Verbatim 10400mAh Power Bank Review
I picked up a Verbatim 10400mAh power bank for S$17.90 (students promotion) at a local popular recently and have been using it as my main power bank for 2 weeks now. My unboxing and initial impression can be found here. The confusingly named Verbatim 10400mAh power bank, or should I say "Verbatim Dual Output Li-ion Power Pack", is 2 years old at this point in time but you can still find one in Popular bookstores.
How did it stack up against the competition 2 years ago? Can it compete with some of today's slim and feature packed power banks? Most importantly, should you get one? In today's review, we shall be comparing the Verbatim Dual Output Li-ion Power Pack to my favorite 10000mAh power banks from the past and present.
Design - Unimpressive to Say the Least
Will paying more always get you something better? Nope, not in this case. At close to $30 regular price, the Verbatim would have been the costliest power bank I have purchased if it wasn't for the student promotion. Yet, it is probably one of the most "meh" looking power bank in my entire collection.
Let's compare it with the OnePlus 10000mAh Power Bank, which was also launched in 2015 and also features dual USB output. The OnePlus Power Bank is the sleekest non-metal body power bank I have seen, thanks to the ergonomic curves, the long form factor, as well as the really unique texture on the sandstone black version. Meanwhile, the Verbatim Power Pack's glossy plastic body and its chunky design is a steep contrast from the OnePlus Power Bank.
Speaking of chunky design, the Verbatim Power Pack's dimensions is very close to the classic 10400mAh Mi Power Bank, which is almost as thick, slightly wider but shorter. Unlike the Verbatim Power Pack, the classic Mi Power Bank has rounded sides, so it fits comfortably in the hand. Also, its metal exterior is a lot more aesthetically pleasing and nicer feeling than the Verbatim's full plastic body. It is a shame that the Verbatim Power Pack's design cannot come close to its competitor that is launched 2 years before and costs quite a bit less.
Another thing I would like to point out is the square around the battery indicators on the Verbatim Power Pack, which is very ugly in my opinion. Also, looking through the USB ports, you can clearly see the green light and internals, which is very concerning. A little water droplet through the ports and things could get messy. All of these reflects badly of the craftsmanship.
Charging - Not Too Shabby
Let's begin with the specs. The Verbatim Power Pack features dual USB output, just like the OnePlus Power Bank. But unlike the OnePlus Power Bank, one of its output port is restricted to 5V 1.0A, while the other is capped at 5V 2.1A. Considering that most of today's Android phones require more than 1.0A, the Verbatim Power Pack is in a really bad position. Testing the ports using a USB tester and a completely drained Redmi Note 4, the 1.0A rated output port is indeed capped at 1.0A. The 2.1A port due to an inconsistency of results so I wasn't able to come to any meaningful conclusion.
Fully charged, the Verbatim Power Pack could charge a Mi4i from 0% to 50%, Redmi Note 4 from 0% to full plus an iPhone SE from 0% to full and another 0% to 20%. These add up to a actual output capacity of approximately 7000mAh, placing the Verbatim Power Pack on par with most of the 10000mAh power banks we see today. One of the biggest surprises from the Power Pack is that it supports pass-through charging, allowing you to charge a device while the Power Pack is being charged.
As for charging the power bank, you can do so via the Micro USB port. It is rated at 5V 1.5A which I have confirmed with a USB tester. Charging the Verbatim Power Pack from zero to full takes slightly under 7 hours, which is about what you will get from most power banks of this size in 2015. If you aren't so patient, consider getting a power bank with fast charging instead, like the Mi Power Bank Pro.
Conclusion - Should You Get One in 2017?
While the Verbatim Power Pack is not a bad per se, but you can easily find something better that costs less so I do not recommend picking up one. For the best bang-for-the buck, the Mi Power Bank 2 is the power bank you should get. At only $28.80, it is one of the most reliable yet affordable power bank of its size. If you want something unique, extremely well built and kind of overpriced, Samsung's kettle design battery pack is what I recommend.
As mentioned above, the Verbatim Power Pack's design is really bland, losing out to the classic Mi Power Bank, which is 4 years old at this point in time. It does feature both dual output and pass-through charging, which kind of make up for the bland design. However, the Verbatim Power Pack is neither able to match the capabilities of modern power banks, nor can it beat them in the looks department. Xiaomi's Mi Power Bank 2 is cheaper, features a slim metal body and supports 18W fast charging (output). The only drawback is that it only has 1 output port.
