As the number of devices increases in our lives, so does the need for energy sources to charge them. No wonder a power bank has become as essential to many of us as the devices it charges. But with so many devices comes not only the need for multiple power outlets but also the need for multiple charging cables. While carrying a power bank is easy, carrying around the different cables to charge these different devices can be quite complicated (pun intended).
It gets more complicated if the devices you own have different power outlets — for example, the iPhone has a Lightning port, most Android phones have USB Type-C ports, and many cameras and headphones come with micro USB connectors. As a result, one can often have a tangle of charging cables in one’s bag (most charging cables are a few feet long, which makes them an added complication). Yes, there are power banks that support wireless charging, but they are very expensive, and can only be used to charge one device at a time, and they are not fast.
That’s why we love the Amazon Basics 10,000mAh Lithium Polymer Battery Power Bank. At the time of writing, it was Rs. 1099, but we’ve seen it drop in the thousands multiple times. Just above or below a thousand rupees. We think this is a great deal for anyone who wants to take the hassle out of carrying a power bank that can charge multiple devices for approximately 1,000 or more devices. charging cables.
Power bank with built-in cables
On paper, this power bank looks like a bit of a run of the mill. Its capacity is minimal and it can charge up to four devices, with a maximum charging speed of around 10W per connection. You can get an 18W portable power bank for the same price. Therefore, one might wonder what sets it apart.
The answer is that the Amazon Basics power bank comes with the option to charge four devices simultaneously, but it actually comes with three charging cables — a Lightning cable, a USB Type-C cable, and a Micro USB cable. These cables don’t hang from it, but actually fit into the slots on the back of the power bank. There is also a USB Type A port for charging devices, a USB Type C port, and a micro USB port for charging the power bank itself. There is also a built-in phone holder that can be extended to support the device if needed, and a USB to micro USB cable is included in the box. So you can actually carry this power bank and forget about carrying cables.
It has a stand that can be used to watch videos while charging. (Photo: Nimish Dubey/Indian Express)
Basic look!
Amazon’s 10,000mAh Lithium Polymer Power Bank is durable without being sleekly built. It’s made of plastic with a matte, matte finish and comes rectangular in front and back with a gentle slope towards the sides. The front has an Amazon Basics label and four indicator lights to let you know the charging status. The top left side has a button to turn the charger on and off, while the top right side has a micro USB port and a USB Type C port. Bang on top is a regular USB (A) port. Also shown above is the starting point for the three flat charging cables attached to the back of the power bank. The back looks like a button but is actually a pull point for the phone holder mount.
The power bank measures 144mm in length, which is slightly shorter than most smartphones, yet it is 21mm thick. 234 grams, which is about the weight of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It can slip into a pocket, but we recommend carrying it in a bag due to its thickness and weight. It may have a matte finish, but it does attract stains and dust. Nevertheless, he feels reassuringly confident.
Amazon Basics Powerbank features a simple yet powerful build. (Image credit: Nimish Dubey/The Indian Express)
Steady performance
After all, it works really well if freedom from the pull of cords is what you’re looking for. Three connected cables mean you can charge any mobile device — a Lightning port (iPhones, AirPods, and older iPads), a USB Type-C port (mostly Android phones, newer cameras, and earphones), and a micro USB port (some budget Android devices, and plenty of cameras and headphones). Also, if you’re on USB and use a C/Lightning/Micro USB cable, you can also charge a fourth device from the regular USB port on top of the power bank. The cables that come with the power bank are of different lengths, so if you charge devices with each of them, they usually don’t conflict with each other. The included cables are also short and flat so they don’t get tangled up and fit very snugly in the back of the power bank.
The cellphone holder doesn’t slide or go in very smoothly, but is great for propping up the device to keep using it while charging. So, you can catch up on your video call or watch a World Cup match on your phone (you can’t carry anything bigger than a phone).
Don’t expect super-fast charging at any point — all four outputs max out at 10W, which is adequate, but not quite in the “charge from zero to peaks in under an hour” territory. For example, it takes more than three hours to charge the iPhone 13 with this power bank. It takes a long time to charge the power bank – 5-6 hours. But we think that’s a small price to pay for an equally small offering. Amazon says it’s safe to use and comes with “overcurrent, overvoltage, and short circuit protection, with a built-in shutdown feature if it overheats.” When using the power bank, we didn’t run into any heating issues, even when we had three devices connected to it – it did get hot while charging, but it wasn’t annoying.
The Amazon Basics Powerbank comes with three cables that fit neatly into the box. (Photo: Nimish Dubey/Indian Express)
Not perfect, but great value for money for multi-device users
The Amazon Basics 10,000 mAh Lithium Polymer Power Bank does have its drawbacks – charging isn’t as fast as we indicated, and while there aren’t any issues with the included cables, they are susceptible to damage. It is connected to a power bank. Also, if you don’t have a micro USB device, one of the cables will be wasted. The portable stand is easy to use but does not slide very smoothly. And for those who need a power bank, it’s more about function than form.
However, for around Rs 1,000, Amazon’s 10,000mAh Lithium Polymer Battery Power Bank brings a lot to the charging table. Its biggest asset is the freedom from getting around different wires, as well as decent efficiency. For its price, we think it’s the perfect power bank for those who want a single bank to charge all of their devices without the hassle of carrying around every cable and getting hung up on fast charging. Definitely worth buying for anyone burdened with multiple devices with multiple charging ports!
You can get a 10,000mAh lithium polymer battery power bank from Amazon Basics https://amzn.eu/d/g3KHCr0.