, it’s going to take a long time to fill it back up.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on @baggingspam.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
Best Graphene Power Banks You Can Buy
Graphene is the next big thing in battery technology. Thanks to its properties like higher energy density, higher electrical conductivity, flexibility, strength and more, Graphene batteries are superior to Li-Po batteries. They are lighter, more durable, last longer, and can store more charge than Li-Po batteries in the same size. However, one thing that is holding Graphene back is the cost of production which is very high. Still, there are some Graphene power banks in the market which you can buy right now. In this article, we are going to list the best Graphene power banks that you can buy right now.
Best Graphene Power Banks You Can Buy in 2020
Since Graphene is very costly, creating batteries for mass consumption is still not financially viable. However, researchers found that you don’t need a Graphene only battery to get better performance. In fact, just using a hybrid battery made of regular Li-Po and Graphene results in higher capacity and better lifetime charge cycles. Currently, most of the Graphene power banks that you can find on the market are these hybrid batteries. Once the production cost of Graphene comes down, we will see pure Graphene power banks on the market.
Apollo Traveller
Apollo Traveller is the first Graphene power bank that is available to purchase. The product was launched as an Indiegogo campaign and is now available to purchase. The biggest feature of Apollo Traveller is its super-fast charging speed. Even the best Li-Po power banks need overnight to charge fully, whereas you can charge Apollo Traveller from 0 to 100% in just 18 minutes. That is some crazy recharging speed which is only possible in a Graphene battery.
Apart from the charging speed, Apollo Traveller also brings other benefits over lithium polymer batteries. It has an excellent charge cycle life of 10,000 cycles which is 10 times better than your normal power banks. Also, it supports USB-C PD which means you can charge smartphones, tablets, and even laptops that support USB-C charging. Also, it supports fast charging for supported Android and iOS devices. The only drawback of Apollo Traveller is that it comes with only 5,000 mAh capacity which is a bit on the lower side.
Product Specifications
- 5,000 mAh capacity
- 10,000 charge cycle
- Fast charging support
- USB-C power delivery
- 0 to 100% recharge in 18 minutes
Buy from Elecjet: 88
Allsees Graphene Wireless Portable Charger
The Allsees graphene battery power bank is not only powered by graphene but also has a built-in wireless charging coil that lets you charge your smartphones wirelessly. There are two USB-A ports that support normal charging, along with a USB-C port for a faster 18W power delivery charging. That means this graphene battery pack allows you to charge four devices simultaneously.
The power bank is compact and weighs at little as a can of soup. Despite the small size and lower weight, it has a working capacity of 15,000 mAh. That means you will be able to charge an iPhone 11 Pro at least four times and the new Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 3 times over. The power bank also brings a convenient LED display that shows the remaining charge. It has all the features that you expect from a good power bank.
Product Specifications
- 15,000 mAh capacity
- Fast charging support
- Wireless Charging
- 0 to 100% recharge in 6 hours
Buy from Amazon: 59.99
Flash by Chargeasap
Flash by Chargeasap is another graphene power bank that comes with a humongous 20,000mAh of capacity and power output of up to 150W. While we can’t test the claims, the company has reportedly partnered with Tesla and Panasonic to build this superfast Graphene power bank. Chargeasap is currently crowdfunding the project on Indiegogo and is now on shipping stage.
The tech behind this power bank is similar to the Real Graphene power bank. You are essentially getting a lithium-polymer battery but with 5% of composite graphene mixed to make the power bank superconductive.
As the company claims, Flash can charge smartphones having standard-sized batteries within 25 minutes. Apart from that, this graphene power bank is compatible with Power Delivery, Qualcomm Quick Charge and supports low-power charging for Apple Watch and Airpods too. On the tech front, Flash seems a top-notch product and similar is the case with features as well.
It has three ports including one type-C and two USB-A ports. Further, there is wireless charging on top of that so that is amazing. All in all, I would say, if you want a Graphene power bank with ultra-fast charging speed with all the modern features then Flash by Chargeasap can be an awesome pick.
Product Specifications
- 20,000 mAh capacity
- 2000 charge cycle
- Wireless charging
- Fast charging support
- USB-C power delivery 3.0 (100 W)
- 0 to 80% recharge in 35 minutes
ULTRON Graphene Power Bank
If you are looking for a higher capacity Graphene battery bank then check out Ultron which has a capacity of 20,000 mAh capacity. The product is currently on Indiegogo and is in the production phase. It is supposed to start shipping by the end of the year.
Like the Apollo Traveller, the USP of Ultron is its super-fast recharging speed. You can charge Ultron from 0 to 100% in just 85 minutes. That’s for a battery of 20,000 mAh capacity which is something unheard of.
Ultron also brings a higher recharging life cycle of 2000 which is five times better than the life cycle of best power banks out there. The power bank also supports both Power Delivery 2.0 and Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 charging technologies. It means that it supports fast charging for both Android and iOS devices.
You can also charge multiple devices at once. Another unique feature of Ultron Graphene power bank is that it supports wireless charging and brings a built-in wireless charging pad at the top. Overall, this is a great product and if you are looking for a Graphene power bank you should buy it.
Product Specifications
- 20,000 mAh capacity
- 2000 charge cycle
- Fast charging support
- USB-C power delivery 2.0
- 0 to 100% recharge in 85 minutes
Use These Graphene Power Banks to Up Your Charging Game
Graphene power banks are superior to lithium polymer power banks. Not only they recharge quickly but they also last longer. It’s still early stages for Graphene power banks so there are not a ton of options on the market. But we will see more and more power banks being released in the future. And we will keep updating this article every month to include the newer ones. So, keep checking back to find the best Graphene power banks that you can buy.
Shargeek Flow Mini Power Bank Charger
Shargeek Flow Power bank brings efficient heat dissipation by deconstructing and internalizing the classic transparent design and striped elements of the iMac G3; it uses LG batteries for small size and big power.Super Portable Design: Sharge 10000mAh portable powerbank, which is only one-third the size of iPhone 13 Pro and smaller than a credit card. The compact design is perfect for outdoor hiking, travel, business, etc.Unique Low-Current Mode：Unlike most portable power banks, Sharge low-current mode can work with not only all the phones, tablets but your smaller devices like Airpods, bluetooth headphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, etc.Excellent Charging Function：This 10000mAh portable battery charger is dual output ports can charge two devices at the same time, and it also supports pass-through charging, which can charge a battery pack while charging a device. The 20W max output can charge an iPhone 12 to 50% in 30 minutes.Universal Compatibility：This portable phone charger with USB-C and USB-A two output port can be compatible with all Smart devices on the market, such as iPhone/Samsung/Pixel/LG/Switch series, etc. 10000mAh battery capacity can be used for iPhone 13 2.4 times, iPhone 8 3.7 times, Samsung Galaxy S22 2 times, Pixel 6 1.8times.Superior Safety：Sharge high safety standards make this USB power bank is shell not only made of fireproof materials, but also has over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, over-current protection, anti-static protection, short circuit protection and overload protection. Guard your security 24 hours a day.
POWERFUL IN/OUT
Sharge Flow Type-C port not only supports 20W output but also supports 18W input, saving you one third of charging time compared to other power banks on the market.
PASS-THROUGH CHARGING
Sharge Flow small power bank supports Pass-through charging, so you can charge your phone while charging yourself.
LOW-POWER MODE
Press and hold the switch for 5 seconds, and Sharge Flow will enter lower power charging mode to support low power devices, including wearables like smartwatches and wireless earbuds.
Wide Compatibility
The USB-C and USB-A output compatible with 99% of the electronic devices on the market.
Product Protection
Six safety protection featuresAll-round guarding your security
Smart Temperature Control System 3.0
Automatic temperature detection of the battery cell, to protect your charging safety
Sale price 49.99 Regular price (/)
Sale price 49.99 Regular price (/)
Shargeek Storm2 and Storm2 Slim hands-on review
Shargeek has scored a crowdfunding hit with its Storm2 power bank and its Slim variant. Their appeal is based on their transparent design; however, beyond that, they purport to deliver on high-wattage charging via their visible lithium-ion batteries. Is it all just for show, though? We will also see what the OEM’s first-gen Retro power brick has behind its nostalgic charms.
With clear shells showing a board that put an array of fascinating-looking internals on display, the Shargeek Storm2 and Storm2 Slim look like a tech fan’s dream. However, can they and their power bank functions live up to the resulting expectations?
Unboxing and First Impressions
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Interesting, functional-looking capacitors and chips, a full-color display purporting to show its precise input and output, lots of different ports: the Storm2 seems to have it all. They are on view on the board stacked on top of its batteries. You can even see the circuit traces between the various components: there’s a lot going on.
Much the same can be said for the Storm2 Slim, although it has different 18500 batteries that go better with its white accents. Shargeek is almost patently looking to out-Nothing the Nothing phone (1) with this one.
Its batteries have 72 watt-hours (Wh) of rated capacity, with 93.6Wh for the Storm2. also clearly on show thanks to the batteries visible through the power bank’s clear plastic chassis.
The larger version is rated to be able to charge devices at up to 100W (20V/5A) via USB type-C. There is also a less powerful second type-C port and a type-A port. however, the Storm2 stands out due to its inclusion of a DC input as well.
The Storm2 series also distinguish themselves with IPS displays with a read-out supposedly controlled by its own Energy Storage Management (or ESM) OS (v1.0). The screens are well-populated with charging info in volts and amperage to 2 decimal places (which I found only more or less in keeping with those of my usual USB multi-meter), yet seem intuitive enough.
They are also reversible. which is often handy.
They are identical on either variant. except for the extra page of DC controls on the Storm2, which allow the user to tune that output based on the requirements of a given device.
Charging Tests: Storm2
It works as advertised, too, powering a portable generator that is quite picky about the chargers with which it will work.
The DC port also works as an input, albeit about half as fast (~44W) as that of the 100W USB type-C port. also, it should be noted that it is a 5.5×2.5mm input, for which my power supply needed an adapter. just a good thing I had one around.
It should be noted that using this method results in some excruciating high-pitched buzzing (practically beeping) noises, albeit not for too long, lasting while the Storm2 charges from about 7 to 17% and then abating completely.
the Chargeasap Flash Pro, and both power banks also take about as long to charge.
The 100W port is also intended for use as an output, and is compatible with a laptop capable of charging at 20V/5A via USB type C.
I did often find that I had to connect and re-connect the Storm2 to a Razer Blade Stealth a few times over to get its top rates out of it and avoid the dreaded Power Required system pop-up. however, once it got going at what I’ve come to think of as normal service with power banks, even those touted as ultra-fast-charging. This means it goes at ~55W, dropping to ~40W over time with peaks at ~63W, until it tops the laptop up by 75% to 90%, taking ~72 to 92 minutes to do so, depending on what I’m doing at the time.
On that note, the power bank has exhibited a tendency to emit piercing buzzing or whining noises under severe load. such as when you’re gaming on said laptop and have forgotten which charging method you’re using. It has also gotten the hottest it has gotten so far (~56°C, although not for long enough for me to get it on camera) while doing so. albeit not dangerously so.
This happened most often when using an official Razer braided cable rather than the one from Shargeek.
The Storm2 is also rated for pass-through charging using its 100W type-C port as an input and the other one as an output. I found that it worked.
unless the power bank was at very low battery levels itself.
Thermal Tests
The Storm2 series also integrates battery and chip temperature readings among their read-outs.
Comparing them against FLIR imaging did not get anything close to exact matches from any angle, suggesting that either the sensors taking the power banks’ readings are not on show, or they are inaccurate in some way.
Suffice it to say I detected multiple hot-spots on both power banks in all tested use-cases, but couldn’t find measurements that conformed 100% to the figures on-screen. In fact, the most accurate readings came from under the accessories’ displays. where no chip is visible.
Charging Tests: Storm2 Slim
The smaller power bank of the 2 is also capable of performance as expected, even with a 100W ultrabook. In fact, its charging curves may have gone better, possibly thanks to its lower capacity. Then again, it is obviously not quite capable of filling a PC’s battery to 100%.
The Storm2 Slim could also power a Galaxy S22 Ultra (that I’ve had to use while my Note 10 undergoes repair), albeit not at its top 45W rate.
One day, I’d like that to actually work. It would charge at up to ~35W, albeit mostly at the start of its charging cycle and not for long.
It also has a type-A port that can handle anything thrown at it.
Design Build Quality
It is inevitably all about looks with the Storm2 and Storm2 Slim, given their design. It is, therefore, just as well both accessories ship with their own little drawstring bags.
I’m normally never inclined to use extras like those, although I’d have to make an exception in carrying either power bank around to prevent scuffs or marks on the clear polycarbonate. much of the point of them is that they are see-through, after all.
I also worry about their discoloring over time. This, weirdly enough, seems to be happening quite early on with the Storm2 Slim: it has developed faint milky streaks along both sides of its upper surface, and I can’t get rid of them.
They seem to be on the inside of the plastic, and I’m not sure how they formed. the external plastic still seems completely sealed. although the regular changes in internal temperature may not have helped. Then again, the Storm2 has yet to acquire a noticeable mark.
Retro 35W GaN Charger
These review units came with a fun Easter egg: a power brick! That might not sound like much, although this one has been molded to look like an old-school PC, floppy-disk drive slot and all.
It is finished in an authentic-looking off-gray color, and even its indicator light is disguised as its “display”. Shargeek have thus put a lot into trying to make it fun for all, especially with the multi-region adapters for its downward-facing (relative to the form-factor) US-compatible prongs that come in the box.
However, that is also a potential disadvantage for those in the Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom: with the adapter on, it only faces one way, so when it is plugged into the almost invariably wall-mounted socket, well.
Therefore, it needs an upward-facing socket or adapter to get the best out of it and its happy little classic emoji face. It is located on the screen, which can be customized with the stickers Shargeek includes in the box (I am most drawn to the panda these days for some reason).
However, on that note, there is no space for a cable in its box, presumably because it can be bundled with a Storm2 Slim.In terms of its function, it delivers power to different devices compatible with its type-C port (located on the top of the “monitor”) and its charging profiles.
Accordingly, it achieves standard results with an S22 Ultra, iPhone 13 Pro and various accessories, changing “display” colors as outlined in its instructions without getting even slightly hot.
Conclusion
Overall, I do quite enjoy using the Storm2 power banks. I’ve found they get results comparable to others I’ve tested with similar specs, in terms of charging rates and times for the devices in my usual rotation. Then again, their potential for cosmetic damage does still worry me, and I wish the display’s readings had proven a little more accurate.
Other power banks do have more ports, however, which is a particular disadvantage for the Slim variant. The selling point of a DC port as a back-up would be more useful had the Storm2 been shipped with compatible cables, to be honest.
Besides that, the Storm2 series is arguably better for travel than the heavier and more metallic Chargeasap Flash Pro: even the larger Storm2 beats it in terms of footprint and weight, despite having the same rated capacity.
The only other major negative point arises from the worrying noises the Storm2 is capable of making: I am now a little more careful about how I use it with high-voltage devices. Then again, the onset of serious battery failure or instability would be easier to spot in its case.
Overall, I’d be happy to travel with either Storm2 power bank (so long as I have their own cables to hand), even though the Slim is obviously marketed as the more portable. then again, I haven’t been in a position to test their alleged ability to get through an airport. If you want to try flying with them, they are available on shargeek.com or Amazon for US199 to 229 at present.
As for the 35W GaN charger, it might work best for those looking for something that could be a desk toy as well as a power accessory – particularly as it launched at US59.99. Then again, I do appreciate that it never seems to overheat and acts to compensate for my non-existent iPhone charger.
Also, with the adapters, I could conceivably travel with it (presuming I didn’t need to do so with a laptop). However, unfortunately, I find it harder to recommend in the face of the new 67W alternative.
Disclaimer: The author of this review received this item from Shargeek free of charge for the purpose of testing.
What you need to know
I will be the first to admit that portable chargers, while extremely useful, are typically not the things I like to review. They are usually metal slabs with some specs that may (or may not) impress you with an expected price tag.
That is why when I got the chance to sample this Storm 2 charger, I took the opportunity. After all, it is see-through, and it has an LCD. I am a simple tech guy, so yes, these things intrigue me.
Here’s what else you need to know about this sci-fi-looking battery bank.
Storm 2 Liquid: Specs and features
The Storm 2 is a 99.36 WHr portable battery. That number should mean something to you as it is just a hair below what you are legally allowed to carry on airplanes making this ideal for the traveling tech nerd.
As is evident, the most striking feature of Storm 2 is the see-through chassis that lets you see the Panasonic lithium-ion batteries, 32-bit M3 ARM MCU chip, and the TI BQ40z50 coulombmeter (of course, you knew what those were).
| 100W PD In/Out3.3-25.2V DC OutPass-through charging |
| 27,600mAh/99.36WhPanasonic-Sanyo NCR18650GA |
| 2x USB Type-C (100W, 30W)1x USB Type-A (5V)1x DC Output (3.3-25.2V/3A) |
| 1.14 IPS TFT LCD |
| Airline Safe Compact Battery BankRetro Style MonitorManual Power ControlVoltage ProtectionShort Circuit, and Temperature Protection |
| 500 charges |
| 1.5 hours |
| 151 x 46 x 59 mm |
| 578 grams |
| Aluminum Alloy/V0 fireproof chassis |
The see-thoroughness serves no purpose other than aesthetics, but you must admit it looks very DIY. The company notes that this case and batteries are approved by Tesla and a V0 classification Fireproof PC Chassis. It should be safe, especially when combined with the protection for voltage, short circuit, and temperature abnormalities.
But it is that 1.14-inch IPS TFT LCD window that’s intriguing. The mini-OS is powered by a 32-bit M3 ARM MCU, and it lets you visualize battery life, charge cycles, output distribution per battery cell, running temp, and DC voltage adjustment. The display can be left on all the time or turn off after a specific duration. You can manipulate the battery’s settings via the single yellow button and a combo of short or long pushes.
Storm 2 Liquid: How is it?
I’ve had the Storm 2 for about a week now using to charge everything from my various smartphones to laptops. With the 100-watt output via Type-C, the charger can handle everything but gaming laptops (which require much more power due to GPUs).
The output is dynamic when a laptop is in use, and it is rather neat to see it fluctuate based on demand. The Razer Book 13 could draw 80 watts of power in performance mode, more than its typical 65-watt charger would allocate. It’s that ability to see what is happening when plugged in (versus blindly assuming output) that makes Storm 2 different from everything else.