As the number of devices in our lives increases, so does the need for power sources to charge them. No wonder, then, that a power bank has become almost as important to many of us as the devices it charges. But with multiple devices, not only multiple sockets are needed, but also multiple charging cables. While carrying a power bank is easy, carrying a bunch of different cords to charge these different devices can be quite a twisted affair (pun intended).
And it gets very complicated when the devices you own have different power outlets — an iPhone, for example, has a Lightning connector, most Android phones have USB Type-C ports, while some cameras and headphones still use Micro – Equipped with USB ports. As a result, one’s pocket can often contain a tangle of charging cords as well (most charging cords tend to be a few feet long, which can make them particularly tangled). Yes, there are also power banks with wireless charging support, but then they tend to be expensive and you can only use them to charge one device at a time, and not too fast either.
That’s why we like the Amazon Basics 10,000 mAH lithium polymer power bank. At the time of writing it has been retailing for Rs 1,099 but we’ve seen it dip into the under thousand category a couple of times. A little over or under a thousand, we think it’s a great deal for anyone looking for a power bank that can charge multiple devices at a price close to Rs 1,000 and want to save themselves the hassle of carrying multiple charging cables.
The power bank with built-in cables
On paper, this power bank seems a little run-of-the-mill. Its capacity is practical without being extraordinary, and although it can charge four devices, the maximum charging speed of each connection is around 10W. You can buy portable power banks that charge at 18W for around the same price. So you might be wondering what makes this one so special.
The answer is the fact that this power bank from Amazon Basics not only offers the possibility to charge four devices at the same time, but also three charging cables already connected to it – a Lightning cable, a USB Type-C cable and a Micro-USB Cable. These cables don’t dangle, but fit snugly into slots on the back of the power bank. There’s also a USB Type-A port that can charge devices, and a USB Type-C and Micro-USB port to charge the power bank itself. There’s also a built-in phone stand that can be extended to support a device if needed. You also get a USB to micro USB cable in the box. So you can actually just take this power bank with you and forget about carrying cables.
It even has a built-in kickstand that you can use to watch videos while charging. (Photo credit: Nimish Dubey/Indian Express)
Basic looks!
The Amazon Basics 10,000 mAh Lithium Polymer Power Bank is built more solidly than stylishly. It’s made of plastic with a matte, non-glossy finish and has a rectangular shape with a front and back that slope gently towards the sides. The front features Amazon Basics branding and four indicator lights to let you know the charge level. There is a button to turn the charger on and off on the top left side, while there is a micro USB port and a USB Type-C port on the top right side. On top is a normal USB (A) connection. The top also sees the starting point of the three flat charging cables housed on the back of the power bank. The back also has what looks like a button, but that’s actually where you pull out the phone holder.
At 144 mm, the power bank is slightly shorter than most smartphones, but significantly thicker at 21 mm. At 234 grams, it’s roughly the same weight as the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It can be slipped into a pocket, but we’d recommend carrying it in a pocket given its thickness and weight. It may have a matte finish but is prone to staining and attracting dust. However, it feels reassuringly solid.
Amazon Basics Powerbank has a simple but solid construction. (Photo credit: Nimish Dubey/Indian Express)
A consistent performer
The best part is that it actually works very well if all you’re looking for is the freedom of not lugging around cables. The three attached cables mean you can charge any mobile device – a Lightning connector (an iPhone, AirPods, older iPads), a USB Type-C connector (most Android phones and new cameras and headphones), and a Micro USB port (some budget Android devices, many cameras and headphones). And if you have a USB to Type-C/Lightning/Micro USB cable with you, you can also charge a fourth device using 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 on each of them, they generally don’t get in each other’s way. The connected cables are also short and flat, so there is no tangling problem, and they fit very well in the back of the power bank.
The mobile stand doesn’t slide out or snap back in very easily, but it’s great for propping up a device to continue using it while it’s charging. So you can continue your video call or watch a World Cup game even while the phone (the stand can’t hold anything bigger than a phone) is charging.
Don’t expect super-fast charging at any point – all four outputs max out at 10W, which is pretty handy, but not in the “charge from Zilch to max in under an hour” zone. For example, an iPhone 13 would take more than three hours to be charged by this power bank. Charging the power bank itself also takes quite a long time – between 5 and 6 hours. But we think that’s a small price to pay for what it delivers at an equally small price. Amazon also claims that it’s safe to use and comes with “over-current, over-voltage, and short-circuit protection with a built-in overheat shutdown feature.” We didn’t have any heating issues using the power bank even when we had three devices plugged into it – it did warm up while charging itself, but never uncomfortable.
The Amazon Basics power bank comes with three cables neatly housed within the case. (Photo credit: Nimish Dubey/Indian Express)
Not perfect, but absolutely good value for money for multi-device users
Amazon Basics’ 10,000mAh lithium-polymer power bank does have a few flaws – charging isn’t the fastest, as we’ve mentioned, and while we’ve had no issues with the cables connected, there’s a chance they’ve frayed where they are attached to the power bank. And well, if you don’t have a micro USB device, one of the cables will go to waste. The mobile stand is handy but doesn’t slide out easily. And for those who want a power bank that looks snazzy, well, this is all about function and not form.
However, the Amazon Basics 10,000 mAh Lithium Polymer Power Bank for about 1,000 rupees brings a lot to the charging table. Its biggest advantage is the freedom to lug around different cables, as well as decent capacity. For its price, we think it’s the perfect power bank for those who want one bank to charge all their devices without having to carry the hassle of cables for each one, and who aren’t too fixated on fast charging. Definitely worth buying for anyone burdened by multiple devices with multiple charging ports!
You will receive the Amazon Basics 10,000 mAh Lithium Polymer Power Bank from https://amzn.eu/d/g3KHCr0.
