Powerbanks for mobile devices – Part 3 / 4

ASolar Xtorm PowerBank AL380 – 14’000mAh

Next one please: the ASolar Xtorm Powerbank AL380. With 14’000mAh this battery pack is suitable for looooong travels. Although it has a large capacity, the charging power is 1A per port, so tablet users may be patient and should not use the tablet during charge process.

What we have here, is a true power monster for cell phone owners that are outside for a prolonged time! Large capacity but low-Power ports make it a companion for cell phone users as tablet computer users won’t be too happy with the results.

A built-in LED torchligt (being bright!) makes finding the connector to the cell phone easier in the dark. But the torch is due to it’s brightnes not limited to connector-finding.

The design is sleek and non-spectacuar and reminds me of a typical Apple product with it’s glossy surface but smudges and fingerprints are magically attached to it and you’ll find yourself carrying a microfibre cloth with you!

Average power measurements are not what a pro user is looking for but it might help filling up your phone

Charge:	Discharge:	Dimensions:
Input Voltage: 4.72V Input Power: 0.63A Input Duration: 26:36:17 Input Capacity: 18158mAh	Output Voltage: 4.72V Output Power: 0.85A Output Duration: 36:51:02 Output Capacity: 8858mAh IPhone Charged at: 283%	Weight: 458g Height: 125mm Width: 75mm Depth: 23mm
Overall efficiency: 48%
Battery type: LiIon (5 18650 cells)
Pros: LED display status indicator Clearly communicated power ratings Built-In LED torch (bright!) Cons: Recharge using standard USB is also extremely slow (26 hours!) Input port seems not be able to take more than 0.65A charging power LED indicators are tiny and only be clearly readable in dark. Very poor efficiency ratio! 2 Ports with 1A each only Not suitable for tablet computers although capacity is sufficient!
Price: Roughly 89 CHF / 79 USD / 79€

ASolar Xtorm PowerBank XB102 – 15’000mAh

On to the next behemoth of power banks. with 15’000mAh this battery pack has enough capacity to even fill up your tablet computer.

So what we look at here is a true power monster when it comes to charging multiple devices at a time. Not only are there 3 USB ports which sum up to 3A combined output power (which means, 1 device at 2.4A, 2 devices at 1.5A each, 3 Devices at 1A each) but it also comes in a sort of ruggedized style. However don’t let spashes hit the case as it is for sure not water resistant. And as we all know, LiIon batteries don’t like short-circuitry at all!

With a built-in charge cord, you don’t have to worry about how to recharge the battery once it has been drained but make sure you have an USB plug with you to attach it to.

With a whopping 3 output ports that deliver a combined output of 3A(15W) you will be able to have one device charged at 2.4A(10.2W) or 2 devices combined at 1.5A(7.5W) each or 3 devices at 1A(5W) each. So you can say “sharing is caring” and if you’re out with your buddies and one of them needs to juice up his device while you do, you can do so with ease!

Charge:	Discharge:	Dimensions:
Input Voltage: 5.15V Input Power: 1.20A Input Duration: 16:05:17 Input Capacity: 13776mAh	Output Voltage: 5.19V Output Power: 0.91A Output Duration: 12:17:02 Output Capacity: 8787mAh IPhone Charged at: 277%	Weight: 314g Height: 130mm Width: 75mm Depth: 22mm
Overall efficiency: 63%
Battery type: LiIon (5 18650 cells)
Pros: Acceptable Weight and size LED display status indicator Output power OK Clearly communicated power ratings 3 USB B ports delivering max. 2.4A (total 3.1A output power – Power management) Average efficiency Cons: Recharge using standard USB is also extremely slow (16 hours!) Input port seems not be able to take more than 1.2A charging power Built-in charge cord only draws 1A LED indicators are tiny and only be clearly readable in dark. Capacity less than announced Ports become hot when 2.4A are drawn
Price: Roughly 89 CHF / 79 USD / 79€

Varta Powerpack Type 57962 – 16’000mAh

Varta, known as a manufacturer for alkaline batteries also entered the arena of powerpack suppliers. With their powerpack they try to win the sympathy of cell phone and tablet computer users. So how will Varta compete against the others. A successor or big looser?

The design is nothing special – it does it’s job, no less, no more! Simple case, port description, LED indicators, a LED torch in the form of one bright LED and of course Varta’s logo on it, that’s all you’ll find. Ideal for minimalists!

The haptics feel a bit cheap due to the plastic case but as long as the Powerbank does what it promises, it’s okay. Another good fact is the low price for the capacity you get.

Charge:	Discharge:	Dimensions:
Input Voltage: 5.11V Input Power: 1.51A Input Duration: 12:21:00 Input Capacity: 14300mAh	Output Voltage: 5.12V Output Power: 1.74A Output Duration: 16:44:00 Output Capacity: 9945mAh IPhone Charged at: 323%	Weight: 446g Height: 160mm Width: 82mm Depth: 22mm
Overall efficiency: 70%
Battery type: LiIon (6 18650 cells)
Pros: Good and stable voltage and power ratings LED display status indicator Output power good Clearly communicated power ratings 2 USB B ports delivering max. 2.4A and 1.0A (total 3.4A output power) Average Efficiency Good price Cons: Recharge using standard USB is slow (12 hours!) though it draws 1.5A LED indicators are tiny and only be clearly readable in dark. Ports become hot when 2.4A are drawn
Price: Roughly 35 CHF / 29€

Aukey PB-Y2 Gen2 – 16’000mAh

A similar big battery pack is the Aukey PB-Y2! It is newer than Varta’s battery pack and thus offers QuickCharge technology at one of the USB ports which means that any capable device supporting QuickCharge technology, can beef up the Charge speed by 75%. Although the output still doesn’t exceed 2.4A, the manufacturer claims Qualcomm-QuickCharge-compatible android devices to be charged 75% faster than usual devices. As we don’t have any Android devices supporting QuickCharge, we cannot verify this statement nor can we tell how these devices get pumped up so fast.

Anyhow, testing with iDevices, we get remarkable values and you get what you paid for. A solid battery pack that juices up your cell phone several times.

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