Power banks are a tradeoff: too big and they’re heavy and awkward to carry, too small and they’re pretty useless because there’s not enough charge power. I’ve found that the 10,000mAh mark is the sweet spot in terms of weight for general pocket carry.
But even at that size, design plays a big part. A blocky, angular power bank just doesn’t sit well in a pocket or bag. Occasionally I come across a power bank that has the right blend of power capacity, features, design, and price.
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The latest power bank to tick these boxes has been the Voltme Hypercore 10K Pro
The corners are also rounded and soft, so there’s nothing on the power bank to dig into your skin or burst a hole in the side of a backpack — something I’ve had happen on a multi-day hike. That expensive, waterproof power bank now lies somewhere in the Brecon Beacon hills in South Wales.
Just keep in mind that it’s a little chunkier than some of the larger (and flatter) power banks that can sit flush with your phone.
A port on each end is quite unique in the power bank world, and I have to admit that I like this setup.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I particularly like the orientation of the ports — much better than having them on one end. You can also use both ports simultaneously or be charging the power bank using USB-C while using the USB-A port to charge another device, which is a handy feature.
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On the front of the unit is a four-LED power indicator and a button for activating it and turning on low-power mode so you can keep your smartwatch, earbuds, or fitness tracker charged and ready for action.
And the price is also right at $23. I’ve seen no-name power banks that look and feel sketchier for more than this.